Evening star., 1937-09-26

immigrant from Poland, who had be-
come a shopkeeper. AS youth Filene
hoped to go TO Harvard but family
reverses forced him to end his educa-
ton at high school. Later in life he
said:
II found out that although one may
not become as learned by shopkeeping
as by going to Harvard one may be-
come wiser than some Of the men who
go through Harvard, If wisdom means
having the things you know permeated
with life and sympathy and under
standing for your fellow man."
Started Credit Union.
With his younger brother, A. Lin
coin Filene. he began working for his
father when the latter opened a small
store in Boston in 1881 and in the
years that followed was responsible
for much of the growth Of the busi-
ness. His business talent was particu-
larly in evidence in the establishment
of the so-called automatic bargain
basement" plan under which base
ment goods we're automatically marked
down until the end of certain period
when, If still unsold. they were given
away to the city's charitable institu-
tions. The system was said to have
been the first of its kind in the coun-
try.
Eventually Filene became president
OF the company, although in later
years he took little active part in the
management. preferring to devote his
time TO the various causes with which
he was identified.
These included the credit union
plan, which he had first introduced
into the United States in 1908 to de-
mocratize finance.
He was a member Of the Academy
Of Political and Social Science, OF
the American Economic Association,
the History of Science Association,
the Business Historical Association,
the League Of Nations Non-Partisan
Association, the English Speaking
Union, the National Municipal
League. the Eastern Asiatic Society
and the National Child Labor Com
mission.
He was an officer of the French
Legion of Honor and holder of the
Great Gold Cross Of Merit OF Aus
tria and the Order of the Crown Of
Italy.
Some of the merchants sayings
were:
Il am Just an unsuccessful mil
/ lionaire," said when a newspaper man
asked him to appraise his life's ac-
complishments.
Luck is chance-chance comes to
everybody-when it comes to the man
who is ready, he is lucky"
ANY position, if held long enough,
| will lead to mental and spiritual stag
nation and ultimate failure
Wanted "Hardboiled" Customers.
1T Is economic treason to shop
carelessly. 1t is the part of good citi-
zenship to sacrifice the necessary time
and trouble to get the best prices and
goods attainable That means giving
up the idea that it is a sign of no.
bility to pay any price demanded"
Filene said he wanted his store over
run with "hardboiled" customers look
ing for values rather than bargains.
Filene never had any formula for
quick success and thought little of
those who did.
THE world is waiting for a league
of young people to suppress stories of
successful men. A lot Of silly stuff
is written about men who succeed.
Any one can succeed who will pay the
price in straight thinking, hard work
and good health"
Filene made numerous study trips
to Europe and formed strong opinions,
based upon his observations, that arti-
| fetal barriers against trade hindered
world progress toward permanent
peace.
I'VE have come to a time when
tariffs can not help us any more. since
we must export; and we can not export