The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-06-18
FAVORS FULL LIGHT
ON Chain STORES AS
RETAILER ATTITUDE
Secretary Of State Merchants
Also Advocates Education
Relating to Goods

= AItbA " VVOOo
Valley City, N. D., June l6.-(F-
An educational extension department,
to distribute information relating to
goods and merchandise wa advocat-
ed by Walter p. Powell, secretary Of
the North Dakota Retail Merchants
association. in his report before the
annual convention here today.
General sessions Of the convention
opened today. while group meetings
began yesterday. Intensive discussion
Of problems confronting business men
Of the state was on the program Of
the convention which closes Thurs
day.
1T is now quite evident that the
association should sponsor an educa-
tional extension department" MI.
Powell said. MANY persons, in BUSH
ness and professional lines. outside Of
retailing, are very vitality interested
IN maintaining Independent business
while q more general get-together
Of people in each town would insure
initiative and the forwarding Of par
ticular projects. Experience gained
in the past few weeks indicates that
much greater Roadway may be made
with an extension department having
a name other than q trade ~associa-
ton.
Let Public Judge Chains
This could be sponsored Al an ex-
tension department, y incorporated
as such. Our literature could be in
creased in volume, and its distribu-
ton be more general. Aside from
this. it is believed that a speaker
could be maintained.
I'm this regard, it Is a duty w owe
to the public, as well as to ourselves,
to get the exact truth to them relat-
ing to distribution Of goods and mer-
chandise. The truth is on our side.
It remains for us to get it to the pub
lie. It may be stated that consider
able Roadway has been made along
this lire. AS q matter fact, however,
only a start has been made.
THE work must continue, until
such time as the people know posi-
lively that chain systems distribute
to the several units. or stores, through
wholesale establishments: that it
makes 10 particular difference
whether or not they own such whole
sale houses. This accomplished. peo-
pie a their own free agents may
Judge for themselves. as to the buy
ing advantages Of the chain system"
Mr.. Powell called attention to the
increase in membership Of the asso-
citation to approximately 800. Since
January 1. the report showed, 1872 new
members had been added.
Scores Trade Promotion
Mr.. Powell stated q drive had been
conducted against trade promotion
schemes with successful results.
"A business, to be successful at this
time, must stand squarely on its own
feet" he continued. ut cannot
or should not be subjected to tic un-
favorable. reaction from promotion
schemes - selling particular items
much below the cost. except to close
out, or to continue for an indefinite
time.
Schemes and schemers will con-
tinue with US just so long as the field
is productive. We may expect q con
siderable number Of the host to be
out with a cure-all, or schemes to
save independent merchants from be-
ing devoured by the chain stores"
Tuesday the general merchants and
grocers section Of the association
met and heard talks on various SUBJ
jects pertinent to their work.
Farm Editor to Speak
George A. Green, Of Ayr, president
of the association, opened the pro-
gram, after which reports were given.
DR.. Frank r. Weber, Of the educa-
tional division Of the North Dakota
Retail Merchants association, H. s.
Mcintyre, editor Of The Commercial
Bulletin and the Apparel Merchant,
P. A. Egeland, advertising expert, and
Fred P. Mann, ST., Devils Lake, were
on today's program.
A feature Of the Thursday meeting
will be an address by Charles r
COLLISION. agricultural editor Of the
Minneapolis Tribune, whose topic il
1.-The Great Comeback Of Agricul-
ture." Others to address the gather
ing include Oscar j. Sorlie, director
of the North Dakota Grain Dealers
association, Harry l.. Kyes, secretary
of the National Merchants association,
E. u. Berdahl, Minneapolis. Frank M.
Moore, st. Paul, and Rev. Thomas
Nugent. Valley City.
The business session will be con-
Quoted Thursday afternoon when Of
ficers will be elected for the ensuing
year.