The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-06

| When the Roberts. johnson & RAND
| Shoe Company was organized in 1899 Its
capital stock was s25O.0o0. That was sufi
cient to begin the business with. but
within a few months so great had be.
| come the volume Of sales that larger
capitalization was demanded to care fol
the increase. More capital was put into
the business. The growth of the business
continued at such a rate that an almost
annual increase Of capital was found nee.
essary. and to-day. with 100000 fully
paid stock. the company is the heaviest
capitalized shoe house in the world.
Roberts. johnson & Rand is known as
1.-The house that gained a million in seven
months" distinction which places it in
the foremost rank Of energetic. up-to-
date. upright mercantile institutions Of
the new world. For the benefit Of those
who may not understand without further
explanation. it may be proper to say that
In the first seven months Of the year 1903
the firms sales were $1.0I7.570.15 more
than they were during the first seven
months Of the year preceding. The gain
broke all previous records of gains. and
when it is considered that the firm Is not
all the more remarkable. In the entire
business world 1t is doubtful II the splen-
did showing Of the company has ever been
euuaied. It seems certain that 1t has
never been surpassed.
When the company was organized a line
Of policy was agreed upon by the mem
bers. To strict adherence to that line
is due in a great measure. the wonderful
prosperity that has come to the firm, and
the additional fame that has been added
to ST. Louis as great commercial metrop-
oils as a result OF the company's success
1t has been rule of the firm to surround
itself with sufficient and an efficient
body of men. The officers Of the company
themselves are young. able and energetic.
So far as possible they have chosen to as
sist them in carrying on their business
men of whom the same can be said. They
are all hustlers.
The company has sixty-five statesmen on
the road. and nearly all of them are stock
holders in the company. They cover the
best portion Of the United States and they
have made warm friends for the company
in every nook of the country. Employees
Of the company at home are also given
stock In the concern. and 1t Is hardly
necessary to say that the policy has linked
the interests of the company and its en-
ployes.
Usually statistics are dry, but here are
a few that will prove absorbing to every
body who will take the time to study them
for moment. During its first year in
business the Roberts, johnson & Rand
Shoe Company shipped s1,532,431 worth of
goods. The second year the shipments adj
vanced to 1925. 439. and the third year they
were 2,3a,155. In the fourth year they
passed the three-million mark. going to
$.001 49, and in the fifth year they reached
A.00S.560. From March 10, 1903, to Septem-
Der 10. 1903. which represents the first six
months Of the company's business year, It
shipped $1,000. 1862 worth of goods, which
indicates business for the year beginning
March TO- 1906. Of $6.0OO,0lO, or gain of &C.
100000 over the previous year. The COM
pany's wonderful gain in the first seven
months of 1903 as compared with the same
months in 1902 is shown by the following
figures: