The Detroit times., 1908-01-30
Wholesalers PLAN
MIDSUMMER
FETE HERE
WANT TO ATTRACT ATTENTION
TO CITY AND BRING VISITORS
FROM MISREPRESENTATION
DOES SPLENDID WORK.

That Detroit shall have a special
civic carnival, like the Fiesta in Los
Angeles. the Mardi Gras In New Or
loans and the Yelled Prophet day In
st. Louis, is a plan that has peen
partially worked out by committee
OF the Wholesalers association. IL Is
planned to have this festal time In
midsummer, and to make the occasion
unique in some way so as TO attract
attention to the city and bring visitors
from a distance.
This is one OF the booming Detroit
ideas originated by the association.
That much OF an intensely practical
nature for the upbuilding OF the city
and the advancement OF It's commerce
has been accomplished during the six
months OF the associations life was
proven by the reports OF work done
read at the meeting in the Fellowcraft
club Wednesday evening.
New markets have been opened up
in northern Michigan. Ohio, West Vir-
ginia, Wisconsin and Indiana; buyers
have been brought here from all the
contiguous territory; freight arrange
ments with the railroads have been
bettered greatly; measures have been
taken to advertise Detroit as city
and as a market wherever such pub
licity might help the citys cause.
THE competition among markets
has grown" said President James 3.
Smart, In the opening address Of the
evening. He showed the way in which
cities as well as private individuals
and firms are struggling to reach out
for new trade channels.
The benefit OF cooperation was
brought out strongly by Secretary Wal
ter S. Campbell. who showed how the
united wholesalers Of the city are able
to make arrangements and get con-
cessions and attentions which single
shipper. although large one, can not
get. This transportation improve
ment feature he considered worth ten
times the cost to the members. 1t
was stated that the association Is in
vestigating the changes in train scheG-
ules and will try to get the trains rein
stalled If possible. especially between
Detroit and Hillsdale.
The first buyers excursion in Octo-
Der, Mr.. Campbell stated, had brought
purchasers here who ordered $4,000
worth OF goods from members OF the
association alone. From four to six
OF these excursions will be given every
year.
Great interest was manifested In the
report OF Transportation Manager Sid
ney Renshaw. IL was shown that an
noying delays at Toledo in freight
shipments have been overcome, Inn
proving Detroit's position for all Ohio
and Indiana trade. BY ARRANGEMENT
with the Baltimore & Ohio, special
freight service is had to West Vir-
ginia. Upper peninsula shipments
have also been much expedited, 1t be-
ing possible to place goods In Mar
quette within two days after receipt
of order Arrangements have been
made with other roads for prompt
freight handling, which opens the way
to eastern Indiana and Wisconsin.
An accurate and speedy tracing sys-
TEN is also In operation. A new idea
just introduced is a seal placed on
each shipment stating that the ship
per Is a member of the Wholesalers
association and requesting information
IL any shipment is not received
promptly and in good condition.
Frank 4. Doremus, city controller,
delivered a speech on the high credit
os the city and It's low debt Hal Fl.
Smith spoke on the permanency OF
the wholesale trade.
r. o. Fisher, F. Fl. Hamburger, C.
E Locke, W. B. Wood and Nj. w.
Sales we're elected directors for two
wears