Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-11-11
TRADE PROBLEMS
OF WILMINGTON
Wholesalers Take Steps to Com
bat Philadelphia and Balti-
more Competition.

Competition OF nearby large cities
resulted in n meeting yesterday afternoon
in Chamber of Commerce offices of the
wholesale dealers of the city of Whining
ton and in order to bring together the
problems of poor trade and home buying
it was unanimously decided that, for the
interest of the city as n whole, and for the
wholesalers individually, an organixa-
ton should be formed
William d. Mullen, wholesale grocer,
was elected temporary chairman and Will
liam T. Budd, secretary Of the Chamber Of
Commerce, temporary secretary. John
A. Booker, representing the firm Of Book
er. Scott & Moore, in discussing organiza-
tion, stated that Wilmington was being
blanketed by Philadelphia and Balti-
more and that the merchant OF today was
inclined 10 buy in cities where he can
secure every thing he needs, particularly
that which cannot be bought in VIII
mngton Mr Booker urged that the whole
sale dealers of Wilmington form a separate
and distinct organization. Continuing he
said: "All businesses in our territory be-
tween here and Cape Charles viii be i'm
terested in what may develop from this
meeting and rs wholesalers it is unneccs-
say 10 state that we are 90 some disad-
vantage concerning location. Handicapped
by Philadelphia and Baltimore, the mer
chants of those two large cities are agrcs-
sive and are coming into our territory
Also, conditions have changed and by.
this ! mean transportation.
SHIPPING Br TRUCK.
II was pointed out that truckers had
secured nearly all the shipping trade
between Wilmington and lower PENN
sula towns. Also. the progressiveness OF
the dealers OF these two large cities has
led them to take advantage Of this better
means OF transportation, in the way of
motor trucks, and the advantage Of the
prestige which larger houses have.
communication WAS read by SeoTe-
tary Budd received from Gamb le I.atrobe
superintendent Of the southern Grand
Division Of the Pennsylvania Railroad. in
which il was stated that due to the falling
off in the shipping trade, the Pennsylvania
railroad would resume its tri-weckly
shipping schedule instead of daily-and
which will be placed into effect starting
next Monday.
This tri-weekly shipment of freight TO
points south some thought, will greatly
handicap the large wholesale dealers Of
this city, who make shipments daily.
However as explained by Mr.. Latrobe
in his communication, shipments have
not been large enough 90 continue the daily
service.
UNITED ACTION URGED.
Mr.. Mullen. in addressing the sixteen
wholesale dealers representing the largest
houses Of Wilmington said: The large
attendance at this preliminary meet
ing gives evidence that something is hurt
ing Il is an incentive 20 get into the field.
II you are going to be dead one. il will
not matter whether YOU are situated IN
Wilmington or New York You viii not
succeed. We are striving 20 bring the whole
sale interests os the city together 20 work
out the problems facing them at this time.
There are serious problems which we must
face and struggle with during the recon-
struction period through which the coun-
try has started"
The opinions OF other business interests
present were also gwen and all showed
enthusiasm over the proposed organiza-
ton, both rs q means Of increased business
for themselves and as an advertisement
for the city.
Referring to the trade question. Mr..
Booker explained the method used by
merchants in Baltimore in drumming
up business. The large houses OF that city,
IN OrdeT 10 secure OUTSIDE trAue. OTfer
free transportation and discount to all
outside buyers. with cooperation and
see no reason why we, as
wholesale dealers of the city OF Wilmington
can't formulate plans Of q similar nature
and which will be helpful 70 the trade in
our town, he said.
A motion was made at this point by
W. B. Megear that the wholesalers inter-
ests Of Wilmington form themselves into
an association. The motion was seconded
by c. c. Bye. The advisability OF forming
as a section of Chamber of Commerce, or
rs an independent organization was dis
cussed, but action was deferred until the
next meeting, which will be held in the
same room at three O'Clock on next Tues
day afternoon.
The following wholesale dealers attend
ed the meeting yesterday afternoon:
James B. Oberly, c. C. Bye, Charles A.
Speakman, John c. Sinclair William
A. Mode, j. s. Clark, William B. Megear.
William A. Hannigan, A. J. Lang, s. w.
Eisman, J Booker, NJ. a. Matthes, w
NJ. Francis, George B. Booker, William
n