Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-27
MERCHANTS APPRECIATE
COOPERATION OF PUBLIC
Elimination OF Unnecessary Waste Is
Producing Gratifying
Results.
DELIVERY COSTS ARE REDUCED
Many People Arc Carrying Homo
Small Parcels - Return Evil Has
Been Greatly Reduced Without
ANY Material Inconvenience.

Having followed the advice Of the
National Council of Defense cautioning
economy and the elimination of unncc-
essasy waste in everything in all walks
OF life. gratifying results have already
been observed in tho recently initiated
campaign of the department stores Of
this city to eliminate waste by restrict
ing the quantity Of goods returned. :.
Is an indication OF cheerful under
standing on the part of the general
public in assisting the merchant to
economtze in order that he may con-
tinue to render high-grad service.
Furthermore, 1t is frst-hand evidence
that the public has begun to realize
that 1t has part to play in the con-
duct OF business. that economy to the
merchant means sharing in this
economy by its natural and logical re-
turn to the public. If the merchant is
able to economic in the conduct Of
his business in this time of increasing
cost. he is also able to return his same
high-class service to the public at no
additional cost.
PUBLIC COOPERATING IN
CUTTING OUT RETURNS
That the public at large has shown
itself willing to dispense with useless
trouble of keeping goods for long
time on approval means an awaken
Ing to the responsibility that falls to
the lot OF every American. Every
American should contribute his bit"
to the urgent and successful prosecu-
ton OF the war. and il Is Just as much
the duty of the people who stay at
homo to help stabilize business as It
Is the duty of the soldier to fight to
the last. obeyinE all orders instinctively,
and never stopping to ask the reason
why.
AS further result OF the appeal Of
the National Council of Defense, Rich
mond merchants have already adopted
resolutions curtailing the free delivery
system. Customers are requested to
take with them many small packages
that cause almost no Inconvenience, but
yet to the merchant who Is called upon
to handle thousands Of such packages
daily 1T means corresponding curtail-
ment OF expense and a like benefit tn
the customer.
Consequently, under no circum-
stances are more than two deliveries
made along any one route. Any special
or extra delivery entails the cost of
an extra fee to meet this additional
expense encountered by the special
trip The most pleasing and con-
spicuous point of the inauguration Of
this altogether new policy has been
that the Richmond public has been
quick to adjust themselves to meet
the demands of the new conditions.
and very pleasant spirit of CO.
operation.
DELIVERIES LESS WITH
BUSINESS GREATER
One prominent Richmond merchant
said yesterday: while the figures re-
gardinS the curtailment of free de-
liverics are too recent to be reliable
the public is clearly approaching this
phase of the question from the eco
nomical standpoint OF the merchant,
and our reports show that our de-
liVerics have been Is per cent less
this summer than in former seasons,
with no loss of business More peo-
pie than ever are volunteering to car
ry home small parcels. 1t Indicate,
a pleasant spirit Of cooperation, and
II this principle is recognized as far
as possible. there will be no need
OF any new rulings on free deliveries.
More than regulations. our attitude is
one of suggestion that small purchases
should be carried home. and it is work.
Ing with great success"
This idea of the voluntary curtajl-
ment of the number OF free deliveries
will dispense with the need of reeula-
ton and. 1t is believed will be Just
as effective. OF course, this policy re-
qufres the education Of the public The
rule In regard to the free delivery has
been in existence only a short while.
but It's results are very encouraging
In the last few months there has been
much change in the free delivery sys-
tenn. Deliveries cannot be stopped, and
the merchants do not intend to do SO.
but more reasonable cooperation can
be shown In relieving the store of the
burden in sending out many small
parcels. especially when the customer
has made only one purchase. A larger
proportion Of waste in the big stores
can be eliminated than is done at the
present time. All of these things will
work out naturally in time, and the
patrons OF the stores and the public
at large may be confident that 1t will
mean no poorer service, but better
service and cheaper service.