Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-12-29

The Maine Retail Dry Goods Associa-
afternoon and evening at the Augusta
House with large attendance Of rep
resentative dealers from all over the
State and many matters of Importance
to the association were taken up at the
sessions. The business meeting was open
ed at $50 in the afternoon, President Ma
than Weston of this city presiding. and
the banquet was held in the evening.
At the afternoon session many inter-
esting discussions were held in an lnfor-
NAL manner and great enthusiasm was
manifested by the members. President
Weston gave the address of welcome,
speaking as follows:
This special meeting Of the Maine Re
tail Dry Goods Association has been cali
ed to discuss four OF the vital problems
with which our members are confronted
at this time.
I'VE have asked five of our leading
merchants to deliver short addresses
upon these important subjects. Alter
each speaker there will be an opportu-
nifty for every member to ask ques-
tions, tell experiences, or give addi-
tional information. We would like to
hear from every one present. 1t Is by
a frank, informal discussion that the
most good can be accomplished.
II think that this is the first time
that O. meeting of this nature has ever
been held IN Maine. We want your CO.
operation. Through this, and this
only, will the objects Of this associa-
ton be fulfilled. Every member re-
ceives benefit In direct proportion to
what he gives and we ask that you
make this meeting a success by giving
it lust rs much of yourselves as you
possibly can.
1.-THE large attendance is very graft
flying and deem 1t a distinct privilege
to welcome this body Of progressive
merchants to my home city-Augusta.
Our meetings furnish the only op-
portunities open to us as merchants to
get together, make new and renew old
acquaintances, and to cooperate with
edCH OllcI III NOIiSli uSAANC WIN w
wards securing for ourselves and the
retail dry goods merchants Of Maine
those things that are right and neces-
sary for our continued success.
"Above all. do not forget that this
is to be a very informal meeting"
Charles F. Marble of Portland, fela
secretary. who has toured the entire
State In the interests of the new organ
ization, then gave his report Great cred
it is due to Mr.. Marble for making the
association effective in regard to it's mem
bership. His report was followed by a dis
cussion of the subject of membership
Subjects were thcn opened for discuss
sion as follows: "Jobbers' Discounts,'
by c. l., Morang of Ellsworth: The In
vasion Of Local Territory by Outside Par
ties" by H. y. Benson OF Bangor: Leg
islation Tending to Combat the Itineranr
vender," by A. L. T. CUMMINGS Of Port
land; "Competition Of the Mail Order
Houser and How to Combat It." by Har-
ry Brown of watervl'c: Credits" by r.
r. Eastman Of Portland Each and every
member Of the association derived benefit
from these discussions. Mr.. Eastman in
his talk on "Credits" pointed QUE 3ne
efficiency OF the Portland Credit Mans
Association and outlined plan whereby
other cities and towns might estah1l6&
credit systems which would prove HdSfSall
tageous both to the merchant and to stE&
purchaser.
In speaking upon the subject OF Siisk
counts Mr.. Morang discussed the
growing tendency Of wholesalers and
manufacturers to shorten their term
OF discounts to retail merchants and
the growing tendency OF the retail
merchants to extend more and more
the discount periods, and the commits
sions to certain classes of buyers
which he thought was an injustice
both to the merchant and the buyer.
The subject Of "The Invasion of Lo
cal Territory by Itinerant Vendors
and Mail Order Houses" was given a
thorough discussion and the belief was
expressed that the tendency to buy
ffem the catalog interrupts the prog
ress Of the community life and worked
against the interests for the growth
OF the communities and the State.
The following Committees were sap-
pointed by President Weston: Commit.