The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-01
RABSON ADVISES MERCHANTS
To ADOPT "SELF-HELP" PLAN
RELIEVES SMALL MERCHANT HAS
GREAT OPPORTUNITY BY USING
MODERN METHODS AND
ADVERTISING
"self-Help" stores Gut Down Employ
ment Observation-Disclosures
Study Of Service and
Cost

Wellesley Hills, July In an inter
View TODAY Roger w. Babson appealed
10 merchants TO study tho se!l-heIp
stores. He believes that the small NOR
chant has great opportunity II ne VIII
only adopt modern methods and RoVeF-
tlse moro. He insists that the puo!'o
does not demand the chain stores put
rather demands economical ana con-
venIent service People buy from the
chain stores because that IS tho only
place in their community that they can
get such service. he continued.
Chain stores are having tremen-
dous run today. They are springinG
IN Ike weeds IN every community.
Local merchants are beginning 20 be-
como panic stricken. They fear that
the chain store IS TO swallow up every
thing. Grocers. druggist. and clothing
dealers are especially troubled. Con-
siderlnc the tremendous number or
small merchants this Is problem In
which every one should be Interested
There are, for instance. over 100000 In
dependent grocers in this country. 10
haye their business wiped on: would
result in tremendous economic ap-
p.al All together there are over l.OOo,-
600 small merchants IN America VINO
are vitality interested In tHis proh!em'
rs they will be wiped ont n the chain
store proves to be the legitimate method
OF merchandising.
Can Do the Same
Personally I feel that this change
ls due 10 tho fact that the chain STORE
comes nearer 10 giving tho public what
Il wants and prospcrs for that reason
II the local merchants Will adopt the
same up-to-date methods OF economical
merchandising no need have nothing 10
fear from chain store compettlon'
These newer and especially these seIt-
helm Embellishments are doing n Sp!eh-
did business because their plan Is prac-
teal and because they arc NeinG opera
ted by young men win !nI'n,iNe anu
enthusiasm The railroads did fne
business when they were s" operated
20 or 20 wears ago Chain stores how
ever will have their troubles just rs
Tho railroads have had theirs. Clerks.
truck drivers md buyers Will some DAY
hc organized and as Saucy ana mae
pendent as the typical plumHer ~ TO-DAY.
Thcr thc chain store sales VII! drop o"
anl .r"rating expenses VIII increase
and ,Iry Will have to adopt moro
modern form OF merchandising or give
WAY - new order. The Self-heP
qvs,nn, eliminates labor d"h'nlty TO
considerable extent and presents most
interesting study both as to service
and to cost
"I appeal particularly 10 mer'AaNtS
NJ Tho older school and urge them 10
study very carefully these 'Seii-hcIp
stores with their 'self-help' service. IL
"a true that the averag" merchant cam
no, got the advantage of c"HecNNe
huyinr unless he himself joins chain.
Arv merchant however. can Install
.ee'r-hclp' system OF selling !nd"pcnd-
.,,lv or course. this means NOR"
,han reorEaniz!ng the fixtures OF MS
store.
Must Change Attitude
He must change MS "ntrc A'NIuue'
The 'selr-help stores f"r instance arc
very dependent upon "dvcrus'nG' m"Sn
MIR, G. than are the chain stores ana
local merchants. The latter must 40
vcrttse more than over IT ne IS 10 ADOPT
The .sclf-he!N system. l am no' n.e'
chant, merely n statistician. StatiS'I~'
however. clearly indicate that II 'he
local merchant continues as al present
bc viii be eliminated from American
industry 10 make way Tor more "ouc'"
machinery Of distribution
I'm regard 10 chain store securities
Most of these merchandising companies
sborld do we'll for the next Few years
Mai, ordcr concerns will also prosper
bu, I predict that even stores Ike the
4 & P will some day change over 10
n 'sclf-help' system. they VIII DC
forced to In order 10 survive. Nheh lhe
cb,,Re IL made their securities Will pc
come 'selr-help' securities. 1t IS not
nv purpose" concluded Mr.. Raoson.
ITO recommend them MS securities hnt
rather 10 try to awake tho local mer
chants before Il 10 too late. and Z" get
them, 10 adopt tho methods or more
economical distribution which are win
ming out today"
General business. according I" inc
index figure Of the Babsonrhart STANDS
,t I-cc below normal This is en-
conrag!nr indeed whom YOU realize that
u "a holding up in face OF the threat
oned rail strike on top or the usual
summer dullness.