The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-30

you n you could read the various let
teis that are received by the Cham
Der of Commerce requesting informa-
ton as to sumter. In nine cases out
Of ten the first questions asked re-
fer to living conditions. All this data
hal first to be procured and filed for
res.dy reference.
Retail Association.
Ths retail merchants are the back
bone OF any community. Our first
tasS. therefore. was to organize them
into a coordinate branch OF this
Chamber. This has been done and
results are already apparent even
though this organization has been IN
existence hut seven months. At their
several meetings and smokers during
the winter. problems peculiar to the
retail business have been discussed.
Under the pledge taken by The MEM
bers OF that association not To adver-
tise except IS endorsed by the Ad-
visory Board. a number of advertis-
ing schemes nave been passed upon
by a SPECIAL committee appointed
from the Board. Honest and profitable
advertising has been encouraged. The
dishonest and wasteful has been re-
jected. Like the tramp. the dishonest
advertiser avoids Sumter and seeks
more profitable fields. The saving in
this respect alone amounts to hun
dreds of dollars annually. The
Credit Bureau. a branch of ehis as
ISOLATION. now carries over $4,000 re-
ports on $4,000 customers. These re-
ports are at the command OF every
member OF the association and In
special cases to- the members OF this
body. Ii Is in constant use. These
reports are also exchanged with sim
ilar organizations In other cities. The
Collection Bureau. handling only
claims that have fallen into the "un-
collectable" class could have been
purchased for ten cents on the dol
lar. has collscted over $1,000 by the
yellow letter system. This organiza-
-tion promoted the Bargain Day which
was so successful that a Bargain
Week is planned for this fall.
Publicity.
Immediately upon taking up this
work. your secretary established re-
lstions with the larger commercial
bodies of the country. Many Of these
bodies publish monthly or weekly
bulletins which keep us informed Of
the progress being made I'm these
cities Letters have been written and
published I'm the great trade journals
OF the country. These letters are
factors In advertising IT,, State.
county and city. Really successful
advertising and publicity. however,
can not be undertaken. to any great
extent. until the proper basis has
been laid for a foilow-up system.
There must always be the data. facts
and literature and the ability to de-
liver the goods. The past year has
been one OF preparation and we are
now ready To launch our campaign.
Tho Sumter folder has been careful
~ prepared and will be mailed and
distributed In all parts OF the coun-
try. We are now ready to answer
every inquiry and we believe that we
have the goods ready for delivery.
The Industrial trip to be taken in May
iS part OF this advertising campaign.
IL would be well for every man who
may contemplate making this trip to
be prepared beforehand with infoi.
ination concerning his State and his
home town and county. He Is certain
To be asked questions concerning the
South and this State that will amaze
him. The entire South has been ad-
vertising within the last two years
as never before and investors and
prospective settlers living i'm other
parts OF the country are anxious TO
learn concerning the opportunities
here offered. II this State and sec
tion desires TO receive its share of the
results Of this publicity. no time
should be lost. The special advants ges
thereof must be presented and In no
uncertain terms. There are plenty OF
men living I'm Sumter today who do
not even know OF the goods being
manufactured here. and thcy know
FAR less of the special advantages Of
their own State.
Conventions.
During the year Sumter was repre-
sVnted by a delegate at the great nat
iOnal advertising convention n. nos-