SS

»PUBLISHED .WEEKLY:

i^A D E S M AN COMPANY. PUBLISHERS

GRAND  RAPIDS,  WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  7,1898.

9i

ft PER  YEAR

Number 781

"THE  EIGHT  IS  ALMOST  PURE ^^ro^Etbmer,  Society of Chemical Industry, &(ew  York.
W e can  light your  Store,  Residence,  Factory,  Church  or Village  with  the  most  economical 
and  fines,® Artificial  Light  in  the  world.  Give  us a chance  to dem onsto« th„.  W e wdl 
light it  better than  the  electric  arc  can do,  and  it will  cost you  less than  Oil.

/  

>  
W f t i 'U L  

“Kopf”  Double  Generator to-day. 

T O   know  more  about  Acetylene  Gas  and  the  celebrated
~   ,,
s fx»  and we  will  send you  our  illustrated  catalogue.  1 ell
us the  number  of  lights  (25  candle  power)  you  re-
nuire  and we will  Quote you  price of  plant.  You  are
losing  money  if  you  are  not  using a  “K O P F ”  G E N E R A T O R .  A   sur­
prise  awaits you. 

^  ' 

if

* 

, 

. 

'

 

< \ Q '} P S y   p  "THE  KOPF” .

•  ^   Approved  by  the  National  Board  o ■

I S   T H E   D A Y   T O   W R IT E   U S .

FROM  THE  ELECTRICAL WORLD 

Fire  U nderwriters.

&

Ü

IT   H A S 

IT   C O S T S   t°o £5 SiE: cell T - N  

^   a
•  h

Let us  tell  you about  the  stores and  houses all  around  you  that  are using  THE  NEW  LIGHT. 

^  

SIZES,  5  LIGHT TO 250  LIGHT.  PRICE,  FROM $15  UP.

Note  — When  in  the  city  don’t  fail  to  visit  our  Display  Rooms. 

M.  B.  WHEELER  EUE6TR16  COMPANY, 

MANUFACTURERS  OF

The “KodI" fMiene Gas Generator. 

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■  The  Grand  Rapids  V eterinary  College  •
2

S essio n   1898-’ 99  b eg in s  in  O ctob er. 

(i n c o r p o r a t e d ) 

•

B  
■
 
B   Free Catalogue Oives Full Information. 
B  
■
 

A d d re ss  L.  L.  CONKEY,  D.  V.  S.,  Dean 

GRAND  RAPIDS. 

t

•
•

ü

I.  A .  M U R PH Y, General  Manager.

F L O W E R S ,  M A Y   &  M O L O N E Y , Counsel.

He  M i n

Special  Reports. 

Law  and  Collections.

Represented in every city and county in  the United States and Canada*

Main  Office:  Room  1102  Majestic  Building,  Detroit,  Mich.

Personal service given all claims.  Judgments obtained without expense to subscribers

Electric  Light  Plants

L a m p s  and  S up p lies

T elep h on es

Grand  Rapids 
Electric  Co.

9  SOUTH  DIVISION  STREET.

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH.

TH E   “ OHIO”
PO N Y CU TTE R

This  Cutter  is  for  hand  use  only, 
and is a  strong,  light-running  ma­
chine. 
It  is adapted to cutting hay, 
straw and corn  fodder, and  is  suit­
able for parties keeping from one to 
four or five animals.  There is  only 
one size,  and  is  made  so  it  can  be 
knocked down and packed for ship­
ment,  thus  securing^  lower  freight 
rate; has n j¿  inch knife, and by very 
simple changes makes four  lengths 
of cut.  This is only one of the OHIO 
family of Feed and Ensilage Cutters 
and Shredders.  A  good agent wanted
in every locality In Michigan where 
we  are  not  represented.  Write  to-day  for  complete  Catalogue  and  prices  to  dealers.  _
Grand  Rapids.  |

ADAHS  &  HART, 

—  

,

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QRAND  RAPIDS.  fllCH.

OPPOSITE MORTON  HOUSE 

M A N U FA C T U R E R S ’ A G E N T

When  in need  of goods 
for  Advertising purposes, write

STATE  AGENT  REGENT  MANUFACTURING  CO.,  CHICAGO.

HENRY  M. GILLETT

S TRUCK  is  indispensable  as  a  regular  warehouse 

\ 
stacks,  Iron  and  Brass  Castings,  Steel  Culvert 
Pipe and  General  Machine  W ork.

are  our  FREIGHT  ELEVATORS  of  all  capacities, 
and  they  are  easy  in  price.  Our  800-lb.  SC A LE

■ Dead  Easy

truck.  W e  also  make  Engines,  Boilers,  Smoke- 

Repairs  done  in  any  part  of  the  State.  Reach 
us  any  hour,  day  or  night,  by  long  distance  phone.

Lansing  Boiler  &  Engine  W orks

Lansing,  Hichigan.

Muskegon  Milling  Co.,  muskegon,  mich.

4 J ¿hit

Mann faclurers  of

FLOUR, 
FEED  AND 
HILL 
STU FFS

Receivers and 
Shippers  of

GRAIN

Is  the  Biggest  and  Best  plug of Tobacco 
on  the  market  to-day. 
Your  competi­
tor  has  it  for  sale. 

JESS  T O B A C C O  

FO R  SA LE   O N LY  B Y  

MUSSELM AN  GROCER CO.

ORAND  RAPIDS,  MICK.

*

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♦

M ills and  Office
jMixjpD carload^ .. .
1  Office: 
W ater Street,  Foot of  P in e ...  . .*.  .*: .*•;  ^  speciaCtV.  5 %! :
• •  • .

*. /  
•  •  •  •  m   •  i . :   r . . î  

•  •  • 

.Y 

%.  Our  P rices  Are Not the  L ow est 
^   But  Our  Spices  Are  the  B est 

%
^

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^  

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How do we know they are the best?  Because we grind them
ourselves  from  choice  stock  which  has  been  carefully  se-  ^  
lected by our personal representative at the importing market. 
If you are not satisfied with your Spice  line, permit  us to
send you a sample shipment  of  our  best  grade. 
If  it  isn’t
superior in  Purity,  Strength  and  Attractiveness  to  any  line
you have ever seen,  we  will  take  it  back  and  pay  freight  —^  
both ways.  No house which has not entire confidence in its
output would stand back of its product with such a guaranty.

o W  

  NORTHROP,  ROBINSON  & CARRIER,  Lansing,  IVUch. 

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WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW]
L E A D E R

PURITY AMD- STRENGTH!

&  co:s

As placed on the market  in  tin  foil  and  under 
our yellow label and signature  is

ABSOLUTELY  PURE

Of greater  strength  than  any  other  yeast,  and 
convenient for handling.  Neatly  wrapped  in 
tin foil.  Give  our  silverware  premium  list  to 
your patrons and increase your trade.  Particu­
lar attention paid  to  shipping  trade.  Address,

FLEISCHMANN  &  CO.

Detroit  Agency,  118  Bates S t.
Grand Rapids Agency, 26 Fountain  S t.

GRAND  RAPIDS,  WEDNESDAY,  SEPÍEMBER 7,  1898.

Number  781

Volume  XVI.

p n n m n n m n r r r o
to  WILLIAM  CO N N O R  now  shows  a  at 
full line of  Pall and  Winter Clothing.  Has 
r  
jo 
the  largest  line  of  Kersey  .Overcoats  and 
f®  Ulsters on the  road;  best  $5.50  Kersey  all 
JO  wool overcoat  in  market,  all  manufactured
C   by  KOLB  &  SO N . r o c h e s t k r .  n.  y.
I® 
If you  wish  to  look  over  my  line,  write 
)o  me,  Box  346,  Marshall,  Mich.,  or meet me 
j®  at Sweet’s Hotel, Grand  Rapids,  Mich ,  on 
jo  Thursday and  Friday, Sept.  15 and  16.  Ex* 
r®  penses  allowed.  No  harm  done  if  you 
)o  don’t buy. 
Cft 9 9.9. R 

«
IQ!UISULSLSULSLSULSLSULJISL9^

|   If You  Hire Help———
*♦  
I  
Z 

„ — and  Pay  Roll.

You should  use our

Perfect  Time  Book

Made to hold from 27 to  60  names 

and sell for 75  cents  to  $2. 

Send  for sample leaf.

Î  
*  GRAND  RAPIDS.  MICH. 

BARLOW  BROS.,  X

«

PREFERRED  BANKERS 

LIFE  ASSURANCE  COMPANY

P F   DETROIT,  MIOHIQAN.

Commenced  Business September  1,  1S93.
_-  x 

. 
Insurance in  force................................... ..  ....
Net Increase during  iStf]  ••••-•  •
Net A ssets..................------• -.........
Losses Adjusted and  Unpaiu.......
Other  Liabilities............................
Total  Death  Losses  Paid  to Date.
Total Guarantee Deposits  Paid to  Ben
....................................
Death  Losses  Paid  During iSy7----
Death  Rate for  1S97............................
Cost  per  1,000 at age 30 during  1S97.
F R A N K   E.  ROBSO N,  P r e s. 

. . $2.740,000.00
04.000. 
3b 7.jS.49
None 
N
40,061.00

Si 2.00
17.000. 00 
6.3* 
S.Í5
,

T R U M A N   B.  G O O D SPEED .  S ec  '•

T he  M ercantile  A gency

Established  1S41.

R.  G.  DUN  &  CO.

Widdicomb  Bld’g,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

Books arranged with trade classification of names. 
Collections made everywhere.  Write for particulars. 

L.  P.  W ITZLEBEN  Hanager.

_  
<
X   T  W Chxmpi.i s . Pies.  W. F r e d McBain,S ec.  «

Prompt.  Conservative, Safe. 

& ^SE¡P>-

’pGGWD/lAJWS. MICH.

L.  J .  S T E V E N S O N .  M a n a g e r  i 
R .  J .  C L E L A N D .  ATTORNEY.

THE  FORGOTTEN  PAST

W h ich   w e   read  ab o u t can   n e v e r  be 
forgotte n  by  th e  m erch an t w h o   be 
com es  fa m ilia r   w ith   o u r  cou pon  
system .  T h e  p ast to Buch  is a lw ay s 
a  “ n ig h tm a re.”   T h e  p resen t  is  an 
e ra  o f  p leasu re an d  profit.
T R A D E S M A N   CO M PA N Y,

GRANP  RAPIDS.

THE  DAILY  PR E SS.

Changes  Which  Fifteen  Years  Has 

Wrought.

Time  has  wrought  many  changes  in 
the  newspapers  of  Grand  Rapids,  and 
not  only 
in  the  newspapers  but  in  the 
ranks  of  the  newspaper  workers  and  in 
the  newspaper  mtthods.

Fifteen  years  ago  the  city  had  five 
daily  papers; 
to-day  we  have  three. 
Then  the  composition  was  by  hand  and 
the  presswork  slow;  now  machines  set 
the  type  and  the  presses  are  modern and 
rapid.  Then  one  man  constituted  an 
editorial  staff;  now  a  dozen  or  more  are 
employed 
in  the  “ brainery,"   and  the 
business  staff  is  as large.  Telegraph was 
mostly  grapevined  fifteen  years  ago  or 
received  in  skeleton form and elaborated 
in  the  office;  now 
it  comes  over  the 
wire  and  special  leased  wires  deliver  it 
hot  on  the  telegraph  editor’s  desk.  The 
weekly  expenses  of  a  daily  paper  fifteen 
years  ago  ranged  from  $400 to §600;  now 
they  run 
from  $800  to  $1,500  a  week. 
These  area  few  of  the  changes that time 
has  brought  around.

00 

Fifteen  years  ago  the  Eagle  was  this 
city’s  best  paper. 
It  was  founded  al­
most  with  the  town  and  it  was  still  un­
der  the  management  of  the  Hon.  Aaron 
B.  Turner,  who  started  it  and  directed 
its  editorial  policy  and  personally  wrote 
many  of  the  editorials  that  appeared 
in 
its  columns.  Strictly  a  family  paper, 
respectable,  dignified  and  reliable,  the 
Eagle  was  pr  sperous  and  Mr.  Turner 
was  happy.  E.  B.  Fisher  was  city  edi­
tor  of  the  paper,  E.  A.  Stowe  was  news 
editor  and  Alfred  Baxter  was  editorial 
writer  and  proof  reader.  Half  a  dozen 
vears  ago  Mr.  Turner  sold  his  interest 
in  the  paper.  The  new  management 
gave 
it  a  tinge  of  yellow  journalism, 
and  a  few  months  later  it  calmly  gave 
„p  the  ghost.  The  disappearance  of  the 
Ea^le 
the  most  notable 
change  that  time  has  brought,  for  with 
.ts  disappearance  passed  from  the  field 
a  pap~r  which  for  half  a  century  had 
been  making 
its  regular  visits  to  the 
homes  of  the  people.

is,  perhaps, 

In  point  of  seniority  the  Democrat 
came  next  to  the  Eagle.  It  was  a  morn­
ing  paper  then  as  now  and  its  political 
faith  now 
is  the  same  as  it  was  then. 
Col.  Isaac  E.  Messmore  was  at  the  head 
of  the  Democrat,  and  his  name  recalls a 
man  above  the  medium  height,  with  an | 
iron  gray  moustache  and  a  fcg  horn I 
voice,  a  man  of  big  and  frequent  pro­
fanity  and  a  fervid  thirst.  W.  M.  Hath­
away  was  editorial  writer  and  also  jug­
gled  the  telegraph,  and  W.  S.  Hull  was 
the  entire  reportorial  staff  and  city, 
sporiing,  society,  religious  and  horse 
editor  combined.  He  also  did  the  mu­
nicipal  beat, 
looked  after  the  police 
happenings, 
the  county  building  and 
general  skirmish.  The  reporter  required 
to  do  all  this 
in  these  modern  days 
would  not  consider  himself in possession 
of  a  sinecure,  but  what  Hull  did  on  the 
Democrat  Hobbes  did  on  the  Times, 
Fisher  did  on  the  Eagle  and  Lewis  G. 
Stuart  did  on  the  Leader  Newspapers 
are  not  run  on  the  one-man  plan  any 
more,  and  what  one  man  did  fifteen 
years  ago  half  a  dozen  or  more  now look

after  on 
the  division-of-labor  plan. 
Messmore  subsequently  sold  his  news­
paper  property  to  Frank  W.  Ball,  and 
ater  Ball  sold  to  I.  M.  Weston and  Wes­
ton  delivered  the  property  on  an  option 
to  Detroit  parties,  who  succeeded 
in 
staving  off  what  it  was  on  the  verge  of 
doing  when  Weston  let  go,  and  then 
it 
into  the  bands  of  a  receiver  and 
went 
the  present  management  acquired 
it  at 
tne  foreclosure  sale.

The  Times  was  still  on  earth  fifteen 
years  ago,  and  Nathan  Church  was  its 
controlling 
spirit,  with  Joseph  H. 
Hobbes  as  city  editor,  T.  M.  Carpenter 
as  editorial  writer  and  telegraph  editor 
and  A.  B.  Tozer  in  the  business  office. 
Brilliant,  eccentric,  unscrupulous,  tal­
ented  and  handsome,  Church  was  all 
there  was  to  the  Times,  and  when  he 
passed 
from  the  scene  the  Times  went 
down.  Church  is  still  living,  or  was  at 
last  accounts, 
totally 
changed  from  the  trim  figure  he  pre­
sented  when  here.

in  California, 

The  Evening  Leader  was  next  on  the 
list. 
It  was  started  in  ’79  to  fill  a  long- 
felt  want  in  the  old  Greenback  party.
It  had  a  precarious  existence 
tor  a 
time,  but 
in  1883  was  fairly  on  its  feet 
with  W.  B.  Weston  as  manager  at  both 
the  business  and  editorial  ends.  D.  R 
Waters  was  the  editorial  writer  and  L.
G.  Stuart was  the  remainder  of  the  staff, 
with  an  occasional 
transient  reporter 
put  on  to  help  in  an  emergency.  The 
Leader  had  a  “ boiler  plate”   telegraph 
service  and  supplemented  it  with grape 
vine  dispatches  from  the  Detroit  and 
Chicago  papers  and  from  the  State  ex 
changes. 
It  continued  in  the  field  unti 
about  eight  years  ago,  when  W.  B.  Wes 
ton  sold  it  to  George  G.  Booth,  of  De 
troit,  and  became  identified  with  the 
Democrat  undtr  the  management  of  I 
M.  Weston.  Many  have  been  the  times 
W.  B.  Weston  has  rued  the  change;  but 
this  story  is  not  for  the  purpose  of  giv­
ing  expression  to  vain  regrets.

It  was  in  1883  that  the  Telegram  was 
established  as  a  morning  paper  of  the 
Republican  faith.  Henry  M.  Rose,  now 
private  secretary  to  Senator  Burrows, 
was  one  of 
its  chief  promoters,  and 
Hugh  McDowell  was  on  the  editorial 
staff.  About  the  same  time  Lloyd  Brtzee 
started  the  Saturday  Herald  as  a  weekly 
society  and  dramatic  paper, with the late 
Wilt  Innes  as  bis  associate.  The  Tele- 
| gram  suffered  from  financial  stringency 
| and  was  on  the  point  of  going  to  the 
wall,  when  Brezee  organized  a  stock 
company,  with  Fred  Berger,  J.  P.  An­
drews  and  others  as  financial  backers, 
and  acquired  it.  The name  was  changed 
to  the  Telegram-Herald  and  it  so  con­
tinued  until  a  year  or  so  ago,  when  the 
Telegram  was  dropped  and  the  paper 
became  the  Herald  of  to-day.  When 
the  consolidation  was  effected  E.  D. 
Conger  was  in  the  business  office  of  the 
paper  as  a  clerk,  and  when  Brezee 
reached  the  end  of  his  financial  rope, 
which  was  not  until  his  monied  friends 
became  weary  of  putting  up,  Conger as­
sumed  control  and  it  has  betn  his  abil­
ity  and  hard  work  that  have  placed  the 
paper  on  a  basis  of  prosperity.

The  Morning  Press  was  started  about 
nine  years  ago  by  Will J.  Sproat.  It  had

it  with 

a  precarious  existence,  with  the  street 
car  strike  as  its  chief  subsistence,  and 
was  then  sold  to  George  G.  Booth,  who 
consolidated 
the  Leader  and 
changed 
it  to  the  evening  field,  as  a 
penny  paper.  The paper  has  had  a  won­
derful  success  and,  when 
the  Eagle 
dropped  out,  it  had  the  evening  field  to 
tself,  and  has  kept  it  to  this  day,  with 
the  hard 
times,  perhaps,  as  an  ally 
against  rivalry.

Although  we  have  not  so  many  papers 
as  we  had 
then,  the  papers  that  are 
published  are  better  as  newspapers  and, 
a  general  way,  are  more  ably  con­
ducted  than  fifteen  years  ago.  Two,  at 
least,  are  making  money  and,  with  the 
balance  on  the  right  side  of  the 
ledger, 
they  are  making  betterments  to  keep 
pace  with  the  great  improvements  that 
have  marked  all  the  larger  papers  of 
the  country.  They  are  publishing  more 
telegraph  news  of  the  State,  Nation  and 
world  than  the  papers  in  Grand  Rapids 
ever  published  before  and 
local 
news  field 
is  more  thoroughly  covered. 
The  newspapers  have  made  a  very  dis­
tinct  and  positive  progress,  and 
the 
next  fifteen  years  will  see  still  greater 
changes  for  the  better.

the 

Hides,  Pelts,  Tallow   and  Wool.

It  is  a  sorry  figure  which  hides  cut  in 
the  market.  Prices  do  not  weaken,  as 
tanners  desired,  nor  do  accumulations 
show  up.  Packers  obtain  old  prices  and 
are  sold  up.  The  country  kill  is  in 
small  stock  and  few  in  number.  Veal 
skins  are  scarce,but  prices  on  all grades 
are  as  high  as  the  leather  marktt  war­
rants.  Shoes  are  offered  at  old  prices, 
which  causes  manufacturers  to  quarrel 
with  tanners  on  leather.

Pelts  are  quarreled  for  at  bett< r prices 
than  the  market  indicates,  hut  there  >s 
not  enough  volume  to  cut  any  figure.

Tailow  is  s’ow,except  for prime slock
Wool  feels  the  depression  of  the goods 
sale 
the  New  York  auctions,  which 
were  disappointing  to  sellers,  although 
as  calculated  by  purchasers.  Prices  do 
ni t  change,  however,  and  holders  feel 
firm,  as  they  believe  our  wool  market« 
should  respond  to  the  influence  of  good 
markets  in  other  commodities  and  the, 
scattering  of  so  much  money by war pur ^ 
chases,  while 
free  wool  and  good s  artQ 
gradually  being  consumed.  Purchases 
are  being  held  in  country  warehouses  at 
a  cost  fully  equal  to  Eastern  markets.
W m.  T.  Hess.

If  Only  dim  Marched,  Too.

I  hear  the drum roll,  rub-a-dub,  dub,

And the piccolo's shrill  refrain;

The  boys in  blue with  hearts so true 
I hear the drum,  but  it beats  for me 

Are marching home again.
Despair and grief’s tattoo;
I’d be so glad if our only lad 
Our Jim—poor Jim—marched,  too!

I hear the tramp, the tramp, tramp,  tramp,

Of the army  marching by;

"Brave soldiers all, at their country’s call 

Their task is done, with  heads erect 
Instead of tears I’d give them cheers 

They went to fight and  die.
They pass there in review;
If Jim—poor  Jim—marched,  too!

I hear the clank, the clank, clank,  clank,
But my worn eyes rest on the blood-stained crest 

O f the swords  of captains ga y:

They left him there where the weeping  winds 
They’re home—God's light!  How grand the sight 

Of a hill far,"far away.
Sing dirges faint and  few—
I f  Jim—poor Jim—marched, too!

G e o r g e   H o b a r t .

2

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

Changes  Which  Time  Has  Brought  in 

the  Millinery  Trade.

Fifteen  years ago  there  were  not more 
than  twenty  millinery  stores  in  Grand 
Rapids.  The only  firms doing  business 
in  the  city  at  this  time  that  were  in 
trade  then  are  Miss  R.  H.  Brennen, 
Mrs.  Nellie  Buckley  and  Mrs.  Theo. 
Schultze.

The  changes  that  have  followed  in 
those  fifteen  years have been very many. 
The  progress of  the  millinery  trade  has 
been  as  great  proportionately  as  that  of 
any  line  that  might  be  cited.  While  the 
population  of  the  city  fifteen  years  ago 
was  considerably  less  than  now,  yet  the 
milliner  at  that  time  bad  good  oppor­
tunity  to  make  money.  Millinery  busi­
ness  was  at  that  time  an  exclusive busi­
ness.  Of 
late  years  it  has  become  a 
important  factor  with  dry  goods
most 

stores.  To-day  millinery  is  sold  from 
every  dry  goods  house  on  Monroe  and 
Canal  streets  except  two.

If  the  old  adage  that  competition 

is 
the  life  of  trade  holds  true,  Grand 
Rapids  should  be  very  lively  in  a  mil­
linery  way.  There  are  now  forty-five 
millinery  stores  in  the  city.  Not  all 
that  number  handle  millinery  exclusive­
ly,  yet  fully  that  number sell  it.  There 
have  been  few  failures  in  the  business 
in  five  years  past,  and  the  annual  retail 
millinery  sales  may  conservatively  be 
estimated  to  reach  $250,000.  The  trade 
has  fully  kept  the  pace  set  in  other 
ines.
Through  the  efforts  of  the  Board  of 
rade and  some  individuals the Royston 
raw  Works, 
formerly  of  Adrian, 
^cb.,  were  induced  in  1893  to  locate 
this  city.  A  stock  company  was 
in 
formed  and  a new  factory  was  built  and 
put  in  operation  for the  manufacture  of 
ladies’,misses' and children’s straw hats. 
In  1895  the  plant  passed  into  the  hands 
of  the  Sherwood-Swortfiguer Co.  This 
firm  employs,  when  running  at  full  ca­
pacity,  over  300  people,  a  greater  por 
tion  of  which  are girls. 
It  sells  its  out 
put  to  many  of  the  leading  millinery 
jobbers  of  the  country  and  its  business 
has  been  marked  by  steady  improve* 
meut.  The  sales  this  year  promise to  be 
the  largest  in  its  history.  The  factory 
capacity  is about 6,000 bats daily.

Grand  Rapids’  wholesale  millinery 
business,  strictly  speaking,  began  with 
the  advent of  Corl,  Knott  &  Co.  in  1890. 
Previous  to  that  time  some  jobbing  was 
done  in  the  millinery  line,  but-only  on 
a  small  scale.  Since  then  it  has 
sumed  immense  proportions.

Corl,  Knott  &  Co.  began  business  at 
75  Monroe  street,  in  cramped  quarters 
and  on  a  limited  scale.  At  the  present 
time they  occupy  the  entire  seven-story 
building  at  20  and  22  North  Division 
street,  each  floor  of  which  is  used  for 
the  display  of  millinery  goods.  The 
house  employs  seven  traveling  sales­
men,  thoroughly  covers  the  States  of 
Michigan,  Indiana  and  Ohio and  sells 
goods  as  far  wt-st  as  the  Coast.  The 
ever-increasing  volume  of  business  has 
called  for  many  improvements  in  build­
ing  and  equipment  and  each  call  has 
been  met  upon  demand. 
In  size  and 
completeness 
it  has  no  equals  in  the 
State.

The firm  was originally  composed  of 
Samuel  S.  Corl,  Heber  A.  Knott  and  J. 
Ward  Goulding.  On  January  1  last,  two 
of the  oldest employes of  the  house  were 
associated  with  the  firm  and  the  com­
pany  is  now  composed  of  the  organizers 
named  and  R.  E.  Tyroler  and  W.  N. 
Corl.  The  present  year has  been  a  ban­
ner  one  with  the  house  and  the  outlook 
for fall  and  winter  trade  is  reported  as 
most  encouraging

An  interesting  evolution  in  the  busi­
ness  locally  might  be  tiaced 
in  the 
changed  location  of  millinery  houses. 
Up  to  ten  years  ago  more  than  one-half 
the  entire business  of  the  city  was  done 
on  Canal  street.  As  other  lines  moved 
up  town,  the  milliners  followed.

H e b e r   A .  K n o t t .

O f  Interest  to  the  Traveler.

The  most  fastidious  epicure  could  not 
find  fault  with  the  excellent service  now 
furnished  the  patrons  of 
the  Grand 
Trunk  Railway  System  on  the  Dining 
Cars  running  on  the  through  trains  be­
tween  Chicago  and  Eastern  points. 
Nothing  but  words  of  praise 
is  heard 
from.those  who  have  had  the  good  for­
tune  to  sit down  to  a  dinner  or  supper 
on  one  of  these  comfortable  and  hand­
some  cars.  Mr.  J  Lea,  late  of  the 
Windsor  Hotel,  Montreal, 
in 
charge  of  one  of  the  diners  and  the  pas­
sengers  are  assured  of  a  most  liberal 
table,  a  good  service,  and  an  excellent 
cuisine.  ____  

_____

is  now 

It  is  said  that  Germany  is  suffering 
from  a  scarcity  of  beef  and  that  rates 
are  threatening  to  advance  to  almost 
prohibitive  prices.  The  effect  of  this 
has  been  to  considerably  stimulate the 
demand  for  horseflesh.  This  state  of 
affairs  has  been  principally  brought 
about  by  the  prevalence  of  foot-and- 
mouth  disease,  and  rigid  closure of  the 
frontier against  the  introduction  of  for­
eign  cattle. 

____

_ 

The  bonds  of  matrimony  would  be 
if  they  paid  cash  divi­

more  popular 
dends. 

__ ____

When  a  man  meets  his  wife  down 
town  he  wonders  how  much  it  will  cost 
him.

IT’S  EASY  TO  SELL 
NECKWEAR

It  is  immense.

when  you  have  the  newest  out.  See  our 
Fall line. 
We  also  have  some  extra  values  in  MEN’S 
UNDERWEAR,  bought  before  the  advance  in 
woolen  goods.  Our advice  to  you is  to  buy 
enough  to last  the  season through.

VOIGT, HERPOLSHEIMER A CO.

WHOLESALE  DRY GOODS 
AND FURNISHINGS 
GRAND  RAPIDS.  MICHIGAN.

A  Line of  Fleece» 
Backed  Flannels

Twilled and  Pique  effects.
Our line  of Underwear for Fall  is now 
complete. 
Samples  ready  to  show.

P.  STEKETEE &  SONS,  Jobbers

QRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH.

iitÜcäsäh

Tnnnnnnmnn

W e  G u a r a n t e e

Our brand of Vinegar to be an ABSOLUTELY-PURE  APPLE- 
JUICE VIN EGAR.  To any person who will analyze it  and  find 
any  deleterious  acids  or  anything  that  is  not  produced  from 
the  apple,  we  will  forfeit

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS

We also guarantee it to be  of  not  less  than  4o  grains  strength. 
We will prosecute any  person found using our packages for cider 
or vinegar without first removing all traces of our brands therefrom.

Robinson Cider and  Vinegar Co.,  Benton  Harbor,  Mich.

J. ROBINSON, Manager.

This is the guarantee we give with every barrel of our  vinegar.  Do  you  know  of  any  other 
manufacturer  who  has  sufficient  confidence  in  his output to stand back of his product with a 
similar guarantee ? 

ROBINSON  CID ER  A N D   V IN E G A R   CO.

LfUUUUUUUUUUU 

JÔ

k A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A 4 A A A A A A A A A 4 A 4 A A 4 A 4 é 4 4 4 é 4 f

Price las a

I.  W.  LAMB,  original  inventor 
o f the Lamb  Knitting Machine, 
President and Superintendent.

The Lamb Glove & Mitten Go..

of  PERRY,  MICH.,

controls  a  large  number  of  the  latest 
and  best 
inventions  of  Mr.  Lamb.  II 
is  making  a  very  desirable  line  of 

KNIT  HAND  WEAR 

The  trade  is  assured  that  its  interests 
will be promoted by handling these goods.

The fiaest sweet cider, prepared te  keep  sweet. 
Furnished  October  to  riarch,  inclusive.

QUALITY also,  but  a  duet  be­
tween Quality and  Price  brings 
down the house.  The

S1LV1R BRAND CIDER VINE6HR

has no competitor.*

Genesee  Fruit  Company,

Lansing, Mich.

*

Every Qrocer should sell It.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

3

How  the  Traveling  Man  Has Changed 

in  Fifteen  Years.

The young  traveler,setting out “ grip”  
in  band,  a  list  of  towns  before biro  and 
inexperience  for  his  greater  portion, 
has  never 
found  himself  marching 
along  the  royal  highway  to  success.  As 
in  many  pursuits  his  beat  has been upon 
ordinary  soil,  and  it  has  been  to  the 
tune  of  late  trains,  irregular  meals  and 
already  well-supplied  customers  that  he 
has kept  step.  Yet  1  take  pride  in  stat­
ing  that  he  usually  does  succeed  in  the 
end,  and  the  question  arises,  How?

last  fifteen 
Looking  back  over  the 
years,  what  has  changed 
the  young 
“ bummer,”   with  a  worried  expression 
and  a  shiny  black  plug  bat  and  valise, 
into  the  comfortable,  well-dressed  rep­
resentative  of  the  present  Knight  of 
the  Grip?  Has 
it  been  his  proverbial 
affabilty,  “ gift  of  gab,”   or  extreme 
stick-to-itiveness 
sold  his 
goods,  filled  his  order books  and  made 
friends  of his  customers?

that  has 

walking  delegates  for  unions  seeking 
to  force  employers  to  pay  one  salesman 
the  same  wages  as  another  regardless  of 
the  amount  of  business  performed  so 
long  as  the  time  is  put  in.

in 

Fifteen  years  has  seen  this  transfor­
mation.  The  travelers  are  as  genial  as 
ever,  as  full  of  fun,  but  they  are  mostly 
men  of  families,  many  of  them  well-to- 
do,  standing  high  in  the  communities 
where  they  reside;  also many are of high 
standing 
religious  organizations. 
The  spendthrift  of  earlier  times  fifteen 
years  has 
careful 
and  economical  man,  while  some  have 
accumulated  comfortable  fortunes,-  so 
that  the  personnel  of  the  rank  and  file 
of  traveling  salesmen  will  compare  fa- 
it  does  not  outshine,  any 
orably, 
if 
profession, 
trade  or  occupation,  and 
their  slips  from  grace  are  as  few  and

changed 

the 

to 

Cte meter Piano T$ Still manufactured« f

Although  Its  founder,  like  the  originators  of  the  other  leading 
houses, is no longer living, the great factory  which  he  established 
still goes on, and the Weber warerooms contain to-day more exqui­
site examples of the pianomaker’s art  than  were ever before shown 
by  this  renowned  concern.  The  elder  Weber was a genius In the 
realm of tone production,  and it has been often said that the quality 
that Stradivarius  bestowed  upon the violin  Weber imparted  to  his 
pianoforte.  His  successors  have  strictly  maintained  the  high 
standard of excellence established in the early days of the  concern» 

and  have perpetuated that wonderful tone quality for which the  Weber 
piano has so long been distinguished.  The  artistic  productions  of  the 
house this season merit especial  comment.  New and chaste designs in 
grand and upright casings in all varieties of beautiful woods are  shown; 
also the Crown,  Schubert and Gibson Pianos and  Western  Cottage 
Organs,  at the new warerooms of

THE QRAND  RAPIDS  PIANO  CO.

MRS. M.  D. WEEDEN,  Prop.

Telephone  1779  -  No  1.  S.  Division St.,  Orand  Rapids,  Mich.

;«X$XSXSX*X.Y«(i ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®@®®®®®®®®®®®®®® >*S®®®®®®<3

WORLD'S  BEST

1  would  say  he  must  be  abreast  of  the 
times,  bis  goods  up  to  date,  and  withal, 
and  I  was  about  to  add  above  all,  mutt 
possess  that  heaven-sent  quality,  tact, 
without  which  any  business  man  is  lit­
tle  better  than  a  blank.

Has  the  traveling  salesman  helped  to 
times 
change  the  times  or  has  the 
changed  him? 
it  has 
In  a  measure 
worked  both  ways.  Hotels,  eating 
houses and  railroads  have  depended  for 
their  custom 
largely  on  him,  and  they 
can  afford  to  do  it,  for  they  have  not 
found  him  a  dead-beat;  and  they  have 
improved  under  bis  patronage.  The 
manufacturers  have  also  been dependent 
upon  him. 
It  will  not  do  for  them  to 
send  out  that  which  is  as  good  this  year 
as  it  was  last. 
It  must  be  different  as 
well  as  better,  must  represent  more  for 
the  money  than  ever  before,  and 
it  re 
mains  for  the traveling  man  to convince 
the  public  of  the  new  worth  and  im 
provement,  and,  in  short,  to  make  tbeii 
goods  sell.  That has  been  his  business, 
and  that  be  has  done.

This  traveling  salesman 

is  a  very 
opinionated  person  and  yet  you  never 
hear  of  his  being  engaged 
in  strikes 
plots  or  conspiracies  against  the  com 
mercial  industries of  the  country.  With 
out  his  diligent  efforts  the  gigantic  en 
terprises  that  now  supply  the  countries 
of  the  world  with  the  various  products 
of  industry  would  not  exist.  Every  kind 
of 
is  dependent  on  him.  The 
manufacturer  employing  thousands  of 
men  could  not  long  continue  to  furnish 
employment  if  unable  to  sell  the  prod 
uct  of  his  labor.  The artisan,  mechanic, 
machinist  and  the  laborer  realize  how 
dependent  they  are  upon  him.  How 
patiently  he  labors  on  through summer’ 
heat  and  winter’s  cold,  doing  his  share 
of  the  great  whole  for  their support.

interest 

In  fifteen  years  the  character  of  the 
traveling  salesman  has  greatly  changed 
as  a  natural  process  of  evolution. 
In 
the  days  following  the  civil  war,  when 
matters  were  speculative  and  prices  in 
flated,  the  traveling salesman was looked 
upon  by  many  as a dude, a rowdy,  profli 
gate;  and,  while  I  am  not  prepared  to 
admit  that  the  rank  and  file  of  the  fra 
ternily  have  ever  been  of  this  stripe, 
will  say  that  they  were  in previous years 
more  frequently  met  with  than  at  pres 
ent.  The  gradual  changing  of  the  times 
from 
inflation  to  real  values,  together 
with  increased  competition, has  reduced 
business  to  a  science.  The  salesman 
knows  as  well  as  the  employer  himself 
exactly  what  his  services  are  worth,  and 
he  knows  that  he  will  be paid  according 
to  the  business  be  does.  We  have  bo

far  between  as  in  any  class  of  human 
beings.

