New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1922-12-12
JOHN WANAMAKER
dies, AGED 81
CONTINUED From First Page). .


In this country was In a disorganizet
state, and, In the opinion of the far
sighted young merchant, II was snf
fering a rapid decline through prac
tices that were then general. Asd.
from his ambition to make money
my paramount purpose" said Mr.
Wanamaker, was to help save the
mercantile profession from lowering
It's flag before other professions and
occupations. There we're I'm those
days no fixed selling price for goods.
Business then demanded thirteen
hour day from all its employees. Gus
toners spent hours price, haggling
with statesmen. Mr.. Wanamaker was
impressed with this waste OF time and
to eliminate II he became a pioneer
IN fixing selling price for goods. II
was one of the beginnings OF many
mercantile reforms which today are
so generally followed that the present
generation can scarcely find anywhere
q trace OF the old practices.
In Business Mt ~
Mr.. Wanamaker was "a years old
when he entered upon his career. in
partnership with his brother-in-law,
Nathan Brown. on a Joint capital of
$500, in clothing business at Phil
adelphia. He had been born in that
city, July II. 1898. His father and
his fathers father had been brick
brick-makers. and John Wanamakers
first work was turning bricks" He
was the Oldest of seven children and
early in his boyhood was obliged to
give up schooling ard earn his own
way. His first wages were $1.25 a |
week as an errand boy in PhiIadel- !,
phia book store. and then as young
man he was employed for a time at !
Tower Hall, famous old Philadel- !
phia clothing house. where his per-
sonality and business ability were de- |
veloped for his venture in business
for himself. The Brown. and Wanna
maker store began business with a /
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 UNI
able to afford horse and wagon for
delivery. and Mr.. Wanamaker him
self pushed a two-whee1 car to deliver
his goods. His partners health fail
ing. most of the details of the bust
ness devolved upon Mr.. Wanamaker
The "Wanamaker System"
Aside from establishing his one
price policy and making shorter
business day., Mr.. Wanamaker estab-
lished in the new store two systems,
one of sales and the other of organi- |
80 Ia ol>o 1 /,
manufacture some classes of goods !
than to buy from manufacturers and
he became one of the first retailers {
to do this. He found it difficult to
get employees who were properly in
strlicted in their duties and he or
ganized training schools where his !
workers were taught the "Wanamaker !
system
Mr.. Wanamaker interested himself
In many civic activities. He was the
first salaried secretary in America of
the Young Mems Christian Associa- !.
ton, in 1858; one of the founders of !.
the Christian Commission during the
Civil War. and one of the organizers /.
Of the Centennial Exposition in 1876. !,
In the latter year he began the de- ).
velopment OF his department store,
establishing the house of John Wanna !,
maker and company on Chestnut :
Itreet, Philadelphia, and twenty years :
alter established a similar business :
n New York as successor to A. T. :
stewart. 1t is estimated that during :
lis entire business career Mr. Wanna {
maker had distributed into American !
ZONES merchandise reaching nearly I
! billion dollars in value. :
A Great Adyenturer Z
He was known as a great believer 4
n advertising, in newspaper advertis- i