Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-13
SUPPLIES AND TRANSPORTATION

NH. McAooo Is undoubtedly right in urging the PEG.
pie of the country dealers and consumers alike, to lay in
their supplies now, as far as possible, while TRANSPORTS.
ton is available, in order that congestion may be avoid.
ell during the winter. It is evident, however, that there
are certain very real and important conditions which will
have a bearing on the literal carrying out of his recon-
mendations.
IN the aggregate a great deal can be done by the in
dividual consumer by the purchase Of goods in quantity
instead OF In small dribletsl and if those who are able to
40 so VIII make the necessary effort they can help very
nA'erlaAy' But 1t Il to be remembered that the vast ma
'or1ty OF private consumers will OF necessity continue to
purchase in small quantities, as they have been in the
habit of,doing, because of financial inability to do other
wise, and because, in a very large number of cases. they
nave not facilities for taking care of large stocks of goods.
The financial feature Of the case is quite important.
Few OF those who are employed at day wages or on mod
crate monthly salaries, have sufficient surplus with which
to make purchases for very far in advance. If such nnur-
chases are made they must be made substantially for
cash, as the whole trend of our business life has been in
the direction of trading for cash. Long credits have ne
come, and very properly, contrary to the entire business
policy of the country, and the customs in this respect
which have become current cannot be changed quickly to
meet a temporary emergency.
The question of storage room is a very important one.
1t is true that very many families have storage conven-
fences where foods can be stored to good advantage. But
there are millions of families not so situated and for
them, whether they be tenement jewellers or residents Of
more pretentious flats, storage is out of the question.
The degree to which dealers, whether wholesale or
retail, can carry cash goods for a period of several
months, and provide the storage which individuals can
not provide. is also limited. Many lines of trade are so
organized that the retailer makes no attempt to carry
large stocks, but depends on the wholesaler. whose estab-
lishment may Be only a few blocks away, to keep his stock
replenished. That practice cannot be reversed in a few
weeks and it will be difficult for the retailer. except in
rare instances, to arrange for the funds with which to
carry a large stock, and for room in which to store. it. In
a measure this applies to the thousands of wholesale e-
Establishments which are to be found all over the country.
Coal should be ordered. Much of it has been ordered,
And many persons whose orders were placed early in the
summer are still wondering when their coal is to be oe-
|livered. This is especially true throughout the northwest,
where deliveries at the head Of the lakes have been delayed
through no lack of private orders, and through no lack
of effort on the part of dealers to have shipments hur-
ried along.
1t seems that in the working out of the plans for the
utilization Of all the facilities of the nation in these war
times there Is still room for a closer cooperation Of .ne
governments agencies, notably those which have charge
of transportation, food administration and fuel admins
tratioh. g..