The Saint Paul globe., 1904-01-15

AT the annual meeting of the Retail
Dealers association yesterday, the follow
ing officers were, elected:
President, Jacob Dittenheefer; vice
president, J. McGill Smith; secretary,
G. w. Walsh directors. j. T. Schusler
j. G. MCGUIRE, III. Strauss and the of
ficers
In his address President Dittenhoefer
reviewed the associations undertakings in
the past year. the first year of the or
ganization's existence, and said that while
it had not accomplished all it had tried
enough had been done to show that it
could be made valuable agency for the
promotion of legitimate business interests.
He said in part:
We have shown that by working in
harmony we can influence and bring about
legislation that will be to our interest;
that we can, by united efforts. convince
the public that good values and honest
treatment are the inducements for clean
and legitimate business; that gift enter
prises are not necessary to build up and
maintain business.
The merchants of this city in the past
have burdened themselves unnecessarily,
and l think to their disadvantage, and
to the disadvantage of their patrons, by
attempting to influence business in other
than legitimate channels.
The different lines of business going to
make up this association being somewhat
diversified l would suggest that enter
ing upon the second year each line,
clothiers, dry goods dealers, ETC.. hold a
separate meeting, agreeing upon what
shall be to their best interest, and as to
what manner and upon what terms they
deem best to conduct their affairs. This
will have a tendency to more compact
and harmonious organization, as each
knowing its own wants and the many
things that pertain to- its own individual
line. The organization. as a whole, could
then be instrumental in carrying out such
reforms as the different lines suggested.
Commends Service of the Press.
Another thought to which 1 wish to di
rect your attention, and to me the most
important, so far as the progress of this
association is concerned, is. we are seek
ing in every way intelligently to promote
our interests both as an association and
as individuals, and have shown the dis
position to grasp and take advantage of
every offered opportunity, but there is
one powerful influence for our good, and
for every public good, which has not been
cultivated to fraction of its possibilities.
l refer to the press of this city. | am
satisfied that it is easily within our pow
er and our province, and / urge it upon
you to establish a close relation with the
press of st. Paula relation that shall
result in that great factor for good being
exerted in our behalf, both as individuals
and as an association. l sometimes feel
that the newspaper is the most poorly
compensated factor in this city. We are
all prone to think that when we pay an
established rate for advertising that the
newspaper has received its just dues.
when, as a matter of fact the leading
papers of this city are every day putting
forth an effort to build up and add to by
sending broadcast throughout the coun-
try the achievements, progress and ia
cilties offered by st. Paul Our success
must necessarily depend upon the growth
of the city; and what factor has done
more towards increasing the growth of
our city than the newspapers? And l now
urge upon you, as one of the important
branches, of the coming years work to
make the; beginning of the establishment
papers, by which 1 am sure so much may
be accomplished for our material better
ment.