The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-01-26
10 have equitable exemption laws.
To eradicate the dead beat.

10 have equitable exemption laws.
To eradicate the dead beat.
10 protest against the ~so-called
Henry bills, the most important OF
these "The Parcel Post Bill,
10 assist to enforce our pure food
laws in this state and help to get a
national pure food law.
10 secure a proper legislation of
laws,
These are a few of the most impor-
tant questions which are before us
new and 1T remains with us whether
we let them overpower us OF whether
we take action as a body and do all
In U power to fight these evils, and
protect u interests.
ln order to combat these success
fully, We must have.--mor members
who will take active part in the work
OF the association. Every merchant
of the state should become a member
OF this organization and not only a
his dues but attend the meetings OF
the association and extend any help
or plans he may have TO further the
interests OF the retailers Of the state.
Our merchants should not stand
back and wait to see what good the
association can do before becoming
a member, or walt to see how much
benefit they will receive for the
amount of the membership fee. This
is not the way to build up an associa-
t1on, but we must come together,
each one willing to contribute his
share Of the expense and take part
in work and discussion OF the con-
vent1On, and then only can we do
successful work.
The work OF this association is a
work OF education. The merchant
needs to be educated as we'll as the
customer. By exchanging ideas and
r~elat1ng'our experiences In the differ
ent lines we may help each other in a
great many ways. The questions
that come before us at this time are
vital to the retailer. We n only
hope to make U demands felt by
the number of those who make
them.
We need to take some decided meas
ures on the problem Of catalogue
house competition. I dare say there
Is not a single merchant in this state
who has not this to contend with,
and 1T Is only by our strength as an
organization that we can expect to
gain our otJect, that is to get our
wholesalers and manufacturers to
assist us in fighting this competition.
l have had interviews with some
OF the leading wholesalers in the
large cities on this subject AS an.
Individual [ would have had but
little weight or perhaps not even got
their attention. but as president Of
the organization they were eager to.
listen and find out what stand we as
an organization would take toward
them.
1t being a fact that the manufac-
turers and wholesalers are at tie
present time seriously considering
their actions with regard to the cat
alORue houses, and as we come to-
getber at this time to make our de-
mands as organized retailers of South
Dakota known. let each member or.
merchant attending take active part
and let us make it the best and most
beneficial convention ever held,
These catalogue houses are not only
a menace 10 U business interests.
making 1T a difficult matter for the
merchant to make his business to pay
out, but threatens every industry Of
the smaller towns. Some have an
idea that we are trying to form a
trust or combination to do others
harm or control prices, but you
know and l know that we are only
protecting their interests as we'll as
our own.
have now given some of the pur-
Doses or aims Of our coming togeth-
er. We come together as a class OF
u,en who have the welfare of our
towns, cities and state in mind. We
want TO use every honorable means
TO protect ourselves, our towns, COM
munities and state. We realize that
danger threatens, not only us as mer-
chants, but all indus ries of Jul no.
Dle state. and 1T is OUT duty as citj-
Zens OF tins state to do all in our
power TO further the interests OF our
people.
In the absence OF Mayor Silsby,
III. g. Preston was delegated to
deliver the address of welcome to
the merchants, in which he declar-
ed that there vas not a person
within the confines of Mitchell but
who extended the heartiest possible
welcome to the assembled guests.
He aid that for the past l8 months