The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-02-20

not saved dollars and cents because of
being member. Trading stamps have
been done away with. One big dealer
said that trading stamps cost him 5000
q month and he never got 200 cents out
of it. Competition is not the life but
the death of trade, so far as the trades
man is concerned. Combination is the
life of trade. This we have learned
from the trusts. It is good thing that
ffaternalism should be infused into our
thoughts in this age. of Mammon. Or
ganization helps the weak against the
strong.
X. E. Barragan, treasurer of the Free
born county association, read paper on
"Om Last County Organization" There
has been no trouble in maintaining club
prices, he said. He urged any grocers
who do not belong to an association to
get in line and join one at once.
Resolutions Adopted.
The committee on resolutions present
ed the following report:
There has come to the knowledge of
the Duluth Retail Grocers' association
that some of the jobbing houses Of Min
nesota are selling stores that are not
members of our association, and especial
ly tea and coffee stores thereby causing
| discomfort among the members of our as
ISOLATION, inasmuch as they come in di-
rect competition with some of these out
side stores, that sell listed goods at cut
prices, and giving tickets for each pur-
chase, and in order to remedy this ss
much as possible:
Resolved, That the state retail gro
GERS and general merchandise association
in convention assembled request all job
bers of Minnesota to refrain from SELL
ing stores in Duluth not members of the
Retail Grocers' association and especially
tea and coffee stores.
Resolved, That in view of, first a
20 per cent dividend on policies expiring
during 1903 having been ordered; second,
saving of $5,06l during past two years
to the retail merchants in cost of fire
insurance to them; third, a material re-
duction during the past year in the cost
of conducting the business of the COM
pany; fourth, the prompt and satisfac-
tory manner in which the $2l ,999 losses
incurred have been adjusted and paid;
fifth, the conservatism and business-ike
pany have been conducted; we, the mem
bers of the State Retail Grocers' and
General Merchants association in con-
vention assembled, commend to the mer-
chants of the state the Retail Merchants
Mutual Fire Insurance company of Min
neapolis, the showing as made being in
the fullest measure realization of the
promises made by the incorporators to
this association at the time the COM
pany was organized.
Whereas, A bill of vital interest to
the merchants of our state is now pend
ing in congress, be it
Resolved, That Secretary Mason, in
the name of this association, telegraph
at once to Senators Nelson and Olapp,
asking them to use their best efforts in
securing the passage of the Hepburn
bill during the present session Of con-
gess.
In appreciation of the very able adj
dress delivered by the silyer-tongued ora
tor upon a gold standard basis by Mr..
A. j. Alvin Of New Ulm upon Quality
VS.. Price," resolved that this convention
extend its hearty thanks for the helpful
and business principles presented to
same, and wish him much success in his
selling straw hats in the winter and fur
overcoats in the summer. se%
The report of Secretary Mason was
adopted with some compliments to him
| in the form of resolution.
| j. R. Bowen OF this city gave an ad-
dress on "Good and Evil in the Grocery
Business" It abounded with humor,a and
referred mostly to some of the things
that make life burden for grocers.
A telegram was received from Fergus
Falls extending an invitation to hold the
next convention there.
A telegram from Madison conveyed
the greetings of the Wisconsin State Gro
GERS association In convention assembled
and extended its best wishes for a sue
cessful convention.
/ A telegram from Governor Van SAINT
read as follows: Regret that previous
engagement will prevent my attendance
Present my greetings to all. Wish every
success to your splendid association"