Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-11
WILL CONTROL 5000
STORES IN AMERICA
Scores of Business Houses and
Textile Plants Figure in
Colossal Concern.
TAKE OVER MAIL ORDER FIRM
Charter Obtained in Maryland
by Company of Prominent
Capitalists.
TAKE OVER MAIL ORDER FIRM

Formation of probably the great
mercantile corporation in the world
with thrce-quarters Of n billion dollars
capital. which will own and control
vast numbers OF manufacturing plants.
distributing jobbing establishments
and general merchandise retail stores,
became known here yesterday through
statements by Norman II. johnson,
secretary of the Southern Wholesale
Dry Goods Association.
For weeks the work of buyfnr
scores of stores, textile and manufac-
turing plants throughout the country,
and particularly in the South. has oeen
under way and when the complete con-
solidation Is affected it is estimated
that there will be nearly 5000 retail
stores In the chain to be formed.
Wheeling Bnck OF Denl.
According to the information. the
massive consolidation move has behind
IT George j. Wheeling of the United
Corporation. and James B. Duke o of
the American Tobacco Company, be-
SIDES a score of other prominent capi-
taliSts
Already the, entire holdings of Mont
Eomery. Ward G. Company. Of Chicago.
me IN ,ns second @nnla largest mail order house
by J. L. and p. Gilmer in winston
Salem. Greensboro. High Point, Dur
nnn hnn end End Lexington in North Carolina.
Company. Marler- Dalton -Gllmer Com,
p;1 pa5y OF Winston Salem and the Blue
EidEe re Overall o.. e, Company, arc Included
Stores and the United Cigar Stores Stores
eharter Ina shfsted tafen some som tine ago and
the name or the United Stores Cor
Raration with a capital of so,ooo,uoo.
been made, by the capitalists back f1ast
the consoiidation. but their plan Of
operatIon oerS.n IGN is 5,ecoming well known in
United States. 49,
To Open General Stores.
II is understood that under the pros
ent plan the great corporation will
o}Y cRen 5srs general stores in practically every
Store. IT was stated yesterday that
,he e,rn eorPoration 20 Mo expects TO- open such
i.xs i S.ore e. IN NO Norfolk during the next ten
1t Is understood that tile corporation
teStia t,as aireadX idiis purchased several large
are underway for for many man nee9siatipns mefs Ths
corporation proposes to operate on the
ca nnt ,andlcarry ns;a basis and II is planned
from the raw direct to the consumer
through the system Of manufacturing
plants, distributing, jobbing stations,
TO Eliminate Wholesalers.
Elimination of the entire wholesale
InashlncrE Is the plan OF tha new
costs. saies
Just how many stores have heen
mond, and throughout the State coiIId
not be ascertained yesterday. ac-
cording to .advices from merchantjIe
men, negotiations are unde rYav in
nno prnaetikealiy ky every city in Virginia. Men
wno mad been in touch with the pro
meters Of the consolidation declare the
deai 10 be of even moro titanic nro-
portions than first believed and so vast
as TO be almost incomprehensibie
nhus far. the whole chain Of con-
Soiioations has not been linked To-
Eether IT is stated. but the yarions
oiocks viii eventually be merged into
INC ono great corporation.
Will Announce Policy.
Among the concerns which have hoo,
absorbed is the Taylor Grocery Con-
pany and the Gilmers of Winstnn
oalem nave been employed TO iool.
aIter the interests of the corporation
try. INC couh-
In the issue OF the Merchants. Jour.
ma which will be published this week
an an article will be carried, describtng
the operations of the corporation i;
was was, stated ate last night. Merchants in
every part of the South are particu-
larly interested in the move as new
composition will result, the effect or
Wnich may have much bearing upon
future merchantile operations