The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-11-21
ORGANIZER WIN. SMEDLEY
TALKS To BUSINESS MEN
SAYS THE RESULTS OF ORGANI.
ZATION AMONG BUSINESS MEN
ARE SOON FELT.

Talk Was Very Interesting-LocaI
Association Gained Much Valuable
Information and Will Do Well tC
Put Some of His Theories Into
Practice.
William Smedley, of Philadelphia
+. talked organization to the members
s of the Business Mems Association
manufacturers and guests at the city
hall Tuesday evening. He cited many
instances where organized associa-
tions of retail merchants were OF
much benefit to all classes of bust
ness men and in his talk which was
brimming with reason and logic, he
gave them much to think about in
the way of suggestions and plans
for doing better work.
Mr.. Smedley congratulated the
local association for their strong or
ganlzatlon and large membership,
end explained to them various plans
for increasing their efficiency along
both lines. When there is a good
organization among the business
men there are few fakers," he said.
ri know this association is going
Forward and I see you are determin-
ed to make it not only a progressive
movement for yourselves but for
1Honesdale.
/ THE influence of the retail mer-
Schant on the local community is
wonderful to contemplate, Mr..
Smedley remarked. "If the town
we're wiped out by fire or some great
disaster it would build up, for you
nave the merchants to do it and it
would be better and bigger city for
he setback it received. If the
nerchants are wiped out there is
nothing left on which to build"
one of the most important es-
Fentials. to progress in any organiza-
ion is cooperation and service
GOOD organization is also necessary
When the merchant serves the peo-
Pile in the best way he can he is not
Pnly serving himself but is helping
he community"
He estimated that there were T.
200 members in the State Retail
Merchants Association and that
here were $4,000 merchants outside
me organization but that they were
working all the time, bringing 9TH
RS in and hoped by dilligent effort
2 greatly increase the organization
throughout the state.
lie SAID he was great believer in
dVertlsing and every place he went
e talked that to the merchants not
pr the sake of boosting the news
apers but because he firmly believ-
.d That 1t was the only way for
ne local merchants to get results.
said that no business could be
ullt up without advertising and
recommended cooperation between
ne merchant and the newspapers
bring about the best results.
alse advertising, which has long
cen thorn in the side of the mer-
nant, so to speak, is fast nearing
doom. By legislation we have
polished it and newspapers are
armed not to accept advertisements
earlng false statements to fool the
ublic.
The worst foe of the merchant"
lid Mr.. Smedley, sis the ignorant
bmpetitor who knows nothing about
Psts or business methods. That
ind of a competitor is fast going
Pwn himself and will inevitably
rag the others down with him. The
Bsoclation can be a great helm TO
e merchant in this respect, if it
pes nothing more than bring the
en- together so that they can talk
yer their business troubles and
me to some adjustment; if this is
Fcomplished, then it is indeed
mething.
In explaining the Pennsylvania
= an to the members, he said that it
ould help them greatly in their
ork. The plan he explained is as
llows:
For the association year, COM
encing August 1, 1913, an appro-
. iation of $4,000 has been made,
be contested for by the associa-
pms. The awards will. be announc-
at the Convention to be held at
Philadelphia in 1914 (date to be an
unced).
Awards will be made to the local
sociations affiliated with the Retail
erchants' Association of Pennsyl- |
mia, which shows the greatest
rcentage of accomplishment ac-
riding to the tabulated schedule.
II First-For the largest increase of
mbership between Aug. l, 1913, |
d July 81, 1914.
Second-For the largest appor-
nate mileage of delegates, mem
: rs and their wives attending the
xt State Convention at Philadel-
ia.
Third-For the greatest sales on
s b list of standard articles embrac-
in the plan from August 1, 1913,
July 81, 1914.
In order that each organization
Rll have the same opportunity a
stem of classification has been
opted that is fair and equitable.
He said that the Pennsylvania
IN is an effort to encourage CO.
+ eration upon the part of the Asso-
tion and each individual member
the organization. 1t will stimu-
~ interest in the State Associa-
n, as each local association will
upon its members to help secure
z of the awards.
For every member of any associa-
n on Aug. 1, 1914, over and above
membarshin of that association |