The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-01-26
The Catalogue Proposition.

The interest OF the convention was
thoroughly awakened when r j.
Mannix, Of Sioux Falls. editor OF
the Commercial News. was called
upon to present his paper ON "The
Competition Of Catalogue Houses
| The South Dakota Plan" Mr.. Nam
nix has given this subject much study
and has had many conferences on
a plan that will relieve the retailers
from being imposed upon by these
institutions in the cities. 1t was
expected at this convention that
some steps looking to Il proposition
as a solution would be presented. Mr..
Mannix's paper was given the closest
possible attention, and the main
points are given below:
1t is "a commonly known fact that
certain catalogue houses ~ reason of
their extensive advertising and man
ner of tr%ansactinp business are a
menace to The legitimate commercial
interests OF the country and ale ruin
Gus to the business OF small manu-
%faetnrers, wholesalers and retailers
in the various branches OF trade and
the time has arrived when 1T becomes
necessary for the retail merchants
of the United States as a protective
measure to unite aud cooperate their
interests in such a manne as Will
successfully protect the commercial
interests of the country against in
vasion by unscrupnlons pirates, who
are ov%erthrowing all lines of CONNER
cial traffic, and the commercial bust
ness of the country is centralizing
into two or three great catalogue
houses. The question naturally
arises, What shall be done? The
farmer raises a bountiful crop, the
proceeds of which r to be expended
in necessities and luxuries for him.
self, family and home. Where shall
he purchase his goods with best re-
suits? Will 1t be more advantageous
and purchase from the catalogue
money with his home merchants
with the opportunity before pun
Chasing of examining the goods and
with the advantage Of close proximity
to his home merchant where said
goods may be exchanged il an ex-
change becomes necessary after the
purchase? The home merchant needs
the trade OF the consumer IN the
vicinity and locality where he is
conducting and operating his business
and is entitled to the patronage OF
all classes Of consumers II said local
merchant can furnish the goods, wares
and merchandise required by the
aft a nrico %pnnal1y lnW and
cheap in competition with catalogue
houses and every dollar SO expended
with the home merchant in the our
chase OF goods brings more profit to
the consumers by way of adding mor
value to his home real estate and en-
HANGING the value of his farm, city
property or whatever his home may
be, than any paltry sun which he
might save by pasronizing the So
called cheap catalogue houses and by
spending his money at home he is
building up home enterprises about
him, thus keeping the permanent i'm
provelnent in real property at home
to beautifY ana adorn the communi-
~ In which he lives. 1t is a
lamentable, yet conceded fact that
unless steps areimmediately taken by
by the commercial retailers of the
country to check and abate this
growing parasite the business Of
the retailers, and the wholesalers as
well, is soon gone, for very soon
the whole commercial business of the
country will have been centralized in
these catalogue men, at which, time
they will proceed to manufacture