The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1906-11-22
RETAIL MERCHANTS
WILL INCORPORATE
ASSOCIATION TO BECOME A PER
MANENT INSTITUTION.
RESULTS ARE SATISFACTORY
Every Member Has Saved Enough to
Pay His Dues and Many Had
Debts Which Have
Been Collected.

I
pose of canvassing the situation that
has been the result of organization
and to ascertain the sentiment regard
ing the continuation of the associa-
ton, the sentiment in favor of con-
tinuing the association on firmer
foundation was found to be practi-
cally unanimous.
The melting determined to incorpor-
ate the organization under the name
of the "Oskaloosa Retail Merchants
Association" The Incorporation is
not for pecuniary profit and the mem
bers of the association cannot be held
for the debts of the corporation. The
expenses of the association cannot
exceed its income.
The association was organized
about June LIST in sort of temporary
manner for the purpose of experiment
Oskaloosa merchants had been "bled"
for program, blotter, novelty advertis-
ing and by fakes and gratis Of all
kinds until the graft had become un-
bearable. The association was in
augurated for the purpose of protec-
ton against fakes and gratis and to
to secure central bureau of collec-
tons and commercial rating of GUS
toners of Oskaloosa retail houses.
The dues of the association were
made fifteen dollars per year, pay
able quarterly. Practically every re-
tail merchant in the city Joined the
organization, very few Of the mer-
chants declining to enter.
The results of organization have
been most gratifying. In the matter
of protection against gratis and fakes
alone, the saving to the individual
members has been more than suffi-
cient in almost every case to pay the
dues for the year. The collection and
credit bureau has been attended by
most satisfactory results. Within
four months four hundred accounts
have been given the secretary for
collection, and of this number fifty,
or one-eighth, of the accounts have
been collected. The association has
ratings on no less than thirteen thous-
and people of Oskaloosa and Mahaska
county. That the work of the asso-
citation is appreciated is evidenced
in the daily use of the credit and col
lection department and by the sue
cess of its operation.
Vern Hamilton, or the Huber &
Kalbach Co., who was elected presi-
dent of the association, made person
al and careful investigation of the
system of like associations in other
cities in the state and elsewhere.
His work covered considerable time
and ..e made visits to distant towns
to learn of METHODS of other similar
organizations. He found that almost
everywhere there was organizations
for the protection OIL the merchants
found in other associations were
adopted by the Oskaloosa associa-
ton, and what was best in all makes
the foundation of the local organiza-
ton.
That such an association is and
can be made the greatest value to
all members is generally agreed, and
there is not a member of the asso-
citation of today who would go Jack
to the old system before the organ
ization. The Oskaloosa association is
in successful operation, but the Off
GERS desire that the members shall
be in closest touch with its opera
ton.
Some Of the members have neglect
ed to send in their rating sheets and
this should be done Immediately.
Others are delinquent in dues and
should pay up.
In the collection department where
very satisfactory results have obtain
ed, the amount charged Tor collec-
ton is fifteen per cent. The money
for the running of the association
results from this collection Zee and
from the quarterly dues which should
be paid with regularity and prompt
ness by every member.
Having made careful examination
Of the working of the home assocla-
ton, and the merchants who have
made use of its practical value and
and finding almost every member OF
the opinion that the association
should be continued, the directors
voted unanimously to incorporate the
association and to continue it along
the lines Of practical protection and
usefulness for which it was organ
lied. M
In the one direction alone, that OF
protection from fake advertising, the
association is worth to merchants all
that it costs for membership. Almost
innumerable applications have been
made to the association for permits
to canvass the merchants with spe-
cial advertising and catchpenny
schemes. Each case has ha., the
careful consideration of the special
committee appointed for the purpose
by the president and in almost every
case the committe refused to sane
ton the solicitation OF the merchants
and business men for contributions