Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-07-17

example, il a merchant formerly pur-
chased an article for 81 he sold It any
where from $1.25 to $3.50. Take an
average and say S1.39. He could prob
penditure OF from 20 to 25 per cent OF
his sales. Again, take an average and
allow him 2211k per cent for expenses.
This would show he spent 81 cents OF
his profit for running his business, and
cleared an average OF about per cent.
Any department store at present wnicn
does large volume OF business and
clears that much is doing good ana
profitable business.
How is the same transaction handled
by the merchant today, and how mucn
must the consumer pay for the identl-
cal article?
That same article costs the merchant
today anywhere from $1.25 to $l:50.
Let US take an average OF $1.40: that
means it costs as much Wholesale to-
day as 1t formerly did at retail. Bust
ness can no longer be conducted on
q 20 or % per cent basis. Most stores
will average from 25 to 80 per cent,
and as all expenses must be paid out
Of the gross prohts, that same articie
Is cheap today at 81.
Cause Of The increase.
|. You will ask the causes Of this In
creased cost Of doing business, TO
begin with, we get elaborate ngures
OF the Increased assessed valuation OF
real estate. This, together with the
Increased cost of building and equip.
ment means higher rent. The cost OF
coal has gone up. This means higher
cost Of light, heat and power. Adver-
Using rates have been steadily IN
creased. Never in my experience do
Il remember q decrease in advertis-
ing rates for any extended period.
The cost Of dalivery is considerably
higher. Ask anyone what a horse could
be kept for in former years and what
ut costs today, besides which the cost
LOT maintaining delivery stations n
suburbs, such as all large department
stores are required to keep at present,
must be taken into consideration. Most
merchants today have, at least, q few
and some have all auto trucks In their
delivery service. Although they may
give better and quicker service, which
ls wanted by the exacting pubic to-
day they nevertheless further increase
the cost of delivery All incidental ex-
|penses, such as packing materials, sta
|tionery supplies, etc, have also gone
up. Then comes the largest item or
Expense OF any bMsiness-salaries.
This can be- passed over without COM
inent. It Increased and Increased
materially.
The high cost Of living is comment
ed on by everyone, and one wonders
what led up to it and why readjust-
ment should not take place once In a
while.
offer no remdy here, but apropos
Of the minimum wage conceded by all
merchants to have q tendency Of FUR
Their increasing the cost OF living. !
think 1t advisable and beneficial to.
discourage, rather than encourage
anything that would have q tenden-
cy to increase the cost OF living.
The Public's Responsibility.
A word may be said as to how the
demands Of the shopping public in
crease the cost Of doing business I'm
less a store is kept up-to-date in fix.
lures. equipment and service, and keeps
q full and complete up-to-date stock,
lit cannot long compete. The public
wishes to see a fuller assortment OF
merchandise than formerly. 1t asks
that more goods be sent through the
stores delivery service and to still
farther points Better and more In
telligent service is demanded.
Requests are made daily to cheerfully
made exchanges and send goods on APP
prevail Elaborate and comfortable rest
rooms and other expensive accom-
lmodations are at the disposal OF GUS
toners.
These conditions have come to stay
and must be met by the up to-date and
progressive department stores OF today.
They. however, all cost money. IN
lvestigatton may disclose the fact that
while these things appear insignificant,
have some bearing on the cost of liv-
ing.
The Department Store Employees.
Now for the other side of the ques-
ton. Are conditions and wages in de-
partment stores such as to warrant
salaries being hxed by law? Have de-
partment stores overworked and un-
| OF all workers there seems to be more
lcontentment among employees In de-
partment stores than In most other
occupations.
Can anyone compare the interesting
work Of selling to the many monoton-
Gus kinds OF labor girls are subjected to
in different kinds Of manufacturing
OF the cashier. stenograpber. OFFICES
clerk, parcel wrapper, stock clerk etc.
In department stores, and he will and
a. cheerful and happy q class Of Wo-
men as can be met. Are they com
tended Ask them Find out how
many would prefer other kinds OF work.
Who. then. Is stirring UP all this agita-
Ager q more than anxious at all times
to recognize ability. End any emplOye
pOGseBttMG Il II bound to advance Ia
tho department store Of today Every
department store manager has the
not ma nIf3tcient nnmber OF honest,
efficient and q - le people 70 fiIl the
resp painible ppsltion1 N 1sss !,
We're 10 write on thu Nolfar0 work
Of department 1toFet could MI vol
MINES On the many improvements In
thu conditions Of 0mployee instituted
slnys flsa af1a ~ 49, & 40 ssiSxsxaa