Evening star., 1941-09-16
Nelson Urges
Double Defense
Effort in j. ).
Retailers Addressed
On Eve of Stores
Stamp Sale Drive

NdllOn QeIeQSe el1OrC must De
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 it too late"
Lower Standards Seen.
Since the United States will be
compelled to use all of it's 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 q 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 I
said 'simpliflcation,' 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 a Re
tailers for Defense" dinner at the
Mayflower Hotel, topped full days
program that launched a Nation
wide program to promote sales of
Defense savings stamps in retail
| stores.
Would Cushion Imitation"
Merchants Representatives and
their guests-more than 600 strong
heard Frank M. MayfieId. 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.. Mayfield
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 l4-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
S11 ,O95 900 in Defense savings stamps
to 15,600 customers.
Harold N. Graves, assistant to the
Secretary of the Treasury, explained
howan experiment in Michigan stores
in July brought 10000 merchants
into the stamp sales program and
led to adoption of the plan on a
| Nation wide scale.
Special bootheS Of IA retail store
and sales organizations were set up
in the Mayflower main ballroom for
the demonstration. And the first
official sale of stamps in the cere-
monies opening Retailers for De-
fense Week" was made to Mrs.
Roosevelt by Mr. Nelson.
After participating in the sales
clinic in the afternoon, the Powers
models were greeted by Vice Presi-
dent Wallace in his office at the
Capitol. The girls came to the
Capital In a special plane In the
morning, and they returned to New
York in the same manner in the
late afternoon.
Another event of the opening day
of Retailers for Defense Week was
the appearance of William A. Julian,
treasurer of the United States, at
Jelleff's, to congratulate the store
employees, all of whom have pur-
chased bonds or stamps
The Special Committee on Re-
tailers for Defense Week, appointed
by the Merchant and Manufacturers
Association of Washington, consisted
of Ralph L. Goldsmith of Lansbuxgh,
chairman; James Hardey of Wood
ward & Lothrop, James Rotto Of
the Hecht Co. and Henry M. Voss,
also of Lansburgh. This committee
appointed Subcommittee on Win
dow and Interior Display and in
cluded William Gray of Lansburgh,
Joseph Mccain of Kann's and Louis
Banks of the Hecht Co.
|WooIen Firm to Ruise Pov