Many  of  the  leading  wholesale  mer 
chants  and manufacturers of  to-day  were 
traveling  salesmen  a  decade  and  a  half 
ago,  and  while by  education  we  are  led 
to  claim  the  earth,  we  do  not  in  this ar 
tide  assume  the  credit  for all  advance 
ment  that  has  been  made;  yet  we  may 
with  pardonable  pride,  attribute the  re 
markable  advancement  in  commercial 
prosperity  to  no  other  source  than  the 
indefatigable  efforts  and 
indominable 
perseverance  of  the  traveling  salesman 
and,  as  a  member  of  the  fraternity  ft 
twenty-six  years,  I  congratulate  you  up 
on  your fifteen  years  of  continued  sue 
cess and  tender  you  my  best  wishes  for 
the  years  to  come.

C h a r l e s   L.  S t e v e n s

lEBfiS  WANTED!
* 
»§8*
$  
»§8f
ier
§8f
§81
§8*»
$
| 0 . W. ROGERS 11
jjg
mj 

Am  in  the  market  for 
any  quantity  of  Fresh 
Eggs.  Would be pleased 
at  any  time  to  quote 
prices  F.  O.  B.  your 
station to merchants hav­
ing Eggs to offer.
Established at Alma 1885.

ALMA.  MICH. 

m  $

m  

&

 

SO.  CIGAR.  ALL/  JOBBERS  AND

G.J.JOHNSON CIGAR CO

GRAND  RAPIDS.  CDIOH.

RuDeroid  Read» Rooting

Will last longer than any other roofing  now on the market. 
We have full  faith  in  its  merits.  But  if  you  want  other 
kinds  we  always  have them at reasonable prices.  Let  us 
quote you prices, if you need roofing of any sort.

H.  M.  REYNOLDS  &  SON,

Detroit Office, foot of 1st Street

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.

To  Merchants:

We have a sample book  that  we  will 
furnish without charge  express  prepaid  to  any 
good  merchant  who  wishes  to  take  orders  for 
single  suits, either  ready  to  wear  or  made  to 
order.  We manufacture all our  own  Clothing, 
and  do  not  sell  through  agents.  We  sell  to 
merchants  only.  We  furnish  them  the  best 
book  in the market, and are so well known that 
we do not need  to  sail  under  false  colors  like 
the  Empire  Tailors,  or  Royal  Black  Snake 
Manufacturers of Clothing,  or  American  Mon- 
gul  Tailor,  or  the  Black  Horse  Tailors,  etc. 
We have been established twenty-five years, and 
our firm is well and favorably known.  Can you 
use  a  book  of  samples  to  advantage? 
If  so, 
send  in your  application  and we will  send  you 
our  next  book  which  will  be  ready  July  1st. 
Our spring  and  summer  books  are  all  placed. 
Get your application in early,  for  we  will  have 
a  larger  demand  for  our  books  than  we  can 
supply. 

Yours very truly,

Work Bros. & Co.,

Cor. Jacksoa and Fifth Ave., Chicago, III.

4

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

Around  the  State
Movements  o f  Merchants.

Sanilac  Center— Mrs.  C.  W.  Fox  has 

opened  a  millinery  store.

New  Lothrop—C.  E.  Stewart  has  sold 
his  stock  to  Judd  Bros.,  of  Cbesaning.
Vassar—Gage  &  Co.  have  purchased 
the  grocery  stock  of  Mrs.  Geo.  McOm- 
ber.

Hastings---- Gottlieb  Bessmer  will
shortly  engage  in  the  furniture  business 
here.

Fife  Lake— Dent.  Blue  has  sold  bis 
meat  market  to  Eric  Wells  and  Bert 
Curtis.

Port  Huron— Frank  Tuttle  has  pur­
chased  the  grocery  stock  of  J.  W. 
French.

Trout  Lake—Cline  Bros,  have  en­
gaged  in  the  grocery,  meat  and  produce 
business.

Hanover— Murray  &  Heath,  meat 
dealers,  have  dissolved,  Fred  Murray 
succeeding.

Cheboyagn— Mrs.  H.  Harrison  has 
sold  her  millinery  stock  to  Miss  Eliza­
beth  C.  Walton.

Henrietta— Fuller  &  Coulson  succeed 
in  the  notion,  grocery 

John  N.  Fuller 
and  shoe  business.

Bay  City— D.  B.  Martin  &  Co.  sue 
ceed  Martin  &  Cheever  in  the  hardware 
and  paint  business.

Belding— E.  L.  Carpenter  has  pur­
chased  the  confectionery  and  fruit  stand 
owned  by  C.  Condos.

Lake  City—L.  Sable  will  shortly  add 
line  of  groceries  to  his  stock  of  dry 

a 
goods  and  boots  and  shoes.

Fremont— I.  Cohn,  of  Muskegon,  has 
opened  a  branch  of  the  Boston  store  of 
that  place  in  the  Hilton  block.

Dryden— Misses  Randolph  &  Briggs 
have  sold  their  millinery  stock  to  Miss 
Allie  Haines,  of  Rochester,  Mich.

Otsego—Olds  &  Stout,  grocers,  have 
dissolved,  Jas.  Stout  retiring  from  the 
firm  and  W.  J.  Olds  becoming  sole  pro­
prietor.

West  Branch— F.  G.  Cooper  &  Co. 
will  continue the  grocery  and  feed  busi­
ness  formerly  conducted  by  R.  H.  Coop­
er  &  Co.

Big  Rapids—Wm.  Hangstorfer  has 
again  engaged 
in  the  meat  business, 
having  purchased  the  market  of  his 
brother,  Jacob.

Sutton’s  Bay—The  meat  markets  of 
Jacob  Rufli  and  B.  F.  Steimel  have 
been  consolidated,  the  firm  name  being 
Rufli  &  Steimel.

Allegan— Geo.  H.  West,  proprietor  of 
the  City  drug  store,  has  sold  his  stock 
to  Wm.  L  Baldwin,  of  Vassar,  who  will 
shortly  take  possession  of  same.

Breckenridge—J.  L.  Waggoner,  deal­
er  in  dry  goods  and  groceries,  has  sold 
his  stock  to  a  gentleman  from  Akron, 
Ohio,  who  will  continue  the  business.

Marine  City— R.  A.  Garrison  has  dis­
continued  the  Marine  City  Dry  Goods 
Co.  store  and  shipped  his  stock  to 
Adrian,  where  he  will  engage  in  busi­
ness.

West  Bay  City— The  dry  goods,  boot 
and  shoe  and  tinware  business  of  Sam’l 
M.  Lampke  will  hereafter  be  conducted 
under  the  style  of  B. 
(Mrs.  S.  M .) 
Lampke.

Owosso— Mrs.  Elmer  E.  Forsbee  has 
purchased  the  millinery  stock  of  Mrs. 
M.  J.  Harrington,  who  has  been  en­
gaged  in  the  business  here  for  the  past 
thirty  years.

Blissfield— H.  J.  Warren  has  sold  his 
interest  in  the  Michigan  Hat  Co.  to  his 
partner,  G.  R.  Carpenter,  and  organized 
a  new  concern  to be  known  as  the  Tri- 
State  Hat  Co.

Detroit—W.  G.  Perkins  & Co  ,  grocers 
at  532  and  536 Greenwood  avenue,  have 
executed  a  chattel  mortgage  on  their 
stock  and  fixtures  for  $1,265.02  to' Ward 
L.  Andrus  as  trustee  for  their  creditors.
Cadillac—Leslie  &  Company  have 
leased  the  new  Turner  building  and will 
remove  their  North  Mitchell  street stock 
to the  new  location.  The  new  stock  will 
consist  of  groceries,  dry  goods  and 
men’s  furnishing  goods.

Calumet— The  new  three-story  Kins­
man  block  is  nearing  completion.  The 
first  floor  will  be  occupied  by  the  gen­
eral  stock  of  Harry  Lean. 
It  is  under­
stood  that  the  second  and  third  floors 
will  be  used  for hotel  purposes.

.Coldwater— The grocery  firms of Eligh 
&  Smith  and  Sherwood  &  Co.  have 
been  consolidated  under  the  style  of 
Sherwood,  Smith  &  Co.  The.members 
composing  the  firm  are  Sol.  Sherwood, 
Starr  Corless,  J.  M.  Smith  and  R.  V. 
Eligh.

Manufacturing  flatters.

Dexter— The  Dexter Creamery Co.  has 
begun  operations  under  the management 
of  Chas.  D.  Coffin.

Nashville— Frank  Mallet,  of  Grand 
Rapids,  and  C.  W.  Rossman have leased 
the  Kellogg  planing  and  woodworking 
mill  plant.

Corinne— A.  B.  McArthur  has  pur­
chased  the  cedar  business  of  S  Logan 
at  Carruther's  Spur,  and  will  push  the 
business  on  a  larger  scale  than before.

Benton  Harbor— N.  J.  Eldred,  who 
recently  converted  his  greenhouse 
into 
a  canning  factory,  has  begun  to  put  up 
tomatoes  and  peaches,  in  company  with 
W.  Seely.

Menominee-----The  DeWitt  Brown
Cedar  Co. 
is  making  preparations  to 
ship  the  2,000  pieces  of  piling  to  be 
used 
in  the  Government  work  on  the 
Sturgeon  Bav  Canal,  at  Sturgeon  Bay, 
Wis.

Bellevue—The  copartnership  existing 
between  Jas.  T.  Batty  and  Arthur  Good­
man,  under  the  style  of  the  Bellevue 
creamery,  has  been  dissolved.  Mr. 
Goodman  will  continue  the  business 
alone.

Marion—The  Alfred  planing  mill  has 
again  changed  ownership.  Last  week 
it  reverted  to  its  original  owner,  Fred 
Alfred,  who  has 
just  disposed  of  the 
propretv  to  Will  Dickerson  and  John 
Lonsberry,  of  Bannister.

Sault  Ste.  Marie— Martin  Kelley  and 
Joseph  A.  Meyer,  of  Muskegon,  have 
purchased  a  shingle  mill  and  stock  of 
logs  at  this  place  and  are  about  begin­
ning  operations.  The mill will daily turn 
out  100,000  shingles.  Logs  enough  to 
stock  the  mill  for  seven  months  have 
been  purchased.  They mostly  are  on  the 
Canada  side,  and  are all  cedar.  Until 
lately  Mr.  Kelley  was  Vice-President  of 
the  McGraft  Lumber  Co  ,  of  Muskegon. 
Mr.  Meyer  for  fourteen  years  was  fore­
man  of  the  McGraft  mill. 

.
Six  Out  o f  Eleven.

Ann  Arbor,  Sept.  6—The  Michigan 
Board  of  Pharmacy  held  a  meeting  at 
Hotel  Superior,  Marquette,  Aug.  30 and 
31.  Eleven  candidates  appeared  for 
examination,  nine  for  registered  phar­
macist  and  two  for  assistant.  Four  ap­
plicants  for  registered  pharmacist  and 
two  for  assistant  passed,  as 
follows: 
Registered— A.  G.  Bailey,  Sault  Ste. 
Marie;  F.  C.  Cahow,  Big  Rapids;  J. 
A.  Nynes,  Big  Rapids;  A.  H.  Sher­
man,  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  Assistants—T. 
J.  Furlong,  Big  Rapids;  Fred  Sauer, 
Calumet.

All  members  of  the  Board  were  pres­

ent  at  the  meeting.

The  next  meeting  of  the  Board  will 

be  held  at  Lansing  Nov.  1  and  2.

A.  C.  Schumacher,  Sec’y.

The  Grocery  Market.

Business  is  in  excellent  shape,  all  the 
local  houses  being  rushed  with  orders 
and  no  fault  being  found  with  collec­
tions.  The  only  disturbing  element  is 
the  fruit  blockade  on  the  railroads, 
which  prevents  goods  reaching  their 
destination  as  promptly  as  the  shippers 
would 
them.  Retailers 
would  do  well  to  anticipate  their  wants, 
so  far as  possible,  for  the  next  three  or 
four  weeks

like  to  have 

Sugar—The  market  is  very  strong  and 
the  refiners  are  oversold  on some grades. 
Jobbers  report  the  heaviest  demand  of 
any period  for  a  year.  Advances  are  of 
almost  daily  occurence  and  a  higher 
range  of  values  is  evidently  at  band.

Tea—Cables  from  Japan  indicate  that 
the  growers  there  are  turning  down 
many  American  orders.  The  movement 
of  teas  this  year  will  probably  be  light. 
Some  talk  is  heard  of  the  Government 
taking  the  duty  off  tea,  as  the  war  is 
now  over  and 
it  is  said  the  revenue  is 
not  needed.  When  the  war  taxes  shall 
be  reduced  or  recalled,  doubtless  tea 
will  be  one  of  the  first  items  to  be  re­
lieved  of  duty.

Coffee— There  is  some  encouragement 
for a  firm  market  in  coffee  in the lighter 
receipts  of  Brazil  coffees,  but  although 
the  crop  of  the  present  year  appears  to 
be  less  than  that  of  last  year,  it might 
be  considerably  less  and  still  be  larger 
than  the  market  would  need.  There  is 
no  warrant  against  another  coffee  roast­
ers'  war  the  coming  crop  year,  and,  in 
fact,  that 
is  a  thing  that  is  extremely 
possible  in  connection  with  an  expected 
sugar  war,  as  the  greatest  coffee  roast 
ing  house  is  now  possessed  of  a  sugar 
refinery  and  the  Sugar Trust is possessed 
of  a  coffee  roasting  house  of  large  di­
mensions.

Canned  Goods—The  market  for  toma­
toes 
is  unquestionably  a  shade  lower 
than  it  was  the  week  before,  and  if  the 
present  hot  weather  continues  prices 
will  likely  go  even  lower.  Opinions  as 
to  the  probability  of  lower  prices  seem 
about  evenly  divided.  Corn 
is  very 
dull  at  unchanged  prices,  and  so  are 
peas.  Peaches  are 
in  small  demand. 
Some  Eastern  packers  have  named 
prices  which  show  from 25@3oc advance 
over  last  year’s,  but  the  announcement 
is  not  general.  There  is  very  little  de­
mand  for  peaches  at  present,  buyers  be­
ing  inclined  to  wait  for  lower  prices.

Dried  Fruits— Some  new  apricots 
and  nectarines  are  on 
the  market. 
These  are  the  only  items  of  new  West­
ern  fruits  in  the  market  yet.  Evapo­
rated  apples  are on  sale,  but  the  market 
is  too  high,  and  there 
is  too  much  of 
other  fruit  at  band  to  permit’of  a  large 
movement  of  this  fruit.  Reports  from 
the  coast  still  place  the  coming  crop  of 
California  prunes  at  about  60,000,000 
to  75,000,000  pounds,  as  against  ioo,- 
000,000  pounds  last  year.  The  sizes  will 
run  to  medium  and  small.  The  crop  of 
Oregon  and  Washington  prunes  will  be 
good,  but  these  have  not  yet gained  the 
popular  place  that  has  been  gained  by 
the  California  fruit.  The  raisin  situa­
tion  seems  to  be  about  as  last  reported. 
The  association  of  growers  is  not  yet 
complete,  but  near  enough  that  the 
promoters  seem  confident  of success  this 
season.  Their  great  concern  will  be  to 
take  care of  the  second  crop  of  raisins, 
a  factor  of  weakness  every  year  in  the 
market. 
largest  raisin  seeding 
plant  on  the  coast was recently destroyed 
by  fire,  together  with  about  seventy  car­
loads  of  raisins,  but  this  has  had  no 
effect  on  the  market,  except  that  it  will 
be difficult  to get  seeded  raisins for  the

The 

into  operation. 

first  part  of  the  new  crop  season. 
It 
takes  considerable  time  to  get  such  a 
plant 
The  crop  of 
Smyrna  figs  for  the  coming  year  is  re­
ported  to be about  half  that  of  last  sea­
son.

Cheese— State  makers  have  reduced 
their  quotations  >£@ic, 
in  order  to 
equalize  the  difference  between  their 
quotations  and  those  of  New  York  fac- 
torymen.

Fish—The  New  England  mackerel 
catch 
is  no  less  a  failure  than  it  has 
been  all  along  and  there  is  no  spot stock 
to  speak  of.  Higher  prices are  not  un­
likely,  although  available  stocks  are  so 
light  that  the  market may be maintained 
on  the  present  basis.  New  Irish  mack­
erel  will  come  forward  about  the  mid­
dle  of  September,  but the prospects  from 
that  quarter are  not  encouraging.

Syrups  and  Molasses— Notwithstand­
ing  the  very  hot  weather  of  the  past 
week,  there  has  been  a  fair  trade  in 
syrups  and  molasses,  much  better,  in­
deed,  than  could  be  expected.  Mixed 
syrup  is  selling  along  in  a  quiet  way  at 
unchanged  prices,  no  fluctuation  being 
likely  as  long  as  straight  sugar  syrup 
continues  so  high.  Molasses  is  selling 
along  fairly  well  at  unchanged  prices.

Provisions—The  lard  market  is  un­
changed  and  the  demand  is  increasing* 
Prices  are  pretty  firm,  although  local 
jobbers  have  not  advanced  their  quota­
tions  as  yet.  The  opening  of  the  oyster 
season  will  increase  the  consumption  of 
lard  very  much.

Baskets— There 

is  a  genuine  famine 
in  the  basket  market,  due  to  the  unex­
pectedly 
large  demand  growing  out  of 
the  enormous  fruit  crop,  bushels  having 
advanced 
from  75@8oc  to  $i@i. io. 
Jobbers are  unable  to fill  one-quarter  of 
their orders,  although  all  manufacturers 
who  have  stock  are  running  overtime 
and,  in  some  cases,  double  time.

Personnel  o f the  Tradesman’s  Force.
For  the  sake  of  having  a  record  of  all 
who  are  actively  connected  with  the 
paper  on  this  anniversary,  a  census of 
the office has  been  taken,  with  the  fol­
lowing  results:

Editor and  Manager— E.  A.  Stowe.
Proof  Reader— H  E.  Stowe.
Stenographer—Franc  Smith.
Book-keeper— Lizzie  E.  Rowley.
Advertising  Department—E.W.  Lang­

ley,  Lake  H.  Smith.

Engraving  Department—W.  N.  Ful­
ler,  superintendent;  Cora  J.  Cady,  Emil 
Wetzel,  Geo.  M.  Hurst,  Philip  Peter­
sen,  Edna  S.  Wood,  Wm.  Eardley.

Composing  Room—Adrian Nagelkirk, 
superintendent;  Roy  Randall, 
Josie 
Mosher,  Henry  Jones,  Paul  Noacre,  Ed­
ward  A.  Bouma,  Martin  Tietema,  John 
Nicholson,  Charlie  Rouse.

Press  Room— Henry  Patterson,  super­
intendent ;  John  DeBoer,  Arthur  Kib- 
ben,  John  Coade,  John Zuiderhoek,  Case 
Mervin.

Bindery—M.  Kibben,  superintendent; 
Dee  Mills,  Lillie  Feltzer,  Minnie  Burg, 
Ray  Plank.

Bismarck  was  one  day  in  a  company 
where  among  other  things  the  subject  of 
bow  much  it  cost  to  gain  experience 
in 
life  cropped  up.  He  kept  silent  for  a 
in  the  con­
time,  but  presently  joined 
versation  and  said: 
“ Fools  pretend 
that  you  can  only  gain  experience  at 
your  own  expense,  but  I  have  always 
managed 
learn  at  the  expense  of 
others.' ’

to 

_________ ,

 

__________

Always  take  the  G.  T.  R.  when  you 
S.  S.  S.—scenery,  safety  and 

can. 
speed.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

5

Grand  Rapids  Qossip
Death  of  a  Veteran  Canal  Street 

bunch.

Cauliflower—Si.25  per  doz  and  very 

scarce  on  account  of  the  drought.

Celery---- White  Plume, 

I2j£c  per

Grocer.

Alois  Rascb,  the  Canal  street  grocer, 
died  Monday  as  the  result  of  an  opera­
tion  for  cancer  of  the  scomach.  The 
funeral  will  be  held  at  the  family  resi­
dence  on  Scribner  street Thursday after­
noon  at  2  o'clock

in  all  the 

Mr.  Rasch  was  born  in  1840  in  the 
Province  of  Silesia,  in  the  then  King­
dom  of  Prussia,  but  which  has  since  be­
come  a  part  of  the  great  German  Em­
pire.  During  the  fourteen  years  follow­
ing  his  birth  he  lived  the  life  of  the  av­
erage  German  boy,  getting  what  school­
ing  the  limited  facilities  of  the  day  and 
place  afforded. 
In  1854  he  came  to  this 
country,  and  for  seven  years  resided  in 
Macomb  county,  in  this  State.  On  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war,  he  enlisted  in 
the 2nd  Michigan  Cavalry,  and was  with 
that  famous  regiment 
im­
portant  battles  in  which  it  was engaged. 
It  was  while  colonel  of  the  "Fighting 
Second"  that  General  Sheridan  earned 
much  of  the  reputation  that  made  him 
famous  and  afterwards  gave  him  the 
rank  of  Major-General.  Mr.  Rasch J 
served  from  1861  to  1865  with  this  regi­
ment,  receiving  two  promotions,  and 
was  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the
war.  He  then  came  to  Grand  Rapids, 
and,  after  a  rest  of  several  months,  en­
gaged  as  clerk  with  his  brother,  J.  F. 
Rasch,  who  was  then 
in  the  grocery 
business.  Six  years  later,  in  1872,  he 
was  taken  in  as  a  partner and  for  eight 
years  the  business  was  conducted  by 
Rasch  Brothers.  The  death  of  J.  F. 
Rasch, Jn  February,  1880,  dissolved  the 
partnership,  and  from  that  time  until 
the  present  the business  has been  owned 
and  controlled  by  A.  Rasch. 

%

Mr.  Rasch’s  first  visit  to  Grand  Rap­
ids  was  made  in  1861,  when  he  came  as 
a  recruit  to  the  2nd  Cavalry,  which  was 
organized  here.  That  visit,  brief  as  it
was,  determined  his  choice  of  this  citv 
as  a  place  of  residence  when  the  close 
of  the  war  left  him  at  liberty  to  settle 
down. 
is  needless  to  say  that  he 
never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  choice. 
Grand  Rapids  was  to him,  what  it  is  to 
thousands  of  others,  the best  city  in  the 
best  State  in  the  Union.

It 

Mr.  Rasch  was  essentially  a  plodder, 
his  success  being  due  wholly  to  untir­
ing 
industry  and  systematic  economy. 
He  was  an  American  citizen  in  every 
sense  of  the  word,  believing  in America 
first,  last  and  all  the  time.  Five  years 
of  his  young  manhood  was  devoted  to 
battling  for  her  existence  as  a  nation, 
and,  although  the  lapse  of  years  some­
what  subdued  his  ardor,  be  was  ever 
ready  to  protect  her  rights  and  preserve 
her  autonomy.

Mr.  Rasch  was  married  in  1870  and 
had  a  family  of  seven  children,five  boys 
and  two  girls.  He was  an  honored  mem­
ber  of  the  German  Workingmen’s  Aid 
Association  and  the  Retail  Grocers'  As­
sociation,  and  enjoyed  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  all  who  had  his  ac­
quaintance.

The  Produce  Market.

Apples—Pippins,  Culverts,  Wines  and 
Maiden  Blushes  fetch  $1.50® 1.75  per 
bbl.,  while  cooking  varieties  command

Beets—25c  per  bu.
Butter— Dairy  is  very  scarce,  strictly 
fancy  easily  commanding  17c,  while fair 
stock  readily  fetches  15c. 
Separator 
creamery  is  strongly  held  at  iq @20C.

Cabbage—$4  per  100 heads  for  home 

grown.

Carrots— 25c  per  bu.

Cocoanuts—4@5c.
Corn—Green,  10c  per  doz.  ears.
Cucumbers—50c  per  bu.
Eggs— Dealers  pay  10c  for  case  count 
and  lie   for  fresh,  holding  candled  and 
fresh  at  12c.  The  receipts  of  fresh  eggs 
are  not  equal  to  the  consumptive  de 
mand  of  the  market.

Grapes —Wordens  are  now  the  leading 
variety,  commanding  8@ioc  for  5  lb. 
baskets  and 
io@i2C  for  8  lb.  baskets 
and  6o@75c  per  bu.  The  crop  is  large 
in  size  and  fine  in  quality  and 
is  being 
marketed  in  excellent  condition.

Green  Onions— 10c  per  doz.
Honey— Fine  new  comb  commands  12 

©13c.
Lemons —The  market  has  eased  up  a 
trifle 
in  the  East  and  a  corresponding 
reduction has taken  place  here  on  fancy. 
Demand  is  active.

Muskmelons—Musk,  Cantaloups  and 
Osage  are  in  ample  supply  and  demand 
at  5o@75c  per  bu.

Onions— Home  grown  command  40c 

per  bu.  for  yellow  or  red.

Oranges—Values show no change.  The 

movement  is  steady.
Peaches— Receipts have been ahead  of 
anything  ever  before experienced  at  this 
or  any  other  market,  the  hot  weather  of 
last  week  having  ripened  the  fruit  so 
fast  that  growers  and  dealers  found  it 
next  to  impossible  to  market the fruit  as 
fast  as  the  condition  of  the  fruit  de­
manded. 
Early  Crawfords  command 
75c@$i;  Wagars  and  Barnards,  50@7cc 
and  Chilis,  4o@8oC.  The  cooler  weather 
this week will  tend  to  delay  the ripening 
process  and  prolong  the  season very  ma­
terially.

Pears— Barletts  are  in  ample  supply 
at  75c@$i.  Duchess  and  Keefers  fetch 
40@6o c.

Plums—Green  Gages,  Blue  Damsons 
and  German  Prime  command  75c. 
Other  varieties  fetch  4o@5oc.

Pop  Corn— 50c  per  bu.
Potatoes— Home  grown  stock 

ample  supply  at  4o@45c

Sweet Potatoes—Genuine  Jerseys  com­

is 

in 

mand  $3.75  per  bbl.

Tomatoes— Home  grown 

command 
40c,  with  offerings  fully  equal  to  the  de­
mand.

Watermelons— 15c  for  Indiana  Sweet­

hearts.

Jas.  A.  Morrison,  formerly  with  the 
Olney  &  Judson  Grocer  Co.,  but  now  a 
director  and  officer  in  the  Staields-Mor- 
ley  Grocer  Co.,  at  Colorado  Springs, 
Colo.,  is  expected  to  reach  Grand  Rap­
ids  this  week  on  his  annual  visit  to  his 
former  friends  and  associates.

Arthur  Manley  has  sold  his  grocery 
stock  at  the  corner  of  Hall  and  South 
Lafayette  streets  to  Fred  H.  Hosford, 
who  will  continue  the  business  at  the 
same  location.

Frank  S.  Armstrong  and  Allen  B. 
Leet  have  retired  from  the  Armstrnng- 
Wolcott  Regalia  Co.,  which  will  be 
managed  solely  by  John  A.  Wolcott 
hereafter.

Wellington  Lawton  has  sold  his  gro­
cery  stock  at  95  Broadway  to  Mrs.  Mary 
A.  Willard,  who  will  continue  the  busi­
ness  at  the  same  location.

----------♦

  •   ♦ ----------

Wm.  Logie 

is  spending  a  couple  of 
weeks 
in  and  around  Boston,  making 
selections  of  spring  goods  for  Rindge- 
Kalmbach-Logie  &  Co.

A.  Davis  has  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  at  East  Jordan.  The  Mussel- 
man  Grocer  Co.  furnished  the  stock.

Geo.  Towers  has  purchased  the  gro­
cery  stock  of  Edward  C.  Judd  at  73 
Fourth  street.

Gillies  New  York  Teas  at  old  prices 
while  they  hold  out.  Phone  Visner,  800.

The  Morning  Market.

The  market business  during  the 

lat­
ter  part  of  last  week  came  nearly  up  to 
the  unprecedented  rush  of  Tuesday 
morning,  although 
it  was  not  quite 
equaled.  The  fear  that  the  heavy  offer­
ings  would  lead  to  a  demoralization  of 
prices  has,  so  far,  proved  groundless. 
That  there  should  be  some  decline  was 
to  be  expected,  but  the  figures  have 
been  kept  up  to  what  will  give  reason­
ably  profitable  returns  to  the  grower and 
make  it  worth  while  for  the  attention  of 
the  buyers  and  shippers.  The  excellent 
shipping  service  given  by  the  railroads, 
opening  up  new  and  more  distant  mar­
kets,  is  the  great  factor  in  preventing 
the  demoralizing  congestion  of  former 
years.  There  is  no  reason  why  the  con­
tinuance  of  this  development  may  not 
be  expected  to  meet  any 
increase  in 
fruit  production,  for  the  territory  to  be 
supplied  from  this  market  is  practically 
unlimited.  The  shipments  from 
lake 
ports  to  Chicago  and  other  lake  cities 
supply  only  a  local  demand  and 
leave 
the  great  extent  of  the  country,  which 
can  only  be  reached  by  fast  rail service, 
tributary  to  this  market.  The  other  lo­
calities  which  can  attempt  competition 
in  peach  production  are  far  away  or 
their  product 
large 
cities  in  their  vicinity,  so  that  there 
is 
no  question  but  that  the  development  of 
all  of  Michigan's  peach  capacity  may 
find  a  market  as  long  as  the  supply  is 
furnished  with  reasonable  regularity.

is  consumed  by 

it 

The  other  fruits  are  subject  to  much 
wider  competition,  so  that 
is  not 
strange  that  prices  should  be unreliable. 
in  this  regard  are 
The  most  favored 
Michigan  apples,  whose  prestige 
is 
based  on  both  quality  and  abundance. 
These  have  much  more  general  compe­
tition  than  peaches,  but  prices  have 
been  well  maintained  for  good  shipping 
qualities.  Pears  and  plums,  while  pos­
sessing  a  prestige  on  account  of quality, 
are  not  as  independent  as  the  others.

Grape  offerings  are  becoming  abun­
dant  and  the  most  careful  growers  and 
shippers  have  no  trouble 
in  realizing 
good  prices.  Some  of  the  largest  grow­
ers  express  themselves  very  confident  as 
to  demand  and  returns  for  strictly  fancy 
product,  not only  for  the  early  offerings 
but  for  the  season.

Flour  and  Feed.

At  the  very  opening  of  what  promises 
now  to  be  an  active  fall  trade  in  all 
lines,  it  may  be  well  to  consider  the 
conditions  which  are  likely  to  have  a 
potent 
influence  in  affecting  values  of 
flour  and  feed  stuffs.

To  begin  with,  visible 

stocks  of 
wheat and  flour  are  abnormally low.  Old 
wheat  stocks  are  practically  exhausted 
and  market  conditions  have  been  such 
during  the  past  four  months  that  buyers 
have  been  more  anxious  to  close  out  old 
flour  stocks  than  to  buy new.  As  a  con­
sequence,  therefore,  when  the  trade  be­
gins  to  have  confidence  that  prices  have 
reached  bottom,  there  will  be  active 
trading  all  along  the  line  to  replenish 
stocks  for  fall  and  winter  trade.  We 
have,  no  doubt,  harvested  a  large  crop 
of  wheat,  but  it  has  already  gone  rapid 
ly  into  consumption,  and  particularly  at 
interior  points  where  the  mills  were 
bare  of  old  wheat.  Since  the  price  de­
clined  below  70c,  farmers  have  been 
very  slow  sellers  and  will  not  sell  at 
prevailing  prices  unless obliged  to.  On 
the  other  hand,  storage  elevators  at 
country  points  and  central storage points 
are  practically  bare  of  wheat  and  will 
very  soon  be  strong  bidders  for  large 
quantities  for  storage  purposes.  The

price  of  wheat  is  already  so  low  as  to 
leave  the  farmers  no  margin  of  profit  in 
the  winter  wheat  belt  and  many  claim 
it  is  below  the  cost  of  production.  The 
indications,  therefore,  seem  to  point  to 
the  present  range  of  values  as  being 
too  low  to  prevail  for  any  great  length 
of  time.  Moderate  purchases  made  now 
for  fall  and  winter  trade  would,  no 
doubt,  prove  to  be  a  safe  and  profitable 
investment.

Feed  and  mill  stuffs  are  in  good  de­
mand  and  at  much  better  prices  than 
were  current  one  year  ago.

The  corn  and  oat  crops  of  the  country 
have  been  very  disappointing  in  many 
sections,  and  for  the  most  part  on  ac­
count  of  prolonged  drouths  and,  without 
doubt,  we  may  confidently  expect  a 
strong  and  high  range  of  values  during 
the  fall  and  winter  on  feed,  meal  and 
mill  stuffs. 

Wm.  N.  Rowe.

Grand  Rapids  Retail  Grocers’  Asso­

ciation.

The  regular  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Rapids  Retail  Grocers’  Association  was 
held  at  the  Tradesman  office  Tuesday 
evening,  -lept.  6,  President  Dyk  pre 
siding.

On  account  of  the  death  of  A.  Rasch, 
who  had  been  a  member  of  the  Associa­
tion  since  its  organization,  it  was  de­
cided  to  postpone  the  regular  order  of 
business,  including  the  election  of  offi­
cers,  until  the  next  meeting.

J.  Geo  Lehman  presented  the  follow­
ing  resolutions,  expressing  the  sense  of 
the  Association  over  the  loss  sustained 
by  the  death,  which  were  unanimously 
adopted :

Whereas—The  hand  of  death  has  re­
moved  from  our  midst  our  honored  fel­
low-member,  Mr.  Alois  Rasch ;  and

Whereas—The  duty  which  attaches  to 
like  the  present,  of  paying  a 
occasions 
proper  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory 
of  a  deceased  friend,  is  rendered  espe­
cially  appropriate  now  by  the  fact  that 
Mr.  Rasch  was  interested  in  the  welfare 
of this  Association from  its organization, 
and  because  of  the  admirable  traits  of 
character  that  made,  in  many  ways,  his 
long  and  well  spent  life  an  example; 
therefore  be  it

Resolved—As  an  expression  of  the 
sense  of  the Retail Grocers’ Association, 
that,  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Rascb,  there 
has  passed  away  one  who  acted  well  his 
part  in  every  relation  of  life—one  who 
was  useful  as  a  citizen,  fearless  as  a 
soldier,  upright  as  a  merchant,  sincere 
as  a  friend,  loyal  as  a  husband  and  de­
voted  as  a  father

Resolved—That  we  tender  our  sym­
family  of  our  departed 
in  the  loss  that  they  have  sus­

pathy  to  the 
friend 
tained.

Fred  W.  Fuller  moved  that  the  mem­
bers  of  the  Association  attend the funer­
al  in  a  body.  The  motion  was  adopted 
and  all  who  can  do  so  are  requested  to 
meet  at  the  store  of  J.  Geo.  Lehman  at 
1 ¡30  p.  m
Treasurer  Lehman  presented  a  final 
report,  showing  the  status  of  the  treas­
ury  as  the  result  of  the  annual  picnic, 
which  was  adopted.

The  meeting  then  adjourned.

Mexican  Orangés  Coming  Forward.
The  oranges  now  coming from Mexico 
are  the  summer  crop,  and  not  over 
twentv-five  cars  of  these  will  come  to 
the  United  States,  because  of  a  home 
demand which  has  sprung  up  in  some of 
the  Mexican  cities.  The crop  of  winter 
oranges,  which  will  begin 
to  move 
about  October  1,  will  consist  of  about 
400 cars  for  American  cities. 
It is  bard 
to  get  at  exactly  what  the  crop  will  be, 
as  last  year  not  over  one-quarter  of  the 
crop  came  to  the  United  States,  and  ow 
ing  to  the  aforesaid 
local  demand  not 
more  than  one-fiftb  will  come  tfris  year. 
It  is  estimated,  however,  that  about  400 
cars  will  come  into  the  United  States.

There 

is  but  one  spectacle  sadder 
is  a 

that 

than  a  neglected  wife,  and 
neglected  husband.

0

THE  RETAIL  GROCER.

Some  Innovations Which  Fifteen Years 

Have  'Brought.

