New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-15
Shoe Producers
Act to Curb Spread
OF Cancellations
Draft Drastic Platform at
Meeting Called TO Con.
slider the Evil That Has
Thrown Trade in Chaos

The National Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturers'. Association has set its face
deliberately against cancellations OF
orders and return of merchandise by
retailers, which, in the estimation Of
the. manufacturers, is directly respon-
sible for the present chaotic condition
in the trade. At a meeting of about
eighty members of the association yes
terday at the Hotel Aston, called pri-
marily for the object of taking some
action to curb the cancellation and
return evil, strong recommendation
20 all members was drafted and unani-
mously approved. The action taken
apparently, is the most drastic adopted
by any trade association to curb the
cancellation evil. Following is the
complete statement issued at the close
of the meeting:
1.-THE change in market conditions
from the steadily upward tendency
which has characterized the last few
years to period of decline in several
important lines of leather has demon
allied portion of the trade and de-
veloped a volume of trade abuses
which requires of this association care
full consideration and prompt correc-
ton. :.
"A relatively small number of retail
dealers faced with conditions which
mean lower prices and shrinkage in
value of stocks have disregarded their
obligations, and by countermanding
their orders and returning goods
market and aggravated conditions
Which affect unfavorably the whole
industry. The manufacturer is, in
consequence, forced to carry the entire
loss which, in all fairness and equity,
should be evenly distributed. In this
way considerable stocks of goods are
created for which no regular market
exists. From this stock is drawn the
material for job lot sales, combination
sales and all the forms of cut-throat
competition with which honest and
straightforward dealers have been
obliged to contend. This association
is emphatically of the opinion that no
good reason exists why reputable mer-
chants who respect their contracts
should be forced by the unthinking or
dishonest minority to carry the entire
burden of price reimbursement.
I'VE therefore recommend to our
membership the following course Of
action in respect to orders for the pres
cnt and future delivery, believing, If
consistently followed, it will go long
way toward restoring normal and equi-
table conditions:
"As the original order is the con-
tract and the basis of the entire trans
action, more care should be taken by
both salesman and customer in its
preparation. Any suggestion that it
is only memorandum Of requirements
and not an obligation binding upon
both parties should be scrupulously
eliminated.
"After an order has passed the scru-
tiny of the credit department and has
been accepted and material provided
for. it's execution no change in it's
amount or detail can be insisted upon
by either party. If differences arise
which, cannot be adjusted by the ordi-
nary methods of conference or CORE
spondence, the case should be referred
to the secretary Of this association.
He will notify the purchaser and re-
quest him to present his view.
SIT is also most earnestly recon-
mended that no member of this associ-
alton do hereafter accept an order from
a new customer until his credit depart
ment has called for and received the
credit information and official record
Of, the applicant, from the credit in
formation bureau of the association.