The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-07-17
MERCHANDISING OPPORTUNITIES.

MERCHANDISING OPpORTUNTIIIiS
once before Tho world vcnturcd the asscr-
ton that no community over became larger
thnn the merchants who composed the com-
munlty. Trade and barter mako market
place that attracts men and women and chill
drcn.
Tulaa Is situated Ideally to become great
market place. An extensive and tremendously
rich scope or country pcoplcd by intelligent and
prosperous folk look to It to supply their needs,
from the necessities OF life to the lnxurios aud
nmusements which afflucncc make possible.
The question that should confront ovcry NOR
chant Of the city very seriously is whether or
not he is making the most of his opportunities.
We seriously doubt IT, Merchandising has
been n very prosperous businoss In Tulsa, re-
auirlng little moro than carrying adequate stocks
OF the various commodities demanded by the
people who inhablt tho city proper. The ncccs-
alty for broadening the trade area or the city.
OF enlargng the trade clientele has not hitherto
existed, and as "A consequence the growth OF
tho city along such lines has been more In
epite Of than because OF any particular effort
ON the part " Tulsa merchants
In other words Tulsa has not competed with
other marts because It has not been compelled
to compete not because OF any inability ON tho
part OF its merchants to compete. Just here we
desire to say the term, "morchant' as used
in this article refers broadly to every man or
woman with something to sell or exchange.
which, OF course. includes every human activity.
we think the time has come when Tulsl mcr
chants should compete IN a very active manner
with any and all marts OF trade which IN any
manner enters that trade territory potentially
the trade territory OF Tulsa; if not ms "A matter
of necessity, then ns n matter of conscientious
service to the community that IT may be broad
cned, its foundations deepcned to the unshak'
able rock of good will which ouuass all de-
pressions and all rcvcrscs
We don't knp~ that any merchant In Tulsa
has ever diligently sought to establish any or
the various forms OF the mail-ordcr businc"
but we do know that the mailAorder concerns
of other and not far-distant merchandising cen"
tors annually take out OF Tulsa and It's legiti"
mate trade territory millions OF dollars. To tho
experienced merchant the situation may present
some insurmountabc obstacles, but 20 the lay
mind no such thing exists. 1t seems to he n
clear case OF lnchos, whore opportunities nave
been ignored If sheer Responsibilities have no'
been dsregardod
Again: The trade which comes to tho Tul@
mart from adjacent towns and territory Is con
adorable. But in good conscience has that
trade been encouraged to the extent II should
have BEEN Has it not, ns a matter Of honest
- -, .,r,,,-, .hocr rccoaslty than
IN response 20 any intelligent appeal on com
petitlyc grounds? We leave both questions ,un
answered because for us TO attempt to answo'
them rlight bring the charge of hostile criu
'"''' ,.,,,, ,,,,r ,r,.rtlon
~, .,,.,t 10 ,n, r,c,ronou. Of tho
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coupled with IT, Tulsa Is failing to embrace oy