Evening journal., 1921-06-02
AFTER
Shore TRADE
Wilmington Business Men
Lay Plans For Increas-
ing Business
THINK BETTER
ROADS WILL HELP

Plans for an active campaign to ex-
pand and extend Wilmington's trade,
especially on the Delmarvia PENN
suls were laid at a luncheon-meet-
ing held this afternoon by the whole
sale section Of the Chamber Of Com
merce.
Admission were frankly made that
Wilmington has been too lax in the
past with regard 10 such trade acti-
vities, and that much business which
should rightfully come to the city
now goes to other and rival trade
centers.
The luncheon meeting was held in
the rooms Of the Old Colony Club on
the second floor OF the Hotel dupont.
| William ID. Mullen, chairman of the
wholesale section, presided. About
| 35 representatives Of various lines
OF wholesale business. attended.
Following a number OF brief ad-
dresses and informal discussion. it
was decided to go ahead with a pro-
gram for extending the transporta-
I ton facilities radiating from VIII
mington, and commence a program
| OF advertising which will bring to
the attention of the surrounding
territory the advantages OF dealing in
Wilmington.
The transportation problem as
you probably all know" said Mr.
Mullen, in his Introductory remarks.
has been partly solved. We already
have a motor-truck service operat-
ing between Wilmington and Wyom-
ing. What we must all do is to i'm
press the State Highway Depart
ment with the necessity of improv-
ing the road down State to Harrifig-
ton"
Mr.. Mullen also emphasized the
necessity OF greater activity gener-
ally II Wilmington was to compete
against Baltimore and Philadelphia
It's high time the people Of Della
ware knew we are in position to
supply their every need as well as
other cities can. We must get to-
gether, map out a well defined plan
of action and then follow it with en-
ergy"
George B. Booker, OF the wholesale
firm bearing his name, declared there
was a great field for expansion for
the wholesalers. particularly to the
south Of Wilmington and all the way
to Cape Charles. Va" He said VIII
mington, geographically was SC
placed that II occupied a most favor
able position for trade.
conditions have changed within
the past several years" continued
Mr. Booker. Motor lines have de-
veloped and water transportation has
expanded. These things have tended
to favor the large cities, like Balti-
more and Philadelphia. They will
work 10 the detriment OF Whining.
ton so long as we fail to take ful
advantage Of them. The men in Bal
! timore and Philadelphia are not los
ing any opportunities to gain trade
and IL behooves us to do the sam,
thing"
William A. Hannigan. president
of Sisler and Company, declared
! that the wholesale grocers. confec-
TONERS and notion houses have done
more than any other class Of whole.
sale trade to expand the city's trade
} Too many other merchants. he said
were merely willing TO reap the ad.
vantages gained by such expansion
without assisting in the expansion
itself.
Mr.. Hannigan said he believed
the building trades could prohtably
, sell thousands Of dollars worth o.
materials down the State. 1T mus
be borne in mind" he continued
''that while Philadelphia and Balt
. more firms are strong competitors
d nevertheless Wilmington is just a
much a competitive center as eithe
of them. It's high time to advertis
Wilmington as a commercial cen
ter"
e Mr.. Hannigan deplored the fac
that Wilmington was without direc
. mail service to Penn's Grove an
n other points in South Jersey. Tn