Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-12-12
Continued from Page one.) }

outbreak Of the Civil War in 1861
when he began business for himself
in a humble way in Philadelphia,
retail merchandising in this coun-
try was in disorganized state, and,
in the opinion Of the farsighted
young merchant, it was suffering
a rapid decline through practices
that were then general. Aside from
his ambition to make money, "my
paramount purpose, said Mr.. Wan
maker, was to help save the mer-
camille profession from lowering Its
flag before other professions and
occupations"
There were in those days no fix
ed selling price for goods. Business
then demanded thirteen-hour day
from all its employees. Customers
spent hours price haggling with
statesmen. Mr.. Wanamaker was inn
pressed with this waste Of time and
to eliminate it he became pioneer
in fixing a selling price for goods.
1t was one of the beginnings Of
many mercantile reforms which to-
day are SO generally followed that
the present generation can scarce
" find anywhere trace Of the old
practices.
Started ag Errand Boy.
Mr.. Wanamaker was "a years old
when he entered upon his career, in
partnership with his brother-in-law,
Nathan Brown, on joint capital of
$500. in clothing business at
Philadelphia. He had been born in
that city, July IL, 1888. His father
and his fathers father had been
brick makers, and John Wanamak-
er's first work was turning bricks"
He was the oldest of seven children
and early In his boyhood he was OBJ
hged to give up schooling and earn
his own way. His first wages were
S1.25 a week as an errand boy in
Philadelphia book store.
The Brown and Wanamaker store
began business with first days
sales account of $24, and ended its
first year with record of $4,000
business. Mr.. Wanamaker and his
brother-in-law were during their
first few months OF business unable
to afford horse and wagon for de-
livery, and Mr.. Wanamaker himself
pushed a two-wheel cart to deliver
his goods.
Started Fixed" Prices.
Aside from establishing his one
price policy and making shorter
business day, Mr.. Wanamaker es-
tablished in the new store two sys-
TENS, one Of sales and the other Of
organization. He learned it was
cheaper to manufacture some classes
Of goods than to buy from manufac-
turers and he became one Of the
first retailers to do this. He found
it difficult to get employees who
were properly instructed in their
duties and he organized training
schools where his workers were
taught the "Wanamaker system.
Mr.. Wanamaker interested him
self in many civic activities. He
was the first salaried secretary in
America of the Young Mems Christ
ian Association, in 1858; one of the
founders Of the Christian Commis-
sion during the Civil War, and one
of the organizers of the Centennial
Exposition in 1876 In the latter
year he began the development of
his department store, establishing
the house of oJhn Wanamaker 4
Company on Chestnut ST., Philadel
phia, and twenty years later estab-
lished similar business in New
York as successor of A, IT Stewart.
1t is estimated that during his en-
tire business career Mr., Wanamaker
had distributed into American
homes merchandise reaching nearly
q billion dollars in value.
Was Faithful Advertiser,
He was known MS great believer
in advertising, in newspaper adyer
tising above all other varieties. He
spent millions in it. One of the fea-
lures Of his advertising campaign
was his development of the "store
News age" which he led with an
editorial over his own signature, in
variEbly written by himself, to keep
the public in touch with the poh-
cies Of his business. His friends
often saw him writing such an ed
itorial on his way to the store in
the morning, scribbling 1t on the
back Of an envelope or any scrap
Of paper be had in his pocket.
He was always looking for better
and newer ways Of doing business
and aside from providing eonven-
fences for buyers and securing able
management. Mr.. Wanamaker paid
great attention TO the welfare OF his
employees, establishing among them
many Institutions for cultivating q
spirit Of comradeship, educating
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