The Pulaskian., 1920-05-06


 Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church. MT. and Mrs. Harper left for their new home at Sacramento.
 --~~----~---------e- opinion, upon the part of the public and the courts, as to fair margin of profit. Politics may be in it, but the condition is, in some respects, only response to clamor We want to CO., operate with the Department ot Jus tiee, as it is of more interest to us, as dealers, to stabilize the market, than 1t is even to the consumer. We must protect the clothing interests against the unjust attacks that are being made upon the good name of busi- ness that has been built up years of honest effort MT. Bryan and other politicians speak glibly of the margin of profit, but it is our observation that they are speaking largely for public consumption and that they have little practical or technical knowledge Of the things, which they discuss. The constitution and statutes enacted under it are flexible documents and court interpretations differ with men and the times. In order that impar tfaI justice may be meted out to all parties concerned; that the consumer may be protected and that the dealer may enjoy that fair return on his in- vestment which is the undoubted right of every merchant and business man, there must be a uniform interpreta- ton of the fair price regulation, based upon scientific knowledge of the acts and not upon passion and preju- dice. This is one of the things the National Association proposes to do.
 Would Not Tax Advertising.
 "The National Association is oppos- ing a proposed law to tax advertising. We have burdens enough and need no law of this kind. More advertising will only produce more business and such taxes as are proper should be levied upon the business and not up- on the means of obtaining it"
 We are also in favor of a revision of the present method of collecting taxes, and in place of the excess prof it's tax, are recommending stamp taxes, sales taxes and other means of securing revenue. And just as the Ma tional Association is looking after na- tional legislation, so the State Asso. citations will look after local 1egisla. tion."
 MT. Wry spoke of the various lines of specific purpose undertaken by the National Association. These include a traffic department. which will fur nish free information to all members and will make a reasonable charge for specific services, as the department is to be made self-sustaining. Another feature will be a window service de- partment managed by one of the na. tion's most expert window men.
 Scientific Survey.
 Another work being undertaken by the Association is the making of a scientific survey of distribution costs. A questionnaire of twenty-two pages that will make the income tax return look like a piker'' has been prepared anad is to be mailed at once to every clothier in the country This question: naire contains questions upon every phase of the business and the mass of information gathered in this manner is to be scientifically compiled by Prof. Secrist of Chicago The infor nation will be confidential and as each questionnaire will bear code number known only to the statisticiaD, and as the questionnaires and master lists will be destroyed after the com. pflation has been made it will be i'm possible for the information to fall in. to the hands of competitive business interests or to become public. The statistics, however, which will be the most complete ever compiled of the clothing business, will be given the widest publicity and should result in the correction of many irregularities that have crept into the business.
 "The public is looking to us to break the prices" said MT. Wry. but it is an utter impossibility for us to do this. when the manufacturers charge 25 per cent increase on every new line put out Preliminary statis- tics already at hand show that the actual expense of doing business for 57 houses in all parts of the country is 29 per cent. These reports, how ever. show wide divergence. In one