Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-11-21
Delegates to wa.Nebraska Convens
ton Foresee Expansion Of Service,
RURAL DELIVERY FIRST sTEl
Secretary Ringer Declares Extension
Will Favor Department Stores.
BANQUET OPENS THE SESSIONS
Nebraska and Iowa Dealers Discuss
Important Subject at seventeenth
Annual Convention Being
Held at Rome Hotel.

} tion opened Wednesday morning at the
Rome hotel with the annual address of the
president, John w Newell Of Lynch, Neb.
Mr.. Newell reviewed the work OF the last
year and feictated the members OF the
association on the advances made along all
lines. He took a hopeful view OF the flu
ture in spite OF the present money strin-
! gency.
| The report OF the secretary, J. Dean
! Ringer Of South Omaha, included refer
ence to some questions OF Importance ia
implement dealers throughout the coun-
try which will be brought before the con-
vention. One OF these was the action fore
casted by the postmaster general I'm regard
to the parcels post, He proposes to reduce
the present rate OF 16 cents a pound on
parcels to 70 cents pound and also to es-
tablish a rural parcels post that thG
dealer in the town can send parcels to
customers in the surrounding country at n
| rate of cents for the first pound and
| cents for each additional pound up to
eleven pounds.
Only an Entering Wedge.
| The secretary's report declared this to be
only an entering wedge which will ultI-
mately result in the establishment of a
parcels post throughout the country to the
great advantage of the mail order houses
and the consequent damage OF the retail
dealers in the towns.
The report OF the treasurer was read and
the appointment OF committees was post
poned until the session this evening.
E. f. Morris OF Harrington, Neb., was to
make an address on collections and Cred
It's" He was not present and threfore @.
L. Wilcox Of Gretna gave a talk along
that line. He declared that credits should
] -, ..gz.N
shows that he makes an EFFORT to pay his
debts Consultation with the other mer-
chants Of the town. he said. is the best
means of finding out what a man should
be rated at financially. One Of the surest
| ways TO make collections successfully is to
get Intimately acquainted with the custo-
mer and to make him feel that the mer-
chant has a personal interest in him and
his affairs.
There was a discussion of this question
and Of the question of prices. Those who
advocated one price to all alike and those
who held that the cash buyer is entitled
to a discount gave their Views.
There was no session OF the convention in
the afternoon, the time being left unoccu-
pied to give dealers an opportunity 70
visit the various jobbing houses in all OF
which there were interesting exhibits OF tho
1 y.
Opens with "A banquet.
The initial session OF the convention was
given over 20 an address OF welcome by
Mayor Dahlman, responses by John w.
Newell for the retail dealers and f. L.
Haler for the jobbers, and a report from
F. D. Stearns, who was delegate from the
association to the national federation. A
lunch given by the jobbers and whole
salers was also one OF the features OF the
evenings entertainment
After the Invocation by Rev George A.
Beecher, dean OF Trinity cathedral, the
president called upon Mayor Dahlman
who delivered a Characteristic address OF
welcome. Mayor Dahlman said he had
been accused OF granting many pardons
during the brief term which he has been
occupying the mayors chair, but he as
sured the visitors that. If any OF them
got in trouble while in the city to simply
call him up on the telephone and he would
sign up some more of the blank pardons
which he still had on hand and see they
were allowed to go their way He compI-
mented Rome Miller on the splendid hotel
which he had given to Omaha and on the
magnificent banquet room in which the
meeting was held. Discussing serious mat
ters the mayor said he thought II was time
the financial center OF the country was
be nearer the source OF the wealth OF the
country, which was to be found in the
western states.
Conditions Have Changed.
I'VE stand at the beginning OF a new
era," said F. l.. Haller. who responded to
the welcome OF Mayor Dahlman in behalf
OF the wholesalers and jobbers Many
changes are about TO be made In the con-
duct and method OF the implement busl-
ness. The pioneers who first settled these
prairies were poor and the banks existed
l only that they might loan eastern money
TO the farmers and take a mortgage on
their farm for security. The farmer was
carried by the implement dealer, who was
carried by the Jobber who was carried by
the manufacturer who was carried by the
supply and steel and lumber men. Times
have changed The manufacturer now
pays cash for his steel and iron and lum-
Der and leather. The jobber takes his
cash discounts or he Is not able TO com
pete with his neighbors and the farmer
pays cash for everything he buys except
for the implements with which he farms.
He sells his crops for cash.
THE retail implement dealers and jobbers
and manufacturers are carrying not only
the burden OF other business men, but
are carrying the farmer, and I think we
have beene playing wet nurse long enough
10 that healthy infant The time has come
when the jobbers and manufacturers are
going TO quiet selling terms. but win begin
selling merchandise. The retailer is not
going 10 get the terms any longer. There
Is something going on which makes them
unite on the proposition. In another year
We shall be able 10 put our business on
much firmer basis"
Many New Names.
Many new names were added 20 the
books OF the association. as many dealers
were present who had never before Joined
the sssociation The hotels are filled with
implement men and the large banquet hail
at the Rome was taxed last evening TO
hold the members OF the association who
had arrived for the first meeting.
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