Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-07-09

Every lawyer, doctor and merchant
should take more interest in farming
our principal resource" stated VIM. 5.
West last night at the meeting of
Brownsville merchants held at a local
cafe The keynote of the entire meeting
was the necessity for more activity, for
cooperation and for organized progress,
rather than the listless tanner Of al
vaacing which is gcing on at present.
The meeting was called as a get-to-
gether luncheon for a. mei nants.
where they could talk over problems.
and work out methods 70 use for secur-
ing more progress. Many Of the business
men in Browasvi l. brought along
competitor, and the couples in the same
business discussed mutual problems in
an encouraging hl.naer thr0uEhou the
meeting.
The Merchants Association. which
organization held the meeting. although
other merchants were invited. has about
forty members and large per cent ..
them were az the meeting.
At the conclusion Of the banquet,
MaIor W. T.. Mills, president 81 The as
sociation. opened the pros ram for the
evening with a few Introductory re-
marks. INTRODUCING Charles Burton.
chairman Or the entertainment commit
tee, who explained the operation plaAs
of the association. lie said:
Has List of Safe Credits
MANY Of you do not know the great
value this association is TO you. DO not
join il expecting that you will do $1,000
will add to your business profits. cs-
pecially II you take advsntag, "f the
most essential I hssc of the crsaniza-
tion-the credits system. as ID is beiis
operated by Secretary Darvin.
This system will eliminate ad col
lections. enable you 20 keep your ac-
counts collected closer. ard help your
business in general. You will be
surprised il tell you that your secre-
tary has data on $500 local people,
among them being good pay. SLOW pay.
and poor pay shoppers Of Brownsville.
There is also an almost co 'plete check
ing on people residing in other parts O.
the Valley. This personal Information is
available "a members for the asking"
Mr.. Burton closed hy emphasizing thr
fact that local merchants are SUFFERING
an actual loss by not availing themselves
of the credit system as it is being car
ried out ly the organization.
Major Mills supple Mr.. Bur-
tons talk U.s. saying that the mcrchant=
should report the good pay custo AIRS az
well as the slow and poor pay shoppers.
He then introduced attorney W. S. West.
who spoke from the customers point Of
view. suggesting that Brownsville mcr-
chants should acquaint themselves not
alone with their business but make
study Of agriculture. the citrus indus
try and irrigation pioblsrs: and thus
be Of material assistance 70 the hun
dreds OF newcomers who are arrivin.
almost daily 10 make their no 80 here
and eventually 70 become their patrons
lie advised that they put more real
pep" in meeting and greeting the ole
as we'll as new customers.
Every lawyer. doctor and merchant
should take more interest in the farm
ing industry--cur principal resource.
You merchants ust stand squarely be-
hind the fariVrs berau-c they are un-
acquainted with their new surroundings.
II necessary. drop your business cares a
lew IdAS muhlA W ltti lhe new AfftN-
ais about the progressiveness or Browns
Vile. Tell them about the new tourist
hotel. and the many other improvements
made. under construction. and contem-
plated. Rene her that II the farmer
cant make il 90, you will ro-out of
business.
'In old days in Brownsville" Mr..
West continued. "the customer was
treated as though he was comforting =
great favor upon the merchant by Civ
ing him his trade. Even the public had
70 beg the banker % take their coilat-
errl with their heads bent 70 the floor.
and pay ten per cent interest for the
privilege. Times have changed. You must
greet your customers checrfully. cheer
them up. meet Their advcrsities with