Evening star., 1938-08-28
PROGRESS HAILED
ByBUS|NESS UNIT.
Merchants Manufacturers
Association Notes Role as
Birthday Nears.


The Merchants and Manufacturers
Association of Washington, believed
D be the first organization formed in
this country as central federation
Tor varied local trade associations.
will celebrate its 28th birthday ami
yersary next month.
As preliminary to this observance,
the officials of this association are
BUSY today on an expansion program
which they hope will result in the
CrganIza ton of a number of small
trade groups now unorganized, accord
ing to Edward D. Shaw, association
secretary.
Looking ahead to the anniversary
end the years to follow, Mr. Shaw
sees many problems remaining to be
solved And he feels that the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Association,
In taCkllng these problems, is working
not only for its 35 trade association
members and the more than 1000
business establishments they represent
but for the consumer as we'll
Transportation of commodities pre-
problems, he said principally because
this city has the highest percentage
of automobiles of any city in the
world and because its mass employ
ment is Immediately adjacent to the
retail district.
Involves Parking Problems.
THE whole system of distribution
has been speeded up" he said. but
little headway has been made in
Washington on the problem of dove
failing merchandise deliveries with
private traffic Customers demand
delivery Of merchandise. but business
trucks can find no place to park.
Loading zones set aside for this pur-
pose are filled with private cars.
Trucks are forced to park double,
creating a traffic hazard
Mr. Shaw said the association also
expects to take a more active interest
IN local tax matters, cooperate with
railroads in an effort to bring about
faster freight delivery from Washing
tons principal markets and to make
studies to determine how vocational
training might be explained in Wash
1ngton under the George-Deen Act
Mr. Shaw believes one of the most
serious problems confronting the mer
chants is the return of merchandise
study made here few years ago
showed the practice of returning goods
resulted in an economic loss of more
than 100000 annually, with the
cost of each transaction averaging
about 40 cents.
The Federation of Women's Clubs
has co-operated with the NJ, and M.
in endeavoring To curtail unreason-
able return of merchandise, realizing
that abuse of this privilege was det-
rimental to both merchant and Gus
toner. A publicity campaign has
been conducted by the association
to acquaint the consumer with this
problem, Mr.. Shaw said
Cites Furnace Service.
Az evidence that local merchants
ore on the alert to provide better
service, Mr.. Shaw cited the develop
ment by the coal division of the
association of furnace vacuum
cleaning service a few years ago.
While this service provides customers
with better heating equipment and
cuts down their fuel consumption,
he said. the coal merchants feel they
are repaid for the loss of business
by the good will created.
The associations membership eX-
pansion program, Mr.. Shaw believes,
will be extended to many smaller
trade groups which cannot afford
to set up their own organization.
Every type of business is changing
constantly" he said, "and the average
businessman is so tied down with
his own business affairs that he
cannot keep abreast Of developments
brought about by new legislation and
other factors. The Merchants and
Manufacturers Association provides
An information bureau and means
of clearing information on the con-
dition Of sales Of commodities not only
In Washington but throughout the
country as we'll Thus the merchant
cen compare his standing with busi
ness in general
The association also acts as
clearing house between the local trade
units and national trade associa-
tions. he said. It provides clerical,
stenoeraphical and secretarial service
for the separate trade units and
provides a common ground for the
exchange of ideas,
a,,+e nI 70 ri
Association had its beginning in Sep
tenher, 1910, when a group of retail
merchants formed the Retail Mer-
chants Association and became affil-
lated with the Washington Chamber of
Commerce. which later was united
with the Board of Trade.
Set Organization Precedent.
Shortly after its organization, how
ever. the association separated from
the Chamber of Commerce, and by
1918 the need for Widened scope
had become apparent and the unit
was changed into its present body and
name. It developed a unique char
ecter. becoming the first central fed
Grafton of trade associations. system
CT organization which since mas heen
followed by trade units in many cities.
according to Mr. Shaw.
The association Is ruled by a board
Of governors composed Of one repre-
sentative from each trade association
holding membership At its monthly
meetings the problems of individual
groups are considered and general
civic and business questions studied,
Among the divisions holding men,
berShip in the association are building
supply dealers, clothiers, coal mer-
chants, department stores, ladies' wear
and specially shops, fuel oil and Oil
burners, ice cream manufacturers, ice
manufacturers, jewellers. restaurants,
groccrs. drug and food distributors,
furniture dealers. 5 and 10 cent stores,
shoe firms. furriers, caterers and
others. Two new ones added recently
we're the air conditioning and florist