The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-12-29
A GREAT ESTABLISHMENT.
An Appreciation Of Hart, Schaffner
e Marx.


Record, Dec. 20.
In every field of human endeavor
there are names that stand out above
all others. Whenever a particular
industry or art is mentioned, certain
names at once come to mind as the
essence Of that especial branch of
human effort
We inevitably associate Stephenson
with the locomotive; Fulton with tho
steamboat; Morse with the tele-
graph; Bell with the telephones; Edi-
son with electricity; Wright with fly
ing machines; Carnegie with steel;
Tiffany with jewelry; Marshall Field
and John Wannamaker with dry
goods These great names are for
ever linked with the trade or indus
try in which their preeminence made
them world-famous.
Now, If one in the clothing indus
try were asked to name a manufac-
turing firm that is thus most inti-
mately associated in peoples minds
with the rise and fame of that great
American industry, would he not in
all fairness naturally name Hart,
Schaffner & Marx?
Lofty ideals, keen foresight, Won
derfully perfect organization, cour-
age and the power Of matchless pub
licity have made their name and
clothing almost synonymous to the
trade, and nearly so to the consum-
ing public. The name and repute OF
this great Chicago house Is indelibly
emblazoned in the history OF the
clothing industry.
Why does the name of Hart.
s'chaffner & Marx occupy so promi-
lent a place in the Hall Of Fame Of
the clothing trade?
The answer is simple. They have
earned 1t. There is no other way
through which this honor may be
gained.
You will find prominent in the rec
ords Of all those who have attained
supremacy in any chosen field these
two essential qualities-brains to
conceive and the courage to execute.
Some Is years ago Hart, Schaffner
& Marx saw both the weaknesses
and the possibilities Of the clothing
industry.
They saw a trade disorganized;
ideals not very high; crude methods
of publicity, and in manv directions
comparatively crude, methods OF
manufacture and ot a~ecutye organ
izatlou and distri ltion,
ORE % ~ popular modes or nub-
lictty among clothiers in. those DAYS
was to have a lady cornettls4 seated
OF a rude improvised platform a tho
entrance 30 the store, playing
music in the effort to attract the pas
sersby.
Hart. Schafrner & Marx realized
that nobody will pay you any more
respect than you pay YOURSELF" that
II the ready-for-service clothing in
dustry was to become dignifled and
men Of means and refinement were
to be numbered among It's customers
such methods must be abando. d as
quickly as possible.
The Chicago house from the first
took the position that there is no
reason why the clothing business
shouldn't be done with as much dig
nifty as the baking business" and to-
day 1t is so done by hundreds of rep
resentative wholesale and retail
houses in the trade. AS the firm said
In one Of its recent advertising book
let's to the retail trade: "The cloth
Ing business in general has become.
In these days. high-toned business,
due to steady Improvement of the
quality of the goods, and a growing
appreciation Of the value of liberal
methods of doing business"
Hart, Schaffner s. Marx were
among the flrst-if not the first-to
have a regular advertising man. And
what step in advance he was. Unit
ing the culture of the university man
with the practical knowledge and
touch Of the man Of the world. his
methods electrified the trade. Here
was an ad-man, writing about colth-
Ing with all the charm and culture
and truth Of an Addison discussing
the most elegant subjects of human
life Here were illustrations made
by artists Of international reputation.
This combination Of the literary with