The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-08-07
DELIVERY Waste
COMMERCIAL ECONOMY BOARD
URGES RETAIL MERCHANTS
TO CUT WASTE.

Commercial Economy board OF the
Council of National Defense, only n
article in five stays sold" the other
four being returned to the store for
one reason Or another.
In a communication recently sen
to retail dry goods, department stores
and retail grocers throughout the
United States the trade is asked TO
assist in the elimination of store de
livery service.
The necessity of eliminating waste
and the need of men and equipment
in other work is set forth in the let
ter, a part of which is as follows:
There is such urgent need for
men and equipment in other work"
SAYS the letter, that the country
cannot endure the waste that is oc-
casioned by the accommodation de-
l~iyeries of small purchases. If pos
sible not more than n regular de
livery a day should be made over
each route. These changes in deliv-
cry methods should be introduced as
soon as practicable. certainly not
later than August /, 1917.
THE Commercial Economy board
has made a careful investigation of
the economies that are possible in the
delivery service of retail stores.
This shows that a large number of
men and vehicles can be released for
military or other service that is es-
sential to the welfare of the coun-
try"
Figures obtained by the board
show that a tremendous amount of
man power and money now tied up
in unnecessary and wasteful work
can be released.
The board further points out that
aside from the Importance of cutting
the waste to assist in winning the
war, the curtailment of the present
delivery system is based on principles
of sound business and should not
work a hardship on any person, but
should work to the correction OF
abuses and leaks which have long
been endured.
The board urges that acceptance Of
returned goods be reduced to an alb.
solute minimum. Foods sent out or
approval show a marked waste
through the present system.
An instance is cited where one
large store was spending $4,000 {
year in delivering, packing, charging
and auditing goods that finally found
their way back to the store.
The board suggests the following
signs asking purchasers not to re
auire needless delivery:
Don't have 1t sent If you car carr,
II home.
Your country needs the men anC
money now being wasted in needles.
delivery of goods.
Be patriotic-carry your own.
Or such a sign as this
Tighten your country's burden b.
/, carrying your own.
Millions of dollars and thousand
of men are tied up by needless de
livery of goods.
These men and this money can b
released for vital service If you viii
help.
II is patriotic TO carry home al
/, possible parcels.
/, Begin today.
The words: This sign is dis
, PLAYED at the request of the CONNER
! eial Economy board of the Counc'
) of National Defense" may be place
! upon such a sign as we suggest.
case any dealer hesitates to take tn
step on his own initiative for fear G
possibly antagonizing his customers
1T is perfectly obvious says 4
! w. Shaw. chairman OF the board
! that to have delivery wagons an
, trucks go out from the store full
whenever possible, would mean
great saving of men and money
i, Likewise a cooperative or centrall
operated delivery system has bee
i, successfully applied in some lines G
retail business, and might at leaS
!. prove effective and economical |
! suburban deliveries from metropol
tan department stores.
I'VE are asking each individual RI
tail dry goods dealer and departmer
{ store owner to look closely into h
: own peculiar situation. and stud
how his business can render more e.
: sential and more effective service [
:, the country. The customer mu!
help him, and it is a part OF u wor
to get a speedy response from bot
sides, to the ultimate profit of both.
Dry Goods Reporter.