The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-13

as an accessory to the. Chamber or Com
merce or as an independent body. Joseph
Strasburger. chairman Of the retail trade
committee of the Chamber. has been
studying the subject for some time and
win shortly present it to his committee.
Mr. Strasburger said recently 10 re-
porter CT The Washington Herald he had
reached the conclusion that the local
merchants need to form such an associ-
alton with a view 10 getting into closer
touch with one another and to work to-
gether for the general expansion or trade
az the Capital Mr.. Strssburger says
these associations exist elsewhere and
have been attended with excellent re-
suits He is impressed with the idea
that such body here would accomplish
much for retail trade, and If his commit
tee is found to be in accord with him on
the subject. 1t is likely that subsidiary
organization viii be formed in the Cham
Der Of Commerce which will work on more
definite lines for the promotion of retail
trade. than the body as a whole can do.
COntempIates Such "a Move.
II may be said that the constitution OF
the Chamber of Commerce makes pro-
vision for the formation Of such body
within itself, and Mr. Strasburger con-
siders the way clear TO the formation of
the association and the carrying put OF
some large plans for fostering retail
trade which he has in mind
One of the definite things needed, Mr..
Strasburger thinks. is working out plans
TO get outside trade to Washington which
now goes to Baltimore and other places.
Something like $1,000 families are on Viz
ginia and Maryland farms and In small
towns near the city, which he declares
ought TO look TO Washington for supplies
more than they do The problem is 10
reach them with the proper forms Of ad-
vertising, which would not cost too much
and to induce them to come here to trade.
Many of them do so now. but one OF the
large problems which Mr.. Strasburger
thinks a retail merchants body could
work out would be effectually to corral
this trade and Sc 1t toward Washington
for all time to come.
He says there are various ways in
which to accomplish the end, but he be-
lieves IN fete days 20 bring the crowds
here at intervals, and this TO be supple
mented by regular and persistent adver-
Using is the best way 10 bring about
what IS desired.
would Check Charity Calls.
This is only one Of the things which
S1ect the retail merchants in common.
Another. according TO Mr.. Strasburger, is
some method of placing proper control
upon the calls constantly made upon the
retail merchants for the support OF
church, hospital. civic patriotic. and other
society enterprises by advertising. SUBJ
scriptions. and the purchase of tickets.
Mr.. Strasburger says many Of these
movements are worthy and should be
supported. His idea is not to shut them
all out. but to place a proper limit upon
such calls. which amount in the aggre-
gate to thousands Of dollars annually to
the retail merchant.
He thinks the old idea that the man
engaged in retail trade must subscribe to
everything for which he is asked. must
advertise in all kinds OF programmes,
church and society publications, and must
buy tickets TO every charitable, musical,
and other entertainment that the good
people Of Washington see fit to get up,
has become obsolete and should no longer
control the purse and attention Of the
local merchants. Mr.. Strasburger pro-
poses that the association. If formed. |
shall devise means to put an efectuaI
break upon this class of expenses. He
said that a friend of his the other day
cleaned out the desk in his store and |
found in one of the drawers $40 worth |
Of tickets he had bought to entertain !
ments and functions which he never at |
tended and never could.
Would Not Deny All.
To deny all such calls, Mr. Strasburger
thinks. would not be wise or polite, but /
he thinks that the number should be re- |
duced through the activity of some CEN
tral agency which would have time to /
look into the merits of the particular !
case and provide the representative Of |
tho worthy cause with a card that would I
admit him 10 the patronage of the ner-
chant. and that all persons not armed /
with such credentials should be denied. |
Mr.. Strssburger believes that If some |
such plan could b put in working shape. /
so that all merchants could act together.
much Of the payment OF money TO out
side interests every year might be avoided. |
Another problem to be worked out by /
such an association would be the Kidding /
OF Washington Of a certain kind OF COM
petition which comes in by way OF the /
itinerant merchant or tradesman from |
other cities. Mr.. strasburger says it is
customary for tradesmen from New York,
Boston. Philadelphia, and other cities to
bring goods here, rent room in a hotel
or IN some unoeeupied store, send out a
batch Of printed matter and sell a great
volume Of merchandise within few days
which otherwise would be purchased at
the same price. and generally OF better
quality. of the local merchants.
They Pay No Licenses.
Mr.. Strasburger says these itinerants
are able to do this because they are not
required by the local authorities TO pay
any license TO conduct such trade, being
only required 10 pay a small personal
tax upon the merchandise offered for sale.
He believes that a heavy license should
be required of this class OF dealers.
which, If not prohibitive, would at least
put the vendors on a parity with the local
tradesmen, who do pay a license. Special
legislation might be needed to reach
the root Of the matter. but Mr.. Stras-
burger sees in it a fruitful field for the
efforts Of a retail dealers association
such as he suggests.
Chairman strasburger says there are
many other matters which could properly
be considered by such a body. many or
them not yet thought of. and ne hopes h
during the spring months to get the