Evening star., 1924-05-04
WHAT is SUCCESS?
k.-Investments and Success.

piness Furthermore, we can insure
such success and happiness only as
they are controlled by the best peo-
pie.
Blame for High Costs.
1t is popular to knock the retailer.
We blame him for the high price of
meat, of coal and of clothing. With
out doubt he is to blame for certain
things, but he is no more to blame
for the present high cost of living
than are manufacturers, jobbers and
bankers. We all must bear a share
of the guilt. However, it is not my
purpose TO discuss this phase of the
question, but merely to emphasize
that the retailer is a great factor in
shaping the desires, success and hap
piness of our people. There are prob
ably 100000 retailers in the thirty
or more groups into which they are
divided by the United States census
In only ten of these groups there are
over 100000 retail stores.
Grocery and general stores. es............ 3:35 90"
Dry goods stores. Observation-Disclosures. 13J, ,00u
Shoes Observation-Disclosures. 1000"
Garages and auto supplies. .::.......... g., 900
Hardware and sporting goods .......... 1000
~ wear '''''''.. do.om' oo
Mrsics ins,,n,nen,s 90 ~"
These stores all have from one to
several Thousand clerks, and il is fair
to say that the average would be al
least three. This means that 100000
people are each day doing propa-
ganda work which determines the
health, happiness and prosperity OF
our people Probably over 100000
selling of merchandise and they are
a definite factor in the directing OF
the tastes and desires of our children.
Retailers' influence.
In addition to this. these retailers
are a great factor in determining the
business conditions of the country.
They are largely responsible for bring
ing about the periods of overe1pan-
sion, which, in turn, cause periods of
depression and unemployment. The
hands of the manufa cturer, jobber
and banker are practically tied. The
great captains of industry do not
make business good or bad. Business
is made good or bad by the attitude
of the little corner grocery store at
the crossroads. Yet we are permit
ting the retail business of the coun-
try to get into the hands of great
corporations whose stocks are gam
bled with on Wall street. Every day
a score of grocers give up. being
crowded out by the powerful chain
store organizations. We cannot
blame these chain stores and corpora
tionS, as they are actually giving the
people better service. Nevertheless,
these chain stores are to become a
ai M
and should be controlled by people Of
high ideals.
Most manufacturing consists Of fill
ing orders which are forwarded from
the retailers either directly or
through jobbers. Therefore. when the
retailers realize their responsibilities
and opportunities most of the manu-
facturers will automatically follow
in their trail. As a rule the retailers
are the ones who create the demand.
and not the manufacturers.
Invest for Civic Betterment.
Readers must admit that the hap
piness and success of every man in
active business is closely allied with
the government of his town, city.
state and nation. To have men lack
ing in character control the govern
ment either of a town or nation is
dangerous. NOT only DO Sucn conol-
tions prevent the carrying out of
constructive betterment programs.
but evil men may use their power TO
blackmail or at least to graft. They
combine forces with the worst ele-
mentS of the community, thus en-
dangering the health, happiness and
prosperity of all.
Responsibility for Management.
If the best people of our country
would only use, intelligently and col
lectively in the interests of righteous
ness. the proxies which they are now
throwing into the waste basket or
mechanically signing and returning.
tremendous forward step could be
taken. This would require no addi-
tional investment, but simply a sense
of responsibility regarding the in
vestments which we already have.
Moreover, it is believed that if We
should do this, our losses would be
less and our profits greater.
Copyright, 1923. Fleming r. Revell Com
pany. First published in this newspaper by
arrangement with Babson Institute Babson
Park, Mass.)