The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-04-01

though they PROVIDE medium through
which merchants obtain reforms in
merchandising, in trade practices, in
unfair competition and in local legis-
lation at least. They can obtain the
cooperation of the farmer whose in
terests are best served by having a
good town near his farm. The numer-
ical strength of merchants associa-
tions is not the important factor.
Strength is relative. An organiza-
tion of 100 per cent of merchants in
town is 100 per cent effective even
though there be only ten men involv-
ed.
In this way valuable trade inforna-
ton can be gathered and distributed.
Negotiations can be carried on with
other trade organizations with view
to improving the conduct of business.
Credits can be effected. Buying to
some extent can be organized. A
proper cooperation with the local
newspaper can be established. The
local editor often is unfamiliar with
merchandising. He should be educat-
ed and will be glad to learn because
his prosperity depends largely on the
prosperity Of his local business men.
He should not be regarded simply as
an advertisement seeker to be avoided
or viewed with suspicion of working
| solely in his own interest. He wants
to be the legitimate friend Of every
merchant. As fact he dare not work
selfsllly even if he were SO disposed,
because the moment he fails to serve
his public that moment he hits the
toboggan. That town is very FORUM
ate which has merchants who know
the inside Of the newspaper business
and a newspaper publisher who I'M
derstands the high lights of mer-
chandising. 1t is a combination that
is bound to spell prosperity for both
It is useless to try to check adj
vance. The building of good roads
cannot be stopped; if you stand in
front of the automobile it will rur
you down. The farmer will drive
through your town unless your store
L is sufficiently attractive to arrest his
progress,
i A QUESTIONABLE sent to farmers
compared with a QUESTIONABLE rela
4 tive to their wants, and compared
again with questionable showing
the goods carried by merchants il
the forty towns mentioned shows con
clusively that the farmer has far out
stripped the merchant in the changes
of the day.
Because farmers buy certain good
j in local stores is not proof that wha
they buy is really what they want
They buy frequently because the.
!. have no option., One half the small
n town merchants could do no bette
twork than spend week visitinl
I nncng the farmers, not to sell good
but to get into a friendly RELATIONSHIP
! with them and to find out how the
live. what they buy and how thei
{ ideas run.
All merchants have not been aler
: to keep pace with the growing DE-
Q mands of the farmer. Many of thel
a have conducted their stores for yeaI
E and have not noticed the change: the
e have missed the chances for new bui
!, mess. The Injuries Of the farmer te
g wears ago are his necessities toda
0 and he has more money to spend tina
d he had ten years ago. Moreover, Il
farmer is wider reader and this hi
: created in him new wants. Havin
n the desire and the money to buy, !
S is going to get what he wants and
Z he cannot get in the town neare
home he will go fatsEer tfeld3