Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-21

dow lighting methods in an endeayor
TO make the effect pleasing to the
eye.
Distinct Profession.
window trimming has within the
last few years come into its own as
distinct profession" declared Mr..
Potter. The time has passed when
>he wide-awake merchant delegates
the care of his windows to some jun
Tor clerk. He seeks out a trained and
specialized mind that is able to COM
bine all the rare qualities required in
the personality of a good display man.
Merchants are more and more appre-
ciating the publicity value of properly
trimmed windows. and many of Amer
ica's master retail minds are now de.
claring they are getting better returns
from good display windows than from
any other medium. Attractive sim
plicity should be the basic keynote OF
every window display that is intended
to accomplish the desired aim of the
effort-that is, sell the goods. Such a
window rests the jaded eye and awak
ems new interest, the buying interest,
if you please. Too many trimmers
have made the mistake of resolving
their displays into a cheap, three-ring
circus"
Local Possibilities.
The purpose and possibilities of the
organization of display men of a city
or group of cities. as it is here, was
extensively treated by Mr. Potter. a.
part of his address. Local clubs, all
of them merged into the greater inter
national association, have an excuse
for existence in the oft-tested theory
that twothirds are always better than
one The exchange of ideas among
members in a fraternal organization 1
of men engaged in the same profes- |
sion or craft is an opportunity not to |
be despised. Display men. as well as
those engaged in other lines of work,
can render better service to their en- !
ployers as a result of this two-fold |
purpose of the local and international
rganization-to promote good fellow
ship and cooperation. Mr.. Potter out
lined the educational campaign pre-
pared by the international association
for the benefit of the local clubs. A
series of lectures, illustrated by slides,
has been prepared, and will be sent
over the country from one city to the
other. The tri-city club will be in
cluded in this distribution. He also
called attention to the next interna-
tional convention to be held in New
York next August, and spoke of the
man. plans for entertainment already
arranged.
Real Asset
THE display men of any commun-
ity. / readily believe, are one of the
greatest assets" was the
opening statement of Mr.. Norwood.
Il travel around considerably from one
city to the other" he continued, land
| have found out that the best way to
size up any particular city as 10 its
and stability, without max
ing any inquiries or looking into any
statistics. is to examine with critl-
cal eve the window displays of the
retail merchants. If the windows are
up and coming you'll see that the pub
lie improvements, the streets, etc, re-
feet the same spirit. The contrary
rule holds good, too.
MY city work is essentially dis
play proposition. I've got to present
the advantages of Davenport to the
outside world through literature and
other mediums that must attract the
eve and bear home a convincing Gp-
peal. the same as you fellows have to
DO through your store windows. You
may have the goods, but the average
nan or woman going down the street
won't know it unless they see these
goods attractively set forth before
them
Pictures Taken.
President Hinze introduced the two.
chief speakers of the evening, ana