To  look  at  the  progress  of  the  grocery 
trade  one has  the  growth  of  one  of  the 
foremost  industries  of  this  the  greatest 
country  on  earth  to  consider.  Statistics 
tell  us  of  its  magnitude.  To  live  in  this 
age  one  must  progress,  or,  if  not,  we 
are  not  living  in  this  age  that  is  being 
propelled  by electricity and steam.  They 
are  here  and  we  must  be  here  with them 
or  we  are  not  " in   it.”

it. 

Fifteen  years  ago,  at  the  borning  of 
the  Michigan  Tradesman,  the  telephone 
was  in  its  infancy  and  small  was  the 
business  done  with 
It  has  grown, 
even  as  your  paper  has grown,  until,  to­
day,  each  station  is  a  hub  diverging  to 
all  points  of  the  world. 
Is this  progres­
sion?  Are  we  in  this  race?  Yes,  why 
not?  We  can  now  do  the  business  from 
our  respective  offices  in  a  few  minutes 
that  it  used  to  take  hours to  transact; 
and 
if  we  are  compelled  to  be  at  any 
given  point,  we  have the  bicycle,  which 
is  here  as  another  implement  of  pro­
gression.  Most  surely  these  are  great 
advantages  to  the  grocery  trade.  When 
we  look  back  over  the  last decade  and  a 
half  we  can  but  wonder at  the  progress 
made,  and  feel  with  much  pride that 
we  are  identified  with  this  vast  business 
whose  progress  it  is  a  pleasure to  re­
hearse.

My  first  knowledge  of  the  grocery 
trade  was  when  I  was  a  farm  boy  of 
good-sized  proportions  and  visited  tbe 
country  stores and  gazed  on  the  stocks 
composed  of  groceries,  dry  goods,  boots 
and  shoes,  etc.,  which  made  me  envious 
of  their  proprietor,  thinking  what  a 
pleasant  life  it  must  be,  compared  with 
that  of  the  grub-hook  and  boe.  Little 
did  I  imagine  I  would  ever be identified 
with  any  part  of  this wonderful  business 
world.  Figuratively,  these  were  de­
partment  stores,  which  kept  everything 
like  unto  the  literal  department  stores 
of  to-day.  But  the  early  store  w<s 
legitimate  in  its  way,  not  content  with 
fire  stocks  and  the  cheapest  goods  ob­
tainable,  but  laying  the  foundations  of 
progress  on  stable  principles  and  good 
goods.

To  draw  near  to  the  progress  of  the 
in  Grand  Rapids,  we 
grocery  trade 
might  say  that  it 
is  not  known  to  all 
that  twenty-five  years  ago  the  grocery 
business  was  done  wholly  on  Monroe, 
Canal  and  West  Bridge  streets.  To-day 
there  are  only  two  firms  doing  business 
which  were  in  trade at  that  time,  name­
ly,  A.  Rasch  and  P.  Kusterer.  There 
have  been  no  less  than  thirty  changes 
within  a  radius  of  one  mile  from  Cam- 
pau  Square  since  the  Tradesman  was 
established;  and 
there  are  as  many 
changes  in  tbe  way  of  doing  business 
and  new  ways  to  keep  up  with  the  pace 
of  progress.

My  first  and  greatest  desire  in  Grand 
Rapids  was  to  be  employed  by  the  then 
leading  store  of  Voorhis  &  Co.,  but  I 
was  thrown  aside because  I  was  too  old, 
according 
to  the  general  manager’s 
idea.

Let  us  look  at  the  growth  of  tbe  little 
shop  established  in  some  outlaying  dis­
trict.  Often  started,  stocked  and  pre­
sided  over  by  the  wife,  while  the  bus 
band  still  works  in  the  shop,  some  have 
outgrown  the  small  proportions  and  to­
day  the  owners  are  heavy  dealers,  tak­
ing  decided  stands  for  the  best  and  be­
ing  as  impregnable  against  the  shoddy 
as  it  is  possible to be.  There  is  progress 
in 
larger  stores  that  are 
mingled  with  the  heavy  trades  of  down­

this.  The 

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

town  in  our  large  cities  are  builded  up 
of  mammoth  proportions,  with  such  ele­
gance  that  descriptions  could  only  be 
drawn  by  the  writer  of  a  fairy  tale,  and 
stocked  until  their  very  sides bulge with 
every  good  thing  from  every  quarter  of 
the  globe.  The  retail  trade  has  grown 
to  such  proportions  that  the  producer’s 
and  the  retailer’s  interests  are  identi­
cal,  the producer courting  the  retailer as 
his  spouse.  These  facts  can  but  teach 
us  of  advancement  and  tbe 
importance 
of  the  retail  grocer,  who  need  not  fear 
inundation  form  the  department  or  cut- 
rate  store  if  he  be  established  with  the 
idea  of  progress.  To-day  there are  those 
in  the  retail  grocery  business  with 
im­
mense  capital,  doing  trades  of  millions 
of  dollars  a  year,  which  is  conclusive 
evidence of  the  importance  of our trade, 
as  compared  with  the  advancement  of 
other  industries  of  the  country.

•Another  idea  of  progress  of  the  gro­
cery  trade  is  the  advent  of  the  lady 
clerk,  whom  we believe  has  much  to  do 
with  tbe  increase  of  this  line  of trade. 
She  raises  the  standard of the man clerk, 
brings  order  out of  confusion and  makes 
suggestions  and  sales  a  man  would  not. 
We  claim  tbe  originality  of  the  lady 
grocery  clerk  to  tbe fact  that the Trades­
man  took  up  the  subject  and  passed 
it 
along  to  the  American  Grocer,  which 
generously  commented  upon  such  an  in­
novation  when  our  first  lady  grocery 
clerk  was  introduced.

On  the  whole,  you  may readily  believe 
that  I  am  not  of  a  pessimistic  nature, 
but,  on  tbe  contrary,  press  forward  and 
accept the  good  things  awaiting  me  and 
throw  out  my  arms  to  accept  tbe  prog­
ress  of  the  grocery  trade.

Within  this  short  space  of time  the 
great  canned  goods  industry  has  been 
built  up  until  to-day  every  part  of  this

« - ^ j y j i c h i g a n

State  pair

AT  GRAND  RAPIDS 
SEPT.  26-30,  1898. oe

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Half Fare on  all  Railroads

Great Special Attractions 

Make  Entries  with  the  Secretary,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

Complete  Exhibition

H.  S.  FRALICK,  Secretary

WM.  BALL,  President

R.  Brice &  Co.
Produce
Commission
Merchants

Butter,  Eggs  and Poultry

23 South  Water St. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.

REFERENCES

Corn  Exchange National  Bank, Philadelphia, Pa.
W . D. Hayes, Cashier Hastings National Bank, Hastings,  Mich. 
Fourth National Bank,  Grand Rapids,  Mich.
D. C. Oakes, Banker, Coopersville, Mich.

“ I  GO  A-FISHING.”

This is the time of the year when houses and stores and workshops 
become distasteful, and  when the great world of Nature—of  field  and 
wood and sea and sky—beckons with its compelling  power. 
Indoors 
repels,  while  outdoors  allures;  and  few there be who fail to yield to 
the charm, at least for a  brief  period  While  a  fish  diet  is  highly 
agreeable  for  a  change,  no  doubt, yet there is a very large and con­
stantly  increasing  sale  for  high-grade  Butter,  Eggs  and  Poultry. 
Thus it is that we are compelled, in  order  to  supply  the  demand  of 
our customers, to  steadily  seek  for  new  consignments  of  tlje  latter 
articles of food from those  who  have  not  hitherto  shipped  us.  We 
very much desire  y o u r   consignments, and we offer  these  three  guar- 
an tees to you:  Highest  Market  Prices,  Full  Weights,  Prompt  Pay-. 
Is it not 

n 
«  ments.  Let  us add  you  to our list on this understanding.
4 

sufficient?  We think so.

W.  R.  BRICE  &  CO.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

7

JERSEY  CREAM

6 oz.

6  doz. in case

85c

9 oz.

4  doz. in case

$1.35

1 lb.

2 doz. in case 

$3.00

0 . A. TURNEY, Mfgr.,  DET,,0S k n

'ftfu M /etfO fl,

Young men and  women  admitted  any  week  in 
the  year.  Every graduate secures employment. 
Living expenses low.  Write for catalogue.

B. C.  BISSON,  Muskegon,  Mich.

S A V E S   T H E   W A S H . 
S A V E S   T H E   W A S H E R .

To Suit Your Taste

Stop fermentation  in cider 
at just  the  stage  where  it

time.  Contains no  Salicylic  Acid.  Affords  dealer  good  profit  selling  at 
25 cents.

J.  L.  CONGDON & CO.,  Pentwater,  Mich.

seen  the  light  of  day  was  the  Business 
Reporter,  which  was  started  in  1887  by 
the  late  W.  A.  Innes  and  E.  A.  Antis- 
del.  It  lived  two  months  and  its  demise 
was  hardly  noticed.

In  1884  A  S.  White  began  the  publi­
cation  of  the  Business  Reporter  at  East 
Saginaw,  with  a  view  to  dividirgthe 
patronage  accorded  the  Tradesman  in 
that  field. 
It  lived  nine  weeks  and  sus­
pended  without  notice  to  its  patrons.

Shortly  after  the  establishment  of  tbe 
Tradesman  Richard  Wilby,  a  merchan­
dise  broker,  began  the  publication  of 
the  Detroit  Commercial. 
It  waged  a 
bitter  warfare  against  the  Tradesman 
and  continually  sneered  at  tbe  preten­
sions  of  Grand  Rapids  as  a  jobbing 
market.  The  publication  subsequently 
passed 
into  the  hands  of  John  H. 
Brownell,  dying  a  peaceful  death  soon 
afterward.

syndicate. 

In  1886  Mr.  Brownell  established  tbe 
Detroit  Grocer  and  Butcher,  a  name 
afterwards  exchanged  for  that  of  Herald 
of  Commerce,  when 
the  publication 
passed 
into  the  hands  of  L.  S.  Rogers, 
under  whose  management  it  had  a  pre­
carious  existence  for  four  or  five  years, 
when  it  was  purchased  by  the  Evening 
News  Association  and  consolidated  with 
the  Evening  News  Weekly,  which  had 
established  by  the 
been  previously 
Scripps  newspaper 
The 
Evening  News  Association  put  great 
energy  into tbe  business  department  of 
the  publication  and  gave  it  tbe  benefit 
of 
its  extensive  facilities,  but  it  failed 
to  achieve  success  because  it  bad  no  in­
dividuality,  being merely  a  reprint  from 
the two  daily  papers  owned  by  the  syn­
dicate.  After  sinking  several  thousand 
dollars  in  the  undertaking,  the  publica­
tion  was  offered  to  any  one  who  would 
take 
it  off  tbe  hands  of  tbe  syndicate 
and  it  finally—nine  months  ago— passed 
into  the  bands  of  Fred  H.  Cozzens,  who 
changed  the  name  to the  Detroit  Trade 
and  is  using  bis  best  endeavors to estab­
lish  a  lucrative business.

June  23,  1894,  L.  W,  Hardwicke  es­
tablished  the  Michigan  Merchant  at 
Saginaw,  with  the  avowed  object  of 
“ driving  the  Tradesman  out  of  the 
field.’ ’  Malicious  statements,  dishonest 
practices  and  underhanded  methods 
were  resorted  to  from the beginning— in­
cluding  the  bribery  of  an  employe  of 
the  Tradesman  to  reveal  certain 
inside 
information  supposed  to  be  of 
office 
value  to  the  new  aspirant  for  public  fa­
vor;  but  Mr  Hardwicke soon found that 
be  could  not  build  himself  up  by  tear­
ing  other  people  down  and  retired  from 
the  field,  leaving  behind  a  trail  of dead- 
beatism,  broken  promises  and  disap­
pointed  hopes.  Tbe paper was continued 
for  a  time  by  Willis  A.  Brooks  and 
others,  but  failed  to  win  the  approval of 
tbe  mercantile  fraternity  and expired.

About  the  time  the  Merchant  died  an­
other  feeble  attempt  was  made  to  estab­
lish  a  weekly  paper  at  Saginaw,  under 
the  name  of Journal of Commerce,  which 
expired  after  a  few  issues.

About  eight  months  ago  the  Store­
keeper  was  established  by  the  Store­
keeper  Publishing  Co.,  composed  of  a 
number  of  Saginaw  jobbers.  This  paper 
comes  the  nearest  to  the  Tradesman 
standard  of any  publication  ever  issued 
from  the  Saginaw  Valley  and  appears  to 
be  filling  its  field  in  an  acceptable  man­
ner.

vast country  is  giving  us  its  products  in 
tbe  tin  can  or  glass  jar  as  fine  as  it 
could  be  from  the  tree  or  vine  on  which 
it  grew.  The  Yarmouth  corn  was  tbe 
first  of  these  products  brought  to  our at­
tention,  and  there  were  then  sanguine 
believers  in  the  success of this now great 
industry.

The  questions  are  asked,  Is  the  retail 
grocer  to  become an  automaton  or  a  slot 
machine?  Will  the  grocery  business  re­
quire  fewer  and  fewer  men  of  ability 
and  force?  These  are questions  of  vital 
importance  to  us  as  retailers.

In  regard  to  package  stock,  there  are 
many  advantages  offered  in  commenda­
tion  of  tbe  goods  put  up  by  different 
compounders  or  producers. 
It  seems  to 
me  that  if  we  adopt  the  package plan  of 
doing  our  business  all  are  in  the  same 
boat—trying  to  row  a  small  craft  up  the 
rapid  stream  of  competition  with  the 
depaitment  store.  We  will  not  see  any 
Park  &  Tilford’s,  S.  S.  Pierce’s,  R.  &
G.  McMillan's,  C.  Jevne’s  goods  and 
scores  of  other  brands,  the  proprietors 
of  which  have  made  vast  amounts  of 
money  doing  a  retail  grocery  business 
when  package  stores  are  established  un­
iversally,  unless  they  are  producers  of 
their  own  goods  put  up  under  their  own 
names.  Men  of  ability  and  force  will 
not  be  content  to  fill  their  shelves  with 
package  goods  of whatever character, put 
up  by  irresponsible  producers,  having  a 
little  advertising,  enough  to  catch  the 
small  fly  with  the  department  store 
sting.

Let  us  look  to  the  laurels  we  have 
won,  depend  upon  individuality,  de­
pend  upon  our  own  progress,  which 
will  ensure  success  against 
the  vast 
competition  we  so  often  complain  of. 
Natural  gas,  like  electricity,  has  been  a 
hidden  force  for  ages.  Now  they  are 
harnessed  for  the  progress  of  us  all. 
Shall  we  content  ourselves  to  let  others 
use  these  and  other  engeries  while  we 
sit  by  and  have  them  produced  for  us 
in  a  diluted  condition,  with  half  the 
force  spent?  We  believe  that  much  of 
progress  has  been  achieved  in  the  life 
of  your  valuable  paper,  the  Michigan 
Tradesman,  and  with  such  assistance as 
it 
is  able  to  give  tbe  retail  grocer,  he 
surely  may  continue  tbe  progress  we  all 
hope  for  and  kill  tbe  dreaded  monster, 
competition.

We  hope,  Mr.  Michigan  Tradesman, 
that fifteen  years and  even  more  of  suc­
cess  may  be  yours;  that you may be a 
light  on  the hill to guide any wavering 
retail  grocers to progress  in  the  grocery 
business. 

E  J.  Herrick.

Predecessors  and  Competitors  o f  the 

Tradesman.

Various  attempts  bad  been  made  to 
establish  trade  journals  in Grand  Rapids 
prior  to  the  inauguration  of  the  Trades­
man.  J.  D.  Dillenbeck,  who was respon­
sible  for three  or  four  abortive  ventures 
in  the  newspaper  line,  undertook  to  es­
tablish  the  Grand  Rapids  Advertiser  in 
1869. 
It  was  a  likely  looking  quarto, 
and  enjoyed  a  fair  degree  of  patronage, 
but  lived  only  one  year. 
In  1878  Mr. 
Dillenback  and  a  gentleman  named 
Beagle  established  tbe  Grand  Rapids 
Price  Current.  It  was  published  weekly 
and  contained  market  reports  and  con­
siderable  news  of  a  commercial  charac­
ter,  but  the  publishers  were  hampered 
by  lack  of  capital  and  the  paper  sus­
pended  after  a  career  of  three  or  four 
months.

Since  the  Tradesman  was  established, 
several  unsuccessful  attempts  have been 
made to  create  a  competitor  in  the same 
field,  but  the  only  venture  which  has

8

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

Devoted to the Best Interests of Business Men

Published at the New Blodgett Building, 

Orand Rapids,  by the

TRADESM AN  COMPANY

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nam es and addresses, not n ecessarily for  pub­
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Michigan Tradesman.

E.  A.  STOWE,  Editor.

WEDNESDAY.  •  •  •  SEPTEMBER 7,1898.

FIFTEEN  YEARS  OLD.

issue  of 

With  the 

last  week 

the 
Tradesman  completed  its  fifteenth  year 
of  publication. 
issue, 
therefore,  marks  the  beginning  of  the 
sixteenth  year.

This  week’s 

In  contemplating  its  own  growth  and 
business  success,  the  Tradesman  is  not 
unmindful  of  the  fact  that  its  publica­
tion  in  the  midst  of a  particularly wide­
awake,  progressive  and  liberal  business 
community  has  made  possible 
its  pros­
perous  development  from  small  begin­
nings. 
In  other  words,  the  Tradesman 
simply  reflects  the  rapid  growth  of  its 
home  city  and  the  enterprise  and  ap­
preciative 
intelligence  of  Michigan 
business  men  generally.  From  the 
in­
ception  of  the  undertaking,  the  Trades­
man  was  never  a  purely  local  institu­
tion,  nor  did  it  depend  to  any  consider­
able  extent  upon 
its  home  patronage, 
preferring  to  draw  its  support  from  the 
merchants  of  Michigan  at  large,  thus 
becoming  a  State  institution.  There  is 
not  a  county  in  Michigan  which  it  does 
not  enter  regularly,  nor  a  town  of  any 
size  from  which 
it  does  not  receive 
business.

it 

The  Tradesman  has  always  enjoyed  a 
larger  paid  circulation  and  a  more  lu­
crative  advertising  patronage  than  all 
of 
its  immediate  competitors,  and  this 
advantage 
confidently  expects  to 
maintain  at  all  times  and  under  all  cir­
cumstances,  through  the  most  thorough 
occupation  of  its field and opportunities.
In  the  gradual  development  of  the 
business  from  humble  beginnings,  every 
facility 
for  publishing  a  thoroughly 
first  class,  up-to-date  trade  journal  that 
would  be  a  credit  to  Grand  Rapids  and 
Michigan  has  been  added  to  the  plant 
from  time  to  time  until  there  is  now  no 
more  complete  establishment  of  the 
kind 
in  the  country.  And,  while  the 
mechanical  appliances  have  carefully 
been  looked  after,  there  has  been  equal 
effort  made  to 
improve  the  scope  and 
character  of  its  contents  and  place  the 
editorial  policy 
in  sympathy  with  the 
best  elements  of  the  retail  trade.  Per­
sonal  journalism  has  never  found  coun­
in  the  columns of  this  paper,
tenance 

and 

nor have  special  classes or  cliques or in­
terests.  The  management  is  independ­
ent  of  “ entangling  alliances’ *  of  any 
description  and 
is  always  prepared  to 
defend  and  subserve  only  the  general 
interests  of  the  trade. 
It  is  never  pos­
sible to  please  everybody,  and  criticism 
may  be  expected,  but  the  Tradesman 
stops  not  in  doing  what  it  conceives  to 
be  right  and  proper  to  listen  to  either 
the  selfish,  the  envious  or  the  carping.
What  has  been  accomplished  under 
these  policies 
conditions  the 
Tradesman  believes  to  be  simply  an 
earnest  of greater things  to  come.  The 
lines  of  trade  and  manufactures  which 
are  presented  in  such  an  enviable  light 
in  the  columns  of  this  week’s 
issue 
must  continue  to  grow.  They  are  yet 
only 
infancy  of their  develop­
ment,  and,  as  their  grand  destiny  is 
gradually  unfolded,  all  business  enter­
prises  depending  upon  them  for  success 
may  confidently  be  expected  to  expand 
with  them.  The  stories  of  progress,  of 
natural  and  acquired  advantages,  of  op­
portunities  for  business  and  attractions 
for  the  capitalist  which  will  be  read 
in 
this  issue  of  the  Tradesman  will  go  into 
thousands  of  stores  and  offices where  the 
publication  is  not  a  regular  visitor and, 
while presenting an attractive panoramic 
view  of  the  situation  as 
it  actually 
exists,  will  at  the  same  time bring  sub­
stantial  results.

in  the 

largest  and  most 

The  Tradesman  gladly  avails  itself  of 
this  opportunity  to  thank 
its  patrons— 
both  subscription  and  advertising—for 
the  generous, manner  in  which  they have 
supported  the  publication ;  its  contribu­
tors  for  the  effective  way  in  which  they 
have  presented  their  best  thoughts;  its 
employes  for  the  loyal  service  they  have 
rendered  the  publication  at  all  times 
and  under  all  circumstances. 
It  espe­
cially  wishes  to  thank  those contributors 
who  have  undertaken  to  make  this 
is­
sue  the 
interesting 
ever  put  out  by  a  Michigan publication.
Despite  the  friction  with  Germany  in 
the  Philippines,  it  is  proDable  that  in 
any  decisive  lining  up  of  the  nations, 
Germany  would  be  found  siding  with 
England  and  the  United  States.  More 
than  any  other  continental  nation  her 
interests  are  industrial,  like  ours.  The 
commercial  ties  which  unite  her  to  the 
later  branches  of  the  Teutonic  race  are 
rapdily  growing  stronger,  and  will  more 
and  more  affect  the  political  attitude  of 
her  government.  The  very  large  and 
growing  German population  in America, 
too,  constitutes  a  bond  of  union  of  in­
creasing  strength,  so  that  war  between 
the  two  countries  would  have  many  ele­
ments  of  a  fratricidal  struggle.  German 
offisbness  in  the  war  just  ended  was  due 
chiefly  to  jealousy  regarding  the  future 
of  the  Philippines,  and  not,  as 
in 
France,  to  racial  and  political sympathy 
with  Spain.  Conflicting  interests  may 
often  divide  the  Teutonic  nations,  but 
their fundamental  tendency is  the  same, 
and  they  will  more  and  more  exercise  a 
united  stimulative 
the 
progress  of  civilization.

influence  on 

Men  do  well  when  they  do  the best 
they  can.  No  one  can  hope  to  reach  the 
absolute  purity of  baking  powders.

It 

is  inconsistent  for  women  to  hate 

wickedness and  like  wicked  men.

GENERAL  TRADE  SITUATION.
The  records  for  the  month  of  August 
show  a  volume  of  business  exceeding 
that  of  any  corresponding  month  in  the 
history  of  the  country.  The  excess  of 
bank  clearings  was  over  22  per  cent, 
above  that  of  any  previous  August.  The 
only  great  division  of  industry  which 
showed  less  in  cash  value  of  the  busi­
ness  transacted  was  the  railway  service, 
which  in  comparison  of  same  roads  was 
exceeded  by  over  7  per  cent,  in  July, 
1892.  This  difference  is  much more than 
accounted  for  by 
lower 
rates,  so  that  the  amounts  transported 
are  much  larger  now.

the  present 

The  reports  for the  current  week  con­
in 
tinue  the  general  record  of  increase 
everywhere,  price 
business  activity 
movements 
in  most  lines,  especially 
iron  products,  being  upward,  although 
there  is  a  natural  exception  in  wheat. 
The  basis  of  the  improvement  lies  in 
the  increased  capacity  for  consumption, 
on  account  of  the  favorable  agricultural 
outlook,  general  employment  of  wage 
earners  and  exceptionally  favorable  for­
eign  conditions.  That  the  balance  of 
trade  still  continues  heavily  in  our  fa­
vor 
is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  gold 
imports,  $5,250.000  for  last  week,  have 
been  again  resumed.  Another  signifi­
cant  feature  of  the  general  strength  of 
the  situation  is  found  in  the  fact  that 
business  failures  for the month of August 
were  smaller  than 
for  any  previous 
month  in  five  years.

The  closing  of  the August wheat trans­
actions brought  the basis  of price a little 
lower  than  had  been  quoted  for  Septem­
ber  deals.  The  decline  for  cash  was 
over 60  cents.  Other  grains  followed  in 
less  proportion,  corn  showing  a  decline 
of  1%  cents.  The  export  movement  of 
both  wheat  and  corn  has  been  much 
heavier  than  the  average  at  the  same 
season,  although  exceeded  by  the  un­
precedented  movement  of  last  year.

In  textiles  the  unfavorable  feature  as 
to  wool  manufactures  continues  to  be 
the  relatively  high  price  of  the  raw  ma­
terial  as  compared  with  the  prices  of 
products.  There  seems  to  have  been 
enough  of  those  who  are  provided  with 
large  stocks  of  old  purchases  to  make  it 
impossible  for  those  who  have  to  pay 
current  rates  to  compete.  Whether  the 
situation  can  be  helped  by combinations 
remains  to  be  seen.  Cotton  shows  a  con­
tinued  decline on  account  of  the  dispar­
ity  between  the  crop  and  the  probable 
consumption.  The  demand  for  cotton 
goods  shows  some  improvement  and  the 
price  of  print  cloths  has  had  a  slight 
advance.

The  favorable  conditions  in  the 

iron 
manufacture  continue almost without ex­
ception.  There 
is  a  stronger  tone  in 
prices,  and  demand  in  many  works  ex­
ceeds  the  capacity  for  a  long  time  to 
come.  Bessemer  pig  is  quoted  at $10  50 
and  grey  forge  at  $9-35  at  Pittsburg.

FRANCE’S  SENSATIONAL  CASE.
Will  the  Dreyfus  case eventually cause 
a  great  upheaval  in  France?  And  what 
is  it  behind  the  prosecution  of  this  for­
mer  captain  in  the  French  army  that 
has  made  the  government  so  sensitive 
and  so  relentless?  Why  such  persecu­
tion  instead  of  a  dignified  prosecution?
The  re-opening  of  the  sensation again 
causes  the  world  to ask  these  questions 
and  to  seek  a  more  satisfactory  answer 
than  that  Dreyfus  was  guilty  of  selling 
information  to  Germany  as  to  French 
fortifications.  Such  treachery  is  gen­
erally  punished  in  time of  peace by dis­
missing  the  culprit  from  the  army  and 
: imprisoning  him  for  two  or  three  years

in  some  fortress.  Dreyfus’  punishment 
was  so  severe  that  it  was  cruel.  The 
trial  was  secret  and  the  government  has 
hesitated  to  re-open  it.

What  is  back  of  all  this?  The  Em­
peror William  gave  his  word  that  no  se­
crets  were  purchased  by  Germany  from 
Dreyfus.  When  the  court  said  to  the 
contrary,  it  was  reported  that  the  Em­
peror  resented  the  implied  insult  and 
had  demanded  explanations.  Whether 
that  was  true  or  not,  the  matter blew 
over.  Now,  however,  it  looks  as 
if  we 
might  get  at  the  facts  presently,  or  see 
France  in  disorder,  if  not  revolution.  If 
the  facts  come  we  are  told  it  may  mean 
war between  France  and  Germany,  and 
this  statement  only  complicates the mys­
tery.

The  most  rational  and  plausible  ex­
planation  that  has  ever  been  given  is 
that,  in  the  exuberance  of  good  feeling 
following  the  understanding  or  alliance 
between  France  and  Russia,  high 
French  officers  in  confidence  gave  plans 
and  varied  information  to  Russia  which 
Russian  officers  afterward  communi­
cated  to  Germany.  When  it  was  ascer­
tained  that  Germany  bad  these  secrets 
the  war  office  in  France became alarmed 
and  sought  a  scapegoat. 
The  young 
Hebrew  captain  was  hit  upon  as  the 
victim  and  was  hounded  to  ruin  by  for­
geries  and  perjuries,  as  charged  over 
his  own  signature  by  Zola,  the  anti-Jew- 
ish  sentiment  being  aroused  to  enlist 
the  people  in  the  prosecution.

This  explanation  sustains  Emperor 
William’s  word  and  at  the  same  time 
accounts  for  the  government’s  dread  of 
making  public  the  conspiracv  against 
Dreyfus.  Exposure  would  tarnish  the 
honor  of  the  French  staff  and  of  the 
army  and  would  shock  the  French  pub­
lic  by  betraying  the  infidelity  of  the 
Russians.

The  way  to  meet  such  cases  is  to 
throw the  whole  matter  open  to the  pub­
lic  and  take  the  consequences.  A virile 
nation  would  do  that.  To  cover  up  one 
crime  by  committing  another  and  at­
tempt  systematically to  deceive  the  peo­
ple  is the  worst  policy  possible.

is  generally 

Frank  H.  Mason,  American  Consul 
General  at Frankfort-on-tbe  Main,writes 
a  strong  letter  urging  the  appointment 
of  expert  trade  commissions,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  look  for  foreign  mar­
kets.  He  says:  “ From  a  notoriously 
backward  position,  the  result  of 
long 
and 
implicit  reliance  upon  home  mar­
kets,  the  United  States  has  now  reached 
a  position  from  which  the  usefulness  of 
export  associations  and  bureaus  of 
in­
formation 
recognized. 
Meanwhile  some  of  the  leading  Euro­
pean  nations  have  advanced  one  im­
portant  step  further  in  the  science  of 
export  and  have  called  into  service  the 
expert  commission  organized 
for  a 
specific  enquiry  and  sent out under Gov­
ernment  authority  to  gather  precise 
technical  information  for  the  education 
of  manufacturers  and  merchants  in  spe­
cial  lines  of  production  and  trade.  The 
efforts  of  Germany  and  France  in  this 
direction  have  established  a new record, 
to  which  the  attention  of  American 
manufacturers  and  exporters  can  not  be 
too  soon  nor too  seriously  directed.”

Poor  old  Sagasta!  He  is  having 

lots 
of  trouble  in  finding  good  strong  Span­
iards  to  assist  him 
the 
“ American  pig”   loose.

in  turning 

The  American  Hawaii  should  have a 
name  that  is  not  quite  so  jawii  in  its 
pronunciation, 

y

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

9

BACKW OODS  DIPLOMACY.

In  view  of  the  fact  that  this  country 
is  about  to  engage  in  a  combat  of  di­
plomacy with the most  crafty and experi­
enced  statesmen  of  Spain,  it  is  fitting 
that  something  should  be  said  on  the 
importance  of  establishing  a  diplomatic 
service  in  which  men  of  experience and 
technical  training  should be  at  all  times 
available  to  conduct  our  peaceful  deal­
ings  with  other  nations.

When  a  conflict  of  arms 

is  to  be 
fought  with  some  other nation,  the  con­
duct  of  affairs  is  commonly  put  into  the 
hands  of  trained  and  tried  soldiers. 
Trained  and  tried  diplomats  are  just  as 
necessary  when  treaties  of  peace  are  to 
be  made  and  other  friendly  negotiations 
are  to  be  carried  on,  and  unless  able 
and  experienced  statesmen  are  given 
charge  of  such  negotiations, 
it  may 
easily  happen  that  much  of  the  advan­
tage  gained  in  war  may  be  lost  in  the 
process  of  making  peace.

A  shrewd  and  enterprising  diplomat 
will  often, secure  the  insertion  in treaties 
and  conventions of  clauses  which  were 
unnoticed,  or  at  least  considered  mere 
harmless  formalities,  at  the  time  they 
were 
inscribed  in  the  agreement,  but 
which  have  turned  up  many  times  to 
vex  the  nation  that  submitted to  them 
and  to  obstruct  its  progress.

A  pregnant  example  of  being  placed 
at  a  disadvantage  by  defective  diplo­
macy  is  seen  in  the Clayton  and  Bulwer 
treaty 
in  1850,  relative  to  a  proposed 
ship  canal  through  Nicaragua,  Costa 
Rica,  or  any  part  of  Central  America. 
The  first  article  of  that  treaty  declares 
that  neither 
the  United  States  nor 
Great  Britain  shall  ever obtain  or  exer­
cise  exclusive  control  of  any  such  ship 
canal.

To-day  Great  Britain  has  exclusive 
control  of  the  Suez  Canal  and  does  not 
need  a  canal  through  the Central Ameri­
can  isthmus;  but  the  United  States,  on 
the  contrary,  has  the very  greatest  need 
of  such  a  canal,  but  has  entered  into  a 
solemn  agreement  not  to  construct  or 
control  it.  This treaty  was  made  nearly 
half  a  century  ago,  when  but  little  was 
thought  about  piercing  the  narrow  pait 
of  the  Western  continent to make a high­
way  of  commerce,  and  an  American 
citizen  who  was  charged  with  the  duty 
of  making  a  treaty  on  the subject signed 
away  the  rights  of  the  United  States 
in 
the  premises,  and  his  shortsighted  di­
plomacy  was  ratified  by  the  Senate. 
This  is  the  reason  that  the  Nicaragua 
Canal  has  not  been  and  is  not  likely 
soon  to  become  a  reality  until  that  un­
fortunate  treaty  shall  be  abrogated.

As  a  general  thing,  when  the  United 
States  bad  any  diplomatic business  with

foreign  nations,  it  was  simple  enough 
and  could  be  settled 
in  a  straightfor­
ward  w ay;  but  there  have  been  excep­
tions,  one  of  which  the  Tradesman  has 
mentioned.  George  L.  Rives,  formerly 
in  the 
Assistant  Secretary  of  State, 
August  Forum  mentions  another, 
in 
which  trouble  with  France  grew out  of  a 
treaty  negotiated  by  John  Jay  with 
Great  Britain,  in  1794.  Ordinary  back- 
woods  diplomacy  is  a risky dependence, 
and  even  the  ablest  statesmen  who  are 
lacking  in  diplomatic  training are liable 
to  get  into  trouble  when  opposed  to  the 
foresight  and  acumen  of  the  trained 
diplomatists  of  the  Old  World.

international 

The  Secretary  of  State  is  constantly 
brought  in  contact  and  relations  of busi­
ness  with  the  ablest  politicians  of 
Europe.  He  ought  to  be  a  man  not 
only  of  exceptional  acquaintance  with 
history  and 
law,  but  he 
should  also  be  thoroughly  versed  in  all 
social  amenities,  so  that  be  would  be 
able  not  only  to  handle  the most momen­
tous questions  of  international  relations, 
but  also  to  detect all  efforts  to  overcome 
him  by  flatteries and  cajoleries,  and  the 
Secretary  should  have  under him  a  body 
of  men  trained  in  the  service  on  whom 
he  can  rely  for  efficiency,  high  charac­
ter,  discretion,  loyalty  and  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  their  business,  so  that they 
can  furnish  complete  information  and 
work  out  the  details  of  any  matter of 
foreign  relations  committed  to  them. 
They  should  be  thoroughly  trustworthy 
in  ail  confidential  matters,  and  they 
should  be able  to  speak  and  write  with 
precision  the  chief  modern  languages  of 
Europe.

In  regard  to  the  future,  Ex-Secretary 

Rives  says:

High  and  steady  efficiency 

in  the 
management  of  our  foreign  affairs  has 
become  imperative.  It  is  no  longer  pos­
sible  for  us  to  trust  to  luck.  Whether 
we  like  it  or  not,  it  is  plain  that  the 
country  is  now  entering  a  period  in 
its 
history  in  which  it  will  necessarily  be 
brought  into  far  closer and  more  com­
plex  relations  with  all  the  other  great 
powers  of  the  world. 
The  constant 
growth  of  our  foreign  commerce of itself 
counts  for  much.  The  end  of  the  pres­
ent  war  will  not  improbably  find  us 
in 
possession  of  Cuba,  Porto  Rico,  the 
Ladrones,  the  Carolines  and  the  Philip­
pines. 
If  we  seek  to  retain  the  latter, 
we  shall  not  be  met with the indifference 
that  attended  our  retention  of  Califor­
nia.  We  shall  become  involved  at  once 
in  all  the  jealousies  and  rivalries  which 
the  partition  of  Asia  has  awakened.  We 
shall  need  all  the  skiil  we  can command 
to avoid  awakening the enmity  of  one  or 
more  of  the  five  great  powers  that  are 
now  maneuvering 
spoils  of 
China 
The  acquisition  of  Hawaii 
creates  many  new  points  of  contact 
with  foreign  countries.  The  construc­
tion  of an  interoceanic  canal  will  prob­

the 

for 

the 

ably  require  us to  maintain  a  greatly in­
creased  navy,  and  to  take  permanent 
military  occupation  of 
country 
through  which  the  canal  passes;  and  we 
shall  thus  have  to  face  the  same  sort  of 
serious  questions  that  Great  Britain  has 
to  deal  with  in  Egypt.  More  than  all 
else,  our  demonstration  of  commanding 
naval  strength  and  skill  makes us hence­
forward  an  ally  or  an  enemy  with  whom 
every  one  of  the  other  great  powers 
must  reckon.  Our  friendship  will  be 
eagerly  sought.  We 
shall  now  and 
htnceforth  be  looked  upon  as  having 
cast  aside  our  traditional  attitude  of 
isolation;  and  we  shall  be  counted  as  a 
factor  in  all  the  great  combinations  of 
the  world’s  politics.  We  can  see  already 
in  the  ostentatious  friendliness  of  Great 
Britain  the  entirely  new  point  of  view 
from  which  we  are  regarded.

