Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-12-03
AIDING RESEARCH
YEARS BUSINESS
Merchants oil the Tri.fities Provide In
formation to Associated AID Clubs
of the World
TO SHOW PROSPECTS FOR 1916
Rock Island. Davenport and NeIine
One Of Centers from Which viii
Come Statistics

Business men OF the tri-cities are
supplying information Of business con-
ditions during the past year and pros
poets for 1915 to local commercial or
CARNATIONS, in the countrywide sta
tistiesl research conducted by the AS
ISOLATED Advertising Clubs Of the
World. 1t is the second one to be
made
Information secured is confidential
Blanks were given the merchants
and they are not requested TO attach
their names to the slips Thus propri-
etors of stores do not hesitate TO pro-
vide the exact figures because each
slip helps tell the story of conditions at
present and what is expected of the en-
suing year In this country.
The investigation will require about
four days. Two years ago at the con
vention OF the Associated Advertising
clubs held in Davenport, the statistical
research was suggested, Last year
was the first held At that time when
all business men seemed confused as to
the effect the European war would
have on conditions in this country the
I Associated Advertising clubs, with rep
/ resentative organizations in different
cities, came forward with the asser-
/ ton that the only true test of the ex-
act business conditions is the consum-
mer demand and to prove this point
conducted an investigation among lead
ing retail stores which showed that
depsite many alarming reports the az
erage condition of American business
showed a decrease for the month of
/ November. 1914. over November, 1913.
[ OF only % per cent
is More Complete.
/ The completed report Of last year,
containing many maps and charts and
compiled within II days. was delivered
TO President Wilson and other govern
ment officials as well as many of the
leading business men of the country
and high commentator of the inyesii-
cation is what led to d repetition OF
the plan this year even on larger
scale.
Those in charge OF the work say that
as the committee is now in possession
Of such vital facts for comparison and
as the number OF merchants interview
ed will be greatly increased the report
/ for this year should be even more val
liable than its predecessor. While last
/ years report was sold in bound vol
umes and the edition completely ex-
hausted, The report OF the present in
yestigation will be given much wider
. circulation as it will be printed in full
/ in the January issue of Associated Ad-
vertising," the official organ Of the Ad-
/ vertising clubs.
4 statement issued by the associa-
ton says:
What we are trying 10 do is to elm
mate guess work from sales and adyer-
Using efforts, and thus reduce their
cost. All OF the work is volunteered,
and none Of the investigators nor any
of the members of the committee is to
receive one cent for his efforts The
report is 10 be dedicated to the Ameri-
can Business Man.
We contend that the only real test
Of business is the variation Of the de-
mand of the consumers. The only way
/ to tell whether business is good or
poor is TO get the exact estimate of the
I percentage Of increase or decrease in
the amount of money the typical house
wife is spending on her groceries, her
millinery her drugs. jewelry, etc.
This investigation is hut one of the
many activities of the Associated Ad-
Yertising Clubs of the Word in its en-
deayor to make advertising more prof
liable and business more economical
The investigation will be d service to
advertisers in showing what sections
Of the country are most prosperous
and where to spend their appropria-
tons for the coming year"