New-York tribune., 1919-02-12

Americas merchandising leaders,
in quest of a more vivid concept of
their place in a world remade in
the blast furnace of the war of ma
tions, met yesterday at the Hotel
Pennsylvania. From all parts of
the union retail merchants made a
pilgrimage to this conference,
which is the first held since the end
of hostilities increased the eco
nomic puzzles of the nation. 1t is
the eighth annual convention of the
National Retail Dry Goods Asso-
citation.
Unprecedented problems chal-
lenged the ingenuity of these keep
ers of the marts of the nation at
the first of the three days sessions,
yet their attitude, collectively and
individually, cleaned in confidence
and hope, not only for the distant
future, but also for the critical
months of adjustment which are to-
morrow Heads of large depart
ment stores and owners of small
speciality shops concurred in the be-
lief that the American retailer, but
tressed by greatly expanded ma
tional organization, would hurdle
Tie unquestionable obstacles of the
reconstruction period, and that ire
mendous sales and large turnovers
would make 1919 a notable year.
Representatives Of nearly score
of the leading department stores
outlined their buying plans for 1919
at the evening session. They ex-
pressed the need for conservative
optimism in making purchases. The
consensus of opinion was that this
year there would be a buyers
not a sellers, market, and, more
over, that wholesale buying ought
to follow the retail demand. In this
connection it was recalled that
John G.. Shedd, president of Mar
shall Field & Co., said last week that
retail sales in December and Janu-
arg last were unprecedentedly large
in volume, and that Isaac Gimbel
president of Gimbel Brothers, had
prophesied that 1919 would be a rec
ord year for sales in the retail
stores.
Would Bury Old Idea
The key to the prosperous future
which was sketched by leading men OF
business who were among the 600 who
attended the three sessions of the frs,
day, lies, it was agreed, in cooperation
and service. The delegates expressed
rites for the old idea that the righ
hand must not know what the left hant
is doing. and agreed that the highes
degree Of success could be attained b!
telling ones competitor something
about the efficient innovations that ha(
been adopted.
The labor problem would be met, i
was indicated, not by traditional, un
intelligent clashes between employer
and workers, but by joint effort t.
make the employe worth more. II
his opening address, Francis Kilduff, o
La Sale, H., president of the associa
ton, introduced the thought in thi
way: "Our ponderous problem to-day,
he said, "and for some time to come, i
not so much price fuctuation, or styl
tendencies, or store economies, as tn
increased efficiency which must be at
tanned by our employees if the presen
turnover decreased.
ITO my mind" he added, and his in
cisiye thrusts into the problem me
with warm approval, "it is only fai
that all employees, both in commerc
and industry, be educated and encour
aged to enjoy better living condition
IN which to cultivate health an
strength, to learn more of art an
music and literature and philosophy
for 1t is in such soil that ideals TO
better citizenship take root and gro,
ut is we'll for us to realize that afte
all has been said and done. the success
! or failure Of our business depend
wholly on the human factor.
"If the yearning for recognitio
among the workers of industry e,
tends to their fellow workers in CON
merce, would it not be wisdom to hay
this organization representative OF th
many retailers. rather than the few
representative in number, rather tina
IN name, Of the drygoods and depar
ment stores controlling the commere
Of the country?
This great organization must be d,
seloped without disturbing, much les
destroying, competition, or encouragir
any Of the evils which arc so broad
and usually SO unJustly attributed
commercial combination"
Plan Larger Organization
yhe others of tho 500 members
the association, like their prcsider
nave been chafng under the necessa,
restriction of their activities throus
their lack of numerical strength. NJ