The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-23
BUYERHOME FROM EUROPE
TELLS OF ODD CONDITIONS
Interesting Talk by Mr.. Calderhead of the Gimbel
Stores-Contrasts Furnished by Three of
the Countries Now at War

\ picture of Germany. France and
England In war time as seen by the
! business man intent upon getting goods
for the American trade was drawn with
unusual skill yesterday afternoon by
Edward p. Caiderhead OF the Gimbsl
Bros organization Mt an informal talk
to the buyers and executive stan. Mr..
Calderhead. an experienced traveller. has
a keen eye and a sense OF humor, and
his lecture was as interesting to the
layman as to the prospective buyer
troubled over his own particular prob
lens growing out OF the world war.
In the first place. as to getting into
the belligerent countries, Mr.. Calderhead
showed that this is not difficult. provid-
ing you have good credentials and good
I sense. five franc note or its equiva-
lent was useful now and then when a
passport had to be vised and time
pressed. He had nothing but praise for
the courtesy shown by German officials
and war officers.
Toy Makers Fair q Memoirs.
Mr.. Calderhead. going first to Ger.
many. visited the Leipsc fair. Where
In former years there had been from
200 to 900 buyers he found only twelve.
1t was the great fair OF the toy makers
but many of the manufacturers were in
the trenches and there was no one to
represent them lie found. however.
that wooden ware was one Of the very
few things that had not advanced in
price. But turning to the makers of
dolls. with whom he had been accus-
toned TO place ingle orders amounting
to $4,000 marks he found that OF tho
seven who usually competed for his GUS
tom only one firm was ready to do busi-
ness. Four hadn't the materials--they
were short OF rubber and mcfarland
others had sufficient material but lacked
the workmen. Mr.. Calderhead placed
his order for dolls with the provlso
that his firm pay when shipment can
he made. lie is not sanguine OF getting
his dolls this year. Prices of dolls were
unchanged from previous years.
Berlin All Patriotism.
Going on TO Berlin Mr. Calderhead
found streets and shops deserted. the
latter busy only where war orders were
to be filled. He was introduced to the
bread card and found that many OF the
ItNAtI NldsS were NOT eating bfetu. lnal
WAS only one indication OF the intense
patriotism, the determination to do any
thing that might help. that he found
everywhere.
one OF the largest sporting goods stores
in Germany had only one clerk. and
only one was needed. since Mr.. Calder
head and the firms Berlin representative
were the only customers at the time
they called.
But remember this II YOU are going
abroad TO buy" he said 1.-THE men who
are left on the job are there TO do
business and they will do anything to
help you"
Visiting one of the great rubber goods
factories Mr.. Calderhead was met by
the proprietor, who said
I'm sorry YOU speak English: We
don't like TO hear that language now
But you're an old friend: come in and
talk"
No Rubber, but Something New.
Talk was about all they could do.
since Mr.. Calderhead found that the
firm had no rubber to sell. The Cow
eminent needed all of II. But thpt
hadn't stumped the Ingenious rubber
workers. II was rubber balls for chill