Evening star., 1941-09-16

man, Donald M. Nelson, that the
Nations defense effort must be
doubled, more than a half million
stores throughout the country to-
day prepared to join in concerted
efforts to boost sales of Defense
savings stamps.
Mr. Nelson, executive director of
the Supply Priorities and Alloca-
tions Board and former vice presi-
dent of Sears-Roebuck, told busi-
nessmen assembled here last night
under sponsorship of the National
Retail Dry Goods Association that
the slogan of the United States
might well be double or nothing"
If this country does not double
Its present effort, he said, I'VE face
the fate that has overtaken a dozen
other nations who gave too little
and gave 1t too late"
Lower Standards Seen.
Since the United States will be
compelled to use all of its materials
for production of essentials, its citi-
zenS must accept-"for duration of
the emergency-a somewhat lower
standard of living for all of us, par
ticularly as to the luxuries we prac-
tically take for granted"
Mr.. Nelson said that in a day or
two the Government would an
nounce a broad campign to conserve
materials, skilled man power and
machine tool capacity by simplifying
design of consumer goods. This will
mean giving up frills and trim
mings, he explained Notice that
said 'simplification,' not standard
ization.' There is a world of diff
ference. We do not propose to
standardize styles"
The S. P. A. B. officials speech.
broadcast over N. B. c. from Re
tailers for Defense" dinner at the
Mayf1ower Hotel, topped a full days
program that launched a Nation
wide program to promote sales of
Defense savings stamps in retail
stores.
Would Cushion Infla ton"
Merchants representatives and
their guests-more than 600 strong
heard Frank M. Mayfield, presi-
dent of the National Retail Dry
Goods Association, plead for in
creased sale of Defense stamps to
provide a cushion against infla-
ton"
One Of the surest ways to keep
prices under control, Mr.. Mayf1eld
said, is to reduce consumer pur-
chasing power through heavy sales
OF Defense stamps and bonds.
Lew Hahn, general manager of
the dry goods association, and Ben
Jamin H. Namm, national chairman
of Retailers for Defense Week, out
lined a 14-point program for retail
ers desiring to aid in the defense
program. They should, they sug-
gested:
Practice and preach the doctrine
OF "our country first and foremost"
act as purchasing agents for the
public, prevent unwarranted in
creases in prices, eliminate unfair
trade practices, maintain employ
ment at highest levels possible, en-
courage employees in service to the
country, distribute to consumers lit
erature and information given out
by the Government, urge informa-
tive labelling of merchandise by
manufacturers, eliminate all scare
advertising" inform consumers why
unavoidable price rises are neces-
sary, aid in development of substi-
tute materials when necessary in
defense production. simplify types
of merchandise, help in selling De-
tense savings stamps, encourage in
every way public support Of the
defense program.
Promotion Demonstrated.
At clinic" yesterday afternoon,
the retailers were given demonstra-
tions-with the aid of 20 dazzling
Powers models from New York who
volunteered their services for the
day-of how sales of Defense stamps
might best be promoted In their
stores.
John A. Reilly, president Of the
Second National Bank of Washing
ton, told how % local banks and
branches, up to August Is, had sold
$11 ,095 900 in Defense savings stamps
to $500 customers.
Harold N. Graves, assistant to the
Secretary Of the Treasury, explained
how an experiment in Michigan stores
In July brought 10000 merchants
into the stamp sales program and
led to adoption of the plan on a
Nationwide scale.
Special boothes of IA retail store
and sales organizations were set up
in the Mayf1ower main ballroom for
the demonstration And the first