The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-09-15

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
M ERcHANT PR1NcE-Does
~ the phrase. tersely descrip-
XMI tive of great commercial
AWN power and "a t to n d mt
H riches, sound too formid-
able to you to apply to
your own boy even in your most am
bilious dreams regarding his life's
work. Yet It is q fact that most
Americans who have been designated
a. merchant princes. since the day
when the phrase was made famous as
applied to A. T. Stewart, have sprung
from the ranks Of the wage earners.
many of them winning their way to
this distinction in spite Of poverty and
other equally hazardous handicaps.
Also, It is a fact that most of them
have learned the business. of which
they are hailed as masters. from the
grounl up, starting in such lowly posi-
tons as cash boys, even.
The careers of the men who have
given US our big retail stores-our
department stores-thus 60 to prove
that It is entirely reasonable for you
to dream of, and plan for your boy to
he, a merchant prince some day. Also,
these careers should convince your
boy-and you, too-that it is not so
difficult to become a merchant prince
rs he and you may have been led to
believe-at least, not so difficult to
make the start and get an appreciable
distance along the glittering highway.
It all rests with the boy himself, and
the first thing incumbent on him is
not to look askance at work that will
probably make him appear less i'm.
posing than was the cash boy, even,
In the days before he was displaced
In the big retail stores by mechanical
money carriers. For your boys first
iob-if he decides that he wants to
become a merchant prince-will be
that OF messenger. or parcel wrapper.
or helper to buyer. or stock boy;
and he will get anywhere from four
to seven dollars week, according to
his natural ability.
It IL universally recognized econ
omy tor a store to promote its en-
ployees as rapidly as they are worthy
Of it, since 1t is we'll known business
law that 1t is easier for an employer
to find beginners than experienced
men, Therefore, from his humble be-
ginnings as messenger or parcel wrap
per. a boy who is ordinarily bright
and chock full of ambition will not
be long becoming full-fledged sales
man behind one of she less important
counters and earning eight to twelve
dollars a week. There are plenty OF
cases where bright boys have been
statesmen within year after enter
ing a department store as me senger
or parcel wrapper. OF course, am
talking of boys who know the three
RS fairly we'll and long to know them
better; who are from fourteen to six.
teen years of age when they begin
their life's work; and who, when they
filed out their applications for en-
ployment. were we'll recommended by
the family doctor. the family minister
and other folks whose word carries
weight with big employers In most
states child-labor laws will not permit
boys or girls under fourteen or six
teen years to take up the task Of earn
ing their daily bread.
After a clerkship has been attained
and its work fully mastered and I'M
proved. If possible. there are two
pretty distinct lines Of advancement
in department store life that lead to
the Merchandise Kingdoms. One is
the executive end. which has entire
charge of the business: the other is
the buying department. There is lit.
tie choice in point Of reward, though
there is more public honor In being
known as the head Of a great bust
ness.
However. the head buyer for large
establishment is always man OF such
proved attachments that he virtually
commands his own salary. He has
grown up through every department
of merchandise-knows all about
where and how it is produced, Its
cost, ETC., and has to keep In close
touch, through his own private
sources of information and his assist
ants. with exceptional opportunities
for getting large quantities of goods
at the lowest possible prices.
1t is a great stroke for buyer to
discover where a fine lot Of goods can
be acquired at bargain: for nowhere
is competition more keen than in the
merchandise business. and such a
stroke will enable store to get ahead
of It's rivals. Indeed. It Is In the pow OF
of the buyer to save his house thou.
sands Of dollars annually. Just as his
mistakes will have the reverse effect