The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-27
RETAIL MERCHANTS
HAVE PLANS
F. N. IockMAN. kEWlY-ELECTEo
PRESIDENT OF STATE Asso.
CATION, TALKS.

r. NJ. Lockman. the newly elected
president Of the Retail Merchants As
ISOLATION of Montana. returned TO Mis-.
souIa yesterday afternoon and seemed
very much satisfied with the results
OF the meeting. Mr.. Lockman states
that the members of the association
were treated royalty in Butte. par
ticularly by the Butte jobbers. who
entertained the association with a
luncheon at the Montana club and
were very courteous in every respect
Aims.
Mr.. Locknan said that the following
aims had been adopted by the as
ISOLATION and that work along those
lines would be carried on during the
coming year: The encouragement oil
harmony and joint action between the
retail merchants. To correct evils at
tending the credit system. To abate
trade abuses and injurious and un-
businesslike practices. To disseminate
trade information. encourage i'm
provements in business methods and
generally advance the interests of the
retail merchants. To secure state and
national legislation favorable to the
interests of the retailer and to oppose
such as is unreasonable
Mr.. Loekmsn stated that the most
important thing which came up be-
fore the meeting was that embodied
in the abuses Of freight bills. The
committee which has had this matter
under consideration. reported favorably
and department will be organized.
under the direction OF the best rate
clerk that can be obtained. which
shall have control Of the general traf-
fic work. All the freight bills for the
past few years win be audited and Ii
is expected that a great deal of benefit
will acrue to the retailers through this
work
Capitalization.
This work In the past has been
handled almost entirely by companies
outside of the state and this depart
ment viii take the work from them
and centralize 1t. In the past II was
for the retailers to go be-
fore the interstate railway commission
and talk intelligently on the subject
OF rates. while the railroads would
have their traffic men there. wnose
duty was to be up on these things.
The future. according to Mr.. Lock
man, will be entirely different. as it
has been demonstrated by similar
organizations in other states that not
only can great savings be effected.
but unfair rates and Determinations
along rate lines can be adjusted
in any way unfair to the
railroads IL contemplated. but the re-
feel as IL there were several
things that could and should be ad-
just ed.
A Test Case.
Another important feature which
Vas taken up by the association was
The law concerning the collection of
licenses by the different cities from
The retailers. This law has been re-
pealed. but according to the cities.
only the state and county law was
and license fees are stiIl be-
ns collected by the cities. a test case
s being worked on, which will soon
De presented In Butte and the legality
IF such collection will be determined.
The association has also placed it,
self on record as favoring a higher
'eale of wages for the postal clerks
n Montana. rural route carriers and
Jerks employed In the big cities of
he state. Mr.. Loekman said that
lnder the present rate of pay 1t was
text to impossible to keep efficient
nen in the mail service and that If
he scale of wages were increased. the
of the service would lbs
realty augmented. Letters have been
written to the different congressman
nd senators of the state. asking them
D put this matter before the proper
uthorities and see what could be
one
Mr.. Lockman said in conclusion !!
hat the association had never been
tronger and that it was in better
hape than 1t had ever been. More
than ever before are now en-
oiled and indications are that 1t will
c one of the foremost organizations |
1 the state.