The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-03-13

fight. ell thought II would be a good
idea to have enough OF the coats on
the apparatus to supply those who
went to the Ere at the first call.
Mr.. Bruce told the fremen how the
fire fighters al Des Moines carried
brooms and other apparatus for
cleaning mp after fire. II gave the
public a far better impression OF
their work, an left a general good
feeling. He also said the automobile
should carry firstaf6-to-theiniure
outfit. Carbolic acid. applied to in.
juries, agreed we'll with most people.
Expressed Qualification.
In closing. Mr.. Bruce expressed
great qualification at the courteous
reception he had had in Mankato,
and the readiness with which he
was given any information that he
! desired.
Mr.. Bruce showed the bremen a
large collection OF pictures Of fire
lighting apparatus that was In use
In other cities.
At the conclusion OF the address,
the gathering had supper and the
remainder OF the evening was spent
in smoke social .r
From Fridays oalIv..
Three of the implement dealers
clubs. affiliated with the Minnesota
Retail Implement Dealers associa-
ton. held a joint meeting in Knights
of Columbus hall last evening. The,
three bodies were Club No. 4, whose
territory includes Mankato, but
whose Headquarters are At ST. James.
Club No. I with headquarters at
Owatonna and Club No. 1s with
headquarters at New Ulm. About a
hundred dealers were present
I The gathering was presided over
by F. II. Retzlaff of New Ulm. presi-
dent of the state association. C. l..
Buxton OF Owatonna. the state sec
Rotary. acted as secretary Of this
gathering. He also made a brief
speech In explanation of certain
points of the employers liability
law The principal address OF the
evening was delivered by C. M.
johnson OF Rush City, chairman OF
the arbitration committee of the
state organization. The two Man.
kato members OF the local club and
state association, John A. Dackins
and A.. W. Anderson Of the firm of
Anderson and Krautkremer, were
present. There was quite a lengthy
discussion OF the actual cost of
handling farm implements in the re-
tail trade. This discussion was the
main object of the meeting and
there were many participants.
An Entertaining Talker.
Mr.. Johnson made this subject his
main theme and proved to be very
entertaining talker. He depressed
frequently. however. and his digres-
sions were not always for the pur-
pose OF throwing bouquets. He said
In one connection that he had heard
OF a man that committed suicide
in Mankato by laying himself across
the street car tracks, but on closer
inquiry, be had been informed that
the man starved to death waiting
for car to come.
The speaker laid considerable en-
phasis on the point Of carrying on
the retail implement trade fairly
and squarely. He declared that In
HIS view there was no greater or
higher religion that .man could
have than fair and square dealing;
Cost Of Conducting Business.
Launching into the subject OF the
actual cost of running the imple-
ment trade, he pictured the case
OF retired farmer coming to the
city and investing $4,000 in the i'm
plement trade. He then estimated
that this man would handle $4,000
worth OF business every year on
that outlay. He then figured out the
cost of running the business for a.
year. giving the following items:
Interest on the outlay at six per
cent. s720; rent. $500: salary OF the
owner. 1920: salary OF first clerk,
$40; salary OF second clerk. $3.50: /
rush help. s4s; depreciation OF
stock, $50: depreciation OF fixtures
and equipment. $50: donations, $50;
insurance, $3.50; light and heat, s72:
Office and store supplies, s3e: deliv.
cry wagons and stable expense,
$40; teiegrams and telephones, $50;
advertising. $3.50; travelling expenses.
$50. goods stolen and not charged. $50
goods returned, $50; bad debts.
$3.50: collection expenses, $50; taxes.
$50; window displays. $50; dues In
associations and trade papers, $50;
miscellaneous, $50; total, $500.
The Actual Expense.
Mr.. Johnson thus figured cut the |
actual expense Of running the retail |
business TO be seventeen
per cent of the receipts. He then
asked different members to tell him
the buying and selling prices OF |
some OF the articles that they han
died. One man said he sold for SIS |
q wagon that cost s62 Mr.. Johnson
figured out seventeen per cent OF |
The selling price TO be STATS. Add
ing this as the cost Of handling to /
the cost OF the article, he figured the |
total cost to be STATS. giving the