Evening journal., 1913-05-09
HAMILTON
AFTER MORE
CITY TRADE
Tells Chamber Of Commerce
How City Can Get Much
Money Now Going
Elsewhere
WANTS BUSINESS
MEN TO PROFIT

Urging that local merchants make
an effort to secure the trade Of the
nearby towns, and also to encourage
the farmers of South Jersey and Del
aware to bring their produce to this
city, John S. Hamilton. publicity
director of the Chamber of Commerce,
presented his first report to that body
last evening. Mr. Hamilton showed at
lcngth just what could be accomplish
ed by going after the trade of the
residents of the lower peninsula. IL
was shown that much Of the produce
purchased by local commission men In
Philadelphia passed through this city
first enroute TO Philadelphia. This
fact was brought out by John Ban
croft during the meeting, and it was
suggested that the department of sta
tstics of the Chamber prepare a state
ment showing Just what was coll
sumed here and thus encourage the
growers TO bring their produce here.
In describing the work he has
mapped out. Mr. Hamilton spoke Of
the possibilities of encouraging down
State residents to shop here by offer
ing them inducements in the way Of a
trade discount during Fair week. In
speaking Of fhis phase of the work,
Mr. Hamilton said;
This offers an exceptional oppor-
tunity for advertising Some of the
fair towns near Wilmington attract
az many as 10000 visitors in single
day, and a quarter-million during
the week. A powerful magnet like
this. drawing the people for radius
OF 100 miles in your direction once
year. even If It only be for a week,
is an opportunity which should not be
lost sight of by the business men of
this community Mailing lists for
merchants are available in the telc-
phone directory. Discrimination
should be used. of course, or il would
be easy 10 waste ammunition by fir
ing in the air The fair will offer an
opportunity for the merchants in the
territory they might reasonably draw
from to invite those people who they
think they should be in touch with
At the same time there might be a
united effort to provide trade dis
count week Those the merchants
write to might be shown they coulo
come to the fair. do their shopping
them nothing Here is an opportun-
ity to get multitude of people who
do not know our stores come in ouI
direction. and we believe that many
of those who start will keep coming
Your committee recommends that the
Chamber of Commerce take the init.
atiye in a movement looking toward
cooperation with the fair association
on this line.
Another matter touched on was the
desirability Of securing the trade o.
South Jersey and reference was made
TO the ferry service now existing be-
tween this city and those points Th'
report suggested that the Chamber
take action in having terminals fol
such erected at once. Mr. Hamilton
in speaking on this subject said sew
eral plans had been mapped out. one
heing that of running excursions into
that territory. He also spoke o
trade excursions being run into thil
city. He said these excursions coulC
be given periodically. and they have
proved elsewhere the most valuable
trade makers. while at the same tim'
not the least commendable of their eff
fects is the bringing together thu
heads of mercantile houses in the ter
ritory affected and resulting in a bet
ter understanding which has develop
ed the most praiseworthy results
These trade excursions have grea
value as a means of exploiting ney
territory The Wholesale and jobbini
interests in some cities where thes
excursions have been inauguratel
have doubled undr their influence.
Is the unanimous opinion Of the com
mittce that such excursions shoulI
be tried in Wilmington and for tn
purpose of properly conducting sucl
excursion. special cars should be sc
cured It was thought possible q
procure a car and fit it up as An ad
vertising car, and the secretary wa
Instructed to take the matter up wit
tho Pennsylvania Railroad Company
aud the Pullman Company with thi
end in view. Your committee ha
also in view trade excursions TO Sout
Jersey by automobile.
The report also recommended tina
the Chamber entertain the newspape
editors of the State TO the end tha
an understanding as to the lines an
means of publicity should be pur
sued.
President Marvel in reply to tn
report said that several items GOV
cred had been approved by tn
Board of Directors and the other
would be considered in the near fu
ture
In speaking OF the publicity ths
the city has received already. w.
Metten told of a conversation h
had with several travelling men an
Of IN r. saying that this city wa
talked Of more than any other eft
in the East Robert ID. Kemp ais
spoke of the advertising received b
the use of electric signs along IN
railroads entering the city.