Evening star., 1916-08-07
Henry G. SouthWick, Mer-
chant, First to Be Ac-
cused of 0ffense.
LA VIGNE, INVESTIGATOR,
BOUGHT GOODS OF HIM
Declares They Were Not as Repre-
sented and Lays Complaint Be-
fore Authorities.

Henry G. Southwick. secretary
and treasurer of the Southwlck
Shops, Inc, 18th street and New
York avenue northwest, was ar
rested this afternoon on a charge
of having violated the law to
prevent false advertising in the
District OF Columbia. The war
rant was sworn out by c. Z.
La Vigne, field representative of
the American Fair Trade League.
Bond was fixed at $500.
This is but one of a number of arrests
which it is expected will be made in
Washington under the false advertis
ing law, which became effective last
May. Mr.. La Nigne is cooperating with
the advertising vigilance committee of
the Retail Merchants Association of
this city. which was instrumental in
having the law passed.
First Arrest Made.
The arrest of Mr.. Southwick is the
tising law. Mr.. La vigne recently pur-
chased a number of articles at the
Southwick shops, and claiming that the
goods were not as represented in the
advertisement he entered complaint
with the authorities.
The warrant was drawn up this
morning and served by Detective Frank
NJ. Helan this afternoon.
While Mr.. La Vigne entered his COM
piaint as a citizen of Washington, he
viii have the full cooperation of the
Retail Merchants Association. the
chairman of which is Joseph Berbe-
rich Work of obviating evidence
against stores believed to be violating
the false advertising law is TO be start
cd Immediately, it is said.
Warrant Is Issued
Mr.. La Vigne called on John E
Laskey, United States attorney. Sat-
urday and made complaint. Mr.. Laskey
topk the matter up with Ralph Given,
assistant United States attorney, at
Mr.. Given's Office this morning. 1t
was then decided to issue the war
rant.
Henry G. Southwick was formerly
president of the MacDougal and South
wick Co. Department Store in Seattle
Wash
He withdrew in 1908 and moved to
New York.
The premises at 14th and New York
avenue were leased June II, 1913, for
reriod of four years and seven months
The company is a subsidiary of the
Southwick. Bayer Co. of New York
capitalized at 100000 in that state. 1t
vas Incorporated October 23. 1912.
Effective Campaign Begun.
Today's action marks but one step in
rampaign which it is believed will be ef-
.fective and far-reaching The law
against false advertising in the District
Of Columbia has now been in effect sew
eral months. While moral suasion has
been used with good effect in many in
stances the time is now at hand, say
members Of the advertising vigilance
committee, when more drastic steps must
be taken.
Chairman Berberich. interested in
truthful advertising in general and in the
new law in particular. for which the Re
tail Merchants Association is responsible.
has decided that the time for warnings
has passed Several times within the
last few weeks Chairman Berberich has
expressed his earnesteness in having the
false advertising law actively enforced
In connection with this he has had sew
eral conferences with Charles j. Column
bus. secretary OF the Retail Merchants
Association and also secretary of the
committee.
Previous to the passage by Congress Of
the truthful advertising law for the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Mr.. La Vigne addressed
the Retail Merchants Association at the
Raleigh Hotel upon the subject. A short
time ago Chairman Berberich met Mr. La
Vigne again.
La Vigne Makes Investigation.
Mr.. La Vigne had done much good
work in behalf of truthful advertising
in New York. Mr.. Berberich imme-
diztely sought his cooperation in the
Washington situation. Mr.. La Vigne
heard of many complaints which had
been made concerning the conditions
here and then went over the ground
in person.
He did this as private citizen. hav-
ing his home here. Then he went out to
test some OF the advertising.
The case cited above is the first to
which he has devoted his attention He
went 10 the store named and made a
number of purchases. noting carefully
the values at which they were adver-
tiscd as worth. Upon finishing his
purchases he had the goods examined
by tcrs1us well acquainted with the
cla=s II commodities he had bought
ard 'Eel- appraisais fell far below the
s4d e.; sed value. II may be mentioned
~ th,. connection that no hint of any
so-t WAS given 10 any appraiser az to
where the goods had been purchased.
A Tale of a Shirt.
The most notable Incident in connec-
tion with the purchases. perhaps. was
in connection with u shirt. This shirt
was advertised as reduced from $3.50
value As a matter OF fact il bore a