The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-05-22
Let Us Wake Up.

The various electric lines which en-
ter Canton from all points of the COM
pass afford the merchants unlimited
opportunities for the extension Of
trade and the enhancement of profits,
but 1t must be said that so far these
opportunities have not been grasped
with any degree of enterprise. AS a
result Massillon, Akron and Alliance
are getting more than their due share
Of contiguous trade and Canton is TAX
ing what remains. AS the matter now
rests the electric lines are not prov
ing of any great business worth to
local merchants. From some view
points they may even be considered
a detriment to trade. Go a few miles
north Of this city along the Canton.
Akron line and you will discover that
the farmers and villagers go to Ak
ron to make their purchases. Go west
and il will be found that Massillon
attracts a goodly percentage of the ru-
raj trade and then eastward and it will
be seen that Canton is sighted in IA
vor of Alliance. Now all Of this is not
at all as it should be. Canton by vir-
tue of her location and by the right of
the superiority of her stores should
capture a large majority Of the busi-
ness within a radius OF twenty miles.
Before the electric railways were built
there was little hope Of securing more
than an equitable share of trade, but
now the possibilities are without lin
it. 1t is up to the merchants, however,
to cultivate the field If they would
reap the harvest. Along this line the
News-Democrat has a few suggestions
to make. The first Of these sugges-
tions is that the merchants Of all
branches of trade hold a meeting in
view to discussing this question of
tIduS thleuSiOu' lh'i'e IhS St'cet idii-
way officials to be present at this meet
ing and have them submit propositions
on special rates for bargain day" ex-
cursions. And right here is the point.
Let the merchants obtain the co-opera-
tion of the railroads to the extent of
making these excursions to Canton a
weekly occurrence. 1t is not necessary
that excursions be held on all lines on
the same day. Have them arranged
alternately. Let the Canton-Akron
company give low rates to Canton one
day on the Canton-Akron line. an
other day on the Canton -Massillon
line, and then let the Stark company
make similar inducements on third
day. This will bring good crowds Of
shoppers into Canton three times a
week in addition to the regular Sat
urday influx. II the railroad COM
panies do not feel justified in making
the excursions a regular feature, with
oul ooiit ooil vi COhpcuSd-
ton, it will then be the plain Office of
the merchants to secure a fund with
which to put the plan in continuous
operation. Half fare to Canton and re-
turn will work wonders and, 1t ap-
pears to the News-Democrat, is an
easy and adequate solution of the
neighborhood trade problem. II the
scheme is worth trying it is worth try
ing Immediately. Merchants who are
interested should take the initiative
and see to it that a meeting is called
and the question properly discussed.
II is a matter outside the legitimate
scope of the board of trade and prob
ably outside that of the Canton Busi-
ness Mems association as well, the first
being essentially factory-securing
organization and the latter directed to
the purpose of throttling competition
rather than cultivating the trade field.