The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-11-26

lUi VI ~. ~. w I'll utis Whllt tNO
tables occupied places of prominence
ct one end of the room where there
were disposed the officers Of the club,
the honored guest, Charles j. Crock
EFT of Cleveland, and representatives
of the press.
Everywhere a spirit of good fell
lowship seemed to prevail. The pet
ty troubles of competition seemed
forgotten for the evening and there
was laughter and jest of character
that rings true to the ear. The or
chestra played good, lively airs and
instilled brightness into everything
and everybody. There was not
gloomy countenance in the crowd.
The serving of the banquet was ac-
complished with speed and precision.
There we're four courses in all and
the preparation of food was all that
could be desired. The menu consist
ed of: Oyster cocktail, olives and
celery, tomato bouillon and waters,
beef, sweet and Irish potatoes and
pea patties, ice cream, cake, cheese
and crackers, coffee and cigars.
During the course Of the banquet,
"a Little Bit of Heaven" was sung by
Secretary Alfred Shut and, as an en-
core, he rendered Mother Machree."
He was accompanied by Mrs. Ida
Thompson Spindler and received
well-merited applause.
When cigars were lighted and the
crowd had settled back in comfort,
President Hoy o. Simons arose and
introduced the toastmaster of the
evening. Charles c. Iams. A story
and a sprinkle of witticism served as
an Introductory for the speaker of
the evening, Charles j. Crockett of
Cleveland, special representative of
the association of women's wear man.
ufacturers of the chamber of COM
merce of Cleveland.
Mr.. Crocketts chosen subject was
ut Is Not Your Customer, It's You
and he spoke in part as follows:
"YOu wonder what is the matter
with the retail business. Blame
yourself. It's your own fault. You
do nothing against the mail-order
business here and an investigation
has shown that 1t is enormous. You
are constantly fighting one another.
Where your net profit is going is in
the discounts you give, sometimes as
high as 10 per cent. Pull together.
Forget your jealousies. Some mer.
chants feel that competitors have no
| right to profits and act accordingly.
Get together and hold your sales
at one time. Don't try to beat the
other fellow to it. You have educat.
ed the people to wait for sales and
the average woman does not buy in
season, but delays her purchasing un
til sale is advertised. This Is sap
ping the life of the retailer dealers
| The average merchant loses on a
otttNp ttth W llG cAttllt VI pei
| cent. Agree on stated times for 1915
sales. bury the hatchet and there will
be per cent increase in profit in
every business.
| "The average merchant has no pol
| icy. He let's his customer run his
store. There is a species of animals
in South America which, when at
| tackled, form q circle with heads IL
and then kick at the enemy will
their heels Retail merchants form
the circle and then kick at each 9th
er. Forget your little jealousies ant
troubles and pull together against
the common enemy-the mail,orde
business.
Advertising Is great Investment
where money Is expended 2judiciousl,
and statements are made true. Be
ware of false utterances. The peopl,
will be fooled and cease to believ,
you. Stick to the truth. The news
papers of the city are the first /,
flock to your side and boost every
thing you do. They will back you TO
all they are worth. BE friendly to
wards them and treat them with al
courtesy.
"Price-cutting is great evil. Their
should be a single price and 1t shoul
never be lowered for anybody. Thes
things cause trouble as the mel
chants are numerically hoodwinke
by the people who say they can bu
cheaper AT another place. Pay no al
tention 10 these people and get Il
gether with other business men one
a month and find how far they wer
from telling the truth. Figure o
constructive, not destructive, me
chandizing