The  Great  Republic  of  the  West  is 
going  to  be  largely  concerned 
in  the 
mighty  and  momentous  movements  of 
the  Twentieth  Century,  which  will  in­
volve  the  conquest and  parceling  out  of 
a  great  part  of  Asia.  This  republic  has 
become  an  Asiatic  power  from  the  day 
that  its  flag  was  hoisted  over  territory in 
the  Chinese and  Indian  seas.  The  army 
and  navy  are  to  be  reorganized  to  meet 
the  new  responsibilities  and  contin­
gencies.  Backwoods  and  haphazard  di 
plomacy  will  no  longer  serve.  Trained 
statesmen  must  fight  in  diplomatic  bat­
tles  of  the  future,  and  they  must  be 
backed  up  with  an  effective  and reliable 
and 
thoroughly-organized  diplomatic 
service.

The  war  with  Spain  has  cost  the  Fed­
eral  Government  more  than  $140,000,000 
in  cash,  and  no  money  indemnity  has 
been  demanded  from  Spain.  Neverthe­
less,  regarded  simply  as  an  advertising 
outlay,  the  cost  of  the  war  will  be  the 
best  paying 
investment  for  the  future 
gain  of  American  manufacturers  that 
could  have  been  devised.  The  eyes  of 
the  world  have  been  opened  to  the 
amazing  progress  which  this  country 
has  made 
in  all  of  the  peaceful  arts. 
Orders  are  now  being  received  by  mak­
ers  of  machine  tools  in this country from 
entirely  new  customers  in  foreign  coun­
tries  which  have  not  hitherto  patronized 
American  firms,  and  there 
is  evidence 
to  show  that  these  orders have  been  due, 
indirectly  at  least,  to  the  advertisement 
which  the  war  has  given  to  the  merits 
of  American  machinery.

There  are a  number  of  fish  hatcheries 
in  the  country;  but  that does not explain 
the confidence  man’s  remark  that in this 
country  there  is  born  at  least  one  sucker 
a  minute.

It 

takes  brains  to  say  something 
clever.  Anybody  can  grumble  and  find 
fault.

An  important  result  of  American  con­
quest  in  Spanish  possessions  will  be  a 
greater  vogue  for  the  English  language. 
The  news  comes  from  Manila  that news­
papers  printed  partly  in  English  and 
partly 
in  Spanish  have  already  ap­
peared  since the  American  occupation 
of  that  city,  and  similar  evidences  of a 
readiness to  adapt themselves to changed 
conditions  were  previously  shown  at 
Santiago.  Perhaps  hardly  more  than  a 
generation  will  be  necessary  to  estab­
lish  English  as  a  common  language  in 
the  principal  cities  and  towns  of  Cuba 
and  Porto  Rico.  Wherever  the  Ameri­
can 
influence  prevails  English  will  be 
the official  language,  and  Spanish  trans­
lations  of  public  documents  and  laws 
will  probably  be  made  only  long  enough 
to  afford  the  inhabitants  a  proper op­
portunity  to  become  acquainted  with 
what  is  to  them  now  a  new  tongue. 
English  is  such  a  flexible  and  copious 
language  that  the  rising  generations  in 
the  colonies  soon  to  come  under  our 
protection  will  doubtless  endeavor  to 
acquire  it  as  quickly  as  possible. 
It  is 
a  notable  fact  that  foreigners  who  have 
taken  up  their  residence  in  this  country 
and  acquired  facilities  in  the  use  of 
English  almost 
invariably  prefer  it  to 
their  native  tongue.

Although  Holland  no  longer  is  "M is­
tress  of  the  Seas,"  as  it  was  in  the  F if­
teenth  and  Sixteenth  Centuries,  when 
the  Netherlands  constituted  the  wealth­
iest  commercial  nation  of  Europe, 
it 
would  be  difficult  to  find  a  more  con­
tented  and  prosperous  people  than  the 
Hollanders 
Upon  the  12,648  square 
miles  of  Holland  there  lived  at  the close 
of  1896  not  less  than  4,928,658  people, or 
406  people  to  the  square  mile,  and  not 
less  than  twenty  cities  bad  from  25,628 
inhabitants  up  to  the  population  of 
Amsterdam,  494.189  souls.  But  the  col­
onial  possessions  of  the  Netherlands 
in 
the  East  and  West  Indies  embrace  an 
area  of  about  783,000  square  miles.  The 
total  population  of  these  colonies,  ac­
cording  to  the  last  returns,  was  approx­
imately  35,000,000  or  about  seven  times 
as  large  as  that  of  the  mother  country. 
The  East  Indian  colonies  include  such 
fertile 
islands  as  Java  and  Madura, 
Sumatra,  Borneo,  Celebes  and  the  Mo­
luccas,  while  the  West  Indian  posses­
sions  include  Surinam  and  the  Curacoa 
Islands,  all  famous  for  their  almost 
in­
exhaustible  tropical  products.

When  it  comes  right  down  to  pleasure 
and  personal  comfort,  Admiral  Cervera 
in  the 
would 
United  States  than  an  officer  serving 
in 
the  Spanish  navy.

rather  be  a  prisoner 

W ork  when  You  Work,  Play  when  You  Play,  and  Smoke

“MR.  THOMAS”

The  Most  Popular  Nickel  Cigar on  Earth

Ruhe Bros. Co.,  Makers. 
Factory 956,  ist  Dist.  Pa. 

♦  

* 

♦  

F.  E.  Bushman,  Representative,

Kalamazoo,  Mich.

Mail  Orders  Solicited.

#

10

FIFTEEN  YEARS  OLD.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

How the Tradesman Was  Established- 

The 

Incidents  of  Its Career.
first 

issue  of  the  Michigan 
Tradesman  appeared  Sept.  26,  1883,  be­
ing  the  fruition  of  an  ambition  which 
had  been  cherished  by  the  founder  for 
three  or  four  years.  In pursuance  of  this 
ambition  the  following 
circular  was 
printed  and  mailed  to  the  wholesale 
trade  of  this  State  in  1880:
T o   th e W h o lesale T ra d e o f G ran d  R apids.

the  subscriber 

Recognizing  the  fact  that  for  several 
years the various  branches  of  the  Whole­
sale  Trade  in  this  city  have  felt  the 
need  of  an  authorized  representative  of 
their  interests,  and that the  retail  trades­
men  who  look  to this  market  for  their 
supplies  have  felt  the  want  of  a  reliable 
commercial  guide, 
is 
pleased  to  announce that,  in  case suffi­
cient  encouragement  is  extended  to  the 
undertaking,  he  will  sboitly  begin  the 
publication  of  the Michigan Tradesman, 
a  weekly  trade  journal  issued  from  the 
Grand  Rapids  market,  paying  especial 
attention  to  the  wants  of  the  patrons  of 
this  mercantile  center,  and  yet  being  of 
such  a  general  character  that  it  will  be 
interest  to  all  engaged  in  wholesale 
of 
or  retail  traffic  anywhere.
It  will  be  the  aim  of  the  publisher  to 
make  the  contents  of the  journal  as  va­
ried  and  interesting  as  possible.  One 
entire  page  will  be  given  to  current 
quotations,  furnished  by  representative j 
wholesale  dealers,  and  a  weekly  review 
of  home  and  foreign  markets  will  be 
carefully  prepared  by a competent writer 
on  the  subject.  The  movements  of  re­
tail  dealers  and  the  business  changes  of 
all  who are  in  any  way  connected  with 
the  various  branches  of  trade  will  be 
chronicled.  The  “ Gripsack  Brigade" 
will  be  given  due  prominence  in  a  de 
partment  which  will  be  conducted  by  a 
retired  traveler.  Original  and  selected 
articles  of  interest  to  the  trade  and  a 
judicious  compilation  of  the  mercantile 
news  of  the  day  will  also  be  an  especial 
feature  of  the  journal.

Similar  circulars  were 

issued  and 
mailed  in  1881  and  1882,  but  the  re­
sponses  were  so  few  and  feeble  that  the 
project  was  postponed. 
In  the  mean­
time  the  room  for  such  a  publication 
was  demonstrated  by  correspondence 
and  personal  interviews  with  several 
hundred  retail  dealers  in  all  parts of the 
State,  numerous  pledges  to  subscribe 
for  such  a  journal  having  been  secured 
in  this  manner,  so  that  when  the  first 
number  made  its  appearance  it  was 
welcomed  by  several  hundred merchants 
who  felt that  they  were 
identified  with 
the  project  by  reason  of  the  advice  and 
proffered  support  they  had  given  it  in 
advance  of  publication. 
It  is a  notice­
able  fact  that  these  merchants  have  re­
mained 
supporters  of  the 
Tradesman,  nothing 
short  of  death 
causing  them  to  relinquish  their  patron­
age.

steadfast 

The first  issue  was  heartily  welcomed 
by  the  trade,  both  wholesale  and  retail, 
but  many  shook  their  heads  and  regret-

The  Michigan  Tradesman  will  not 
partake  of  the  nature  of  an  advertising 
sheet,  which  is  dependent  entirely  upon 
the  generosity  of  advertisers,  but  rather 
will  rely  for  support  upon  an  extensive 
and  good-paying  subscription  patronage 
from  retail  dealers,  which  will  be  se­
cured  immediately  after  the  publication 
of  the  paper  is  begun.  Until  that  time 
the  paper  will  be  sent gratuitously  t« all 
merchants  doing  business  in  towns  con­
tiguous  to  Grand  Rapids.  A  limited 
number of advertisements from reputable 
houses  are  solicited  and  will  be  given 
equal  prominence.  With  a  view  to  as­
certaining  whether  the  sentiment  in  fa­
vor of a  publication  as  above  described 
is  strong  enough  to  ensure  it  a  living 
support,  the  prospective  subscriber  will 
shortly  call  upon  the  leading representa­
tives  of  the  trade.

Bespeaking  kind  consideration for  the 

project,  I  am,  very  truly,

E .   A.  S t o w e .

BIRTHPLACE OF  THE  TRADESMAN

SECOND  HOME OF  THE  TRADESMAN

PRESENT  HOME  OF  THE  TRADESMAN

fully  predicted  that  the  limitati  ns  of 
the  territory  were  too  circumscribed  to 
admit  of  success. 
These  gentlemen 
have  since acknowledged  their  mistake 
and  cheerfully  wheeled  into  line as  pa­
trons  of  the  publication.  The  first  issue 
contained  the  advertisements  of  Cody, 
Ball  &  Co.,  Spring  &  Company,  H. 
Leonard  &  Sons,  Hazeltine,  Perkins  & 
Co.,  Putnam  &  Brooks,  Jennings  8c 
Smith  and  Calkins  Bros.,  all  of  whom 
are  still 
in  business,  except  Calkins 
Bros.,  although  the  style  of  the  houses 
has  been  changed  in  some  cases.  From 
seven  advertising  patrons  the  list  has 
increased  to over  a  hundred  regular cus­
tomers,  while  the  subscription  list  has 
expanded  from a few hundred to the larg­
est  paid  list  of  any  journal  of  its  class 
in  the  United  States.

It  would  be  unfair  to  convey  the  im­
pression  that  there  has  been  nothing  but 
smooth  sailing  all  the  time  for  the  past 
fifteen  years.  On  the  contrary,  there 
have  been  dark  days,  which  seem  to  be 
inseparable  from  every  business,  when 
patrons  appear  lukewarm  and  friends 
are  at  a  premium.  Fortunately,  such 
periods  have  been  few  and  far  between, 
and  they  are  chiefly  valuable  to  any 
business  by  reason  of  their 
inculcating 
the  value and  necessity  of  self-reliance.

HOMES  OF  THE  PAPER.

leased 

The  Tradesman's  first  home  was  in  a 
little  room  on  the  third  floor  of  the 
Eagle  buildings at  49  Lyon  street.  The 
space  was  as  limited  as  the  resources  of 
the  business,  but  in  less  than  a  year  the 
cramped  quarters  were  increased  by  the 
addition  of  an  adjoining  room,  which 
became  the  mechanical  department, 
while the  original  office  was  used  as  an 
editorial  room  and  received  accessions 
in  the  shape  of  carpet,  desks, 
tele­
phone,  etc.  As  the  business  of  the  office 
increased,  two  additional  rooms  were 
taken,  giving  the  firm  the  use  of  an  en­
tire  floor,  with  the  exception  of  one 
small  room. 
In  1888  the  business  had 
grown  to  such  proportions  that  a  change 
of  location  Was  imperative  and  in  No­
vember of  that  year  the  three-story  and 
basement  building  at  100  Louis  street 
was 
for  a  term  of  five  years. 
This  lease  was  renewed  for  another  five 
years,  but  before  a  year  of  the  second 
term  had  elapsed,  the  business  of  the 
office  increased  to  that  extent  that  it be­
came absolutely  necessary  that  still  an­
other  change  should  be  made.  After 
carefully  considering  several 
locations 
it  was  deemed  desirable  to execute a  ten 
floor  of  the 
years'  lease  of  the  fifth 
Blodgett  building,  one  of  the 
finest 
office buildings  in  the  city,  comprising 
nearly  double  the  floor  space  formerly 
occupied  and  admirably  adapted  to  the 
purpose  by  reason  of  its  central  loca­
tion,  unusual  amount  of  light  (an  im­
portant  advantage  in  a  printing  office), 
and  having  everything,  except  ware­
house  and  storage  room,  on  one  floor. 
The building  is  fitted with every modern 
convenience.  It  is  heated  by  steam  and 
provided with a quick passenger elevator 
and  two  freight  elevators,  one  of  which 
is  the  largest  in  the  city.  Especial  care 
was  taken 
in  designing  and  fitting  up 
the  establishment,  both  business  and 
mechanical  departments,  on  the  theory 
that  the  best  work  can  be  accomplished 
where  the  surroundings  are  made  as 
airy,  light  and  pleasant  as  possible.  No 
reasonable  expense  was  spared  to  make 
the quarters  as  complete and  up-to-date 
as  possible.

Every  man 

intends  to  have  his  own 
way  in  everything  when  he  marries,  but 
sometimes  his  wife  relieves his  mind  of 
a  false  impression.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

il

formitv  of  system  obtains  throughout 
the  country  and,  while certain  local  con­
ditions  may  at  times  change  minor  con­
ditions,  the  active  principle  is  univer­
sally  the  same,  and  as  applied  to  the 
leading 
industry  of  the  city,  which  is 
worldwide  in  its  reach,  the  same  uni­
formity  of  system  obtains  here  as  exists 
in  New  York  and  San  Francisco.

Mercantile  reports  are  for  the  guid 
ance of  the  credit  maker,  and  the  com­

ply 
information  from  any  point  of  the 
country  within  a  very few  hours.  Trav­
elers  visiting  all  parts  of  the country 
are,  by  means  of  letters  of  introduction, 
enabled  to  obtain  from  local  centers  in­
formation  bearing  on  the  reliability  of 
resident  merchants,  thereby  facilitating 
business  transactions,  and  by  the  assist­
ance of  trade  reports a  merchant’s  hab­
it  as  to  the  manner  of  meeting  his 
obligations  is  readily  procured.  Con-

Close  Shave  for  Deacon  Barton.
In.a  certain  Michigan  town there lives 
a  certain  Dr.  Jekyll  and  Mr.  Hyde  sort 
of  a  fellow  in  the  person  of  Deacon 
Barton.  He  is  a  member of  the  church 
and  gives  liberally  to  the  heathen,  but 
nevertheless,  unknown  to  the  brethren, 
he  sometimes  treads  the  primrose  path, 
although  so  stealthily  that  the  Biblical 
Joseph  had  no  more  spotless  reputation 
than  this  good  brother  enjoys.

The  other  Sunday,  just  before  the 
close  of  services,  Brother Barton  walked 
forward  to  the  pulpit  and,  as be thought, 
handed  up  to  the  minister  an  announce­
ment to  be  read  to  the  congregation  be­
fore  dismissal.

“ Brother  Barton  has  handed 

in  the 
following,”   said  the  minister,  and  in  a 
clear  voice  he  read :
My Own Dear Bart:
I am dying to see you  once  more.  Why  don’t 
you come to see  me?  The  “ old  hen”   will  never 
find it out (how can  you endure her?)  My  darling,
I want to see you. 

Your own and only

N e l l.

At  the  close  of  the  reading,  the  min­
ister,  with  a  horror-struck  countenance, 
looked 
in  the  direction  of  Barton,  the 
congregation  stared  at  him  and bis  good 
wife  arose  in  her  seat  with a  look—well, 
some  things  can’t  be  described—but 
Barton  was  equal  to  the  occasion.
“ Brothers  and sisters,”   he  said  calm­
ly,  rising  to  his  feet  and  casting  an  an­
gelic  look  at  the  minister,  “ it  may  ap­
pear  strange  to  you  that  I  have  asked 
our  beloved  pastor  to  read  that,  but  the 
best  way  to  fight  the  devil  is  face  to 
face.  The  writer  of  that  vile  note  is 
unknown  to  me,  but  she  is  evidently 
some  depraved  creature  of  sin  who  is 
seeking  to  destroy  my  spotless  reputa­
tion. 
I  have  therefore,  given  this letter 
to  the  public,  that  they  may  help  me  to 
discover  her  name  and  hold  her  up  to 
the  contempt  of  all  good  Christians.”

A  murmur  of  sympathy  and  approba­
tion  went  through  the  room,  and  his 
wife  beamed  upon  him  angelically.

Said  Barton,  with  a  grin,  that  even­
ing  when  he  told  the  writer  of  the  note 
the occurrence,  * * It  was the closest shave 
I  ever  bad,  and  I’ll  change  my  coat 
next  time. ”

The  Employer  Was  Kind  Hearted.
Clerk—I  have  been  in  your  employ 
now  going  on  five  years,  and  I  am  get­
ting  the  same  salary  I  started  with.

Proprietor— I  know  it,  but  every  time 
that  I've  made  up  my  mind  to  cut  vou 
down  or  discharge  you  something  has 
reminded  me  of  your  wife  and  little  one 
at  home,  and  so  I  just  couldn't  do  it. 
There,  my  man,  you  see  I  have  a  heart 
as  well  as  a  head.

The  Nurse’s  Diagnosis.

Young  mother—Why,  Jane,  what  do 
you  suppose  ails  the  baby?  he's  so 
cross.
Jane—I  don’t  know,  mum,  unless  it’s 
the  mortified  milk  we’ve  been  feeding 
him  lately.”

It 

is  no  wonder  that  priests  do  not 
wed,  after  women  religiously  confess 
their  imperfections  to  them.

MERCANTILE  AGENCIES.

Their  Province  in  the  World  o f  Com­

merce.

It  has  been  said  that  money  is  the 
greatest  power  in  the  land  for good  or 
evil,  but  this statement must be accepted 
with  some  modifications.  Money,  as  a 
medium  of  exchange,  is  powerful  to  the 
extent  of  producing  that  which  rep­
resents  its  equivalent,  be  it  in  commod­
ities,  position  or  power;  but  its  limita 
tions  are  reached  and 
its  usefulness 
served  when  that  which  represents  its 
equal  in  intrinsic  worth  has been  given 
or  taken  in  exchange.  Were  money  the 
only  factor 
in  life,  the  business  man 
with  one  thousand  dollars  at  his  dis­
posal could  command but  this  amount  of 
stock,  the  banker's  financial  strength 
would  be  governed  by  the  amount of  the 
cash  resting  in  his  vaults  and  his  per­
sonal  property,  while  a  nation’s  wealth 
would  be  reflected  in  the amount  of  its 
actual  material  holdings.  But  govern­
ments  control  millions  by  the  stroke  of 
the  pen,  banks  command  sums  many 
times  as  large  as  their  actual  cash  and 
realty  holdings,  while the  merchant  with 
one  thousand  dollars  has  often  three  or 
four  times  this  value  of  goods  on  his 
shelves.

These  conditions  are  due  to  the  exist­
ence  at  the  present  time  of  a  power 
which  is  greater  than  that  of  gold—the 
power  of  credit— of  which  Daniel  Web­
ster  at  one  time  said,  “ Credit  has  done 
more,  a  thousand  times,  to  enrich  na­
tions  than  all  the  mines of  the  world.’ ’ 
Credit  has  been  styled  “ the  power  of 
buying  or  selling  in  confidence of future 
payment,”   and  upon  the  foundation  of 
this  “ confidence  of  future  payment”  
has been  built  up  the  strength  of  the 
nations  and  the  commercial  marts  of the 
world.  But  upon  the  same  rock  of  con­
fidence  have  many  a  noble  house  been 
wrecked  and  many  an  institution  foun­
dered.  Confronted  by  the  presence  of 
so  mighty  a  power as  is  that  of  credit, 
constant  vigilance  is  necessary  in  order 
that  its  usefulness  may  be  turned  into 
the  right  channels  and  good  results 
gained  therefrom.  To  the  furtherance 
of  this  end  have the  mercantile agencies 
come 
into  existence,  and  so  great  has 
been  their  growth  since their  inception, 
so  far-reaching  in  their  scope  and  so 
powerful  in  their  influence,  that for  the 
aggressive  merchant  they  constitute  the 
secret  of  his  success.

To  describe  the  growth  of  these  insti­
tutions  within  the  city  of  Grand  Rap­
ids  is  practically  to  review  their  growth 
through  the  country  since  the  date  of 
their  birth,  which  period  may  be  said 
to  date  from  sixty  years  ago.  A  uni­

piling  for  and  furnishing  of  the  same 
to  business  houses  is  to-day  what  may 
be  safely  styled  a  science,  requiring,  as 
it  does,  the  ability  and  co-operation  of 
the  best  brain  and  talent  money  can 
command.  Twenty-five  years  ago  the 
writing  and  distribution  of  a  report  oc­
cupied  as  many  weeks as  is now  repre­
sented  by  days,  and  with  the  co-opera­
tion  of  the  typewriter,  cipher  codes  and 
the  telegraph,  it  is  possible  now  to  sup-

fidence  is  the  keynote  which  must  gov­
ern  all  business  transactions,  but  this 
in  itself,  shorn  of  judgment,  can  but  be 
productive  of  disastrous  results  to  the 
interested  party 

~  ~L.  P.  W itzleben.

Advice  Suitable  to  the  Occasion. 
Clara—When  I  was  out  on  my  wheel 
this  morning  I cracked my  enamel  quite 
badly.

Maud—You  must  learn  not to smile.

rALL THINGS  COME TO  HIM 

WHO  HUSTLES WHILE  HE  WAITS

Your Fall Business will  be  JUST  W H AT  YOU  M AKE  IT.  Put  a  little  ginger 
It  will do 
it good  Don’t  forget  the world  moves  around  each  24  hours-move  with  it.  Be  progressive.  Buy  a  few  NEW 
things.  They  pay  a  better  profit.  Besides  people  will  know  you  as  a  wide-awake  merchant  and  will  choose  to 
trade with one who is up to date.  Have you heard of

in  your  business. 

SODIO t h e  c h e m i c a l l y   p u r e  SALERATUS

It’s  NEW ,  but  it’s  good  and is a winner.  We  offer  beautiful  premiums  to  dealers  and  consumers  and  a  liberal 
supply of samples;  in fact, we almost sell  it for you.
Sodio is 

Made  far  Michigan  Trade.  Write us and we will  make it an  inducement to handle Sodlo.  Address

MICHIGAN CHEMICAL CO..  DETROIT.  MICH.

12

BRASS  BUSINESS.

Important  Industry Where  Nothing  Ex­

isted  Fifteen  Years  Ago.

When  you  requested  me  to  undertake 
the  work  of  writing  up  the  development 
of  the  brass  industries  of  Grand  Rapids 
you  set  before  me  a  task  that  is  a  diffi­
cult  and,  at  the  same  time,  a  delicate 
one.  Difficult  because of  my 
inexperi­
ence  in  writing  for  the  press,  and  deli­
cate  for the  reason  that  any  statements  I 
may  make  must,  of  necessity,  be  of  a 
somewhat  personal  nature.  With  the 
hope  that  your  readers  will  overlook  the 
use  of  the  personal  pronoun  in  this  arti­
cle,  I  will,  as  briefly  as  possible,  relate 
what  I  know  of  the  brass  industries  of 
this  city.

Previous  to May,  1882,  there had  been, 
so  far  as  known  to  the  writer,  no  at­
tempt  made  to  introduce  in  Grand  Rap­
ids  the  manufacture  of  brass  and  bronze 
goods  as  a  distinct  line  of  business.  Up 
to  this  time  about  the  only  brass  cast­
ings  that  had  been  made  were  turned 
out  by  the  foundries  connected  with 
the 
shops  of  Butterworth  &  Lowe, 
Adolph  Leitelt,  Michigan  Iron  Works 
and  their  predecessors.  Their  product 
in  this  line  consisted  almost  entirely  of 
bearings  for  engines  and  the  various 
other  machines  turned  out  in  these  es­
tablishments. 
I  might  state  here  that 
bearing  metal  is  an  alloy  of  copper  and 
tin  and,  correctly  speaking,  is a  bronze 
and  not  brass,  which  is  an  alloy  of  cop­
per  and  zinc. 
(The  trade  name  of  the 
latter  is  spelter.)  Very little  ingot  cop­
per  was  brought  to  this  city  in  the  early 
days,  the 
few  foundries  above  men­
tioned  depending  almost  entirely  for 
their  supply  on  the  tin  peddler,  who 
went  about  the  country  buying  up  all 
the  old  copper  boilers  and  teakettle bot­
toms  and  such  other  scrap  metal,  in­
cluding  the  family  candle  sticks,  as  the 
careful  housewife  could  scrape  together 
previous  to  the  yearly  rounds  of  the 
peddler  of  the  olden  days.  One  of  my 
earliest recollections is  the  joyful  antici­
pation  of  a  visit  from  the old  dealer  in 
Yankee  notions  who  used  to  make  peri­
odical  stops  at  the  gate  of  the  oid  farm­
house  where  I  spent  my  early  youth  As 
be  bargained  with  my  mother  for her 
accumulation  of  paper-rags  and  old 
metal,  I  little thought  that  I  would  some 
day  be  engaged 
that 
would  consume  carloads  of  the  very 
metal  (copper)  that  was  being  bartered 
for  the  stock 
in  trade  of  the  old  and 
picturesque  traveling  mercantile  estab­
lishment  that  is  seen  so  seldom  nowa­
days.  The awe and  wonder  which  con­
sumed  me  when,  as  a  child,  I  was  priv­
ileged  to  gaze  into the mysterious depths 
of  the  blue and  red wagon, and,  perhaps, 
handle  some  toy  or  trinket that  I  cov­
eted,  are  again  revived  whenever  I  see 
one  of  those  relics of  by-gone  days.

in  a  business 

It  will  be  seen  that  thus  far about  the 
only  work  which  had  been  done  in  this 
city  under the  head  of  brass  work  was 
the  production  of  machinery  castings  in 
bearing  metal.
Connecticut 

is  the  original  home  of 
the  brass  industry  in America,  and  there 
the  business has,  in  the  hands  of  the  in­
genious  and  shrewd  Yankee,  assumed 
vast  proportions,  millions  of  capital  be­
ing 
invested  and employment  given  to 
many  thousands  of  skilled  operators. 
The  city  of  Waterbury  stands at  the  top 
of  the  list  in  the  production  of  brass 
goods,  Meriden  and  Bridgeport  being 
next  in  rank.  The  products  of  Connec­
ticut  factories  make a  list  so  long  that 
it  would  be  inexpedient  to attempt to 
enumerate  them,  but among  other  prod­

Prior  to 

the  Centennial  Exposition 
brass  had  been  very  sparingly  used  for 
decorative  effects  in  this  country,  most 
of  the  furniture being  trimmed  with  un­
couth  carved  wooden  bandies  and  wood­
en  knobs. 
I  presume  this  allusion  to 
the  trimmings  of  the  past  will  recall  to 
the  mind  of  the  reader  the  old  “ grape 
handles”   that  were  eternally  coming 
unglued  from  the  drawer  fronts  which 
they  were  supposed  to adorn.

The  Centennial  Exposition  had  a 
wonderful 
influence  in  awakening  this 
young  and  vigorous  nation into realizing 
that  in  matters  of  art,  design  and  deco­
ration  we  were  way  behind  the  artistic 
nations  of  the  Old  World.  The  result

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

ucts  there  is  one  that  especially  inter­
ests  those  engaged 
in  building  up  the 
worldwide  reputation  of  Grand  Rapids 
as  a  furniture  center. 
I  refer  to  furni­
ture  trimmings.

in  the  East  soon  found  a  tremendous 
market  for  their  product  in  this  city, 
and  it  was  this  fact  that  led  to  the  writ­
er’s  engaging  in  the  manufacture  of fur­
niture  trimmings  in  May,  1882.  At this 
time  I  was  in  the  employ  of  Nelson, 
Matter  &  Co.,  where  several  years’ 
service  bad  made  me  familiar  with  the 
needs  and  requirements  of  the  furniture 
trade.

It  was  easy  to  see  that large quantities 
of  brass  trimmings  would  be  used  in 
this  city  and,  after  carefully  consider­
ing  the  matter,  I  joined  forces  with  the 
Michigan  Tool  Works,  the  proprietor of 
which  was  Thos.  Farmer,  Jr.  Borrow­
ing  $250,  I  invested  this  amount  in  the 
first  plating  dynamo  and  nickel-plating 
plant  ever  brought  to the  Valley  City,  at 
least  so  far as  known  to  the  writer.  Be­
yond  this  amount  I  had  no  interest  in 
the  enterprise  other than  a  working  in­

decided  to  start  the  brass  business again 
as  a  distinct  line  of  work,  independent 
of  all  other  lines  of  goods.  The  partner­
ship  of  Farmer  &  Tower  was  duly 
formed 
in  October,  1886,  and,  with  a 
capital  of  $172  in  cash  and  plenty  of 
determination, 
the  new  firm  began 
work.  Strict  application  to  business 
brought  the  usual  reward  and,  when,  in
1887,  Mr.  Farmer’s  interest  was  pur­
chased  by the  writer,  employment  was 
being  given  to  about  twenty-four  men. 
The  business  was  carried  on  alone  until
1888,  when  I  became  associated  with 
Geo.  F.  Sinclair 
in  organizing  the 
Grand  Rapids  Brass  Co.,  with  a  capital 
of  $25,000. 
three-story 
brick  factory  was  built  at  162  Court 
street,  which  was  equipped  with  ma­
chinery  and  tools  for  carrying  on  the 
work  of  making  furniture  trimmings  on 
an  extensive  scale.

spacious 

A 

The  firm’s  line  consisted  of  drawer 
pulls,  knobs,  escutcheons,  hat  pins  and 
special  work  made  to  order.  During 
this  period— 1888  to  1890—many  manu­
facturers  preferred  to  have  their  own 
special  designs  for  trimmings,  which 
were  executed  for  their  exclusive  use. 
Quite  a  large  proportion  of  the  output 
of  the  Grand  Rapids  Brass  Co.  was  ex­
clusively  high-priced  goods,  but  the 
final  purchaser  of.the  furniture  reaped 
the  benefit,  for  the  goods  were  trimmed 
with  much  more elaborate  and  substan­
tial  trimmings  than  are  being  used  to­
day.  True,  the designs  have  been  vast­
ly 
furniture  and 
trimmings,  but  at  the  cost  of  durability, 
caused  by  furniture  makers  calling  for 
cheaper  and  cheaper  trimmings.

improved,  both 

in 

One of  the  greatest  hits  in  furniture 
decoration  was  the  introduction, in  1887. 
of  brass  ornaments  sawed  from  sheet 
brass  and  finished  in  antique  to  match 
the  finish  of  the oak  goods,  which  were 
turned  out  in  vast  quantities  by  the  fur­
niture  makers.  As  much  as  100  tons  of 
sheet  brass  was  consumed  in  this  way 
in  one  year,  and  the  spring  of  1893 
found  the  Grand  Rapids  brass Co.  over­
crowded  with  orders  and,  consequently, 
very  crowded  for  room  to 
its 
production. 
In  March,  1893,  a  contract 
was  let  for  the  erection  of  a  second 
building  adjoining  the  present  factory, 
80x92  feet  in  dimensions,  three  stories 
and  basement.

increase 

The  panic  of  July,  1893,  utterly  par­
industries, 
alyzed  the  manufacturing 
and  instead  of  filling  up  the  new  build­
ing  with  machinery  and  workmen,  the 
factory  was  compelled  to  shut  down  for 
nearly two  months.  From  that  date  un­
til  the  present  time the factory has given 
employment to  from  150 to  200 men.

Besides  making  an  extensive  line  of 
furniture  trimmings  this  company  man­
ufactures  large quantities of  refrigerator 
hardware,  consisting  mostly  of  locks, 
hinges  and  faucets. 
It  is  also  an  ex­
tensive  manufacturer  of  many  patented 
articles  used  by  the  furniture  makers, 
such  as  desk  supports,  wardrobe  hooks, 
toilet  screws,  etc. 
It  would  be  very  in­
teresting,  indeed,  to  describe  the  vari­
ous  processes  through  which  any  given 
article  of  brass  has  to  go  before  it  is 
ready  for  shipment,  but  this  is  impos­
sible  in  a  paper  of  this  nature,  and  I 
will  but  briefly  enumerate  the  various 
departments  in  their  order:

A given  article  having  been  decided 
upon,  a  design  is  first  made  in  the  de­
signing  and  pattern  department.  When 
a  pattern  has  been  made,  it  is  turned 
over  to  the  foundry,  where  the  castings 
are made.  The  latter  are  then  sent  to 
the  machine department,  where  the  ma­
chine  work  is attended  to.  From  here

that 

was 
architects  and  designers 
throughout  the  country  saw  their  oppor­
tunity  for  producing  more artistic goods 
and  made  concerted  efforts  to  educate 
the  people  to  higher  things,  so  far as 
pertained  to architecture and  household 
decoration, and  readily  availed  them­
selves  of  brass  and  bronze  for  decora­
tion.  So  much  in  love  did  the  people 
grow  with  the  use  of  brass  that  the peri­
od  from  1880  to  1890  might  well  be 
called  the  Brass  Age  in  the  United 
States,  as  every  producer  was  crowded 
to  the  utmost  with  orders.  Many  new 
concerns  owe  their birth  to the  craze  for 
the  yellow  alloy  which  swept  over  the 
country.  The  furniture  manufacturers 
of  this city  were  not  slow  in 
improving 
the  artistic  merits  of  their  designs,  nor 
in  adopting  brass  trimmings  in  place of 
those  formerly  used.

The  manufacturers of metal trimmings

terest 

in  the  profits  of  the  business.
It  was  soon  found  that  it  was  very 
difficult  to obtain  skilled  labor for carry­
ing  on  the  work,  and  we  set  about  im­
porting  competent  men  and  educating 
others 
in  the  various  lines  and  trades 
which  are  required  in  carrying  on  the 
manufacture  of  brass  goods.  We  were 
obliged  to  bring  from  the  East  polish­
ers,  buffers,  brass  moulders,  brass  fin­
ishers  and  platers.  At  that  time  we 
made  our  own  designs  and  metal  pat­
terns  and  invented  special  machinery 
for  the  work.  After  two  years  of hard 
work  disaster  overtook  the  machine 
business  transacted  by  the  Michigan 
Tool  Works  and,  although  the  brass  de­
partment  was  paying  well,  it  could  not 
make  good  the 
losses  of  the  other 
branches  of  the  business.  Very  soon 
after the  suspension  of  business  a  con­
ference  was  held,  at  which  time  it  was

VOIGT MILLING CO

MICHIGAN  TRADtSM AN

13

SUCCESSORS  TO

C rescent  M ills  (V oigt  M illing  C o .)  and 

S tar  M ills  (C.  G.  A.  V oigt  &   Co.)

