The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-24

told all about the companys policy methods of selling and profits on sales They were taken through the factory to learn how cash registers are pro duced. They were informed of the usefulness of the cash register anf the problems with which salesmen have to deal. And they were instruct. ed how to assist their husbands in becoming better salesmen.
 Now that the wives know somethine about the business from which the eamily income is derived, it is pre- :
 ticted that they will not be satis- fled if their husbands do not earn more money.
 In speaking of the project, MT. Pat. terson said:
 This is my pet convention, and ! believe it is the forerunner cf a grea shange in the position of wife wit relation to her husbands business.
 Il believe in woman suffrage. I be
 ieve>in woman's rights. I believe tf1a t is highly important not only to bu~ ness but to all the affairs of life. tha women shall have a larger part in ou
 faily activities.
 She is taking her rightful place
 fife, and there Is plenty of work fc her to do.
 Our convention of the wives of tn talesmen themselves was a great s,le 'ess-far beyond our expectations w 'alked to these wives just as we woul talk to their husbands. And we be
 feve the results will be vast in 'rease in the selling efficiency of e,- ary man whose life was here.,'
 Of all the business innovations u,h;o, 4r. Patterson has sponsored-and I, vas the promoter of many now in een eral practice in business-this ia ,jr ruestionably the most radical. Beca,t~
 fhis tact. the Dayton convention is rs particular interest.
 It was held in the famous N. c.
 scnoolhouse, large hall built especis " TOT conventions and entertainment. purposes
 large poster on the wall was si9 r1ffcant In bold letters. 1t proclaino~
 10 things an N. c. R. woman can do 'hese were as follows: a Serve sin, ole food: @ Keep him cheerful: (s) 'Giv nm plenty of fresh air: (A See that r cts plenty of sleep: (5) Lend encourage. "ent at the rieht time: (6) Encourae linn to take regular exercise: CD Be eco romical and save for a rainy day: ,e Take a new interest in his sales record f9) study merchants needs and help hus band with tips: C0) Read N. c. R. as ''a~.ising and call attention to irnporta,, things.
 Another poster, illustrated with a ba If money from which dollars were lealt- ing, bore the legend: Leaks in h'e earnings" And these were designated a. follows: d) Spends too much time a. nome; @ Eats too much: loses energy lY Does not use simple methods: t4, acks ambition-self-satis6e (5) Doe not cover his territory: (6> Fails to study lacks interest in business; CD Does not read and use advertising. Below wa !, ,ttrer 17+f1 |. these leaks.'
 President Patterson made several on salesmanship and how wom- en can help their husbands increase .hc family income. Tn every instance, he Illustrated his talks by rough crayor sketches on large charts which are 2 'ea+ure of all N. c. R. proeeedines.
 Sales Manager Charles F. Steffev con. dncted the sessions and made practical talks on salesmanship and business.
 The women were encouraged to as'- questions. Hundreds of questions an9 came from the wives as 2 result. At one time, MT. Steffey asked If any of the women present had actu- ally sold cash register. More than ? arose.
 Miss Grace F. Tryon, Z L. Potter, c B. Haig and other members of the \ .. R. eXec'tive staff spoke of different phases of the work. Motion pictures and lantern slides were effectively used te 1rive home many points. Finally, to emphasize the big object of the new p'ay was presented. depict ng how wife can retard or promote the advancement of a salesman.
 But the convention was by no means m au-business affair. It was generous y interspersed with entertainment, i1- .luding motion picture exhibitions, lec- lures on dress, on the war. on good automobile trips to Hill ans Dales park, and various social events.
 To test out the effect of the conven ion. MT. Patterson has offered prize # s100 for the best letter to be written describing it--and there will be 500 wom- m in this competition. But the best of success will be the sales ecords of the married men.