The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-11
RETAIL STORES
AROUND WORLD,
| WHELAN'S aim
Huge Manufacturing and
Il Selling Corporation Is
Launched.
y. B. DUKE ASSOCIATED
Concern Will Handle All Kind
Of Commodities and Take
In United Cigars.

George ]. whelan. founder of the
Omitted Cigar Stores Company. who an
nounced four years ago when he was 50
years old that that age was the one at
which every successful man should re-
tire. announced yesterday the formation
by him OF the United Retail Stores Cor
poration. a concern which has for its
object the organization of a system of
manufacturing ana retail selling which
10 to extend all over the world.
James B. Duke Is named by Mr..
whelan as his principal associate in the
enterprise. The company has rs princi-
pal office at 5l1 Fifth avenue. and Mr..
Whelan was elected president at a meet
ing there yesterday afternoon. w. H.
Perkins is vice-president, and the direc-
tors are Whelan. Duke. Perkins and did
ney s. Whelan. The plan and scope OF
the corporation Is set forth in a state
ment issued at the conclusion of its
meeting yesterday:
George J. Whelan and James b. Duke
have organized the United Retail Stores
Corporation to take advantage OF pres
ent conditions and to extend a system OF
manufacturing businesses and retail
chain stores throughout the world for
merchandising of all kinds
This organization brings Messrs. Duke
ana Whelan, with all their respective
business associates, back into the inti-
mate relationship sustained several years
ago. The partnership of aggressive man
ufacturing. commercial and retailing
oorces marks the beginning Of a world
wide campaign for new business.
"The charter of the company. which
was incorporated yesterday under the
n n,,NH
gage not only in the retailing of all
kinds of commodities but in the produc-
ton OF raw material and in manufac-
turing, as well as the financing of such
operations.
- "The United Retail Stores Corpora
tion will begin operations at once by
inviting the United Cigar Stores Com
peny to become associated with 1t.
Other important systems of chain stores
In America, Europe, South America and
the Orient. selling tobacco. CONNECTION
cry, groceries, clothing and general COM
mocities, will in time be IDENTIFIED with
the new concern.
Capital stock consists of 100000
shares of per cent. preferred cumula-
tive and 100000 shares OF common
stock without par value. All shares
have full voting power. and a substan-
tial amount of the stock has already
been subscribed
No one connected with the new COM
oipation was disposed yesterday to add
anything in the way of supplement to
the formal statement given out, 1t be-
ing explained that the statement spoke
for itself and outlined perfectly the
magnitude of the business which the
company may be expected to undertake.
It was conveyed. however. that selling
rather than manufacturing will consti-
tute the main business OF the concern
at the outset of its activities
The organization OF the company is
In line with the general business policy
of George J. Whelan. who after the sue
cess of his cigar stores was firmly estab-
lIshed branChed out into other lines OF
merchandising and at the same time en-
larged his cigar selling organization
with the plan Of extending 1t all over
the world. lie formed a chewing gum
merger in 1914.
The Whelan idea OF chain store SELL
ing had It's origin in Syracuse in Whe-
1an's youth when he and his six brothers
all of whom had learned the cigar
makers trade. set up retail tobacco
store. TO which they added one store
after another until they practically con-
trolled the retail tobacco business in
Syracuse. Then George Whelan came to
New York with his idea. was able to in
terest capital in it and organized the
United company, which has since set UT
its branches in every corner OF the
United States and has invaded England
and the European Continent.
The business has a dozen side organ.
izations OF which the ones which handle
the parent company's real estate and Its
distribution OF premiums in exchange for
cigar coupons are the best known. Whe-
Ian said Ave years ago that he would
not be content until his chain of ciga,
stores made belt around the world.
The United Cigar Stores Company an.
nounced in 1913 a capitalization of $685..
100000 and at that time a holding com.
pany was organized at $50. 000, 900 Il
take over both the cigar and drug stores
Recently the United Cigar Stores Com
pany increased its capital stock to $65,
100000. The amount for which the new
United Retail Stores Corporation ha
been capitalized has not been announced
Mr.. Whelan in 1915 announced thai
he was ready to retire from active bust
ness and leave the management of hi,
various interests to his young men
He said then that every man who hat
achieved substantial success by the tim,
he was so should make the rest of hi