W e  take  pleasure  in  informing  the  trade  that  we  have  merged  both  of our  mills 
into  one  institution,  under  one  management,  and  will  continue  to  manufacture 
all  the  brands  heretofore  made  under  the  same  names  as  heretofore.  The  new 
arrangement  will  enable  us  to  curtail  expenses  to  a  considerable  extent  and 
serve  the  interests  of  our  patrons  even  better  than  we  have  been  able  to  serve 
them  in  the  past.
Our  Crescent  mill  has  lately  resumed  operations  after  being  completely  over­
hauled  and  improved  by  the  introduction  and  installation  of  the  latest  improved 
machinery;  and  all  that  can  be  done  by  means  of  improved  mechinery,  careful 
attention  to  details  and  the  employment  of  ample  capital  will  be  utilized  in 
pursuance  of  our  determination  to  lead  the  field  in  the  production  and  distribu­
tion  of  high  grade  flour  of  uniform  excellence.
Among  our  leading  bradds  are  the  following:

Royal

Royal  Patent 

Voigt’s  Patent 

Crescent 

White  Rose 

Vienna

White  Frost 
Above All

Our  Patent 
Gilt  Edge 

Snow  Drift 
Calla  Lily 

Star

J*5# * .

Golden Sheaf 

Pearl 
Boss

W e are sole  manufacturers  of  Flouroigt,  an  improved  whole wheat  flour,  with  the 
bran  and  all  impurities eliminated.
W e  are  large  handlers  of  Bran,  Middlings,  Screenings  and  Corn  and  Oats 
Feed,  which  we  sell on  close  margins.
W e  gladly embrace  this  opportunity  to thank  our customers for past  patronage  and 
to  assure  them  that  we  shall  undertake  to  merit  a  continuance  of  their  confidence 

and  esteem.

VOIGT  MILLING  CO.,  G rand  Rapids,  M ichigan;

1 4

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

the  next  step 
is  the  polishing  depart­
ment,  where  the  goods  receive  the  bril­
liant  surface  so  much  admired ;  thence 
to  the  buffing,  plating  and  lacquering 
departments.  The  goods  are  now  ready 
for  the  assembling  room,  where  they  are 
put  together  and  made  ready  for  pack­
ing  and  shipping.  A 
large  force  of 
skilled  employes  are  required  in  the 
tool  department,  where  they  are  kept 
busy 
in  making  special  dies  and  tools, 
as  well  as  the  automatic  machinery  re 
quired  in  carrying  on  this  class of work. 
Many  ingenious and automatic machines 
have  been  designed  and  built  and  many 
new  features  have  been  contributed  by 
the  skillful  mechanics  who are employed 
in  the  tool  department.

Having  outlined  the  history  of  the 
brass  business  in  the  city, I  will  proceed 
to  enumerate  other  concerns  which  are 
engaged  in  this  line  of  work :

The  firm  of  Harring  &  Atwood  do 
quite  an  extensive  jobbing  business  in 
plumbers’  goods,  house  and  lawn  goods 
and  special  job  work.  The  proprietors 
came  here  from  Chicago  in  1892 and 
have  built  up  a  profitable  business  in 
this  particular  line  of  work.

The  Peninsular  Brass  Co.,  under  the 
management  of  Henry  Hughes,  has  car­
ried  on  a  jobbing  and  plating  business 
for  about  five  years. 
It  manufactures  a 
line  of  brass  trimmings  and  does  re­
finishing  for  the  trade  in  general.

The  Rempis  &  Gallmeyer  Foundry 
Co.  and  the  Grand  Rapids  Foundry  Co. 
turn  out  finished  bronze  and  brass  cast­
ings  for  those  who  are  prepared  to  do 
their own  machine  work.

The  Brass  &  Iron  Bed  Co.  was  organ­
ized  in  1895  to  carry  on  the manufacture 
of  metal  beds  and  cribs. 
It  occupies 
extensive quarters  in  the  Rood  block  on 
Campau  street,  where 
it  has  a  large 
amount  of  special  machinery  for  this 
class  of  work.  The  line  at  present  is 
confined  largely  to  iron  beds  in  a  vari­
ety  of  enamel 
are 
trimmed  with  brass  mounts  thus  pro­
ducing  very  tasty  decorative  effects. 
The output  of  the  company  finds  ready 
sale  throughout  the  country,  and  the  es­
tablishing  of  factories  of  this  nature  in 
our  city  should  meet with  the  support  of 
all  who are  interested  in  developing  our 
industrial  resources.

finishes,  which 

in  this  and  kindred 

In  conclusion,  I  think 

it  will  be of 
interest  to  the  general  public  to  have 
some  knowledge  of  the  number  of  em­
ployes 
lines  of 
work,  as  well  as  capital  invested,  and 
other  details.  The  following  list  is  in­
tended  to  apply  only  to those  industries 
which  can  be  classified  as  metal 
indus­
tries,  and  does  not  include  the  machine 
shops, 
foundries,  bicycle  manu­
facturers,  except  their  plating  depart­
ments,  and  similar  concerns:
Capital  employed, approximated..................$200,000
Annual  output, approximated......................   325,000

iron 

EMPLOYES.

Ornamental pattern makers..........................  
Metal polishers.............................................. 
Metal buffers.......................................... 
Brass moulders............................................... 
Brass finishers...................... 
 
Platers.'............................................................ 
Lacquerers......................................................  
Tool makers  (not including machinists)_ 
Other employes, about..................................  

 

 

7
ae
60
40
to
20
20
30
300

Total, 

572
When  it  is  remembered  that  no  men 
were  employed  and  no  capital  was  in ­
vested  in  the  brass  business  in  this  city 
prior  to  1882,  1  think  the  showing  is  a 
remarkable  one  and  that  Grand  Rapids 
is  to  be  congratulated  that  an  important 
industry  has  been  practically  created 
within  the  period  covered  by  the  life  of 
the  Tradesman. 

D a n i e l   T o w e r .

When  a  man  gets  married,  it’s  about 
the only  time  in  bis  life  that  he  has  on 
new  clothes all  through.

HAY  TRADE.

How  Michigan  Growers  Can  Secure 

Better  Prices.

Our  hay  crop,  which 

is  of  such  vast 
value,  should  command  more  attention, 
especially  in  Western  Michigan,  where 
it  is  becoming  a  very  important product 
and  one  of  the  most  profitable  for the 
farmer  when  taken  from  soil  adapted  to 
the  growing  of  timothy.

According  to  the  State  and  Govern­
ment  reports,  we  have  the  largest  crop 
of  bay  to  dispose  of  this  year  that  the 
country  has  ever  produced.  While  the 
local  demand  seems  greater  than  the 
supply 
in  Western  Michgian,  it  is  an 
undeniable  fact  that  we  have  more  bay 
in  store  in  the  country,  as  well  as  in 
Michigan,  than  ever  before,  there  be­
ing  a  large  amount  of  second  grade and 
mixed  bay  carried  over on  account  of

the  extremely  low  prices  of  1897.  We 
are  obliged  to  compete  with  Eastern 
hay  at  the  seaboard  as  well  as  in  New 
England,  and  we  are  to  considerable 
disadvantage  on  account  of  the  quality 
and  kind  of  balers  now  used 
in  this 
part  of  the  State.  Our  press  men  should 
change  their small  bale  perpetual  press 
for  upright 
This 
change  would  give  the  farmer  on  all 
Eastern  shipments  about  $1  more  per 
ton  than  he  is  now getting with the small 
baler.

large  bale  press. 

Another  very  serious  drawback  is  in 
the  curing  of  the  hay  by  the  producer. 
It  is  left  in  the  field,  subject  to  showers 
and  dews,  until  a  majority  of  our  tim­
othy  is  stained,  New  England  and  New 
York  hay  often  outselling  ours  by  $ 1  a 
ton.  Our  bay  dealers  should 
impress 
this  fact  upon  the  farmers of  whom  they 
buy.  Two-thirds of  our crop  of  so-called

No.  1  timothy  hay  now  grades  No.  2, 
in  consequence of  the  farmer  cutting his 
hay  when  he  has  time,  instead  of  when 
it  ought to be  cut.  Since  the  old-time 
lumber  camp  demand  for  our  bay  has 
disappeared,  our  dealers  and 
farmers 
should  work  to  improve  their grades, 
that  they  may  secure  the  market  price 
for  high  grade  bay  at  the  seaboard.

While  the  supply  is  increasing,  the 
consumption  has  decreased,  and  the 
trolley  street  car  is  largelv  to  blame  for 
this  lack  of  demand,  good  authority 
placing  the  shrinkage 
in  the  use  of 
horses  in  four of our  larger  cities  alone 
at  nearly  200,000  from  the  street  car 
service, 
lessening  our  consumption— 
figured  at  fifteen  pounds  per horse  per 
day—540,000 tons  annually.  This,  mind 
you,  is 
in  only  four  of  our  principal 
cities,  saying  nothing  about  the  many 
smaller  cities  which  have  discarded

horses. 
It  shows,  however,  that  this  is 
a  very  important  feature  for  the  hay 
producer  to  consider,  and  when  the 
farmer  is  obliged  to  sell  his  hay  for  $5 
or  $6  per  ton,  every  effort  should  be 
made  to  improve  the  quality  and  condi 
tions  for  marketing.

to 

While  hay 

is  a  commodity  that  is 
largely  consumed  where  it  is  produced, 
the  surplus  for  which  we  find  a  market 
in  the  East  and  South  is  worth 
looking 
after.  We  have  already  produced,  ac­
cording 
the  Government  reports, 
$570,000,000  worth  in  one  year,  that  be­
ing  the  year  1893; last  year’s  crop,  the 
estimated  value  was  $401,000,00a  This 
shows  a  large crop  for  last  year,  as  the 
price  was  very  low.

If  the  railroads  would  classify  bay  on 
an  equal  basis  with  grain,  it  would  im­
prove  the  chances  for  better disposing 
of  the  surplus,  and  this  year,  when  we

have  such  an  enormous  crop,  we  think 
it  would  be  greatly  to  the  railroads'  in­
terest  to  consider  lower  rates,  especially 
on  bay  to  be  exported.

The  July  Government  report  gives 
conditions  that  for  timothy  hay  the  New 
England  States, 
together  with  New 
York,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Kan­
sas and  Nebraska,  and  a  number  of  less 
important  states,  are  100  and  upwards; 
and  even 
important  states  like  Ohio, 
Michigan,  Indiana,  Minnesota  and  Mis­
souri,  whose  reports  are  somewhat  less 
favorable  than  the  foregoing,  have  con­
ditions that  are  above  a  series  of  years. 
This  is  followed  by  the  August  report, 
which  is fully as  encouraging  for  a  large 
crop  of  hay  and  low  prices,  the  acreage 
being  eight  tenths  of  1  per  cent,  greater 
In  forty-seven  states 
than 
and  territories  reported,  thirty  two  show 
an 
increase  of  from  1  to  10  per  cent., 
the  average  condition  of  timothy  being 
99.3,  which has  no  parallel  in  the  record 
of  the  department. 
the  New 
England  States,  New  York,  Illinois, 
Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and 
Oregon  the  conditions  exceed  100  per 
cent,  of  a full normal crop.  The  product 
of  clover 
is  also  very  high,  being  97 
per  cent,  of  a  full  crop.  Even  the 
alfalfa  crop  is  reported  at  100 and  up­
wards.

last  year. 

In  all 

With  these  conditions,  what  shall  we 
do  with  our hay?  We  note  to-day  that 
our  farmers  are  all  holding,  instead  of 
selling  at  the  market  price,  the  press 
men  not  being  able  to  pay  over $5  to 
$5.50,  while  the  farmers  are  exacting 
from  $6  to  $7.  The  Indiana  farmer  is 
disposing  of  his  hay  at  the  market 
price,  that  being  nearer  the  seaboard, 
and  can  deliver  at  a 
lower  rate  of 
freight,  from  40  to  80 cents  a  ton.  Ohio 
is  also  a  hay  State  and  nearer  the  sea­
board.  We  bear  of  considerable  bay 
being  shipped  from  Indiana  into  North­
ern  Michigan  already,  although  the  de­
mand  is  limited,  as  many  of  our  north­
ern  counties  have  plenty  of  hay  and 
some  to spare.  We do not  claim  to  know 
whether  the  price  will  go  up  or  down, 
but  we  wish  to  give  a  few  facts concern­
ing  this  crop:  Should  we  get a  dry  fall, 
the  pastures  being  dried  up,  thus  for­
cing  the  farmer to  feed  his  stock,  and  a 
long  cold  winter,  it  will  help  to  con­
sume  this  year’s  crop  and  stimulate  the 
price.  The  average  quality  will  run 
better than  last  year,  on  account  of  the 
weather  being  dry  during  the  haying 
season. 

O.  E.  B r o w n .

More  Goods  Sold.

Evidence  multiplies  that  the  fall  and 
winter  seasons  will  see  more  goods  sold 
than  any  other  half  year  of  American 
history.  The  foundations  for  an  enor­
mous  trade are  of the  broadest and  firm­
est  character.  The  crops  of  last  year 
have  been  sold,  for  the  most  part,  at 
high  prices.  Debts have  been  paid  and 
a  surplus  remains 
in  the  hands  of  the 
people.  The  new  crops  promise  to  be 
heavy  and  are 
likely  to  bring  good 
prices  The  exports  have  been  for  near­
ly  a  year heavily  in  excess  of  imports, 
piling  up  a  large  balance  in  our  favor. 
Recently  even  our  exports  of  manufac­
tures  have  overtopped  the 
imports,  and 
that  is a  condition  that  is  likelv  to  be­
come  chronic,  for  our  manufacturers  are 
commanding  the  growing  respect of  the 
world.  Our  warships  have  demonstrated 
their  excellence  at  all  points,  and  a 
leading  London  paper  admits,  after 
careful  investigation,  that  we  can  build 
such  ships at  less  cost  than  any  country 
in  Europe.  Such  being  the  case,  the 
orders  already  in  band  for  war  vessels 
for  other  nations  are  likely  to  be  fol­
lowed  by  many  more.

When  a  woman  throws  a stone straight 
at  the  devil,  she  is  very  apt  to bit  her 
husband  square  in  the  face.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

1 5

An  Announcement

The  manufacturers  of Enameline,  the Modern 
Stove  Polish,  inform  the  retail  grocers  of  the 
United  States that on  and  after  Sept,  i,  1898, 
they  will  manufacture  Enameline  in  paste, 
cake  and liquid.

o o o o p p g g g p an g a p a an g inni « a g g g gatta 0000000000.

E n a m e lin e
PASTE* CAKE or LIQUID
Paste*Cake or i
r 

THE  MODERN
STOVE POLISH

» im n n n n n n n n n m n n m n r^ ^

W e  want  A L L   your  Stove  Polish  trade. 
In 
our  new  “ Enameline  Cake”   and  “ Enameline 
Liquid”   we  give  the  largest  quantities,  best 
quality  and  lowest  prices  ever  offered. 
If 
you  are  doing  business  for  profit  it  will  pay 
you  to  handle our  whole  line.

J.  L.  PRESCOTT  &  CO.,  New  York.

W .  W .  KIMBALL  CO.  are  the  largest  manufacturers  of 

PIANOS  AND  ORGANS  in  the  world.
W e can  save you  money  when  you buy.
See  us,  or  write for  Catalogue.

35.37  5-  Division  St.,  Qrand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Successor  to  W.  W.  Kimball  Co.

C.  B.  DETRICK,

TTTTTir
W e  Realize— -—

That  in  competition  more  or  less  strong

/

Our Coffees and  Teas

Must  excel  in  Flavor  and  Strength  and  be 
constant  Trade  Winners.  All  our  coffees 
roasted on  day  of shipment.

T r i o  
139 Jefferson  A ven ue,  D etroit,  M ich.
I 116  J i  IVI.  DOUr  tO .,  113 -115-117 Ontario S t., Toledo, Ohio.

Jt/I 

I  

BLUE AND CRAY ENAMELED WARE

Manufactured expressly for us.  We carry a full  line  at 

right prices.  Every piece guaranteed to be perfect. 

t í

\ A /  m  

R r i i m m p l p r  
I l i o   L SI  U I I I I I l v l L I  

C o t i C
^ *

360  South  Ionia  Street, 

ni
Qrand  Rapids,  M ich.  Ill

a y

10

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

LIME  TRADE.

How  It  Thrived  in  the  Early  Davs  of 

the  City.

The  building  up  of  a  city,  as  well  as 
of  the country,necessitates  the handling, 
distribution  and  use of a  large  amount 
of  material.  This  distribution  and  con­
sumption  of  material  forms  one  of  the 
important  channels  of  trade  and  is  far- 
reaching  in  its  effects. 
It  reaches  back 
to  the  forest  and  the  deposits  of  min­
eral  of  various  kinds,  the  development 
of  which  gives  employment  to  armies of 
men  to  produce  the  various  kinds  of 
material,  which,  after  being  produced, 
give  employment  to a  large  number  of 
men  to  distribute  and  construct  the 
many handsome and expensive structures 
both  public  and  private  which  build  up 
and  form  the  wealth  of  our  communi­
ties.

Rapids  by  purchasing  her  lime  in  this 
city. 
It  was  shipped  to  all  the  sur­
rounding  towns  and  cities, 
including 
Grand  Haven,  Muskegon,  Ionia,  Port­
land,  Allegan,  Holland,  etc.,  and  the 
foundation  of  these  cities  aBd  villages, 
so  to  speak,  was  built  up  with  Grand 
Rapids  lime.

William  Morman, practically the father 
of  the  lime  business  in  Grand  Rapids, 
retired  from  the  business  in  1885,  de­
serving  a  rest  from  business  cares.  At 
the  present  time,  although  it  is  sixty- 
two  years  since  he  first  manufactured 
lime,  he 
is  still  living  and  is  enjoying 
fairly  good  health  for  his  age.  He  was 
succeeded  by his son,  S.  A.  Morman, who 
has  since  conducted  the  business,  and 
is  now  conducting  it  under the  name  of
S.  A.  Morman  &  Co.,  with  Charles  E. 
Meecb  as  a  partner.  The  house  is  one 
of  the  oldest,  if  not  the  oldest,  in  Grand

many  cars and  necessitates  much  heavy 
labor.

The  struggle  for  business,  competi­
tion,  narrow  margins,  etc.,  has  obliged 
the  dealer  to  take  on  other  lines  of 
building  material,  such  as  sewer  pipe, 
brick,  fire  brick,  stucco,  etc.,  and  at 
present  t^ere are  several  firms  compet­
ing  for  trade  in  the  city  and  surround­
ing  country,  and  their  trade  makes  one 
of  the  leading  industries  of  the  city.

Material  in  small  lots  and  mixed  car- 
lots  is  shipped  to  the  towns  and  cities 
of  Western  Michigan  and carload  orders 
are  taken  and  shipped  direct  from  the 
works 
in  different  parts  of  the  country 
with  which  the  dealer  has  shipping  ar­
rangements.  Where  formerly  the  Ohio 
lime  was  the  main  branch  used  in  this 
section,  at  present the  Petoskev  lime  is 
superseding  it  on  account  of  its strength 
and  reaching  qualities.  The  Louisville

Nature,  in  her  great  distribution  of 
her  material,  has deposited  beds  of  lime 
rock  in  all  sections,  apparently  know­
ing  it  was  one  of  the  necessities  in  the 
development  of  a  country.  From  it  is 
produced  carbonate  of  lime,  so  com­
monly  used 
in  the  cementing  of  our 
stone  and  brick  and  the  plastering  of 
our  walls.  We  can  think  of  no  material 
to  take  its  place  which  can  be  so  easily 
and  cheaply  produced  and  is  so  easy  of 
access.

The  necessity  of  this  material  has 
built  up  large  plants  for  its  manufac­
ture  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 
In 
an  early  day,  before  the  construction 
and  extension  of  so  many  railroads,  the 
lime  rock  in  the  bed  of  our  river  was 
utilized  and  the  earlier  buildings in  this 
section  of  the  country  were  built  up 
and  plastered  with  Grand  Rapids  lime.
As  early  as  1833  a  small kiln  was built 
near the  present  site  of  the  Nelson  & 
Matter  Furniture  Co.  This  kiln  was 
used  but  little,  and  was  succeeded  by 
one  erected  by  Wm.  Morman  and  Sim­
eon  Stewart  in  1836,  on  the  present  site 
of  the  Grand  Rapids  Veneer  Works. 
Mr.  Morman  bought  out  his  partner  the 
following  year  and  conducted  the  busi­
ness  alone.  As  this  was  the  pioneer 
period  of  Grand  Rapids,  with  few  set­
tlers  and  moderate  growth,  the  volume 
of trade  was not  such  as  to  demand  the 
entire  attention  of  the  owner,  hence  he 
put  in  part  of  his  time  in  clearing  up  a 
farm  north  of  the  city  which  he  took 
from  the  Government.

During  the  succeeding  years  kilns 
were  built  on  both  sides  of  the  river  by 
Geroge  Congdon,  George  Mason  and 
others. 
In  1858  Mr.  Morman,  together 
with  Mr.  L.  C.  Davidson,  purchased 
the  kiln  previously  erected  on  the  east 
bank  of  the  river,  opposite  the  Oriel 
Cabinet  Co.  Shortly  after,  Mr.  Mor­
man  purchased  the 
interest  of  Mr. 
Davidson.  About  the  close  of  the  war 
the  city  and  surrounding  country  took 
an  active  start  in  their growth.  At  this 
time  Mr.  Morman  constructed  what  they 
called  a  patent  continuous-burning  kiln 
and  the  business  assumed  greater  pro­
portions.  Hundreds  of  cords  of  wood 
were  brought  in  by  the  farmers  during 
the  winter  and  piled  up  for summer use. 
During  the  low-water  period  hundreds 
of  cords  of  stone  were quarried from  the 
bed  of the  river,  giving  employment  to 
many  men  and  teams,  and  the  business 
was  something  of  a  factor  among  the 
city’s  enterprises.  The  river  bank  was 
a  busy  place  in  those  days,  presenting 
a  marked  contrast  to  its  present  appear­
ance  where  the  ruins  of  an  old  kiln 
leave  a landmark  of  the  former  activity.
In  the early  years  succeeding  the  war 
Western  Michigan  paid  tribute to Grand

Rapids  which  has  followed  one  line  of 
business.

With  the  advent  of  more  railroads, 
better  and  cheaper  facilities  for  trans­
portation,  and  more  economical  condi­
tions  for  the  manufacture  of  lime  by 
large  companies  in  Ohio  and  Northern 
Michigan,  the  Grand  Rapids  lime  has 
been  crowded  out  of  the  market and 
Grand  Rapids 
is  now  a  distributer of 
the  necessary  article.  With  the  rapid 
growth  of  the  city 
in  years  past,  to­
gether  with  the  condition  of  the  sur­
rounding 
the  business  has 
grown  to  larger  dimensions and  thou­
sands  of  barrels  of  lime  and  cement 
are  distributed  each  year.  On  account 
of  the  cheapness  of  the  article 
the 
amount  of  business  in  dollars and  cents 
does  not  equal  the  amount  in  other 
channels,  but  the  bulk  and  tonnage 
means  the  loading  and  unloading  of

country, 

cement  is the  leading  brand for building 
work  in  this  city,  the Milwaukee cement 
for  street  work,  while  Akron and Buffalo 
have  strong  advocates  through  the  coun­
try  and  smaller  towns.

As  long  as  the  city  and  country  con­
tinue  to build  up,  lime and  cement  will 
be  leading  articles  of  trade;  and  may 
progress  and  growth  continue  and  pros­
perity  reign. 

S.  A.  Morman.

The  Statement  Was  Confirmed.

Old  Fogy— I  am  pained  to  bear  that 
you  are  addicted  to  poker  playing,  and 
that  last night' you  lost $25.

Young  Fogy—The 

I 
don’t  even  know  how to play the game. ’ ’
“ So  I  am  informed  by  the  party  who 

idea!  Why, 

won  the  money. ’ ’

Many  a  man  after  marriage  wishes  he 
had  one-tenth  of  the  money  he  fooled 
away  on  other  girls,  to  buy  a  baby  car­
riage  with.

Vindication  o f the  American  Hog.
Washington,  Sept  5—Consul  Barnes 
at  Cologne,  whose  recent  report  on  the 
preparation  of  American  fruits  for  the 
German  market  attracted  much  atten­
tion,  has  followed  it  with  a  report  upon 
trichinae,  which  is  a  splendid  vindica­
tion  of  the  American  hog  from  the villi- 
fications  of  his  German  accusers.  The 
report  says:
“ Through  the  medium  of  a  society  of 
German  foreign  meat 
importers,  whose 
object  is  the  protection  and  promotion 
of  the  German  trade  in  meats  and  fat 
products,  I  learn  that  for  the  last  fifteen 
years,  beginning  with  the  decree  of  1883 
prohibiting  the  importation  of  Ameri­
can  meat and  ending  with  the  close  of 
last  year,  there  were  officially  confirmed 
in  the  kingdom  of  Prussia  3,003  re­
ported  cases  of  illness  from  trichinae, 
207  of  which  resulted  in  death.  Of  these 
there  could  be  traced  to  the  eating  of 
European  meat  examined 
in  Germany 
and  found  to  be free from trichinae 1,242 
cases of  illness  and  102  deaths.  Thus 
41  35 per  cent,  of  all  the  cases  of  illness 
and  49.7  per  cent  of  all  the  deaths 
were  caused  by  the  consumption  of 
European  pork  which  was  examined 
in 
Germany  and 
found  to  be  free  from 
trichinae.  The  remaining  cases  could 
also be  traced  to  importations of  Euro­
pean  meat,  partly  examined  and  partly 
not  examined,  and 
found  to  contain 
trichinae,  and  yet  handled  by  the  trade.
“ In  not  one  of  the  above  3,003  cases 
could  it  be  proved  that  the  illness  was 
caused  by  the  use  of  American  salted, 
pickled  or  tinned  meat,  nor  by  smoked 
sausage  (imported  under  imperial  de­
cree  of  Sept.  3,  i8qi).  This  statement 
holds  good  for  all  Germany. 
In  con­
firmation  of this  fact,  the  society  here­
in  before  mentioned  has  issued  posters 
wherein  a  reward  of  1,000  marks  ($233) 
is  offered  to the  person  who  can  prove 
that  trichinae  has  been  transferred  to 
human  beings  by  the  consumption  of 
American  salted  or  pickled  pork  or 
smoked  sausage  imported  under  the  im­
perial  decree of  Sept.  3,  1891,  canceling 
the  edict  forbidding  the  importation.

How  One  Dealer  Does  It.

Chas.  O.  Olson  runs  an  extensive  dry 
goods  store  in  Toledo,  Iowa.  He  is  an 
old  traveling  salesman,  and  from  his 
experience and  observation  has  adopted 
the  ideas  which  he believes  best  suited 
to his  community.

“ I  have  found,”   said  he,  “ that  the 
giving  of  premium  goods  has  come  to 
be  a  necessity  in  many  towns.  Toledo 
is one  of  those  places,  and  I  am  as deep 
in  the  premium  goods  business  as  any 
of  them.  The  scheme  has  met  with 
several  changes. 
It  used  to  be  that  sil­
verware  was all  the  go,  but  now  almost 
any  kind  of an  article  may  be  found  on 
the  premium  list.  At present  I  am  giv­
ing  out  cbinaware,  anything  from  a 
whole  dinner  set  to  a  single  piece,  ac­
cording  to  the number of  checks  that  are 
saved  and  presented  by  the  customer. 
A  check  is  given  with  every  twenty-five 
cent  purchase.  The  bother  with  this 
scheme  is that  it  is  overdone.
-  “ I  have  had  some  dealings  with  a 
trading  check  concern  at  Des  Moines 
that  distributes  Rand-McNally  atlases 
through  the  check  system.  All 
the 
checks given  out  by  the  retailer have  to 
be  paid  for,  and  this  I  consider  an  ob­
jection,  because  the  Des  Moines  people 
get  all  the  profit  on  the  unused  checks.
“ I  advertise  in  two  weekly  papers, 
and  keep  the  advertisements  alive  by 
frequent  changes. 
I  consider  this  form 
of  advertising  indispensable.  I  am  also 
interested  in  window  dressing,  and  try 
to  keep  up  with  the  times  in  it.  The 
public  is  always  very appreciative  when 
an  extra  effort  is  made  in  the  show  win­
dows. ’ ’

Beneath  Contempt.

Mr.  De  Broker— I  am  a defaulter,  and 

I  want  you  to  defend  me.

Great  Lawyer—Certainly,  Mr.  De 
Broker;  I ’ll  get  you  off all right.  Have 
no  fear.  How  many  millions  is  it?

Mr.  De  Broker  (with  dignity)— Sir,  I 
am  short  only  a  few  thousand,  and  I 
hope to  pay  that  some day.

Great  Lawyer  (to office  boy)— Tames, 

show this  vile  scoundrel  the  door.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

WORLD’S  BEST

17

SOLD  BY  ALL  JOBBERS 

-
Q.  J.  JOHNSON  CIGAR  CO.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

5C  Cigar

18

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

ly  all  finely  equipped  with  their own 
lighting 
systems,  operating  separate 
machines by  individual  electric  motors, 
thus  disposing  of  long  lines  of  shafting. 
This  method  of  operating  machines 
is 
coming  into  common use, the most  mod­
ern  and  finely-appointed factories to-day 
running  all  their  machines  by  separate 
motors,  supplying  current  from 
large 
generators 
in  their  engine  room,  and 
conveying  this  electrical  energy  to  each 
machine by  electric  wiring,  in  place  of 
old-style,  long,  expensive  and  cumber­
some  line  shaftings.  This  is  considered 
to  be  a  more  economical  way  of dis­
tributing  energy  than  our  older,  direct- 
connected,  rotary  motions  as  conveyed 
by  shafting  and  pulleys  and  belts.

The  uses  to  which  electricitv  has been 
ingenious  thought  and  in­

adapted  by 

telegraph  around  the  world.  Our  busi­
ness  men  can  transact  important  busi­
ness  a  thousand  miles  away.  Our  navy 
could  not  do without the  important elec­
trical  devices  pertaining  to their search­
lights,  signallights,  electric  torpedoes, 
etc.  The  mining  industries have been 
greatly  facilitated  by  certain  electrical 
machinery. 
The  underground  rapid- 
transit  problem  is  solved  by  the  appli­
cation  of  electricity.  Our  medical  pro­
fession  owe  a  large  part  of  their modern 
methods  of  investigation  to  the  X  rays, 
which  are a  development  of  electrical 
application  to  certain  conditions.  Thus 
electricity  has  become  to  the  world  in 
general  an  indispensable  article,  as  we 
may  term 
it—something  impossible to 
do  without  and  still  maintain  our  mod­
ern  methods,  and  yet  all  this  impor-

ELECTRICAL  PROGRESS.

Wonderful  Strides  Made  During  the 

Past  Fifteen  Years.

Among  the  many  prominent  develop­
ments of the  past fifteen  years  electricity 
can  safely  be  termed  the  leader  of  all. 
The  advantages  offered  by  the  applica­
tion  of  electrical  energy  are  many,  and 
of  vast  importance  to the  world  in  gen­
eral.

other 

traveling 

important 

Electrical science and the  possibilities 
that  may  arise  are  still  far  from  having 
reached  perfection,  and  we  have  yet  to 
witness  a  revolution  of  manufacturing 
facilities,  and 
industries, 
many 
commercial 
necessities  as  derived  from  electrical 
energy,  all  of  which  will  be of the great­
est  importance  to  the  advanced  modern 
methods  of  conducting  our  commercial 
industries.  For indications  of  the  mod­
ern  applications  of  electricity  we  need 
go  no  farther than  our  own  progressive 
city,  as  we  can  in  our  daily  routine  ob­
serve  our  electric  lighting  plants,  iso­
lated  lighting  plants,  decorative  signs, 
electric  railroads,  enclosed  arc 
lamps 
and  many  other  electric  devices.
‘ Take  the  telephone  as  an  example 
of  the  rapid  growth  of  electricity  as  ap­
plied  to  commercial  uses.  We  have 
known  of  such  an  instrument  for  fifteen 
years,  but  up  to that  time  not  many  had 
the  pleasure  of  using  them.  Then  they 
were  crude  in  every  way,  and  were  ex-1 
pensive,  but  few  being  in  use and  those 
over  very  limited  distances;  but  to-day 
we  can  look  at the  past  only  to  wonder 
and  ponder  over  the  possibilities  of 
the  coming  fifteen  years.  Telephones 
are  in  use  in  nearly  every  city  and  town 
in  the  United  States.  Our  long  distance 
telephone  has  greatly  facilitated  busi­
ness.  The  past  three  years  has  brought 
the  larger  part  of  this  particular  branch 
into  use,  this  being  caused  by  the  en­
trance 
in  the  field  of the  independent 
exchanges,  our  own  city  being  a  strik­
ing  and  successful  example  of 
this 
growing  public  convenience.  Although 
telephones  are  an  absolute  necessity  to 
the  business  world  to-day  and  could  not 
be  put  aside,  still  there  are  other 
branches  of  electrical  application  that 
are  very  important.  The  lighting  ques­
tion  has  been  successfully,  practically 
and  economically  solved,  many  cities 
owning  and  controling  their  own 
light­
ing  plants.  Grand  Rapids  may,  at  some 
future  day,  be  the  proud possessor of her 
own 
the 
question  seems  to  be  very  warmly  con­
tested,  and  although  the  people  vote  for 
such  a  plant,  it  still  seems  open  to  de­
bate  and  long  delay.

lighting  system.  However, 

The  new acetylene gas,  lately invented 
and  being  rapidly  brought  into  promi­
nence  as  the  most  brilliant  illuminant, 
as a  substitute  for  oil 
lamps  and  even 
gas  and  electricity,  is  entirely  depend­
ent on  electricity  for  its  manufacture— 
can  not  be  manufactured  without  it. 
This  is  certainly a  very  important  and 
modern  use of  electricity and  is  sure  to 
be  the  means of  a  revolution  of  lighting 
in  small  towns,  all  due,  primarily,  to 
electricity.  And  so  we  can trace  its  uses 
back  of  things  which,  to  the  ordinary 
observer,  have  no  connection  with  this 
wonderful  fluid,  as  it  may be  termed,  of 
this  enlightened  Nineteenth  Century.
Consider,  too,  our  great  advance 

in 
transportation  facilities,  our  local  and 
suburban— to  be— electric 
Consider,  also,  our  well-lighted  stores 
and  streets.  What  did  we  use  fifteen 
years  ago?

railroads.

To-day  one  can  visit  our  immense 
manufacturing  industries  and  find  near­

vention  of  complicated  mechanisms  are 
many.  The  new  metal,  aluminum,  is 
dependent  on  electricity.  Our  vast  elec­
tro-plating  establishments,  which  have 
revolutionized  the  manufacture of plated 
goods,  consume  an  immense  amount  of 
current. ~  The  art  of  cooking  by  elec­
tricity  has  been  practically  and  suc­
cessfully  accomplished.  Very  few  boats 
of  any  size are  without their  own 
light­
ing  plants.  To-day  we  can  sit  in  our 
public  halls  and 
listen  to  campaign 
in  faraway  places;  this  is  in­
speeches 
deed  a  luxury.  We  can  look  into  elec­
trical  devices  and  witness 
in  detail 
exact  reproductions  of  our  champion 
prize-fights.  We  can  hear  the  cheers of 
nominating  conventions.  Owing  to  the 
rapid  development  of  line  construction 
and  laying  of submarine  cables  we  can

tant  development  has  taken  but  fifteen 
short  years,  and  many  of  the appliances 
have  been 
in  use  for  but  four or five 
years.

The  coming  years  must  bring  many 
more 
important  devices  and  uses  of 
electricity.  This  is  proven  by  the  rap­
idly-increased  demand  at  the  patent 
offices  for  patents  on  various  devices 
operated  electrically.

