The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-15

Inasmuch as the retailers con. tinued success depends entirely on the sustained good will and cordial patronage of his local customers, 1t should be obvious that representa- tives retailers must, of necessity, typify and display those qualities that we definitely associate with the American way of life.
 Resourcefulness, the ability born of experience, restraint, honesty and unfailing courtesy are but few of the qualities that make for charac- ter in the typical American store.
 Distribution Is both an art and Q science, and It's continuing good health Is so bound up in the well fare of the community 1t serves, that all the urges for an ever im- proving standard of living natural. ly find ready expression in the aver age American retail establishment.
 The retailer Is not only the 'pur- chasing agent for, but the hard. working servant of, the great Amer ican public" No one is better quali- fled to speak on retail distribution and It's vital place in the social and economic picture, than Benjamin II. Namm, National Chairman of Retailers For Defense" Week, the fourth annual National Retail Denl- onstration this week - September 18th to 2oth Here are some of Ma jor Namm's observations on this pertinent subject:
 "T,he American retailer does far more than mere buying and selling of merchandise. Enlightened self In. terest, if nothing else, has made him strive, day in and day out, to- wards better standard of living for every man, woman and child in the country.
 "The long time record made by the merchants of America for giv- ing good, honest values speaks elo- quently for itself, As every housewife knows, 1t Is possible to buy better apparel, accessories, furniture, floor coverings, radios, appliances, etc.. at prcies far less than what similar merchandise sold for, ten to twenty years ago. And this despite Q sharp advance in the cost of retailing, caused principally by higher wages, shorter hours and larger taxes.
 Retailers have long pioneered for fair practice standards and for so- cial welfare. Witness the vigorous fight, waged, individually and collec- lively, against predatory price.cut- ting and misleading advertising Witness the nationwide drive made early in 1884, for the enactment of sound legislation covering unem' pigment insurance. Witness tho militant campaign that has been carried on steadily for the past two years against unwarranted price in- creases.
 During le4i, we must perform one additional function that is ot the utmost importance. We must first define and then express in language SO clear that all may know and understand, the Retailers role in National Defense.
 Tn determining that role we must, of course, remain realistic. It would be folly indeed if, under the stress of wartime emotion, we failed to realize that the greatest service thta we can render to our country is to concentrate upon doing the Job for which we are best fitted-retail distribution, and doing that job more effectively than 1t has ever been done before.
 Tt is necessary, of course, to tell our story to the public-not during one week of each year but during every week of every year. On the other hand. we are fully convinced of the wisdom of setting apart one