The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-24
MANY IMPOSITIONS

MAN IMPOSlIlONS
 Much unfavorable legislation has re- suited during the past few years, serious ly hampering the retail dry goods men because of their lack of organization The employees of the dry goods firms are thoroughly organized, but it seems that their former policy of working as if every other firm in the same line of business was an enemy and not to be dealt with save as an opponent.
 "One of the most serious problems con- fronting the retail dry goods men of this country is the question of credit. No other line of business is so free with credit, and the retail dry goods men all low themselves constantly to be inn posed upon.
 This system of giving credit in almost unlimited amounts is peculiar to the dry goods merchants. If a person is entitled to credit, he should be given the amount due him, but when that amount is used up, no more should be allowed until there is settlement. Another trouble with the retail dry goods men is that they do not require prompt settlements of bills when due. Other lines of business have a time for settlement and unless payments are 1 made promptly interest is charged There is no reason why this should not be done by the dry goods people. SHOULD CHARGE INTEREST NO matter how good a mans credit may be nor how fine his securities, he canont borrow money from a bank for one day without the payment of interest The retail dry goods man should require payment of the regular rate for every day an account is allowed to run after it becomes due. Most retail men do not stop to consider that they are forced to borrow from the banks and pay interest on account of the money they have on their books. With most firms. this item of interest would make a big difference in the profit account at the end of each year.
 q have many matters I will discuss with the merchants and business men at the luncheon today. I have toured large part of the United States during the past six months and I am visiting now the principal cities of the south 1
 
 tion the merchants of the country can bring about a revolution in their methods of doing business, and instead of the retail dry goods business being one of the most hazardous, it will become one of the safest of all forms of investment.
 ADVERTISING SCHEMES
 Within the past decade or two. the retail dry goods men have gone to ex- cesses in the matter of displaying their goods. Vast fortunes have been spent in costly fixtures when probably just as good display could have been secured by the exercise of some care with much less expensive fixtures, As regards ad- vertising, I, of course, fully realize the advantages and even the necessity for advertising on the part of the retail dry goods men. Proper advertising is the best kind of investment for the merchant and does not, as some people think, in- crease the cost of the goods to the uIti- mate consumer.
 "On the other hand, the retail dry goods men allow themselves to be im- posed on by more worthless advertising schemes than any other line of business The proper organization would enable them to do away with this useless drain so that they could secure far better re- suits by spending a part of this money now wasted, with the legitimate publica- tions which really bring the results"
 In addition to the Board of Trade the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Mems league and other civic organiza- tions are cooperating in the effort to secure the proper interest in the address of MT. Kirby. In addition to the mem bers of these organizations, an invitation is extended all business men of the city as well as the public generally to attend the Dutch luncheon today at the Tut wiler It is requested that reservations be made as early possible.