We  hav'e  yet  to  look  forward  to  one 
very 
important  change  relative  to  the 
production  of  electricity.  We  are  at 
present  compelled  to  use other energy  to 
produce  electrical  energy;  that 
is  to 
say,  we  can  not  obtain  electricity  in 
quantities  to  put  to  practical  uses unless 
we  go to  enormous  expense.  The energy 
which  we  have  used  for  many  years, 
steam  or  water  power,  is  an  essentia*

power to  the  production  of  our electrical 
energy,  as  we  must  use  either  of  these 
two  powers  to  operate  machinery  which 
produces  the  electrical  energy,  so  con­
veniently applicable to uses  where  steam 
or  water  would  fail  in  producing  the  re­
sults  as  a  primary  and  only  power.  So, 
to  this  great  discovery  of  producing 
electricity  from  the  heavens  or  earth 
(which  are generally  conceded  to  be  the 
storehouses  of  electricity)  without  the 
large  expense  of  primary  energy we  will 
look  forward,  and  expect 
it  to  be  the 
means  of  producing  wonderful  advance 
ment  in  the  uses of  electricity  as a prac­
tical  and  economical  unit  of  power  and 
illumination.  When  our  brighter  en­
gineers  and  scientists,  with  their  com­
bined  researches,  arrive  at  the  solving 
of  this  problem  we  will  have a still more 
rapid  development  of  the  uses  of  the 
power  which 
is  already  the  most  ad­
vanced  in  such  short  time.

The  day  will  come,  sooner  or  later, 
when  our  foremost  power,  as  applied  to 
all  modern  manufacturing 
industries, 
shall  be  electrical  energy  economically 
used ;  and  the  writer hopes  the  Trades­
man  may  live  to  see  that  day,  may  live 
under  the  same  successful  management, 
and  may  continue  to  advance  in  the  fu­
ture  as  in  the  past,  ever  keeping  pace 
with  the  electrical  development  which 
is  sure  to  be  experienced  in  the  future.

M.  B.  Wh ee ler.

The  Talkative  Clerk.

A  large  department  store  in  Phila­
delphia  employs  a  certain  number  of 
girls about  16  years  old  and who are  im­
bued 
in  an  unusual  degree,  even  for 
girls  of  that  frivolous  age,  with  an  emo­
tional  nature that  is  not  at  all  flattering 
when  it  manifests  itself  to  the  dignity 
of  the  older  people  who  visit the store  to 
purchase  goods.  For these  girls,  mind 
you,  are  just  as  hilarious  in  the  pres­
ence of  customers  as  at  times  when  cus­
tomers  are  not  around.  Nor  do  they 
make  any  apparent  discrimination  in 
their answers  to  customers  and  to  their 
own  wild  set,  for  they  are always  more 
or  less flippant  and  at  times  really  dis­
gustingly  so  to  a  person  with  a  refined 
temperament.  So.  that  it  is  manifestly 
the  part  of  wisdom  for  the  manager  of 
that  department,  if  he  desires  to  hold 
the  respect  of  his  customers,  to  dispose 
of  those  girls  speedily. 
It  should  be 
the  policy  of  every  store  to  limit  the 
conversation  of  its  salespeople  within 
reasonable  bounds,  so  that  their  remarks 
may  not  be  heard  by  customers, 
for 
oftentimes  the  talk  of  these  clerks  will 
bear  upon  the  shoes  they  are  selling, 
and  if  it be flippant  and  overheard  by 
a  customer,  it  will  have a  greater  effect 
than 
in 
person.  Many  customers  have the  idea 
that  the  clerks are  honest  in  their  talks 
with  one another,  but  are  paid  not to be 
honest  in  their talks  to  the  public,  and 
therefore  the  jesting  remarks  made on 
the  side  are  taken  as  the  truth.
Buying  Enthusiasm.

if  it  is  said  to  the  customer 

Enthusiasm  is good  capital  to 

invest 
in  your  business. 
It  is  worth  paying 
for.  Yes.  you  can  buy  enthusiasm  for 
money.  Try it and see  how  certainly  you 
can  do  it.  Sometime  when  you  feel 
only  a  languid  interest  in your business, 
yank  something  out of  stock  and  cut  a 
great  chunk  off  the  selling  price—a 
chunk  worth  the  while,  a  chunk  that 
will  compel  people to  want  the goods  at 
the  revised  price.  Then  advertise  in 
your  home newspaper and  tell  the  peo­
ple  what  you  have  done.  Tell  them  the 
truth,  and 
if  your  selection  of a  leader 
has  been  wise  you  will  soon  find  things 
stirring,  not  only  in  your  store,  but  in 
your  breast  as  well.

What  if  you  do  lose  a  few  dollars  on 
the goods  so  advertised? 
If  you  have 
aroused  your own  interest  in  your  busi­
ness by  arousing  the  interest  of  others, 
you  have  bought  enthusiasm  at  a  very 
low  price.  Try 
It  is  better  than 
spring  medicine  for that  tired  business 
feeling.

it. 

¡ * í * * í ¿ * í * í * * í í * í * í * M 4 * * * * * í * * é * í í í * * * * * * é * í í * * í * * 4 í í í í í í * * * * * * * í * í * í * * * * * * * * * * * * * * M * * * * *  * * * * * * * *

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

IQ

E  LEONARD & SONS

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.

BUY YOUR

CROCKERY  RIGHT

r r CHAM PION”  A SS O R TM EN T

2 
Domestic  W hite  Granite  W are  at  manufacturer’s  prices  and  on  your  own  selection  of  the  assortment.
2 
Notice  this,  the  “ Champion”   Assortment  is  UNIQUE  in  that  you,  yourself  make  the  selection  after the  first  two  items  which
2   are  staple  and  saleable  in  every  stock.  You can  make your  selections  as  large  or  as  small  as  you wish.  W e  have  sold  this  ware  for  the 
2   past five or  six years  and have  yet  to  hear  the  first  question  as  to  quality.  W e  guarantee  it  in  every  respect.  At  these  prices  this 
2   crockery  is  shipped  very promptly  from  factory.

OYSTER  BOWL

ROUND  SCALLOPS

alogue,  ready  in  a  few  days,  showing  the 
largest  variety  of  goods  in  this  line  we 
have  ever  shown,  at  prices  on  which  a 
good  profit  may  be  obtained.  Remember 
we  can  save  you  time,  money  and  freight  charges.

* I ^HE  PLACE  to  buy  Lamps,  Crockery,  Glass- 
*   ware,  Dinner Sets,  Toilet  Sets,  Fruit  Jars, 
Stoneware, Silverware,  Hardware  Sundries, Tin­
ware,  Granite  Ironware,  Bazaar  Goods,  Toys, 
Dolls,  Games,  Picture  and  Miscellaneous  Books, 
Sleds,  Skates and every  variety of
............ ...... :------- HOLIDAY  GOODS.

* Drop  us  a postal  for  our  new  Holiday  Cat­
have  our prompt  personal  attention. 1

W e  hope you  are  arranging  to  come  to  the  State 
Fair,  to  be  held  in  this  city  Sept.  26-30,  and  that  you 
will  make  it  a  special  point  to  come  and  look over our 
many lines  of  profit-making  merchandise. 
It will pay 
you.  You can  select  enough  goods  from  our  stock 
alone  to  add  a very  nice  profit to your year’s business. 
Our full  force of ten  salesmen  on  the  floor.

The  Crockery  shown  on  this  page  is  the  common 
every day  kind  of  Ironstone  China  used  by  every 
family,  is  black  stamped  on  every  piece,  and  w ar­
ranted  never to craze.
j

Keep  up  your  stock  by  ordering  from  this  list 
and  you  will  do  the  greatest  Crockery  business  this 
fall ever done  in your  town.  You  can  meet  all  com­
petition  by  buying  here.
jH 

Watch  our  column  of advertised  prices 
elsewhere  in  this  paper for  the  very  lowest 
prices  at  which  our staple  goods are offered.

Packages  are  charged  at  exact  cost  in accordance 

Special  Notice

with  the  Crockery  trade  everywhere.

Mail  Orders

jft 

j/t 

j t  

j/t

j t

J

 

TEAS

BOWLS

MEAT  DISHES

‘Champion”  Assortment  Best  Iron  Stone  White  Granite

. __ 
•
.

inch...................................  

inch.........................................  

Q U AN TITY 
AR TICLI
12  Dozen  Handled  Teas  and  Saucers,  12  of  eac 
12  Dozen  ^  inch  Plates,  full  measure,  9  inch.
...............Unhandled  Teas  and  Saucers.............
.........Handled  Coffees and  Saucers...............

CO ST  PER  DOZ. 
-----$0.50 
............58 
............53
. . . .  
.74
............64 
............44 
__ .5  inch Plates,  full  measure,  7%   inch...........................................
. . .  
.52 
__ 6  inch  Plates,  full  measure,  8  inch............................................
'-76
.....  8  inch  Plates,  full measure,  9 in ch .............................................................. 
__ 4 inch Fruits,  full  measure,  5  inch....................................................................... 24
__ Individual Butters,  full  measure,  3  in ch .............................................................. *6
___ 3  inch  Round  Scallops,  full  measure,  4 ^   inch................................................5°
5^
. . . .   4 inch  Round  Scallops,  full  Measure, 
. . . .   5  inch  Round  Scallops,  full measure,  6)4 inch.................................................64
__ 6  inch Round  Scallops,  full  measure,  7 %   inch................................................... 80
__ 7  inch  Round  Scallops,  full  measure, 
inch....................................................96
__ 8 inch Round  Scallops,  full measure,  9)4  inch............................................  1-44
__ 9  inch  Round  Scallops,  full  measure,  io)4  inch.........................................   1.92
__ 10 inch  Round  Scallops,  full measure,  11  inch.............................................   2.40
. . . .   3  inch  Meat  Dishes,  full  measure,  6)4  inch......................................................48
. . . .   4 inch  Meat Dishes,  full  measure,  7 %   inch................................................ 
48
__ 5  inch  Meat  Dishes,  full measure,  X)4  inch........................................................ 52
__ 6  inch  Meat Dishes,  full measure,  9  inch............................................................5®
7  inch  Meat  Dishes,  full measure,  10^   inch................................................... 64
__ 8 inch  Meat  Dishes,  full measure,  n )4  in ch ... 
............................................. 80
__g  inch  Meat  Dishes,  full measure,  12 
96
i -44
. . . .   10 inch  Meat 
Dishes,  full measure,  13 ^  
inch..................................   2.4°
12  inch  Meat 
18 inch............................... 3-36
14 inch  Meat 
__ 16 inch  Meat 
inch.......................  5-28
. . . .   3  inch  Bakers,  full measure,  5%  inch................................................................ 56
__ 4 inch Bakers,  full  measure,  6%  inch.................................................................. 56
. . . .   5  inch Bakers,  full  measure,  7 %   inch................................................................ 6a
. . .   6  inch Bakers,  full measure,  8 inch.................................................................... 80
__ 7  inch  Bakers,  full measure,  9 inch...................................................................... 96
. . .   8 inch  Bakers,  full  measure,  10 inch............................................................  1-44
__ 9  inch  Bakers,  full measure,  II  inch..............................................................   L92
__. . . . .   Sauce  Boats  ............................................................................ 
*,28
2  
...............Pickle Dishes............................................................................................................. 96
. . .   8 inch Covered  Dishes.....................................................................................3-84
2   __  
2  
...............8  inch  Covered  Casseroles................................................................................. 4-32
2  ...............Covered  Butters and  Drainers..........................................................................   2.88
2  .............. No.  42  Pitchers,  size  1% pint.......................................  
.69
 
...............No.  36 Pitchers, size 2  pint.................................................................. 
80
...............No.  30 Pitchers, size 3  pint.....................................................................................96
2  
.............. No.  24  Pitchers,  size 4 pint...........................  
 
1.12
2  
1.92
...............No.  12  Pitchers,  size 6  p in t........................................................
2  ...............Covered  S u gars.............................................................................
2.16
...............No.  30 Bowls, size  I }4 pint.................................................................................... 64
2  
...............No.  24  Bowls, size 2%  p in t ...................................................................................80
A  
2  
64
...............No. 30 Oyster  Bowls,  footed,  size  1  pint........................ 
2  
.............. Chambers,  12s uncovered,  measure  7 inches 
1.92
2  
.............. Chambers,  12s covered,  measure  7  inches...................................................... 2.88
2  
.............. Chambers,  9s uncovered,  measure  8 ^   inches.............................................   2  56
2  
...............Chambers,  9s covered,  measure 8 #   inches..................................................  3.84
2  
...............Chambers,  6s uncovered,  measure 9%  inches.......... ........................ 
2.88
2  
.............Chambers,  6s covered,  measure  9 #   inches..................................................  4.32
2  
’ ’ ” __ Ewers  and  Basins,  12s,  Basin  13 #   in.,  Ewer8 ^   pints.............................   5.00
2   ” _____ Ewers and  Basins,  9s,  Basin  14 #   in.,  Ewer  12  pints.................................   6.08

R ETA IL
. .. .$0.84 doz.
.90 doz.
• __ 
.75  doz.
.  .  1 .10 doz.
.95  doz.
.66 doz.
.78 doz.
1.20 doz. 
.36 doz. 
.25  doz. 
.07 each 
.08  each 
.10 each 
.12  each 
.15  each 
.20 each 
.25  each 
.35  each 
.06 each 
.06 each 
.07  each 
.08 each 
.10 each 
.12  each 
.15  each
.25  each 
•35  « eh  
.50 each 
.75  each 
.07 each 
.08 each 
.10 each 
.12 each 
.IC  each 
.20 each 
.25  each 
. 18 each 
.12 each 
. 50 each 
.60 each 
.40 each 
. 10 each 
.12  each 
.15  each 
.20 each 
.25  each 
.30 each 
.08 each 
.10 each 
.12 each 
.10 each 
.25  each 
.42 each 
.35  each 
.50 each 
.42 each 
.60 each 
.72  each 
.84 each

Dishes,  full  measure, 
Dishes,  full measure, 
19^  

Dishes,  full  measure, 

inch...................... 

............................. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H.  LEONARD  &  SO NS. FULTON & COMMERCE STS.  ft 

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICHIGAN.  |

20

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

TANNING  INDUSTRY.

Some  Changes  which  the  Years  HaVe 

Brought.

“ Leather  consists,  essentially,  of  the 
skins  of  animals,  chemically  altered  by 
the  vegetable  principle  called 
tannic 
acid  so  as  to  arrest  that  proneness to de­
compose  which  is  characteristic  of  soft 
animal  substances.  Its invention reaches 
beyond  the  dawn  of  history  and  was 
probably  among  the  earliest  germs  of 
civilization;  for,  as the  skins  of  animals 
would  naturally  be  among  the  first  arti­
cles  of  clothing,  any  means  of  perserv- 
ing  them  would  be  highly  prized.  The 
discovery  that  bark  bad  this  effect  was 
doubtless  the  result  of  accident  The 
principle  of  its  action  was  unknown  up 
to  the  present  century. ”

We  find 

in  the  book  of  Exodus  that 
Moses  asked  the  people  to  bring  for  the 
construction  of  the  tabernacle,  among 
many  other  things,  “ goat's  hair and  red 
skins  of  rams  and  badger  skins,”  which 
shows  that  those  articles  were  well 
known  and  valued  in  those  early  days. 
I  remember only  one  instance  where  the 
word  leather  is  used  in  the  B ible:  In 
Matthew  III.,  4,  the  record  is,  “ And 
the  same  John  bad  his 
raiment  of 
camel’s-hair and  a  leathern  girdle  about 
bis  loins,  and  his  meat  was  locusts  and 
wild  honey.”   Among  my  earliest  rec­
ollections  in  politics  is  a  paraphrase  of 
this  verse  as  applied  to some Whig lead­
er  who  was  a  powerful  speaker  and  very 
hostile  to  the  Democrats,  who  were 
called  Locolocos,  and  the  popular  ren­
dering  was,  “ His  meat  was  Locofocos 
and  wild  onions. ”

The  art  of  tanning  remained  simply 
an  art.  Intelligence and experience  kept 
increasing  from  father  to  son  and  each 
improved  somewhat  upon  the  process 
of  the  other;  but  progress  was  very  slow 
and  depended  upon 
the  skill  of  the 
workman  rather  than  upon  any  intelli­
gent  knowledge  of  the  elements  which 
contribute  to  the  manufacture of leather.

years to  a  tanner  named  Uriel  Enos,  of 
the  village  of  Buchanan, Berrien county, 
Michigan. 
It  was  in  my  19th  year  my 
father  bought  out  Mr.  Enos,  and  I  have 
been  practically  in  charge  of  a  tannery 
ever  since,  and  fully  realize  that  I  do 
not  thoroughly  understand  the  business 
and  that  there 
is  yet  a  great  deal  to 
learn.

In  the  early  days  there  were small tan­
neries  scattered  through  the  country  in 
almost  every  village,  and  they  filled  an 
important  place  in  the  industries,  the 
same  as  did  the  blacksmith,  the  wagon- 
maker  or  any  other  local  mechanic. 
In 
those  days they were cabled “ tan yards, ”  
instead  of  tanneries;  this  was  because 
nearly  all  of  the  vats  were  out  of  doors, 
only  a  rude  shelter  covering  a  few of the 
vats  to  protect  the  men  while  working 
on  hides  or  leather.

After  the  preparatory  stages  leather 
was  laid  away  with  a  heavy  layer of 
hark  b* tween  the  sides.  Then  the  vat 
was  filled  with  water  or  such  liquor  as 
the  tanner  had.  Plank  was  then  placed 
over the vats and they were buried  in tan- 
baik  to  await  a  favorable  opportunity 
for  changing.  Generally  quite  a  few 
vats  were  laid  away  late  in  the  fall,  and 
if  we  had  a  January  thaw  the  stock 
was  taken  up  and  given  another  layer. 
I  have  many  a  day  worked  at  this  when 
the  thermometer  was  below  freezing 
point,  so that  literally  the  establishment 
was  a  ‘ ‘ tan  yard.''  The bark was ground 
with  a  borsemill;  and  I  have  spent 
many  weary  weeks  breaking  bark  up 
fine  with  a  mallet  into  the  hopper of the

I 

was  apprenticed  at  the  age  of  14 

mill,  and 
it  was  a  good  day’s  work  to 
wheel  in  and  grind  half  a  cord  of  bark 
a  day.  All  of  these  things are  now  in 
the  past.

Tanning  is a  chemical process and the 
work 
is  going  on  largely  under  cover, 
and  hidden  from  the  view of  the  tanner 
in  more  senses  than  one. 
In  the  first 
place,  be  can  not  see  it  while  it  is  be­
ing  tanned,  and  in  the  next  place,  when 
be  does 
lift  it  up  to  look  at  it,  he  can 
not  determine  either  by  bis  sense  of 
taste  or  touch  just what change has taken 
place.  Until  very  recently  be  had  to 
rely  upon  the  “ feel”   of  his  stock  in  the 
vats  and  “ taste”   of  the 
liquor,  but  he 
had  no  scientific  knowledge  whatever.

About  fifteen  years  ago  the  writer  was 
conversing  with  Jackson  S.  Schultz,  the 
acknowledged  Nestor  of  the  trade  and 
among  the  most  prominent  men  of  bis 
time.  He  said  that  he  bad  expended 
about  a  hundred  dollars  on  chemistry 
during  bis active career and that ninety-

to be  better  understood.  Then the differ­
ent  natural  acids  that  are  found  in  tan­
ning  liquor  began to be considered,  such 
as  tannic  acid,  gallic acid,  acetic  acid, 
lactic  acid,  etc. 
It  must  be  remem­
bered  that  the  chemist  was  like  a  man 
traveling  through  an  unknown  country 
without  guide or  compass  when  he  be­
gan  to  determine the relative quantity  of 
those  different  varieties  of acids  and  to 
devise  a  test  which  would  indicate the 
presence  of  any  given  element  in  the 
liquor.  This,  of  course,  was  a  very  slow 
process,  and  our authority—namely,  the 
chemist—came  to  very  erroneous  con­
clusions,  which  were  disgusting  to  us, 
the  lay  members.  At times  we  would re­
pudiate  the  iutbority  altogether  and  try 
an!  go  it  alone  for a while;  finally,  after 
a  time  the  thoughtful  tanner would come 
back  to  the  chemist  for  assistance  to 
solve  a  problem  which  always  disturbed 
him.

About  fifteen  years  ago  Professor

the  bark  it  is  safe  to  say  that  in the year 
1880 one-half  of  the  tannin  contained  in 
the  bark  was  thrown  away.  We  found 
that  a  higher  degree  of  heat  would  be 
required  to  extract the valuable elements 
from  the  bark.  This  again 
involved 
different  appliances  and  methods  for 
both  generating  and  conserving  the  heat 
which  was  necessary,  all  of  which  was  a 
very  large  expense,  and  with  every  im­
provement  the  more  expense,  until  the 
poor  tanner  was  utterly  dismayed  and 
often  disheartened  when  he  saw  that  all 
of  his  profits,  and  more  too,  was  being 
absorbed 
I 
presume  that  the  tanner’s  experience 
does  not  differ  from  that  of any  other 
manufacturer  who 
is  keeping  up  with 
the  times  in  this  regard.

in  “ improved  methods.”  

The  manufacture  of  leather  and  leath­
er  products  has  increased  greatly  since 
the  war.  The  hemlock  forests  of  West­
ern  and  Northern  New  York  and  West­
ern  Pennsylvania  were  in  their  virgin 
condition,  and  offered  a  large  field  for 
the  capital  of  the  Eastern  cities.  So, 
with  the  aid  of  a  railroad,  the  work  of 
devastation  went  on  with  rapidity  and 
now  all  of  that  region  is  almost  entirely 
denuded.  The country was largely moun­
tainous  and  that  region  now  presents 
nearly  the  same blackened and desolated 
appearance  as  that  of  our  denuded lands 
in  the  North,  but  looks  even  more  for­
bidding  because  of  the  rocky  nature  of 
the  country.

Already  great  inroads  have been  made 
on  the  oak  bark  country  lying  chiefly 
south  of  the  Ohio  River.  This  country 
seems  to  be  destined  to  the  same  de­
struction  as  the  hemlock  forests  of  the 
North,  and  it  looks  as  though  the  next 
generation  would  have to  rely  on  other 
material  for  tanning.

I 

am  frequently  asked  the  question, 

“ What  are  you  going  to  do  for  leather 
when  the  bark  is  all  exhausted?”   For 
reply  I  can  only  state  in  general  terms 
that  science  and  evolution  can  always 
be  relied  upon  to  fill  up  any  gap  that 
occurs  from  time  to  time. 
In  other 
words,  God  seems  to  have  an  infinite 
store  of  necessities  for  his  children  and 
it  is  for them  to  search out  those  things. 
A  great deal  of  progress  has  been  made 
in  that  direction  within  the  past  few 
years.  Most  of  our  upper  leathers  are 
not  now  tanned  with  bark ;  other  sub­
stances  are  being  discovered  which 
make  a  tougher  and more  pliable leather 
than  bark.  Some  of  these  are vegetable, 
suchas 
japónica,  sumac  and  nutgall. 
Within  two  or  three  years  canaigre  root 
has  been  discovered,  and  is  now  being 
cultivated for a tanning  agent;  it  is  said 
to contain  a  larger  percentage  of  tannin 
than  any  other  vegetable and great hopes 
are  entertained  for  its  future  usefulness. 
A  great  deal  of  our  finer  leathers  are 
mineral  tannage,  and  are  known  by  va­
rious  attractive  names  which  practically 
signify  nothing.

Each  tanner  and  currier  differs  from 
the  others  somewhat  in  his  methods  and 
he  generally  has  some  secret  in  connec­
tion  with  his  particular  kind  of  leather 
which  makes it different from  his  neigh­
bor’s,  so  he  adopts  some  particular 
name  as  a  trade-mark  by  which  to  ad­
vertise  his  goods. 
It  is  a  popular  say 
ing  that  leather  is  not  nearly  so  good 
now  as  it  was  in  the  olden  time  when 
men  and  women  were  more  honest  and 
the  work  was  done  by  hand  and  when  it 
required  from  one  to  three  years  to  tan 
out  a  good  solid  side  of  sole  leather. 
This  popular  idea  is  a  great  mistake— 
the  fact  is that  leather  was  never so  well 
manufactured  as  now  and  never  were  so 
much  skill,  intelligence  and  integrity

nine  of  that  was  lost;  this  was  from  no 
contempt  of  science,  but  simply because 
of  the  fact  that  science  had  no  solution 
of  the  problems  which  confronted  him. 
About  fifteen  years  ago  the  writer con­
tracted  with  a  scientist, 
falsely  so- 
called,  in  New  York  City.  This  firm 
analyzed  our  liquor  and  began  to  advise 
us  in  regard  to  the  management  of  the 
yard.  They  did  a  great  deal  of  pa­
tient  investigation,  and it seemed earned 
the  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  which  we 
paid  them ;  but this conclusion  w  s  mis­
leading  and  the  result  was  disastrous  to 
us.

About  twenty  years ago,  more  or  less, 
a  tanner's  branch  was  started  in  the 
School  of  Technology 
in  Vienna,  and 
this  began  slowly  to  determine,  with 
considerable  exactness,  the nature  of the 
elements  which,  when  combined,  go  to 
make  up  that  which  we  call  leather. 
The  constituent  parts  of  hide,  such  as 
gluten,  gelatine  and  fiber tissue,  began

Sturcke  came  from  the  school  in Vienna 
fully  equipped  with  diploma  and  a  cer 
tificate  of  high  standing  as  a  tanner’s 
chemist.  We  all  welcomed  him  with 
great  entbusi tsm,  and  supposed  that  we 
had  found  a  man  that  really  knew  how 
it  was,  but  many  of  us  repented  our 
misplaced  confidence.  We  found  that 
Professor  Sturcke  was  all  that  his  cre­
dentials 
indicated,  but  that  his  knowl­
edge  was  only  theoretical  and  I  think 
in  spite  of  his  ripe  knowledge  he  was 
not a  financial  success.

Anybody  engaged 

in  tanning  learns 
by  sad  experience  that  the  chemist must 
be  his  servant  and  not  his  master.  This 
experience  greatly  modifies,  and  fre­
quently  upsets,  a  conclusion  of  science. 
However,  in  spite  of all  this  difficulty, 
tanners  have  been  making  steady  prog­
ress  in  their  art;  not  so  much  in  the 
quality  of  the  leather,  however,  as  in 
the  increasing  economy  of  the  product. 
In  regard  to  the  extracting  of tan  from

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

21

ESTABLISHED  1872

WHEELER

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH

AGENTS  FOR

W ASHBURN,  C R O S B Y   C O .’S

o

« ¡S U '4®S’:S
fl s f w

SOLD PEIOL
ANDHUM FIMI

: #6,9 &0 &06 i S S i S &8 S <9 &9 &06i »6<9 f t0 &0 S <9 &9 «

AM ERICA’S  G R E A TE S T  FLOURS

22

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

exercised  in  tbe  art  of  making 
leather 
as  at  present.  But  the  reader  will  say, 
“ Why  does  it  not  wear  longer  then?" 
The  answer  is  simply  this:  The  peo­
ple  will  not  wear  such  leather  as  they 
did  in  the  olden  time.  The demand  now 
is  for  a  light,  soft,  pliable,  easy-fitting 
shoe,  a  nice  style,  shapely  and  comely 
to  look  upon.

Formally,  our  boots  were  made  out  of 
cowhide  which  was  four  times  as  thick 
as  would  be  worn  now,  and we depended 
upon  our  boots  or  shoes  to  keep  our  feet 
dry,  and  a  good  stout  piece  of  leather 
frequently  treated  with  a  compound  of 
tallow,  beeswax,  lampblack  and  various 
other  ingredients,  mingled  with  great 
care  and  wisdom,  would  after  a  while 
make  the  leather  so  that  it  would  "turn 
water;’ ’  but  when  the  boot  had  reached 
this  happy  state  it  was  generally  about 
as  flexible as  a  piece  of  sheet  lead.

FISH  AND  O YSTERS.

Interesting  Facts  Peculiar  to  the  Busi­

ness.

Your  letter  requesting  me  to  ccontrib- 
ute  an  article  for  the  Tradesman  on  the 
subject  of  oysters  and  fish,  covering  a 
period  of  fifteen  years  in  Grand  Rap­
ids,  proves  conclusively  that  editors 
sometimes  make  mistakes.  To  inflict 
upon  your  readers  a  fish  story  fifteen 
years 
long  would  be  quite  serious 
enough,  but,  coming  from  the  pen  of  a 
novice,  its awful  consequences  gain 
in 
magnitude  with  tbe  thought.  Just  im­
agine  a  fish  merchant  in  the  editor’s 
chair,  or the  editor selling  fish,  and  you 
have  it.  The  merchant of  to-day,  with 
his  many  “ irons  in  the  fire,”   has  little 
time  for  literary  achievements.  His  ex­
perience 
is  limited  to  the  dictation  of 
tbe  briefest  letters  possible  or the  send­

Grand  Rapids  people  to-day,  while  the 
fish  of  our  native  lakes  and  Jivers  come 
to  us  almost  flopping  in  their  struggle 
for  life.

These  advantages  now  enjoyed  have 
educated  tbe  people  to  eat  fish  more 
generally  than  in  former  years  and  there 
are  hundreds  of  families  in  Grand  Rap­
ids  who  serve  a  fish  course  every  day  in 
the  week,  considering  it  essential  to  a 
well-set  table.

While  in  years  past  salt  fish  were a 
strong  factor  in  the  fish  business,  owing 
to  the  inability  of  tbe  merchant  to  get 
the  fresh  here  in  good  condition,  there 
is  comparatively  very  little demand  for 
them  now,  the  fresh  being  always  pre­
ferable.

The  improved  shipping  facilities  and 
the  increased  population,  as  compared 
with  fifteen  years  ago,  have  at  least 
doubled  the  consumption  of  fish 
in

The  advent  of  India  rubber  for  foot 
covering  has  done  away  with  all  of  this 
necessity.  Everybody  now  relies  on 
rubber  to  protect  the  feet  from  wet,  and 
consequently  tbe  demand  is  for a  very 
much  thinner  leather,  and  of  course  it 
is  not  so  durable  as  tbe  stouter  leather 
of  former  years.

The  American  people  are  much  more 
fastidious  about  their footwear  than  they 
are  in  Europe,  where  they  rely  upon  a 
good  stout  waterproof  shoe  to  protect 
their  feet.  The  women  wear  shoes  that 
are  so  heavy  and  clumsy  that  but  few 
men  in  our  country  would  have  them  on 
at  all.  So 
in  leather,  as  well  as  most 
other  things,  tbe  Yankee  Nation  beats 
the  world.  The  prophecy  of  old  Horace 
Greeley  has  come  to  pass  in  the  leather 
trade  as  in  many  other  branches  of  in­
dustry.  He  said:  “ The  road  to  cheap 
goods 
is  through  a  high  tariff.”   We 
are  now  the  tanners  of  the  world  and 
none  can  excel  us,  either  in  quantity  or 
quality.  The  tariff  bill  known  as  the 
Dingley  bill  imposes  a  duty  of  15  per 
cent,  on  hides,which  had  been  on  a free 
list  for  twenty-five  years.  This  mis­
taken  policy  has  produced a very serious 
drawback  to  both  the  American  tanner 
and  the  shoemaker;  and  I  see  no  pres­
ent  prospects  of  this  duty  being  taken 
off.  There  have  been,  and  now  are,  a 
few  Senators  from  the  Northwest  who 
insist that  they  must  have  protection  for 
their  people,  and  so  long  as  those  Sena­
tors  hold  the  balance  of  power  in  Con­
gress  this  mistaken  policy  will  remain 
in  force,  and  very  much  to  the  detri­
ment  of one  of  our  largest  American  in­
dustries.

Another  popular  impression 

is  that 
the  tanners  are  always  rich  and  there­
fore  it  is  thought  to  be a  very  prosper­
ous  business.  The fact  is  that  it  is  like 
any  other  legitimate  industry:  competi­
tion  is  very  close  and  profits  are  gener­
ally  small.  Occasionally,  some  sudden, 
unexpected  rise  occurs  which  brings 
in 
very  handsome  profits.

The  sole  leather business  especially  is 
a  slow  business  and  requires  a  great 
deal  of  time,  and  therefore  a  great  deal 
of  capital,  and  if  the  tanner gets  around 
with  an  annual  average  of  5  to 7  per 
cent,  he  is  doing  well,  and  possesses  no 
particular  advantage  over  his  neighbor 
in  other  lines  of  industry  except  per­
haps  that  sole  leather does  not  go  out  of 
fashion  and  the  tanner,  if  be  be  em­
barrassed,  can  realize at  almost any  mo­
ment  on  bis  finished  product  if he  is 
willing  to  make  a  moderate concession 
in  prices.  This  feature  makes  it an  at­
tractive 
for  conservative 
capitalists  who  are  willing to be satisfied 
with  a  minimum  of  profit,  accompanied 
also  by  less  than  the  usual  risk  in  man­
ufacturing.

investment 

Therefore,  the  tanners  are a  conserva­
tive  class  of  men  who  have  learned  to 
“ patiently  wait”   and  do  not  expect  too 
much  from  their business.

Franklin  B.  Wallin.

ing  of  ten-word  messages.  How,  then, 
can  you  expect  one  who  follows  the 
prosaic  life  of  a  fish  merchant  to  de­
velop,  at  a  moment’s  notice, 
into  a 
writer  of  history,  a man  of  statistics and 
a  literary  genius?  I  appreciate  the  wide 
scope  the  subject  affords  me  and  were  I 
possessed  of  tbe 
imagination  of  some 
of  our  local  nimrods,  in  relating  their 
thrilling  adventures  with thedenisons of 
the  deep,  my  contribution  would  not  be 
so  justly  qualified  for  the  waste  basket.
But,  to be  serious,  I  can  truthfully  say 
that  the  fish  and  oyster 
industry  has 
kept  pace  with  the  times.  Refrigerator 
facilities  for  transporting  this  perish­
able  merchandise  have  become so  per­
fected,  and  the  time  has been  so  mate­
rially  shortened  between shipping points 
and  destination,  that  the  uncaught  fish 
of  the  ocean  yesterday  are  served  in  all 
their  delicious  flavor  on  the  tables of

Grand  Rapids.  Two  thousand  pounds 
of fish  per  day  would  be  a  conservative 
estimate  of  tbe local consumption, white- 
fish  beiDg  the favorite,  with trout a  close 
second.  Then  come  black  bass,  pike, 
pickerel  and  perch,  in  the  order named.
The consumption  of  sea  fish  in  Grand 
Rapids  is  comparatively  small, 
lake 
fish  taking  tbe  lead.  A  very  limited 
quantity  of  cod,  mackerel,  flounders, 
turbot  and  a  few  eel  are  sold  the  year 
around.  There  are  more  finnan-haddie 
sold  in  this  city  than  any  other  variety 
of  salt  water  fish.  These are no  more 
nor  less  than  haddock,  split,  salted, 
sugar  cured and  smoked.  When proper­
ly  prepared  they  make  a  delicious  dish.
The  principal  supply  of  fresh  water 
fish  consumed  in  Michigan  comes  from 
Mackinaw,  Petoskey  and  Detroit.  De­
troit  dealers  gather  them from all around 
the  lakes and  reship  them  to the interior

towns.  Our  local  supply  comes  mostly 
from  Petoskey,  Mackinaw City,  and  also 
from  Lake Huron  fisheries,  these fish be­
ing  considered  the  finest  caught.  Grand 
Haven,  although 
in  close  proximity, 
sells  very  little  fish  in  Grand  Rapids. 
Some  of the  local  peddlers are supplied, 
the  principal  catch  being  shipped  to 
Chicago.

Ice  and  fast  express  trains  are  tbe 
factors  which  give  to  the  people  an  ad­
vantage  almost  equal  to  living  on  the 
seashore.  Fishermen  know  better  how 
to  handle  them  than  they  did  a  few 
years  ago,  and  the  tetailer  has  learned 
that  big  refrigerators  and  a  generous 
use  of 
in  handling 
products  so  perishable  as  fish.

ice  are  essential 

It  has  been  only  within  the  past  few 
years  that  oysters  could  be  successfully 
marketed  tbe  year  around 
in  Grand 
Rapids.  During  the  spawning  season, 
between  tbe  months  of  April  and  Sep­
tember,  tbe  law  forbids  the  gathering 
and  sale  of  oysters  except  in  private 
beds.  The  public  taste,  however,  has 
been  so cultivated  to  the  use  of  the  suc­
culent  bivalve  that  many  have  engaged 
in  tbe  oyster  industry  and  they  are  now 
as  much  in  evidence  in  July  as 
in  De­
cember.

