Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-04

by FREDERIC ]. HAsKIN.

twenty-five week to employer, while the fve-do-
lar girl only worth about three
When training for salespeople has become general
in schools and universities and demand for high
ability become general in stores wages
will rise of their accord because ohere "lA DO
fewer and better statesmen.
The wages paid today undoubtedly insufficient
a whole command Ugh grade of efficiency BOYS
starting the retail business receive from 50 to 30
a week The salaries of competent statesmen range
s12 SIS per week. and the majority Of the men
pass the latter figure. Statesmen
departments and in stores where high degree
of technical knowledge is required such as those deal
ing rugs furnitures and silks, sometimes receive as
much as $25 or $40 week.
The wages of women in retail stores have been the
subject of much controversy and investigation 1t Is
true, many them receive less than living wage and
also many of them do expect live their
and not worth much more than they get
Cash girls bunde-wappers receive from So to $40
a week. but the majority receive less than So
Saleswomen receive from SO to SIS week and Occa-
siOnally more. but generally it is less than So.
Most of these wages paid a basis of time
that is, much week; but in some stores com.
mission adopted This is usually found prac
tcable only where there is very fine division Of the
work. otherwise 1t leads to strife the employees
to wait upon customer, the neglect OF those with
small orders for those with large and the selling
of more desirable goods to the neglect of the older
stock
A very general practice is that of paying small
premium for the sale of this old goods
usually marked PM" and the premium of 1
cent paid to the clerk sells it is called the
argot of trade "spiff" The payment Of spiff
goods slightly out Of style is general in the
ans garment trade In addition to these commissions,
stores bonuses for punctuality and faithful
service and some Of them exact fines for careessness
hardness. Fines, however, very unpopular and
create bad feeling. They are used less and less.
Vet form Of Ia dis
count Of from 10 to 20 cent goods which he
from the store for his for those per-
Immediately dependent upon him Perqusites take
other forms such gifts banquets. instruments
for bands, books educational course, prizes for
gestions, and aid in forming and equippng many
CARNATIONS such singing societies baseball clubs,
bands orchestras and cadet corps In fact in these
days organized philanthropy general upft,
much discussed working girl gets perquistes than
anything else These things, however in nowise
up the lack of adequate remuneration which the
thing that will bring craftsmanship the neces-
sary degree of efficiency.
The education of the salesman means a great deal
than better wages him better wealth for
merchant. the behind the counter.must be
ranked of the great educational influences of
modern times The kind of shoes and clothes wear
the foods eat, how houses furnished and
decorated depend great deal upon the
and persuasive power, and still more the
scientiousness Of the retail salesman 1t takes sales
manship to introduce innovation such sewing
machines vacuum cleaners nOtched collars and coat
shirts. We these things much to the salesman
VINO introduced them to the inventors designed
them The Engshman still gets into his shirt from the
bottom like possum going up hollow tree The
initiative of the American haberdasher be given
credit for the wide in this country thati
fat man may put as easily as he does
vest -tf 3 - -
~
If you are. free from corns and bunions Is be-
cause you deal at store they know how to try
shoes. If your suits fits at the neck II the
wallpaper in the dining matches floor; If
you have discovered cigar that you like; If
your wife found hat for s11 that thinks is
perfectly bloomington these and many other bless
ings, thank the behind the counter.