The Washington times., 1917-06-15
MERCHANTSFAV
DELIVERY ECONOMY
Association Will Be Asked to
Adopt System.
WOULD REDUCE EXCHANGES
Wartime Effort Was Suggested
by Defense Council.
WOULD REDUCE EXCHANGES

In an effort to eliminate as far as
possible duplication OF effort and use
less expense, as a measure Of wartime
economy, Washington merchants will
be asked to adopt a number of rules
regarding the return Of articles Of
merchandise, c. o. d. deliveries, cut
ting down general deliveries to two
a day, freight and hauling and other
activities, at a special meeting OF the
Retail Merchants Association next
Thursday evening at the Ebbitt Hotel.
The rules which the merchants will
be asked to adopt are in line with the
recommendations Of the commercial
economy board of the Council of Ma
tional Defense, and were indorsed by
the board od governors Of the Associa-
ton at meeting yesterday afternoon.
shaw Gives COmmendatIOn.
A w Shaw. chairman OF the com
mercid economy board, made a brief
address and commended the associa-
tton. for being the first organization in
the, country to pave the way for adop-
ton of the rules which have been pre-
pared.
The rules which the merchants will
be asked to adopt and enforce are as
follows:
Articles which are to be non-return.
able and interchangeable:
Bedding and mattresses, beds. cots,
duofold beds and sofa beds: gar
ments, when altered as agreed: shoes
which have been altered. or on which
the buttons have been reset, or which
have been worn or damaged; combs,
hair brushes and tooth brushes; hair
goods and hair ornaments; rubber
goods, women's hats. made or trim
med to order; women's neckwear and
veilings, remnants. china and glass
ware, all goods cut from piece at the
request Of the customer and goods
made to order, specially ordered,
which are not carried in regular
stocks.
All merchandise will be considered
sold and not returnable IL in the Gus
toners possession longer than two
days
Merchandise will be returnable only
when in the original condition and
boxing and accompanied by the sales
check.
A charge must be made to cover the
sales, accounting, carriage, etc, on all
merchandise accepted for return.
VIII Report Returning Buyers.
For C. o. D. purchases: Each men,
Der Of the association will report
quarterly the names of customers
who. during that period, have return
ed 35 per cent or more Of all goods
purchased.
Customers in the habit of returning
C. o. D. merchandise will be reported
TO the credit bureau for action.
deposit of not less than 20 per
cent required on all c. o. D. purchases
of piece goods, except telephone and
mail orderG
A deposit OF not less than 20 per
cent will be required on all will calP'
purchases, and also on furniture and
other merchandise held for future de-
livery.
Uniform nonremovable tags will be
used by all stores on ready-to-wear
apparel, millinery, rugs, etc, in order
TO prevent wear or use preceding re-
turn,
There shall be only two deliveries a
day from any store, the first leaving
at 9 in the morning and the second
not later than in the afternoon.
Deliveries outside OF these will be
charged extra
When bills are paid by check, the
receipted bill will not be returned, as
the check is a receipt.
Business houses are urged to at
tend to their own freight carriage
promptly. II possible, freight should
be hauled on the day OF the arrival.
keeping terminals free OF congestion.