Of  the  cultivated  oysters  a  small  pro­
portion 
is  sold  as  compared  with  the 
native  ocean  and  bay  varieties.  Tbe 
best  flavored  oysters  are  taken  from 
Chesapeake  Bay.  From  September  1  to 
the  middle  of  October  they  are  gathered 
with  oyster  tongs,  and  after  that  time 
until  the  close  of  tbe  season  they  are 
harvested  with  steam  dredges.  They 
are  then  brought  to  market  and  sold  by 
tbe  bushel at auction,  which accounts  for 
the  fluctuating  market.

in  their  own 

People  have  a  mistaken  idea  that oys­
ters  are  canned 
juice. 
They  are  not,  but  are  carefully  washed 
after  they  have  been  shucked,  and  are 
then  sorted  and  put  in  pails  or  canned 
for shipping.

Most  of  the  oysters  sold  in  this  mar­
ket  come  from  Baltimore,  and  these  are 
considered  the  finest  flavored.  Fifteen 
years  ago  the  consumption  was  nominal 
in  Grand  Rapids,  but  now,  during  the 
season,  there  are  sold  on  an  average  500 
gallons  per  day.  This  city 
is  an  im­
portant  oyster  market 
for  Northern 
Michigan  and  it  is  estimated  that  dur­
ing  the  season  at  least  1,000 gallons  per 
day  are  shipped  to  various  points.  Ow­
ing  to  their  great  cheapness,  they  long 
ago  ceased  to  be  a  luxury  and  may  be 
found  as  frequently  on  the  tables  of  our 
laboring  people  as  on  the  millionaires’.
There  is  a  theory  that  a  fish  diet  is 
conducive 
■ to  brain  growth—having 
lived  on  fish  foi  tbe  past  seventeen 
years,  since  engaging 
in  the  fish  busi­
ness,  I  offer  the  above  as  an  argument 
that the  theory  is  a  fallacy.

F.  J.  Dettenthaler.
The  whole  of  the  West  Indies  has 
been  dependent  on  Venezuela  for a large 
portion  of  the  cattle  consumed  by  Mar­
tinique,  Barbadoes,  Trinjdad,  Guiana 
and  even  Cuba.  An  increased  produc­
tion  has  been  the natural  consequence 
of demand.  In  i8qo  Venezuela  bad  only
3,500,000  head  of  cattle;  in  1894,  5,000,- 
in  four 
000;  in  1898,  10,000,000,  and 
years  more,  i.  e.,  in  1902,  there 
is  no 
reason  why  the figures  should  not  go  up 
to  20,000,000  head  of  cattle  unless  the 
United  States  now  takes  tbe  trade.

One of tbe great griefs that  come  with 
a  bad  cold  is the necessity of listening to 
everybody  who  has  a  sure  cure  for  a 
cold. 
In  the  meantime  the  cold  keeps 
on  until  it  runs  its  course.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

23

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TO THE TRADE:

With  i.ooo of our  best  five-cent  cigars  at  $39  00  per  M.,  we  will  send  free  a  solid 
nickeled case, detailed  Self-Adder  Cash  Register,  equal  to  registeis  heretofore  sold for 
$175.00 and  upwards.

T he cigars are equal to  a n y  flve-cen t cigar on th e  m arket.
Terms: thirty days, less 2 per cent,  ten days.

Description  of Cash  Register

Size, ai  inches high,  17 inches deep and  19 inches wide.  Weight, 85 pounds.  Solid nickel case of handsome 
design.  Tablets display from both front and rear.  The  money  drawer  is  highly  polished  inside.  Both  the  ex­
terior and interior of this machine are the best that can be produced.  Warranted for  five  years.  A ll  the  work  is 
done on wheels, and it sets to zero with a key in a moment’s time.  The tablets are large and conspicuous--a black 
figure on a white enameled background.  We  have  two  styles  of  keyboards.  When  ordering  please state if you 
use penny keys or whether five cents is the lowest denomination you use.

This is ■  stupendous offer, and many who read this advertisement will be  incredulous.
Do not be influenced by agents of high-priced registers, but send for one of our registers and 1,000 cigars at 
$39.00.  Then compare and  j u d g e   f o r   y o u r s e l f ,  and  if  register  is  not  equal  to the  best in  style, finish and 
utility, return it to us.  We assure you that everything is as represented.

Very respectfuUy,

Î5W

DETROIT TOBACCO CO.,  Detroit,  Mich.

s \ t   m   i~Z V  T A  n  A M T C C   To any responsible  merchant  in  the  United  States we will ship 
\ / U  lv  V lU /» l\if\l I  1 C C   both register and cigars on seven days* trial.  If the cigars are not 
satisfactory or you do not consider  the  register  equal  to  any  that  the  National  Cash  Register Co.  of 
Dayton,  Ohio, sell for $175.00, you can return both register and cigars to us.

Remember, $49.00 includes both the cash register and the cigars.
W hy pay $175.00 for a cash register when you can get one f r e e ? 
Sign and return the order blank and the goods will go promptly forward on  seven  days  trial*  It you 
do not find the cigars equal to any five-ceut cigar in the market, and  do  not  consider  the register equal to 
any that the “ National*7 Company sell for $175.00, send the goods back to us as per above terms.

,

ORDER  BLANK.

Detroit Tobacco Co.,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Ship as soon as possible 
1,000 cigars at $39.00 per thousand, 
including 1 cash register. 

Terms:

$19.50, 30 days
$i9*5°> 
days
--------
$39.00.

If goods do not suit, I agree to return  same to  you  on  or  before  seven 
If goods are retained  after above mentioned time, it shall constitute the 

days from date they are received from transportation company.
acceptance of same, and I will remit as per above terms.

Signature  of  purchaser.

Town.

Are You  Ready  to Surrender Your Old  Scales and

Quit This  Fighting Against  Such  Terrible  Odds?

You can’t compete with your neighbors  if they are using modem methods and you are using poor ones.  The world  hooted  at  Uncle  Sam  using  so 

much powder in developing the “bump** of “location  of his gunners, but we all know the result. 
.

_  i _______ o r a   3 riw an   r»nt  n f  tlip ir   stnrpR.  th p v   will see the wisdom and strength of our attack.

Some  have  smiled  at  US  for  keeping  up  a  continual  fire  on  old  pound  and  ounce  scales,  but  after  they  have  all  surrendered  to  our  MONEY 

m o n i f v

.»r. 

,  

t 

» 

.

MONEY  W EIG H T  S Y ST E M  has a greater advantage over you. 

Dewey and Schley had the advantage in the battles of  Manila and Santiago because they used modern methods.
CUBA was settled over  100 years before Massachusetts and  is richer  in  natural resources, but who could  compare  them, 

. , ___

. 

. 

. 

taste of liberty and methods which are up to the times.  HOW  ABOUT  YOU? 

W e hope to see you coming into our ranks, as it can be a surrender WITH  HONOR. 

f

Yours tor success,

Your competitor who is using the 

Cuba  is  now  to  take  a

THE COMPUTING  SCALE  CO.,  Dayton,  Ohio.

2 4

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

SEED  TRADE.

Desirability  of  Dealing  With  Reputable 

Houses.

In  commenting  on  the  seed  trade,  I 
would  call  particular  attention  to  the 
fact  that  the  seed  business  is a  very  pe­
culiar business. 
It is  unlike  other  lines 
of  trade  in  many  respects.  A  man,  to 
be  successful  in  the  seed  business,  must 
grow  up  with  it.  He  must  give  his 
thought  and  attention  to  its every detail. 
He  must  take  both  the  ups  and  downs 
cheerfully.  A  large  percentage  of  our 
trade  comes  to  us  from  those  who  have 
confidence  in  our  ability  as  seed  mer­
chants.  This  is  characteristic  through­
out  the  United  States. 
If  a  customer  is 
going  to  purchase  a  cookstove  or  a  set 
of  furniture,  he  can  examine  it  and  tell 
pretty  closely  its  actual  value. 
It  is the 
same  with  groceries  and  other  such 
merchandise.  But  with  seeds  it  is  en­
tirely  different.  Two  samples  of  seeds 
may  look  alike,  but  their  producing 
qualities  may  be  entirely  different. 
Therefore,  when  the  country  merchant 
buys a  bill  of  seeds  of  his  dealer,  he  re­
lies  largely  upon  the  honesty and  integ­
rity  of  the  particular house  with  which 
he  is  dealing.

This  particular  feature  of  the  seed 
business  has  shown  itself  more  plainly 
during  the  last  five  years  than  I  have 
ever  noticed  since  I  have been  eugaged 
in  the  trade.  A  few  years  ago  there  was 
a  tendency  upon  the  part  of some whole­
sale  seed  dealers  to  hammer  down  the 
price,  regardless  of  the  quality  of  seed 
they  were  offering;  but  it  lasted  for  a 
short  time  only,  and  I  am  glad  to  say 
we  find  the  country  customer  paying 
more  attention  to  the  quality to-day than 
he  is  to  the  price.  The cutting  of  prices 
of  two  or  three  years  ago  was  mainly 
due  to  the  fact  that  there  were  large 
surplus  stocks,  many  tons  of  which  was 
undoubtedly  of  questionable  character. 
It  had  a  bad  effect  upon  the  seed  trade 
throughout  the  United  States  and 
in 
consequence  some  of  the  largest  houses 
went  to  the  wall.  Another  reason  for the 
demoralization  of  prices  was  the  large 
stocks  of  seed  grown  by 
inexperienced 
growers  who  bad  an  idea  the  seed-grow­
ing  business paid  immense  profits.  I am 
glad  to  say  this  state  of  affairs  does  not 
exist  to  day;  that  the  seed  trade  is  get­
ting  in  a  healthy  condition,  and  the 
prospect  for  next  year’s  business 
is 
bright.

Situated  as  we  are  in  Michigan,  we 
have  an  advantage  over  some  of  our 
competitors  in  other  states.  Michigan 
is  known  from  the  Atlantic  to the  Pa­
cific  as  being  one  of the  best  seed-pro­
ducing  states  in  the  Union.  Northern- 
grown  seeds  are  most  in demand, always 
having  preference.  There are  very  few 
seeds  but  can  be  produced  in  this  State 
by  exercising  a  little  well-directed care. 
We  do  not,  however,  find  it  profitable to 
produce 
in  this  locality  all  the  seeds 
that  we  offer  for sale.  There  are  some 
sections  of  the  country  where  certain 
seeds  can  be grown  to  better  advantage, 
both  as  to  quality  and  price. 
It  is  the 
same  with  some  foreign  seeds,  and  we 
find  it  necessary  to  import  some  varie­
ties  of  root  seeds.  But  when  it  comes 
to  the  staples,  such  as  peas,  beans, 
sweet  coin,  onion  seed,  etc.,  they  can 
be  produced  in  Michigan  to  perfection.

1 

regret  I have  not  the  time  to go  into 

this  matter  in  detail,  and  can  only  give 
you  an  outline pf  the business.  As stated 
above,  the  seed  business  is  peculiar 
in 
many  respects. 
Its  success  depends  en­
tirely  upon  the  energy,  honestv and  cap­
ital  employed.  There  is  no  limit  to the

territory  in  which  we operate. 
It  is  as 
easy  to  sell  our  seeds  on  the  Atlantic 
Coast  as 
it  is  on  the  shores  of  Lake 
Michigan.  Our  list  of  customers  string 
out  from  Maine  to  California  and  from 
the  Northern  Peninsula  of  Michigan  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The seed-producer 
and  the  farmer  or gardener’s  interests 
are  practically  one. 
If  we  are  success­
ful  in  producing  a  choice  quality  of 
seeds  it brings  us  new  customers.  This 
is  the  way  a  seed  business grows,  not by 
jumps  and  bounds  but  steadily.  The 
man  who  engages  in  the  seed  business 
must  give  his  life  to  it  in  order to  be 
successful,  and  after  he  has  built  up  a 
business  of  twenty  or twenty-five  years 
no  power on  earth  can  take  it away from 
him.  A  man  engaging  in  the  seed  trade 
will  be  apt  to  meet  with  many  disap­
pointments, but  if he hangs  to  it  be  will 
invariably  come  out  on  top.  Fortunes 
have  been  accumulated  in 
the  seed 
trade,  but  they  do  not come  in  a  year or 
two— it  is  a  business  of a  lifetime.

A l f r e d   J.  B r o w n .

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Corl, Knott  &   Co,

IMPORTERS 
AND JOBBERS OF

MILLINERY

Ask  the  paying-teller  of  a 

The  New Woman and  Her  Checkbook.
leading 
bank  bow  the  modern  woman  transacts 
business 
in  the  institution  where  be  is 
employed  and  most  likely  he  will  tell 
you  that  she  causes  less  trouble  than  a 
good  many  men.  As a  matter  of  fact, 
there 
is  hardly  anything  which  shows 
the  modern  woman’s ability  to  take care 
of  herself  more 
than  the  way  she 
handles  a  bank  account and  the  number 
of  her  sex  who  are  acquiring  the  pro­
prietorship  of one.  A  person  has  only 
to  stand  for  a  few  minutes  in  one of  the 
banks  to  have  ocular  demonstration  of 
the  change  that  is  taking  place  in  the 
complexion  of  its  depositors.

It  is  now  the  commonest  thing  to  see 
a  young  woman  gowned  in  the  height 
of  fashion,  and  looking  as  if the thought 
of  anything  more  serious  than a pink tea 
or  a  season  of  grand  opera  bad  never 
occurred  to  her,  step  up  to one of  the 
desks  provided  for  the  accommodation 
of  customers,  draw  a  checkbook  from 
her  reticule,coolly and collectedly gather 
up  one  of  those  ancient  pens  which 
have  borne  the  weight  of  the  fists  of 
well-known  financiers  and  write  in  the 
most nonchalant and accustomed  manner 
a  check  for  the amount  she feels she will 
need.

One  can  easily  see  that  it  is a  com­
plete  departure  from  the  old  idea.  She 
does  not  take  out  a  crumpled  check, 
after an  infinite  deal  of  fumbling in  half 
a  dozen  places.  She  is  not bound  hand 
and  foot  by  any  unchangeable  sum  that 
some  almoner  of  the  opposite  sex  has 
decided  upon.  One  may  easily  be quite 
certain  of  this,  for  she frequently  gently 
bites  the  end  of  her  pencil  or  pats  her 
forehead  with  it  while  she  puts the neat­
est  imaginable  columns of  figures  on the 
reverse  side  of  a  blotter.

But  being  wholly  at  liberty  and  upon 
her  own  resources  does  not  worry  her 
in  the  least.  She  is  perfectly  self-pos­
sessed  and  peculiarly  at  ease  in  her sur­
roundings.  The  comic  paper  writer’s 
notion  of  a  woman’s  actions  when  she 
gets  in  a  bank  are  shown to be thorough­
ly  inaccurate  and  a  complete  travesty 
on  the  truth.  She  does  not  go  up  to the 
receiving teller,book-keeper or president 
to  get  her  checks  cashed.  She  does  not 
indorse negotiable  paper across  the  face 
or  on  the  back  an  eighth  of an  inch 
from  the  top.  On  the  contrary,  she 
complies  with  whatever  business  forms 
there  are  in  a  manner  that  would  en­
dear  her  to  the  heart  of  the  most  me­
thodical  and 
finicky  business  man. 
And  the  best  of  it  is  that  with  all  this 
facility  she  does  not lose  her  femininity 
a  b it

Our Fall and W inter stock 
is  now  complete,  compris­
ing a  full and complete as­
sortment  of  trimmed  and 
untrimmed hats,  including 
a  large  assortment  of 
W alking  H ats  and  Fedo­
ras, Ribbons, Velvets, Vel­
veteens, Ostrich and Fancy 
Feathers,  Ornaments  and 
Novelties*  «£  During  the 
month  of  September  we 
will have  on  display  from 
500 to  1000 Pattern H ats, 
including  the  latest impor­
tations*  *£  Our  H ats  are 
strictly  practical;  w e  have 
no  others*  *£  Your  orders 
are  solicited*  * £ « £ « $   «£

Corl,  Knott  &   Co,

20 and 22  NORTH DIVISION ST,
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH, j*  J

SLSLSLSUlSlSLttSlSLSLSLSLSl5lSLSLSiSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSlSLSlJlJL2 fl fl  O Q O O Q O O Q O O O O O O O O O

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MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

2 5

directions—from  the  dry  goods  depart­
ment  store  to  the  barber  shop.

Notwithstanding  the  many  changes, 
the  retail  druggist  to-day  is  as  prosper­
ous  as  he  ever  was.  He  has  kept  up 
with  the  procession,  and  pietty  well  to 
the  front  at that.  To-day the finest  stores 
in  the  country  are  drug  stores.  And 
the  pharmacist  has the  distinction of be­
ing  in  the  only  business  in  which  one  is 
at  once  a  professional  man  and  trades­
man.

Scientifically,  pharmacy  has  made 
rapid  and  wonderful  progress  and  the 
discoveries  by  the  chemists  of  this  and 
other  countries  would  make  a  long  list, 
even 
if  no  attempt  were  made  at  de­
scription.  Some  of  the  important  ones 
on  the  list  would  be  the  coal  tar  prod­
ucts  as  now  used 
in  medicine,  anti- 
pyrine,  acetanilid,  etc,  ;  then  cocaine, 
also  the  various  antitoxins,  and  the 
manufacture  of  liquid  carbonic  acid  gas 
for  commercial  use.  B.  Schrouder.
No  Progress  in  Fifteen  Years  in  the 

Ship us your

Butter, Eggs, 
Poultry, Veal, 
Game, Fur, 
Hides, Beans, 
Potatoes, 
Green and 
Dried Fruit

Or  anything  you  may  have.  W e 
have  a  No.  1  location  and  a  large 
trade and  are  fully prepared  to  place 
all  shipments promptly at  full  market 
price  and  make  prompt  returns. 
If 
you  have  any  apples  do  not  dispose 
of  them  before  corresponding  with 
is  very  short  this 
us. 
season  and  there  will  be  no 
low 
prices.  Please  let  us  hear  from  you 
on  whatever  you  may  have  to  ship 
or sell.

The  crop 

C O Y N E   BROS.,

CO M M ISSION   M ER C H A N TS

161  S.  WATER  ST„  CHICAGO.

R E FE R E N C E S:

Wm. M.  Hoyt Co  , Wholesale Grocers, Chicago.

W.  J.  Quan  &  Co., Wholesale Grocers, Chicago.

“Chicago Produce,”  Chicago.

Bradstreet’s and  Dun’s Agencies

Hibernian  Banking Association, Chicago.

Ba n kers:  Merchants’  National  Bank, Chicago.

Drug  Business  Nowadays  and  Fifteen 

Years  Ago.

Fifteen  years  of  retail  drug  business 
is  just  within  the  scope  of  my  memory 
—that’s  all,  for  it  was  just  about  that 
long  ago  when  I  was  appointed  chief 
bottle  washer  in  a  small  retail drug store 
where  the  proprietor  did  more  of  bluing 
and  flavoring  extract  business  than  he 
did  in the  professional  line of a dispens­
ing  pharmacist. 
I did  not  know  a  label 
from  a  pill  tile  by  name when I “ started 
in,’ ’  but 
less  than  a  year,  with  the 
princely  salary  of  $1.50  per  week,  I 
thought  I  knew  more  about  the  business 
It  took  me  fully 
than  the  boss  himself. 
five  years  to  discover  that  there 
is  al­
ways  something  to  learn  in  a  retail drug 
store.  Men  who  have  been  in  the  busi­
ness  for  thirty  or  forty  years  are  the 
quickest  to  confess  that  they  do  not 
know  it  all.

in 

Fifteen  years  ago,  in  Grand  Rapids, 
“ cut  rates"  existed  among  the  dealers 
in  patent  medicines,  but  just  about  that 
time,  by  aid  of  the  leading  retailers 
here— Peck  Brothers,  Wurzburg,Nichols, 
Wilson  and  Tbum  Bros.—the  first  suc­
cessful  organization  was  perfected,  the 
Grand  Rapids  Pharmaceutical  Associa­
tion.  This  society  was  for  eleven  years 
the  most  solid  and  prosperous  associa­
in  the  United  States,  and  many 
tion 
other  cities  pointed  to 
it  as  being  a 
model,  one  of  which  to  take  note.

But  the  whirligig  of  time  brings  its 
changes  and  the  long  road  found  its turn 
—the  solid  and  friendly  club  of  retail 
druggists  began  to  waver  a  couple  of 
years  ago,  then  fell.  Now,  as  regards 
associations  and  “ cut  prices,”   we  are 
again  where  we  were  fifteen  years  ago.
I  do  not  think  a  registered pharmacist 
gets  any  more  salary  to-day  than  a  good 
dispensing  clerk  received  fifteen  years 
ago.  A  competent  man  was 
just  as 
much  in  demand  and  bis  pay was just as 
good  in  those  days as  it  seems to  be  to­
d ay;  but  certainly  the  public  have  re­
ceived  better  protection  under the  phar­
macy 
law  than  they  did  before  such  a 
thing  was  in  existence.  There  surely  is 
a  good  thing 
in  the  pharmacy  law  of 
this  and  other  states,  but  it  benefits  the 
public  only ;  there’s  nothing  like  class 
legislation  about  the  pharmacy  law.

It 

is  doubtful  whether  there has been 
any  less  illegal  traffic  in the retail liquor 
part  of  the  druggist’s  business  than 
heretofore.  We  hear  of  it  quite  as  much 
as  ever;  but  these  saloon  druggists  are 
rare  indeed  in  number  when  compared 
with  the  number of  honorable  and  legit­
imate  pharmacists  engaged  in  the  pro­
fession  and  doing  strictly  a law-comply­
ing,  commercial  and  dignified  trade 
in 
all  its  branches.

instance, 

Commercially,  a  great  many  changes 
have  taken  place  in  the  retail  pharma­
cist’s  business  during  the  bygone  fifteen 
years;  for 
fifteen  years  ago 
we  were  obliged  to  use  the  war  revenue 
stamp—now  we  are  at  it  again.  Trade 
has  also  changed;  we  used  to  sell 
large 
quantities  of 
logwood,  nicwood  and 
othei  dye  stuffs;  now,  especially  in  the 
cities,  this  has  changed  and  package  or 
aniline  dyes have  taken  their  place.

A  retail  druggist  used  to do an  im­
mense  trade  in  hairoil,  cologne,  family 
recipes,  etc.  This  trade 
is  not  nearly 
as  heavy  now,  but  you  will  find  this 
same  druggist  retaining  his  former  vol­
ume  of  trade  by  adding  to  his  line  sta­
tionery,  candy  and  ice  cream  soda.

The  buying  of  such  sundries  as 
syringes,  perfumes  and  face  powders  is 
on 
longer  confined  exclusively  to  the 
drug  store;  this  trade  has  drifted  in  all

Creamery  Business.

Nashville,  July  28—It  is  my  desire  to 
extend  thanks  for  the  favor  and  compli­
ment  you  confer  upon  me by the  request 
you  make  of  me. 
I  also  desire  to  ex­
plain  to  you  why  I  deem  it  an  impossi­
bility  to  respond.

From  oui  observation  we  are  inclined 
to  believe  that  there  has  been  no  real 
progress 
in  the  butter  business  in  the 
past  fifteen  years,  at  least  so  far  as  the 
creamery  and  dairy  are  concerned. 
It 
is  true  that  there  has  been  some  prog­
ress 
in  machinery  and  appliances  for 
handling  the  product,  but  we  fail  to  see 
how  the  hundreds of  now defunct cream­
eries  have  in  any  way aided  in  the  woik 
of  progress.  Neither  do  we  see  how  the 
separator  has  aided,  especially  the  man 
most  interested,  the  dairyman  or  farm­
er.  The  quality  of  the  butter  may  be  all 
right,  and 
is  with  a  good  buttermaker, 
but  the  calves  which  are  to  produce  the 
milk  hereafter  have  been  robbed  and 
starved  by  the  process.  We  claim  that 
the  whole  system 
is  wrong;  that  the 
butter  should  be  made  on  the  farm, 
where  the  calves  can  have  the  sweet 
skim  milk  and  the  pigs  the  sour  milk 
and  buttermilk.  Hence,  you  see,  I  am 
not the  one  to  write  an  article for publi­
cation  on  this  subject.

I  have  been  in  the  business,  one  way 
and  another,  for  twenty-eight  years,  and 
with  my  present  opinion,  I  would  hard­
ly  care  to  set  forth  my  views  on  this 
subject,  except 
in  a  discussion.  The 
“ theory  fellows”   of  the  day would jump 
on  me  hard,  and  the  popular  majority 
is  with  those  chaps  on  nearly  all  sub­
jects  in  this age.
We  are  in  the  business  and  have,  by 
hard  work,  made 
it  a  success  for  our­
selves  and,  so  far  as  possible,  for  all 
concerned ;  but  we are  forced  to  observe 
that  oleo,  butterine and  process  butter 
are  keeping  a  steady  march  to the front, 
and,  with  an  increased  demand  for  the 
above  products  from  the’  dear people, ”  
why  should  their  progress  be  retarded?
We  were  persuaded  into  the  business 
by  “ creamery  sharks,”   but  by  close 
study  of  the  business  and  a  gradual  re­
duction of  expenses  we have  no  cause to 
regret  our  venture  from a financial view. 
We  added  cold  storage  to  our  plant  the 
second  year  and 
in  various  ways  have 
made  the  whole  business  a  fair  and 
profitable  one. 

C.  W.  Smith.
An  Unequaled  Dining  Car  Service.
Have  you  had dinner or supper  on  one 
of  the  Dining  Cars  running  on  the 
Grand  Trunk  Railway  through  trains 
between  Chicago  and  Eastern  points? 
If  not,  it  would  be  worth  your  while  to 
make  a  note  of  this  service,  and  take 
the  first opportunity  you  can  avail  your­
self  of  a  treat.  Mr.  J.  Lea,  who  for 
years  has  been  with  the  Windsor  Hotel, 
Montreal,  is  now  connected  with  this 
service,  and  travelers  can  rely  on  a  re­
fined  cuisine,  excellent  service,  and  a 
liberal  table.

It  takes  about  four  generations  of 
riches  to  produce  a boy without freckles.

26

RAILWAY  DEVELOPMENT.

How  Facilities  Have  Increased  and 

Rates  Decreased.

Compliance  with  your  request  for  an 
article  on  railroads  presents  greater 
difficulties  than  would  be  at  first  im 
agined.

In  the  first  place,  the  subject  is  a vast 
one  and  the  field  broad,  and  the  diffi­
culty  will  be  to  localize  the  subject 
and not say too much,  and make  interest­
ing  an article without trying the patience 
of  your  readers  with  a bewildering array 
of  statistics  and  figures  not  easily  com- 
prehened  by  the  average  reader.

On  the  other  hand,  the  subject  con­
fined  to  the  railroads  of  Grand  Rapids, 
or  even  to  Michigan,  during  the  past 
fifteen  years  would  give  but  a  poor  idea 
of  the  great  value  railroads bear to every 
branch  of  trade  and  would  fail  to  make 
known  the  complete  revolution  in  busi­
ness  methods  the  introduction  and  use 
in  a 
of  railroads  has  brought  about 
marvelously 
short  period  of 
time.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

ably  corn  and  other  grain  enough  to 
supply  the  world's  markets,  instead  of 
using  it  for  fuel,  as  formerly.

from 

latter 

It  was  in  i 86q,  less  than  thirty  years 
ago,  that  the  first  railroad  was  com­
pleted 
the  Missouri  River  at 
Omaha  to  the  Pacific  Coast.  Think  of 
the  Kansas  City  and  Omaha  of  to-day, 
flourishing  cities  of  nearly  200,000  pop­
ulation  each,  with  the 
city's 
Trans  Mississippi  Exposition,  in  com­
parison  with  the  mere  hamlets  or  places 
for  steamboats  to 
land,  as  they  were 
then!  Since  that  time  four  or  five  other 
lines  of  railroads  have been  built  to  the 
Pacific  Coast,  with  branches  radiating 
in  all  directions  north  and  south,  mak­
ing 
it  possible  for  a  steady  stream  of 
settlers  to  travel  from  the  Eastern  to  the 
Western  States,  which  flowed  first across 
the  Mississippi  and  then  across  the 
Missouri Rivers until  the  fertile  prairies 
have  been  occupied  up  to  the  margin  of 
the  sage  bush  deserts  (for there  are  real 
deserts  in  the  West,  but  not  where  our

Give Us 
a Slice«

of your  orders 
and  see  how 
quick  we  bite.

Prices Cut To Fine Margins.

There  are yet  in  our city and State nu­
merous  readers  of  your  paper  who  could 
recount  their  experiences  of  a  day’s 
journey  in  the  clumsy  stage  coach, 
bumping  over  the  corduroy  and  plank 
road  between  Grand  Rapids  and  Kala­
mazoo,  now  less  than  an  hour’s  ride,  or 
who  could  tell  you  of  the  three  or  four 
days’  time  it  took  to  bring  goods  from 
Detroit  to  Grand  Rapids  at  a  cost  of  $1 
to  $1-5°  per  100  pounds,  which  can  now 
be  done  in  three  or  four  hours at a  cost 
as  low  as 9 cents  per  100  pounds,  vary­
ing  according  to  classification.

The  product  of  Grand  Rapids  facto­
ries  is  being  daily  shipped  to  points be­
yond  the  Missouri  River,  which 
the 
geography  of  some  of  your  readers  not 
many  years  ago  described  as  “ The 
Great  American  Desert, ”   and  the  few 
straggling  settlements  then  in  that  un­
known  section  fortunate enough  to evade 
the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  of  the 
savage  Indian  are  now,  by  the  aid  of 
railroads,producing and  shipping  profit-

first  geographies  located  them)  and  the 
seemingly  impenetrable  barriers to  rail­
road  building,  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
have  been  pierced  and  girded  by  trunk 
lines  of  railroad,  making great  commer­
cial  highways  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific  oceans,  with  through  passenger 
trains  equipped in luxurious style,sched­
uled  at  high  rate  of  speed,  covering  the 
distance  in  from  four  to  six  days,  which 
formerly  took  from  four  to  six  months 
in 
covered  wagon  or  “ prairie 
schooner. ’ ’

the 

Our  fellow  townsman,  the late  General 
W.  P.  Innes,  who  was  Railroad  Com­
missioner  for  Michigan 
in  1883,  when 
your  paper  started,  in bis  report  for  that 
year,  gives  a  table  showing  the  yearly 
progress  of  railroad  construction 
in 
Michigan  from  1838 to 1882,  showing the 
number  of  miles  in  operation  to  be  as 
follows:
183s.
■ 850.
i860,
1870.
1883.

•  .063
•  -35°  
.770
■».739
4.609

S.  A.  MORMAN  & CO.

as  CANAL  STREET, 

GRAND  RAPIDS,  fllCH.

The  Oldest  Lime  end  Cement  House  In  the  State.

MARBLEHEAD 

OHIO WHITE 

PETOSKEY LIME

W e  handle  all  the best  brands:

PO R T LA N D   CEM EN TS,  STUCCO,  HAIR,  F IR E   BR ICK 
AND  CLAY,  L O U ISV IL L E ,  M ILW A U K E E   AND  AKRON 
CEM EN T,  PA T E N T   PLA S T E R ,  AND  SE W E R   PIPE.

ALL  KINDS

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

27

Reports  since  show  the  mileage  to  < 

have  increased  as  follows:
1890-.........................................   ................................6,957
>895...............................................................................7.6t>9
From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  noticed 
that  the  mileage  of  railroads  in  Michi­
gan  has  nearly doubled since the Trades­
man  commenced  its  career,  fifteen  years 
ago.

in  the 

Grand  Rapids,  sharing 

in­
creased  volume  of  business  due  to  the 
addition  of  new  territory  tributary,  by 
reason  of  this  increased  mileage  of  rail­
roads,  can  point  to  her  many  new  and 
substantial  business  blocks  and  manu­
factories  as  one  result.

Few  persons  realize  what  a  mighty 
distributing  agency  for  money  railroads 
are. 
It  is  true they  collect  large  sums, 
but  they  also  pay  out  or distribute  in 
the  community  vast  sums  for  wages  to 
the  laboring  man  and  for  supplies  from 
the  merchants.

It  may  surprise  some of  your  readers 
to  know  that  one  railroad  in  Grand 
Rapids  purchases  from  local  dealers 
in 
the  neighborhood  of  $100,000  worth  of 
supplies  per  year,  or $1,500,000  for  the 
period 
covered  by  the  Tradesman’s 
existence,  and  this  is but  a  trifle  when 
compared  with  the  money  this  one  road 
has  distributed  among  the  laboring  men 
of 
your  city—$600,000  per  year  or 
$9,000,000  for  fifteen  years.  Adding  to 
these  sums  the  money  distributed  yearly 
by  all  of  the  railroads  centering  in 
Grand  Rapids  will  increase the  sum  to 
an  amount  few  of  our citizens  realize.

The  railroads  are,  indeed,  the  great 
disbursing  agencies  of  the  country,  ex­
pending 
in  a  year  a  sum  more  than 
$100,000,000  in  excess  of  the  total  ex­
penditures  of  the  United  States  Govern­
ment,  and  this  computation  does not  in­
clude  what  is  paid  for  interest  on  bonds 
or  dividends  on  stock.

Railroads,  as a  rule,  do  not  keep large 
bank  balances,  disbursing  nearly  all 
they  receive,  doing  practically  a  cash 
business,  turning  money  rapidly.

It  was  estimated  by  a  scientific  paper 
recently  that  the  average annual expense 
of  railroads  of  the  United  States 
in 
maintaining  the  condition  of  their  road 
beds  is  $75,000,000;  not  including  the 
purchase  of  rails  and  ties,  $35,000,000; 
construction  of  new  bridges,  $15,000,- 
000;  fences,  sign  boards,  signals  and 
watch  towers,  $3,500,000;  printing  and 
advertising,  $8,500,000;  legal  expenses 
and  settlement  for  injuries,  $15,000,000, 
and,  last  but  not  least,  taxes,  $40,000,-
000.  This  division  of  expenses  does  not 
include  the  much  larger  sums  paid  for 
wages  of  employes,  for  engines,  for  cars 
and  for  terminals.

65,000 

About  800,000  men  are  directly  em­
ployed 
in  railroad  work  in  the  United 
States,  classified  as 100,000  station  men,
35.000  engineers,  40,000  foremen  and 
helpers,  25,000  conductors  and  de­
spatches, 
trainmen,  45,000 
switchmen,  flagmen  and  watchers,  20,- 
000  telegraph  operators  and  helpers,
30.000  machinists, 
100,000  shopmen 
other  than  machinists  and 200,000 track­
men,  with  a  daily  pay  roll  of  about  two 
million  of  dollars!
The  railroads  of  Michigan  employ be­
tween  forty  and  fifty  thousand  men  and 
in  taxes 
pay  to  the  State  Treasurer 
about  eight  or  nine  hundred  thousand 
dollars  yearly.

Railroad  construction  in  this  country, 
as  elsewhere,  began  with  short 
local 
lines  and  numerous  separate  compa­
nies,  requiring long delays, with frequent 
change  of  cars  and  with  higher  rates, 
both  for  passengers  and  freight,  which 
are  now  avoided  by the era  of consolida­
tion  which  has  been  steadily  going  on 
and  will  continue  until  most  of  the  rail­
roads  are  combined  into  great  systems. 
This  may  alarm  the  average  state  legis­
lator and  afford  the  political  demagogue 
an  oppportunity  to  make  an  outcry 
against  monopolies,  trusts  and 
com­
bines,  but  the  average  traveler  knows 
how  cheap  and  at  the  same  time  how 
comfortable  passenger  travel  has  be­
come,  and  every  shipper  of  freight 
knows  by  experience that  the  prices  at 
which 
it  is  carried  now  are  but  a  small 
fraction of  what he  once paid,  and would 
not like to  see  a  return  to the  numerous 
It  is  un­
little  lines of  a  few  years ago. 

deniable that  no further reductions could 
be  made by  returning  to  former  condi­
tions.

to  show 

It  would  be 

instructive,  did  space 
permit, 
in  detail  the  many 
economies  effected  in the administration 
and  operation  of  railroads,  which  have 
greatly  increased  the  efficiency  of  rail­
road  service.

When  most  of  the  roads  were built, 
current  rates  of  interest  on  their bonds 
were  7  and  8  per  cent,  and  the  bonds 
often  sold  at a  discount,  making a  much 
higher  rate.  Now  railroads 
in  good 
credit can  borrow  at  3 and  4  per  cent.

