The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-05
BALTIMORE BEGINS
SIMILAR SCHEME
Richmond's Better Acquaintance
Week" to Be Initiated by
Maryland City.
LOCAL OFFER THE BETTER
Chambers Railway Fare Rebate
Plan Looks Good to South
crn Merchants.

IN a bclated ATTEMPT to initiate the
best features OF Richmond's great
"5etter Acquaintance Week." which
Will draw thousands Of Southern retail
merchants to this city during the week
OF August II. the Baltimore Merchants
and Manufacturcrs' Association has
Just initiated rebate campaign, with
the design OF attracting Southern re-
tail merchants to the Maryland city to
do their buying. Baltimoro's move
mcnt, however, is likely to fall fiat, not
only because Richmond was in the field
a month previously, but because the
terms offered by the two cities will
hardly stand comparison in the eyes
Of the merchants who contemplate a
trip North TO buy their goods.
Never before in any similar trade
scheme has such an advantag cous offer
been made to Southern merchants as
the railway fare rebate to be given
by the trade extension bureau Of the
Richmond Chamber of Commerce to re-
tail merchants attending Better Ac-
quaintance Week" The rebate com
mittec of the Baltimore Merchants and
Manufacturers Association also holds
out railway fare rebate TO attract
the Southern merchants to the Mary
land market. but the offer is SO quail
ned b. restrictions as not to be in the
same class with the Richmond plan.
The Southern merchants have been
quick TO see the advantages of the
Richmond offer and have accepted the
Better Acquaintance Week" invitation
in droves.
OTcr without Equal.
II Will be noticed that in connection
with Better Acquaintance Week." TO
encourage Southern retail merchants
TO come to this city during the week OF
has made an unqualified offer TO refund
the round trip railway fare Of any nler-
chant who purchases as much az $500
worth Of merchandise while in Rich
mcnd that week. regardless Of the dis
tance travelled by the merchant and
the amount Of his travelling expenses
For the merchant who buys as much
as $3.50 worth Of Richmond goods there
VIII De rebate in cash equal TO one
half OF Ills round trip railway fare TO
Richmond
Baltiinores offer, with strings at
tachcd. cannot stand In the same light
with Richmond's proposition. The Bal
timore rebate committee has announced
10 Southern retail merchants that 10
those visiting the Maryland metropo-
lis between July l and October l. who
purchase as much as $500 worth OF
goods, "a cash equivalent Of their round
trip railway fare Will be given pro-
vidcd that such fare does not exceed
] per cent OF the total purchases of the
visiting merchant Thanks TO this
string 10 the offer, the merchant COM
INK great discanc -,sllid buying only
$500 worth OF goods would find him
self cut out OF the rebating scheme
10 receive rebate of oue-half the
round trip railway fare. the merchant
visiting Baltimore must purchase
$l.200 worth OF merchandise
Like the Richmond Chamber OF Com
merce' the Baltimore business organi-
cation has sent broadcast through iii.
Southern States 100000 folios giving
the details OF the rebate scheme and
the attractions of the city In Balti-
more, however, no such festivities for
the entertainment OF the visiting mer-
chants have been prepared as are 10
crown the nights OF Richmonds Bet
ter Acquaintance Week"