Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-08
Merchants Wise Plan

Merchants wise TIdn
THE retail merchants of the country, who perform
the vital function of consumer supply in war as well
as in peace are aware that federal authorities
sidering adoption of form Of inventory control
as a measure.
The purpose would be to prevent overstocking of
goods which, while plentiful at the moment may be
pected to develop shortages at later time
The possibility has been suggested that such
measure if taken in time and wisely enforced might
reduce the need and perhaps entirely the necessity
for future rationing Of shortage goods.
n ETAILERS are not disposed to resent resist
N program of that nature in principle but rather face
1t in a spirit of patriotic acceptance.
However, there is considerable about the
danger of carrying the program beyond real and acute
necessities the detrment and possibly the ruin of
merchandising services absolutely essential to national
welfare.
Therefore the American Retail Federation has sug-
gested certain basic rules which should guide the pro-
posed program.
TT believes the effective date of the program of nven
tory control should be fixed earlier than JAN 1,
1943 in order to prevent disruption of orderly business
1t points out the necessity and justification for diff
ferentaton between goods with different rates of turn
over.
It urges allowance for differing degrees of buying
power which prevail In different communities with spe-
chc reference to production where pay rolls
are high.
1t asks recognition Of the relationship between
sona conditions and inventory variations necessary to
meet them.
II argues for simple administration requirements
And perhaps above all else it pleads for withholding
Of inventory controls goods which not
not likely to be in the conceivable future.
THE federal government should welcome these sug-
i gestions, and give them earnest consideration
The federal government should do nothing to impair
the sovency of the nations important business nsttu
tons in the retail field. but the contrary should do
everything in its power to protect them.
It should not arbitrarily reduce stocks to the point
of putting retailers out of business.
In the case of goods which are demonstraby Short
there must of be provision for distribution
of available supply.
But any policy of indiscrminate stock retardng
with artificial shortages imposed shotgun fashion"
reach real shortages would injure the country far
than it would help the war effort.
THE responsibility of the government in this matter
is to goods and at the time
retain safeguards about the essential and indispensable
services upon which the people depend for orderly and
productive lives.
Retail merchandising is not apart from the war
effort, but fundamental part of it. requires regua
ton and even restriction in every other activity
does But it also performs services the people should
not be deprived Of and in all fact cannot do without
The test of good government in is not how much
its emergency powers but how well it them.
And this Forthcoming of inventory control will
doubtedy provide of the most important tests of
good government will see in this war.
The American Retail Federation has offered its pro-
gram in commendable and patriotic spirit and the gov
eminent should determine its policy relating thereto in
the spirit.