The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-01-27
TO HOLD WINDOW
DISPLAY CONTEST
prize Loving Cup i. Offered by Mer-
chant at Retailers League
+ Meeting Last
Night.
INCREASE IN BUSINESS
Greater Effectiveness Of Window
Displays VIII Result From
Contest, Members of
League Think.

/, A window display contest among
1.-THE retail stores c. this city for
prize loving cup will be one OF the
harbingers OF spring this year. the
!. contest, proposed by O. B. ToWne,
manager of the Industrial association,
at the annual meeting Of the Retailers
League last night, met with practically
unanimous approval Of the merchants
present. At the close of the meeting,
and before tIose present could leave
| the banquet room, one OF the retailers
approached Mr.. Towne and stated
that he would put up the loving cup
prize. He asked, however, that his
name not be mentioned in connection
with the offer.
The primary purpose Of holding this
contest, as explained by Mr.. Towne
last night, is to increase the effective
ness of the window displays In local
retail stores and to force home on the
merchants the value of up to date
windows. Mr. Towne stated last night
that many Of the store windows here
were very sadly neglected by the mai
ayers of the stores. This neglect not
only Injuries the business OF this store
but it gives, as we'll, a poor appear
ance to the city.
Windows Here Can be Improved.
Mr.. Towne said that on the average
the windows in Keokuk compared
very favorably with those of otner
cities of this size. This, however, is
no excuse, he said, for not using
every effort to make improvement.
II all the store windows on Main street
were filled with attractive and inter
Iesting displays the total volume OF
business done in this city would be
very materially increased, and the ap-
pearance of the business district
would show wonderful improvement.
Arrangements for the display con-
test will be completed as soon as pos
sible. Mr.. Towne said this morning
that he had already written to the
Commercial club Of Council Bluffs.
with which he was connected before
coming here, for details under which
a similar contest was held there while
he was in that city.
Before the contest is held the mer-
chants will be given a half day or
more in which to darken their win
dows while arranging their displays.
Three or more judges will be appoint
ed to award the prize. One OF the
Judges to be selected will no doubt De
a woman, Mr.. Towne said. If possible.
a travelling salesman, disinterested in
the contest, will be named for an
other one OF the judges, while To-
cal merchant probably will be select
ed for the third.
To Consider Three Points.
In selecting the winner OF the con-
test three things probably will be
considered: First, the harmony OF
the combination used in the window;
second, the general artistic arrange
ment and attractiveness; and third.
the cleanliness and neatness Of the
display. The selling" value OF the
window will be considered under the
second heading.
With arrangements for the contest
being made at this time 1t will be pos
sible to hold the contest at the time
when most of the people are getting
ready to do their spring snopplns
The windows will receive greater at
tention from the shoppers at that
time and effect of the improvement or
the windows will be of greater yaiue
to the merchants at that time.
A committee to have charge OF tine
contest either will be named by MI.
Justice before the next meeting OF the
Retailers league or Will ne selec.ed
by the members at the next meetns
OF this organization In February.