The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-02-20
a vote of thanks be extended him b
this convention for such service.

UIllS COuVcuUlOH III ouOhA ooA wv.
Because of the liberal patronage
extended by the state board OF con-
troll in giving SO large share OF the
business to the wholesale grocers OF
the state the past year. it was recon-
mended that the secretary be in
structed to write the members of the
board of control, thanking them on
behalf of our assocletion. This bust
ness is due to the wholesalers as they
are among the large tax payers of the
state
AUDITING COMMITTEES REPORT.
7 .hn A Lux presented the report of
the auditing COMMITTEES.
Eugene S. LaFrance of St. Paul pre-
sented the report of the delegates to the
National Association Of Retail Grccers'
convention, held at Kansas City last
month He said that much OF the good
work accomplished there was due to the
efficiency OF Fred Mason, of St. Paul,
who was elected national secretary. The
associations are having increased influence
With the state legislature in getting favor
able legislation framed. The grocsrs' as
sociations will sometime become csc OF
the great forces of the country.
I. H. Tenvoorde. secretary OF the Min
nesota> Retail Merchants Mutual Fire In
surance company, presented report OF
that organization. He explained the sys-
tenn of insurance followed by his com
pany. The expenses are kept down as
low as possible, and aim to deal in abso-
lutte good faith with its members. return
ing the unused premiums to them. No
disputes have yet occurred iu settling fire
losses. The expense ratio is 2o25 per
cent as against 4s per cent with stock
companies. Each policy holder is liable
| for twice the amount of his premium.
For every $1oo of insurance there is 81 IS
of assets that can be used in paying
losses, which is large proportion. The
company. since organizing. has paid
losses to the amount of $ay.eo5, The
amouu. of insurance tn force Dec. CYST.
1905, was $2,oI5.73I.
| A r. Alvin, travelling salesman OF
New Ulm, gave an eloquent address on
EQUALITY VS.. Price," The consumer he
said, WHO is always hooking Tor something
cneap, is apt to get something inferior.
When he finds this out, the merchant
gets it in the neck" There is limit OF
quality under which the merchant cannot
60 without jeopardizing his reputation.
The deserving merchant should aim to
lead his patrons to desire better goods.
No merchant has ever been censured for
selling good goods. The retail merchant
should study values.
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON
The business session yesterday aft
ernoon was we'll attended. President
Hanson pushed matters along with
energy and demonstrated that he is
an excellent presiding officer. He
named M. III. Sherod of ST. Paul as
assistant secretary.
The following committees were ap-
pointed:
Credentials. S. Taylor, Mime
apolis; J. E. Richard, st. Paul; Bert
Holcomb, Duluth; J. J. Ryan, ST.
Paul VIM. B. Gilman, Minneapolis.
Resolutions. Richard Dinham, Du-
luth; &. H. Belmke, New Ulm; N. E.
Jesmer Princeton; Al. Burninham.
st. Paul; Chas. Siebert, Wells; J. A.
Johnson, Minneapolis; G. f. Mailman,
Mankato; B. F. Bellens, Excelsior; ID.
III. Thornton, Minneapolis; G. A. An
derson, St. Paul; H. w. Kingsbury,
Winona; Geo. Hurd, Albert Lea; A.
B. Husbands, Minneapolis; r. @. Mil
lard Marshall; W. J. Wood, Detroit
Press.-W. E. Davis and j. I'll. Ten
voorde, Minneapolis; Frank j. Cas-
serly, ST Paul,
| President Hansen's annual report
was an interesting paper. He said
that. while the association had failed
two yearsaago to have a law passed re-
curing the state board of control to
purchase its grocery orders within the
state, the board had placed very
large proportion of them with the job
bers and merchants of the state.
There never was so much confidence
and good feeling between the jobbers
and retail merchants as now.
The revenue of the association was
not up to expectations the past year,
but the treasury has balance on the
right side, and it had not been neces-
sary to solicit funds. No state in the
union has SO good an organization OF
j grocers as Minnesota, the expert
! mental point has been passed, and
l success is assured.
i The Retail Merchants Mutual Fire
INSURANCE company, one ofthe state
associations projects, is great sue
lcess, and the last two years paid it's
members twenty per cent, or little
over $1,000, and will do the same this
wear. The increase Of insurance car
| ried in 1902 over 1901 was nearly
81, 0pO, 900.
Two bills on punishment and one
to do away with gift schemes and
trading stamps are before the legis-
tlature, and will probably be passed,
as the labor unions are in favor of
them.
/ The merchants do net know or APP
preciate the good which the state
dairy and food department has been
to the state and to the merchants,
and the country merchants do not
| x.l,at hoe hao,,~s north m