Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-06-13
.PITTSBURG'S LARGEST
STORE IS ON TRIAL
Kaufman & Baer Co. Held for False Adverti'g
c. {. Lavigne, of the American Fair Trade
League Still Busy Against Department
Store Pr0fiteers

of the merchants of the city. He has a
national reputation for his good work
in behalf of truthful advertising
.doubly attested by long string of con-
victions.
He has also reputation a. one of
the foremost authorities of the United
States on methods of distribution. hav-
ing travelled during the past two years
to the principal cities of twenty-six
states, addressing Chambers of Com
merce, Boards of Trade, Rotary Clubs,
National and State Trade Associations
and Women's Clubs on matters con-
corning his work. The public press
papers have commented widely upon
the success of his activities.
Mr.. LaVigne was formerly Special
Agent of the Federal Trade Commits
sion at Washington, D. C. He resigned
this position to accept a call to the
New York Tribune, as director of its
Bureau of Investigations.
This Bureau, under his direction,
was recognized as the most potent
factor in the United States for the
elimination of unfair practices in mer-
chandising and the protection of the
public against fake advertising.
In this connection La Vigne also
has cooperated extensively with the
postal authorities of the United States
who have issued many fraud orders
upon evidence submitted by him.
The Editor of the National Labor
Tribune in an interview with Mr.. La
Vigne at the William Penn Hotel, after
the Kaufman & Baer hearing. found
the gentleman unwilling to discuss
any details of the case, contending
that they were matters for future ju-
icial consideration.
Mr.. LaVigne did, however, sanction
the use of the following statement as
coming from him:
''Too frequently, it is becoming ap-
parent, the cut-price merchant pro-
claims a smartness over his compe-
tltors which does not exist, except in
the eXaggerations and deceits of his
advertising statements. More is the
pity, the poorer people suffer most
from such proiteering, because the
very necessities of their finances force
them to search hopefully for bargains
and make them, therefore, the readi-
est prey. I will deviate from my nom
commital habit" said Mr.. La Vigne,
and cite you one example"
''In a Pittsburg newspaper, issues
of April II and April 10, Kaufman
& Baer Co., under the inducement of
their extensively advertised Green
hut Sale.' made an offering of Army
Officers Uniforms. One of these uni
forms is in my possession, bought at
the Kaufman & Baer store in good
faith, the purchaser relying upon the
representations made in the adver-
tisements, believing them to be true,
further supported by the statements
of the salesman that the advertised
representations were true. have sub
nitted the uniform for examination
and analysis to many tailors and cloth
ing experts in Pittsburgh, Washington,
and New York City. Their findings
being alike in all particulars, I un-
hesitatingly give you the results, as
follows:
Kaufman & Baer Statements
Real s35 Officers Uniforms.
Hand-tailored in every respect and
strictly regulation uniforms.
These uniforms are not from the
Greenhut stock, but are fortunate
purchase from one of the country $
best makers.
Lined with wide vale alpaca Innings
Expert Findings
Not real S35 value.
Wholly machine-mhde excepting
sleeve lining on top.
The maker is not known in the cloth
ing trade as one of the country's
best makers.
The best makers of the country USE
| silk in sewing their serge uniforms
The Kaufman & Baer serge uni.
form is sewed with mercerized cot
ton.
The best makers of the country USE
linen canvas for foundation. sewee
with silk. The Kaufman & BaeI
uniform is cotton canvas for founda
tion, sewed with cotton.
The Kaufman & Baer uniform con
tains poor quality of Innings.
1T was my privilege last Saturda,
to view the remarkable Red CroS