Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-03-09

dresses, and details of costume OF
every kind. which will be both novel
and attractive. II we do not appeal
to every kind of taste that asks for
the best things, 1t will not be for
want of trying every way we know.
Give us a suggestion. and Wen thank
you for It; and Wen carry out any
thing that's practicable. There's
nothing reasonable London can ask
for which Selfridge and waring. will
not be ready to supply. and to sup
ply as well as II can be done any
where-'
Our representative went away
full of serious thoughts. He knew
what the big American stores can do.
and he had been wondering how long
II would be before London would
wake up to their advantages. There
has, of course, been a great change
in conspicuous and we'll known
instances. But even the best of
these is very different from such
places as Wanamaker's, or Marshall
Fields, or Siegel and Cooper's in the
States. However politely Mr.. Self
ridge may phrase his attitude to Lon
don, the meaning of his coming is
very clear. 1t is a definite challenge.
1t involves very deliberate compe-
tition. II will no doubt, teach us a
drastic lesson.
For years the English producer
and vendor has had the best article
on the market in many trades. But
he will never take the trouble to
change his methods of sale, or to
alter his pattern, to suit any of his
customers. IL they don't like what
he offers them they can go to-well.
as matter of fact they have gone to
Germany; not for the best article.
which England still possesses. but for
the article they want, which England
Will not sell them. Not content with
losing the markets Of the world, Eng
lands merchants are now to see the
actual trade of London itself chal-
lenged before their very eyes. What
are we going to do about It?
There was time when we were
able to impose our own conditions on
buyers who could not get their goods
elsewhere. But our position is total
ly different now. We safeguard
trade upon the ocean, but we no
longer dominate trade everywhere.
The reports OF consuls general In
every quarter of the world pour I'm
from week to week to prove how
much ground we have lost that is
now past recovery. 10 will apparent
ly be necessary to lose yet more be-
fore we even awake TO the Importance
of Weighing and measuring in SYM
bols which are convenient to the Gus
toners we want. Nothing short OF
beggary seems likely to convince the
English trader of the commercial ne
cessity of the metric system. Rather
than use II, he deliberately prefers to |
disgust four hundred and fifty mill
lion possible foreign customers every
year. Abroad, his punishment is
coming upon him, with more and /
more severity every month AZ
home a similar vengeance will follow
hard on hidobound conventions which
'efuse TO recognize that a buyer is a
human being. II has been more slow
n coming because the London trader
has been dealing with men and iwom-
IN OF his own race. But such a new
development In the immediate future
Is Messrs. Selridge and Warnings big h
store In oxford street Is a symbol OF
What we may expect. The writing n
las long been upon the wall. and few
Who ran have read. Those few have
'rofited accordingly. But the ma
ority, who will lose their trade be-
ause they will not change their old
labits. will suffer; and II Will serve
hem right. But HIS words were ut
cred to ears already sealed In ster-
orous slumber. Now Il Is the sleep
RS pockets that will suffer, and the
ppeai may prove more ineligible
he competition Is close at home;
he gage of battle is thrown down
N his front doorstep.