Evening star., 1955-10-07
Merchants Group InstoIIs
R. D. Gibbs as President
BY DONALD B. HADLEY

\ 1b4CIAdlu ~. \Itpbo, cECAEbnty VI
Peoples Drug Stores, Inc. be-
came president Of the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association
at the annual luncheon at Hotel
Statler today.
| Mr.. Gibbs has been chairman
lof the associations drugstore
division for the past three years,
He succeeds Herbert ]. Rich,
president of B. Rich's Sons. who
has headed the M6EM for two
years.
Philip M. Talbot, senior vice
president OF Woodward ~ Lothrop
and this years president of the
National Retail Dry Goods AS
sociation. was elevated from Sec
Iond to first vice president of the
MIN.
Francis j. Kane. immediate
past president of the Washing
ton Board of Trade and president
Iof Kane Transfer, was elected
second vice president. Oscar /.
IDodek. president Of Downtown
Park a. Shop. Inc. was elected
third vice president. He also
will continue as chairman of the
mems clothing division. Clar-
lence ]. ShafIer Of Geo. Shaffer.
Inc. was named treasurer and
+! p. A. Deck Of Fadeley 81 Co.. as
sistant treasurer.
Nine New Board Members
The associations Board OF Gov
jernors also was announced, in
ieluding nine new members. Hugh
K. Duffield, vice president OF
Sears, Roebuck g. Co., and for
lnler member Of the M6sM
board, was speaker.
Mr.. Gibbs was presented to the
meeting Of more than 400 mer-
lchants and other business leaders
lby the toastmaster. Granville
Guide of Guides Florists. Mr..
Guide also introduced head-table
guests including Samuel Spencer,
president OF the District Board OF
Commissioners, and leaders from
other civic and business groups.
Mr.. Rich delivered his annual
report and received the associa-
tion's gift of appreciation from
Mr.. Guide.
The new president was elected
secretary Of Peoples Drug Stores
Inc. last year after long career
with the company. He started
as a stock clerk in February, 1921
studietd pharmacy in his spare
time and became a registered
pharmacist in 1924.
| Worked Way Up
He served also as a retail
clerk, pharmacist, assistant store
manager and store manager He
was group manager'in in the Wash
ington area and then district
manager for nine years in Rich-
mond. Va. He was divisional
manager of the Washington area
before becoming an officer. He
! is a native of Union City, Tenn
| Mr.. Gibbs has been an active
member Of the Greater Nationa
Capital Committee Of the Wash
iington Board of Trade and the
District Pharmaceutical Associa.
Ition. He also has been a leader
lin Community Chest work ano
Ireceived the Order of the Rec
Feather in 1855.
Mr.. Rich reported association
activities In the last year covered
a wide variety of problems. in
cluding Interpretation of new
laws and regulations, surveys OF
business practices, promotion OF
Downtown Park e. Shop, employe
training programs and co-ordi-
nation Of store hours.
"The association can and did
initiate legislation beneficial to
its member and business gener-
ALLY covering such subjects as
second-han dealers licenses and
going -out-of business sales" he
declared. 1--WE are currently
working on shop-llftine legisla-
ton"
Labor unions have expressed
faith in the irnpartiality and
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