Among  the  more 

railroad  securities,  are 

important  causes 
which  enable  railroads  to  give enhanced 
profits  to  patrons,  if  not  to  the  owners 
of 
increased 
traffic,  although  at  reduced  rates,  the 
substitution  of  steel  rails  for  iron,  heav­
ier  rails,  larger  locomotives  and 
larger 
cars.

increased 

.0806  cents. 

. 1925  cents  to 

A  valuable  pamphlet  or  bulletin 

just 
issued  from  the  United  States  Depart­
ment  of  Agriculture,  entitled  “ Changes 
in  the  Rates of  Charge  for  Railway  and 
other  Transportation  Services,”   which 
I  commend  to  those  who continually  op­
pose  fair  legislation  for  railroads,  gives 
tables to  show  that  when  the  Tradesman 
started 
in  1883  the  average  number  of 
tons  carried  one  mile  per  mile  run  by 
freight trains  was  137.55  tons.  This  was 
increased  in  1890 to  175.12  tons  and 
in 
1896 to  198.81  tons;  and  reducing  the 
average  charge  per  ton 
in  1867  from 
$1.69 to $1.03  in  1896;  and  per  ton  mile 
from 
In 
other words,  from two cents to eight mills 
per ton  mile.  Passenger business  curi­
ously  shows  a  contrary  result.  The 
number of  passengers  carried  one  mile 
per  mile  operated  in  1867  was  135.744. 
which  decreased 
in  1896  to  71,705, 
while  the  average  revenue  from  each 
passenger  per  mile 
from 
.01994  cents  in  1867  to  .02019  cents  in 
1896.  The  tables  also  show  that  the  de­
cline 
in  freight  rates  for  the  period 
named  has  been  23  per  cent,  greater 
than  the  decline  in  the  price  of  wheat 
and  12  per  cent,  greater  than  in  the 
price  of  hay.  To  bring  this  reduction 
in  rates  nearer home  to  your  readers,  I 
give  some  comparisons  to  show  results 
to  Grand  Rapids  shippers and  receivers 
of  freight.
The  methods  of  making  rates  and 
classification  of  freights  are  in  much 
better  condition  than  they  were  fifteen 
years  ago. 
In  1883  class  and  lumber 
rates  from  Grand  Rapids  to  New  York 
were  $1,  .85,  .70,  .60,  .50,  .45  cents  for 
the  six  classes  and  lumber  40  cents  per 
cwt.  Now  they  are 
.48, 
.33^,  .29,  .24  and  .22  cents,  with  cor­
responding  rates  from  New  York  to 
Grand  Rapids 
In  1884  class  rates  from 
Grand  Rapids  to  Chicago  were  .40,  .30, 
.20,  .15,  .12,  .09 cents.  Now  they  are 
by  rail  .31^,  .27,  .21^.  .14, 
.09
cents;  rail and  lake,  26^,  .23,  .18,  .13, 
In  1884  to  East  St. 
.09^,  .08  cents. 
Louis  .60, 
.50,  .40,  .25,  .20,  .18  cents. 
Now  they  are  .43,  .36^,  .27%,  .19.  ■ ,6, 
.13  cents. 
In  1884  to  Pittsburgh  .55, 
.47lA,  -37'A,  -32^.  .2t'A, .25 cents.  Now 
they  are  .44K.  -38^.  -29. 
. 14%  cents.  Rates on  coal from  Pennsyl­
vania,  Virginia,  Ohio  and  Indiana 
mines  to  Grand  Rapids  have  been  re­
duced  during  the  period  named about  30 
per  cent.  Lumber  rates  from  Grand 
Rapids  and  Northern  Michigan  points 
have  been  reduced  about  20  per  cent. 
Plaster  rates  from  Grand  Rapids have 
been  reduced  about 27 per cent.  ;  to  New 
Orleans  and  Southern  points  about  30 
per cent.;  to  the  Pacific  Coast  terminal 
points  from  5  to  40  per  cent.,  and  in the 
territory bounded west by the Mississippi 
River,south  by  the  Ohio  River  and  east 
by  a 
line  through  Buffalo,  Pittsburgh 
and  Wheeling  the  reduction  has been  25 

.62^, 

.20K.

.72, 

:  per cent,  in  freight  rates.

While  I  do not  want  to be  considered 
as  opposing  deep  water  navigation  for 
1  Grand  River—on  the contrary,  I  favor 
it,  for,  if  it  brings  increase of business, 
the  railroads  of  Grand  Rapids  will  get 
their  share  of  such  increase—yet  the 
above  comparisons,  showing  the  many 
advantages  which  Grand  Rapids  enjoys 
and  the  progress  achieved  through  her 
1  railroads  alone, should be borne in mind.

W.  R.  Shblby.

UHK«IS!  W heels!

While you are buying wheels, do not neglect the

GROCERS’  SAFETY

Body, 6 ft. 6 in.  Width, 2 ft. 7 in.  Depth,  7  in.  Capacity,  1,000  pounds.  Patent  wheels,  double 

collar, steel axles.  Price, $2S.

Three Spring  Delivery Wagon

Made in  Two  Sizes.

No.  1.  B od y, 6 ft. 6 in.  Width, 31 in.  Capacity, 600  to  Soo  pounds.  Drop  end  gate.  Price, $34. 
No. 2.  Body, 7 f t   Width, 3 f t   Depth, S in. Capacity,  1,200 to 1,500 pounds.  Body, hardwood.  Price,  $36.

Full  Platform  Spring  Delivery Wagon

No.  1.  1% Concord Steel Axles.  1% tread  Sarven  patent  wheels.  Oil tempered spring,  i‘/,-4 and 5 
leaf.  Body, 9 ft.  Capacity,  1,500 to  1,800  pounds.  Hand  made  and  fully  warranted  drop  tail  gate. 
Price, $50.
No.  2. 

tread  Sarven  patent  wheels.  Oil tempered springs,  1^-5 and 6 

Concord steel axles. 

leaf.  Body, 9 ft.  Capacity,  1,800 to 2,500 pounds.  Drop tail gate.  Price, *55.

Here’s the wagons and here’s your prices!  Take your choice! 

Full value in each wagon for the money!

SHERWOOD  HALL

Successor to Brown( Hall & Co.

rianutacturer of

BUGGIES, W AGONS  a n d   HARNESS

QRAND  RAPIDS.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

it  is  improbable  that  it  will  attempt  to 
execute  its  trusts with anything  but  hon- 
esty  and  faithfulness.

If  it  should  do  otherwise,  it  would  be 
forced  to discontinue  business  in  a  day. 
The  basis  of  success  in  the management 
of  a  trust  company  rests  upon  the  confi­
dence of  the  public  in  its  efficiency  and 
integrity;  when  once  that  confidence 
is 
shaken,  the  company  may  as  well go out 
of  business.  Therefore,  stories  or  ru­
mors  reflecting  upon  the honesty  or  in­
tegrity  of  the  officers  and  directors  of 
real  trust  companies  may  be  stamped  as 
untrue,  because  from  the  standpoint  of 
business  success  alone  (even  although 
the  officers and  directors  are  unreliable) 
the  management  of  a  trust  company  can 
not  afford  to  do  any  act  which  might 
savor  of  irregularity.

All  of  these  things  are  emphasized 
because the  writer desires  the  reader  to 
have  a  correct  conception  of  the  nature 
of  a  trust  company  as  constituted  not

6.  As  receiver  of  property  or  the 
‘ business of corporations and individuals.

7.  As assignee  of  insolvent  estates.
8.  As  guardian  of  minors,  incompe 
intemperate  persons,  and 

tent  and 
spendthrifts.

9.  As  trustee  under  wills.
The  trust  company  in  Michigan  may

also:

10.  Loan  money  upon  real  estate  and 

collateral  security.

11. 

Invest  moneys  for  others  in  all 

kinds  of  lawful  securities.

12.  Receive  all  kinds  of  valuable 
property  on 
safe  deposit,  maintain 
safety  deposit  vaults  and  rent  safes  and 
boxes  therein.

13.  Hold securities,  agreements,  etc. 

in  escrow.

14.  Act  as  surety  on  bonds.
15.  Guarantee  and  insure  titles.
Trust  companies  are  business  con

cerns  organized  to  do, 
and  businesslike  manner, 

in  a  thorough 
the  work

business  is,  therefore,  a  natural  result  of 
the  demand  for  better  business  methods 
in  the  management  of  trusts  of  every 
character.  The  multiplicity  of  securi­
ties  nowadays;  the  number  of  invest­
ments  which  are  placed  upon  the  mar­
ket  to  delude  investors;  the  rapid  fluc­
tuations  in  the  values  of  securities;  the 
difficulty  of  discriminating  between  in­
vestments  of  a  speculative  and  of  a 
stable  character— these  have  all  contrib­
uted  to  make  the  investment  of  money 
and  the  management  of  estates  a  busi­
ness 
in  itself,  one  requiring  a  special 
training,  knowledge  and  equipment. 
For  these  reasons,  *  trust  companies,”  
as  they  are  known  in  Michigan,  were 
called  into  existence.

Experience  has  demonstrated  that  in­
dividuals  acting  in  trust  capacities  are 
likely  to  mingle  their  own  funds  with 
trust  funds,  not  always,  of  course,  with 
intent  to  defraud ;  that  they  often  neg­
lect  the  trust  because  they  are absorbed 
in  their  own  business;  that  they  make 
poor  investments  because  not  familiar 
with  the  science  of  investing;  that  they 
fail  to  make  necessary  accounting  to 
the  courts  and  to  those  entitled  to  re­
ports ;  that  they  themselves  and  the 
sureties  on  their  bonds  may,  by  rapid 
and  unexpected  changes  of  fortune,  be­
come  financially irresponsible;  that they 
may  die,  making  the  appointment  of  a 
successor  necessary, 
causing 
confusion ;  that  they  may  not  be  access­
ible  when  wanted  or  needed;  that  they 
are  likely  to  permit  their  feelings  or 
near  relationship  to  render them  partial 
in  the  management  of  the  trust.

thereby 

28

TRUST  COMPANIES.

There 

Their  Growth  Sufficient  Testimony  to 

Their  Usefulness.
is  not  a  very  accurate  under­
standing,  among  people  generally,  con­
cerning  the  nature  of  trust  companies 
and  the  character of  the  business  done 
by  them.  This  is  true,  net  because  they 
have  not  advertised  their  business,  but 
principally  for  the  reason  that  trust 
companies 
in  Michigan  have  been  in 
operation  for  but  a  short  time,  less  than 
a  decade.

The  Michigan  Trust  Company  of 
is  the  pioneer  in  the 
Grand  Rapids 
business,  having  been  incorporated 
in 
July,  1889.  The  Union  Trust  Company 
of  Detroit  was  organized  in  October, 
1891,  and  the  Peninsular Trust Company 
of  Grand  Rapids  commenced  doing  a 
trust  business  in  July,  1894.  These  are 
the  only  trust  companies  in  the  State  of 
Michigan.

In  the  preparation  of  a  paper  to  be 
read  before  the  trust  company  section 
of  the  American  Bankers’  Association 
at  Detroit  last  August,  the  writer  bad 
occasion  to  apply  to  the  secretaries  of 
state  of  all  of  the  states  for  copies  of 
the  laws  relating  to  trust  companies. 
From  several  of  the  states  copies  of  the 
statutes  regulating  pools,  trusts  and  un­
lawful  combinations  in  restraint of trade 
were  received.  The secretaries  of  those 
states seemed to have but a slight concep­
tion  of  the  nature  of  a  trust  company. 
When  the  error  was  called  to  the  atten­
tion  of  the  proper  officer  in  one  of  the 
states,  the matter  was  referred  to  the  at­
torney general,  who wrote that a thorough 
search  of  the  laws  bad  been  made  and 
no  statutes  relating  to  trust  companies 
could  be  found,  and,  in  fact,  the  only 
trust  company  doing  business  in  his 
state  was  the  Standard  Oil  Company. 
This  is,  of  course,  an  extreme  instance 
of  ignorance  of  the  nature  of  trust  com­
panies.

There  are,  however,  even 

in  Michi­
gan,  people  who  confuse  trust  com­
panies  with  monopolies  and  trusts,  but 
the  most  casual  acquaintance  with  the 
business  of  trust  companies  corrects 
such  an  impression.  The  word "trust,”  
with  the  odium  of 
‘ coal  barons,”   oil 
magnates  and  “ sugar  kings”   which  at­
taches  to  it,  is,  perhaps,  an  unfortunate 
part  of  the  designation  of  trust  com­
panies. 
It  is,  however,  a  more  correct 
description  of  the  business  of  trust com­
panies  than  of  pools,  unlawful  combi­
nations  and  monopolies. 
It  is  a  mis­
nomer  when  used  to  designate the latter.
The  title  “ trust  company”   has  also 
been  misused  and  abused  by  corpora­
tions  which  have  not  been  entitled  to 
employ  it—misused  when  assumed  by 
companies  doing  nothing  but a  banking 
business,  and  abused  by  corporations, 
chiefly 
in  the  Western  States,  which 
have  transacted  a  business  entirely  in 
farm  mortgages,  have  failed  and  in­
volved  hundreds  of  people 
in  ruin. 
None  of  these  is  a  trust company,  strict­
ly  speaking,  but  they  have alfcontrib­
uted  to mislead people as to the character 
of  the business of the real trust company.
trust  company  is  a  corporation 
which  transacts  a  trust  business;  that 
is,  which  acts  in  a  fiduciary  capacity.
It 
is  entrusted  with  the  property  or 
other  interests  of  individuals  and  cor­
porations  and  is  selected  because of  the 
confidence  which 
is  reposed  in  it.  It  is 
absolutely 
impossible  for  it  to  commit 
the  acts  of  fraud  and  dishonesty  which 
are  commonly  attributed,  whether  justly 
or  not,  to  “ trusts,”   in  the  monopolistic 
sense 
in  which  that  word  is  used,  and

A 

in  Michigan,  but  in  a  number  of 

only 
other  states  also.

Under  the  Michigan 

law,  the  trust 
company  is  limited  to  the transaction  of 
a  trust  business,  and  it  is  expressly  pro­
hibited  from  exercising  the  functions  of 
a  bank, 
It  can  act  in  the  following 
capacities :

1.  As  trustee  under  private  agree­
ment  with  individuals  or  corporations 
for any  lawful  purpose.

2.  As  agent  or attorney  for  the trans­
action  of  business,  the  management  of 
estates,  the  collection  of  rents,  interest, 
dividends,  mortgages, 
bonds,  bills, 
notes and  securities  generally.

3.  As  registrar and  transfer agent for 
the  purpose  of  issuing,  negotiating,  reg­
istering,  transferring  or countersigning 
the  certificates  of  stock,  bonds,  or  other 
obligations  of  any  corporation,  associa­
tion  or  municipality,  and  to  manage 
any  sinking  fund.

4-  As  executor  of  wills.
5.  As  administrator  of  estates.

The  trust  company, on  the  other  hand, 
always  keeps  the  investments  belonging 
to  its  trusts  separate  from  its  own  prop­
erty,  all  titles  being  taken  in  the  name 
of  the  trust;  it  never  neglects  the  man­
agement  of  its  trusts  because  it  has  no 
other  business  than  that  of  caring  for 
them ;  it  is  able  to choose  the  best  in­
vestments,  for 
its  officers  are  skilled  in 
the  selection  of  securities,  therefore  the 
chance  of  loss  from  bad  investments  is 
reduced  to  a minimum ;  long experience 
makes  it  familiar  with  all  the  laws  reg­
ulating  the character of  investments  that 
can 
legally  be  made  with  trust  funds; 
the  company  accounts  regularly  to  the 
courts  appointing  it  and to those entitled 
to  statements;  its  accounts  are  prepared 
by  experts  and  may  be  easily  under­
stood ;  it  is  always  financially  respon­
sible,  its  capital  stock,  surplus,  deposit 
of  moneys  or  securities  with  the  State 
Treasurer,  the  personal 
liability  of 
stockholders,  its  frequent  examination 
by  the  State  Banking  Commissioner,  its 
bonded  officers  and  employes—all  afford 
ample  protection  for  the  property  and 
interests  of  those  who  deal  with  it.  It  is 
a  corporation  and  therefore  never  dies; 
it  has  but  one  policy,  which  always con­
trols  the  management  of  the  estate  or 
trust;  its office  is  always  accessible;  it 
is  impartial  because  it  has  no  personal 
bias  or  motive  to  do  anything  except 
that  which  is  for  the  best  interest  of  the 
trust and  all  concerned  in  it.

It  is  a  trite  saying  that  “ Experience 
is  the  best  teacher. ”  
It  will  be  readily 
observed  that  the  trusts  which  are  man­
aged  by  a  trust  company  receive  not 
only  the  advantage  of  experienced  su­
pervision,  but  the  added  benefit  of  the 
thought and  attention  of  several  minds.
Finally,  trust  companies  are  not  ex­
pensive ;  that  is,  their charges  for  serv­
ices  are  no  more  than those  made  by  in­
dividuals.  On  the  contrary,  it  is  true 
economy to  utilize  the  services  of  a trust 
company 
in  the  management  of a  trust 
In  the  case  of  trusts by  ap-
or  estate. 

which  has  heretofore  been  imposed  up­
on  individuals,  usually  friends and  rel­
atives. 
It  is  not  a  competitor  of  any­
one.  The  transaction  of  trust  business 
by  a company  incorporated  for  that  pur­
pose  began  only  a  few  years  ago. 
In­
dividuals  have  hitherto  performed  the 
duties'  of  trustee,  as  an  acommodation 
to  their  friends  and  relatives.  They 
have necessarily  given  to  the  execution 
of  their  trusts  only  such  time  and 
thought  as  they  could  spare  from  their 
own  business.  This  has  resulted  in  mis­
takes,  bad 
in  loss  occa­
sioned  by  neglect,  and,  as  a  conse­
quence,  has given  rise  to a  vast  amount 
of  law  relating  to  the  powers,  duties and 
responsibilities of  trustees. 
It  has also 
especially  made  it  necessary  for  courts 
and 
legislatures  to  make  rules  of  law 
and  statutes  limiting  and  regulating  thè 
character  of  investments made with trust 
funds.

investments, 

The organization  of  business  concerns 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  doing  a  trust

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

29

The  Old  National  Bank

Grand Rapids,  M ich.

Capital Stock 
Surplus 
Undivided Profits 
Deposits

-  

$  8 o o,o o o.o o 
16 o,o o o.o o 

3 5 , o o o . o o  
2,186,o o o.oo

Officers:

Jam es  M .  Barnett,  President.

W illard Barnhart,  Vice  President.

Harvey  J .  H ollister;  Cashier.

Clay  H .  H ollister,  Asst.  Cashier.

Directors:

IVm.  Judson.

F .  Loettgert.

Jam es  M .  Barnett.

W illard Barnhart.

Jacob  Cummer.

Jos.  H .  M artin.

W.  R .  Shelby.

W.  O.  H ughart.

H .  J .  H ollister.

E .  G .  Studley.

L .  H .  Withey.

E .  Crojton  Fox.

Geo.  C.  Peirce.

Gives especial attention  to out o j town  accounts. 
Particular  care 

Sells  exchange  upon  a ll  points. 
shown  with collections.

30

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

pointment  of  courts,  either  the  law  or 
the  court  fixes  the  compensation  of  the 
trust  company,  and  in  the  case of  trusts 
created  by  private  agreement,  the  com­
pensation  can  be  and  always  is  fixed  by 
the  agreement 
itself.  While  a  trust 
company  can  not  receive  more  for  its 
services  than  an 
individual,  the  trust 
reaps  the  benefit  of  the  skill,  and  judg 
ment  of  the  officers,  directors  and  em­
ployes  of  the  company.  The  trust  com­
pany  is  able  to  administer a  large  num­
ber  of  trusts  with  equal  economy  and 
efficiency,  because  of  the  systematic 
it  manages  details 
manner 
through  the  machinery  of 
its  office. 
These  same  details  ordinarily  consume 
the  largest  portion  of  the  time  given  by 
individuals  to  the  management of trusts. 
The  officers  of  the  company  and  the 
chiefs  of  departmens  are  always enabled 
to  give  their  time,  attention  and  skill 
to  the  problems  and  the  matters  of  pol­
icy  in  the  management  of  the  estate.

in  which 

The  rapidity  with  which  the  business 
in  Michigan  has 
is  sufficient  testimony  to  their 

of  trust  companies 
grown 
necessity and  usefulness.

R a l p h   S t o n e .

The  Propelling  Force.

The  Scoffer— Why  do  missionaries 
make  such  great  efforts  to  train  the 
heathen  to  wearing  clothes?  Are  dresses 
and  bonnets  a  necessary  part  of  reli­
gion?

The  Missionary— No;  but  nothing 
makes  a  woman come  to  church  regular­
ly  so  well  as  knowing  that  the  other 
women  will  be  there  in  new  bonnets.
Appropriate  Names  for  Twins.

“ The  Thompsons  can’t  decide  what 

to  name  their twins.”

“ Well,  if  the  twins  resemble  their 
they  should  call  one 

other  children, 
Vesuvius  and  the  other  Terror.”

LAND  PLASTER.

Early  History  and  Development  of the 

Industry.

P L A S T E R ! 

P L A S T E R !

The subscribers have now occupied their  Plaster 
Mill on Plaster Creek, 2 miles  south  of  this  place, 
which is now in  operation.  They  respectfully  in­
form  the public that they have on hand at  the mill, 
or  at  either  of  their stores at Ionia or this  place, a 
constant supply.  A s the quality of the Grand Rap­
ids  plaster  is  not  equalled  by  any  in  the  United 
States, they hope to receive  a  share  of  patronage, 
as the price is less than it can be obtained for at any 
place in  Michigan.  Wheat,  pork  and  most  kinds 
of produce received in payment.

G r a n g e r   &   B a l l .

Grand Rapids,  December 21,1841.
This  modest  advertisement 

in  the 
Grand  River  Times  was  the  first  com­
mercial  announcement  of  an  industry 
which,  next to the furniture industry,  has 
helped  most in  the  commercial  develop­
ment  of  the  Valley  City.  Few  citizens 
realize  to-day  the  very  important  part 
the  plaster  industry  played between  1840 
and  1870  in  widening  the  territory  com­
mercially  tributary  to  Grand  Rapids, 
and 
in  hastening  the  introduction  and 
increase  of  railroad  transportation  facil­
ities.

When  white 

settlers  first  came  to 
"T h e  Rapids”   the  Indians  bad  large 
cornfields  south  of  Fulton  street  on  the 
west  side of the  river,  extending  south­
ward  to  below  where the  Wallin  tannery 
now  stands.  On  the  bank  of  the  river, 
near  the  site of the  stave  factory,  were 
Indian  mounds,  which  were  long  after­
ward  explored  and  leveled.  That  was 
their  headquarters.  There  were  also 
large  tracts  of  cleared  land  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river,  especially  toward  the 
mouth  of  Plaster  Creek,  where  the 
ground  was  level  and  the  soil  rich.

On  the  edge  of  a  bluff  overhanging 
Plaster  Creek,  south  of  where  it  is  now 
crossed  by  Grandville  avenue,  in  those 
early  davs  there  stood  a  lone  pine  tree.

Beneath  that  tree  was  the  only  exposed 
outcropping  of  plaster  rock  in  the State. 
When  and  how  they  learned  it  is  not 
known,  but  the  Indians  knew  of  the 
value  of  plaster  as  a  fertilizer and  al­
ways  used  it  in  considerable  quantities 
on  their  cornfields.  They  had  no  mill 
or  machinery  for  grinding  the  plaster, 
but  beneath  the  ledge  of  rock,  on  the 
bank  of the  creek,  were  some  large flat 
bluestone  boulders  and  some  smaller 
flat  stones.  To  these flat  rocks  the' plas­
ter  taken  from  the  ledge  was  carried, 
and  there  pounded  and  pulverized  so  as 
to be  used  in  fertilizing the Indian corn­
fields.

By  1838 the  borings  for  salt had shown 
that  there  were  quite  extensive  deposits 
of  gypsum  in  the  valley,and  in  that year 
Dr.  Houghton,  State  Geologist,  visited 
this  part  of  the  State and  predicted  a 
large  commercial  use  of  gypsum  and 
gypsum  products.

Two  veins  or  layers  of  plaster were 
found,  except  on  the  lowlands where  the 
upper  vein  had  apparently  been  washed 
away.  The  upper  vein 
is  seven  feet 
thick,  the  lower one  thirteen  or fourteen 
feet. 
In  the  quarries  into  the  hills on 
the  west  side  of  the  river the  lower  vein 
only 
is  quarried,  the  upper one  being 
left,  with  the  thinner  layers  of  clay, 
slate and  shale,  for a  roof.  In  the  quar­
ries  on  this  side  of  the  river the  surface 
earth 
is  stripped  off,  the  plaster  rock 
taken  out  and  the  excavation  filled in.

Granger  &  Ball  began  operating  their 
mill,  which  was  run  by  water  power,  in 
1841,  with  rock  taken  from  the  upper, 
or seven  foot  vein,  where  it cropped  out 
a  dozen  feet  or  more  above  the bed  of 
the  creek.  Two  years  before  this  De 
Garmo  Jones,  who  afterward  built  the 
octogon-cobblestone  house  on  Butter 
wo'th  avenue,  tried  to  manufacture  land

plaster on  a  commercial  scale,  but  did 
not  make  a  go  of 
it.  Granger  &  Ball 
got  the  land  in  the  first  place  on  a  ten 
year  lease.  Henry  R  Williams, 
the 
first  mayor  of the  city  of  Grand  Rapids, 
soon  assumed  charge  of  the  business, 
representing  Mr.  Granger,  of  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.  Mr.  James  A.  Rumsey  ran  the 
mill  and  a  man  named  Lockwood  quar­
ried  the  rock  and  delivered 
it  to  the 
mill.  After  four  or  five  years  of  very 
successful  business  the  upper  vein  of 
plaster  gave  out  and  in  blasting  to  be­
gin  operations  on  the  lower  vein  the 
quarry  filled  with  water,  from  a  vein 
beneath  which  bad  been  opened  by  the 
blasting,  and  because  of  meager  pump­
ing  facilities  the  work  of  quarrying  be­
came  slow  and  expensive.

At  this  time farmers  drove here  in  the 
winter  time,  bringing  large 
loads  of 
produce  with  them  generally,  from  all 
over  the  southern  part  of  the  State  and 
even  from  Northern  Indiana  and  Ohio, 
to buy  land  plaster  as  a  fertilizer.  For 
two  winters  the  output  of  this  quarry 
was  not  sufficient  to  meet  the  demand, 
and  on  account  of  this  R.  E.  Butter- 
worth  built  a  mill,  also  run  by  water 
power,  on  Butterwoith  avenue,  just  at 
the  present  west  city  limits,  and  began 
land  plaster  and 
the  manufacture  of 
stucco  or  calcined  plaster. 
In  the  same 
year  Mr.  Rumsey  made  a  contract  with 
Mr.  Williams  to  get  out  all  the  plaster 
rock  he  could  grind  at  the  mill  and,  by 
beginning  a  new  excavation,  so  that  he 
was  less  impeded by water,  he succeeded 
in  more  than  filling  his  contract,  at  the 
same  time  laying  the  basis  for  the  for 
tune he  has  since accumulated.  During 
this  period,  and  for  nearly  ten  years  fol­
lowing,  the  output  of  this  mill  was 
about  forty  tons  a  week,  and  the  price 
for  land  plaster  was  from  84  to $5.50

THREE  GOOD  SELLERS

FOR  HARDWARE  AND  inPLEHENT  DEALERS.

The  Ohio  Pony  Cutter
This cutter is for hand use only, and is  a  strong, 
light-running machine.  It  is  adapted  for  cutting 
Hay,  Straw, and Corn fodder,  and  is  suitable  for 
parties keeping from one to  four  or  five  animals. 
There is only one size and  it  is  made  so  it can be 
knocked down and  packed,  ready  for  shipment— 
thus  securing  low  freight  rate.  Has 
inch
knife, and by very simple changes makes  4 lengths 
of cut.  This machine is a very heavy seller.

“ Ohio”  Standard  No.  n  Feed  Cutter
It is adapted for cutting Hay, Straw, or Com fodder, either by hand or power. 
It is especially strong and serviceable  and  very  light  running.  The  handle 
shown in the engraving fits on the knife shaft and adapts the machine for hand 
use.  A s a power machine it can  be  driven  by  sweep  or  tread horse power, 
windmill or light engine.  It is a good, all  around machine  and  enjoys  a very 
large sale.  Length of knife,  11 inches.  Steel^knife  shaft,  1% inch  diameter. 
Power required,  one to two horse.

The  Economy  Farmer’s 
Boiler  and  Feed  Cooker
* The Kettles are of smooth, heavy cast iron.  The 
furnace or jacket is of heavy, cold rolled steel,  and 
very  durable.  We  guarantee  this  Feed  Cooker 
never to buckle or warp from  the  heat.  It  is  de­
signed to set on the  ground,  or  stone  foundation, 
and is especially adapted for  cooking  feed,  trying 
out lard, making soap,  scalding  hogs  and  poultry, 
and all work of this nature.  Made  in  four sizes— 
40,  60,  70 and  100 gallon.  Every well  to-do farmer 
should have one of these cookers.  Write for prices 
to dealers.

The above Feed Cutters shown are only two of a large family of the famous  “ Ohio”   Cutters.  Every  wide-awake,  progressive  dealer  who 
likes to handle first-class goods at a legitimate profit should write for catalogue showing full line “ Ohio” Cutters. Shredders  Carriers  G rin d e r, 
etc  together with net prices to dealers.  We also handle Engines, Saw Mills,  Hay  Balers, Com H uskers,cTover^HuU^.T^d P ^ e r s   I^d 
full line heavy machinery.  Correspondence  Solicited. 
e  s  ana

* 

A D A M S   Si  H A R T ,   g r a n d   r a p i d s , m i o h .

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

31

per  ton,  and  of  calcined  plaster $3  to 
$4.50  per  barrel.  Mr.  Ramsey  began 
the  manufacture  of  stucco  in  1842.  Cal­
cining  ground  plaster  is  simply  boiling 
the  water  of  crystallization  (about 20 per 
cent.)  out  of  it.  To  do this  heavy  ket­
tles  were  used,  three  in  a  row  over  a  hot 
fire,  the  ground  plaster  being  stirred  in 
the  kettles  with  a  stick —a  very  tedious 
and  uncomfortable  job. 
It  was  found 
that  the  Grand  Rapids  stucco  could  not 
compete  with  that  made  in  New  York 
City  from  Nova  Scotia  plaster  rock,  be­
cause  the  Grand  Rapids  stucco  set  so 
much  quicker  than  the  Eastern  product. 
This  was  found  to  be due  to  the  fact 
that  the  boiling  in  the  kettles  here  did 
not  drive  off  all  the  water;  that  it  was 
necessary  to  boil,  cool  and boil a  second 
time,  and  then  satisfactory  results  were 
not  certain.  So the  stucco  business  lan­
guished,  but  the  land  plaster business 
continued  to  thrive.  The  largest  part  of 
the  product  was  shipped  by  boat  to 
Grand  Haven  and  thence  to  Detroit, 
which  for  years  was  the  main  distribu­
ting  point.  But  farmers from  the  west­
ern  half  of  the  State and  from  Indiana 
continued  to  make their  winter  trips  to 
“ The  Rapids,”   and  when  the  sleighing 
was  good  the daily  sales  at  the  Rumsey 
mill  often  ran  up  to  sixty,  eighty  and 
one  hundred  tons.

In  1849  Williams  sold the original mill 
to  E.  B.  Morgan  &  Co.,  for  whom  N. 
L.  Avery  was  agent.  Morgan  &  Co. 
were  succeeded  by  Avery  &  Co.,  the 
company  consisting  of  Mr.  Avery, 
Sarell  Wood  and  B.  B.  Church.  In  1857 
Barney  Burton  bought  an  interest 
In 
1864  Amos  Rathbone,  Geo.  H.  White 
and  A.  D.  Rathbone  purchased  the 
property,  and  from  them  it  passed 
into 
the  bands  of  the  present  owners,  the 
Anti-Kalsomine  Company.

The  output  of  the  Butterworth  mill  on 
the  West  Side  from  the  start was  up­
wards  of  2,000  tons  a  year. 
In  1853 
Robert  E.  Courtney 
and  John  Ball 
opened  another mill  half  a  mile  below 
the  Butterworth  mill.  The  demand  for 
land  plaster  continued  strong,  and  the 
thousands  of  tons  manufactured  here, 
together  with  the  fact  that  farmers  were 
willing  to  haul  it  100  miles  or  more,  so 
that  the  actual  cost  to  them  was  often 
upwards  of  $15  per  ton,  was  one  of  the 
great 
inducements  for  the  Detroit  & 
Milwaukee  Railway  to  build  this  way, 
as  later  the  West  Side  mills  were  an 
important  factor  in  the  construction  of 
what  is  now  the  Kalamazoo  Division  of 
the  Lake  Shore  &  Michigan  Southern 
Railroad.  Among  the  sub-contractors 
on  the  D.  &  M.  during  its  construction 
was  Freeman  Godfrey.  From  that  work 
he  took  a  contract  for  quaarying  the 
plaster  rock  for the  White  &  Rathbone 
mill.  He  became 
the 
plaster 
industry,  began  boring  at  night 
on  land  nearer the river and,  having sat­
isfied  himself  that  the  plaster  was there, 
in  i860 bought  five  acres  of  Patrick  Mc- 
Gurrin  (through  a 
livery  man  who 
it  for  a  pasture),  at  the  mouth 
wanted 
of  Plaster  Creek,  where 
the  Godfrey 
mills  now  stand.  He  then  went  to 
Omaha.  Buying  a  fractional  quarter 
section  along  the  river  from  George 
Mills,  on  his  return  he  built  the  Flor­
ence  mills.  A  large  part  of the  Godfrey 
quarry  product,  however,  was  shipped 
before 
it  was  ground,  to  smaller  mills 
located  at  points  on  the  D.  &  M.  Rail­
road  and  at  Detroit.  The  cartage  bills 
from  the  Godfrey  mills  to  the  D.  &  M. 
depot— a  distance of  about  four  miles— 
some  years  ran  above $20,000.

interested 

in 

In  1859  the  Butterworth  mill  was 
burned  and  the  next  year the  property

was  sold  to  Hovey  &  Co  ,  for  $35,000, 
and  afterward  was  reorganized  as  the 
Grand  Rapids  Plaster  Co.,  with  Deacon 
J.  W.  Converse  as  the  principal  stock­
holder,  and  the  capital 
increased  to 
$75,000.

The  Ball-Courtney  mill  Was  sold  to 
Taylor  &  McReynolds,  and  is  now  run 
by  the  Grand  Rapids  Gypsum  Co.

Early 

in  the  sixties  the  problem  of 
calcining  plaster  so  as  to  compete  with 
the  Eastern  stucco  received  much  atten­
tion  and  John  Ball  and  Freeman  God­
frey  both  went  East,  each 
independent 
of  the  other,  to  learn  of  the  better  proc­
ess  employed  in  New  York.  Mr.  Ball, 
in  a  junk  heap  near  the  New  York  plas­
ter  works,  discovered  a  discarded  kettle 
which  disclosed  the  secret,  while  Mr. 
Godfrey  brought  back  with  him  one  of 
the  employes  of  the  New York company. 
And  since  that  time  Grand  Rapids 
stucco  has  been  a  standard  article.

The farmers of Michigan,prior to 1875, 
were  of  one  mind  as  to  the  value of land 
plaster as  a fertilizer.  Experiment after 
experiment  showed 
its  value  beyond 
cavil.  But  since  that  time  it  has  been 
used  less  and  less.  Just  in  what  manner 
it  acted  as  a  fertilizer  is  not  generally 
known,  but  whether its  value  is confined 
to  newly  broken  soil,  or  whether  after 
any  soil  has  absorbed  a  certain  amount 
of  its  fertilizing  ingredients,  and  there­
after  will  absorb  no  more,  is  not  defi­
nitely  known,  but  it  is  certain  that  the 
use  of  land  plaster  as  a fertilizer  has 
been  almost  entirely  given  up,  and  this, 
with  the opening  of  new plaster quarries 
in  Iowa,  Ohio,  West  Virginia  and  in 
Eastern  Michigan,  has  left  the  local 
plaster  companies 
in  a  position  where 
there has  been  for  some  years  practical­
ly  no  profit  left  in  the  business.  Some 
of  the  mills are shut down altogether and

the  rest  are  running  only  part  time.
As  a  direct  result  of  the  plaster  busi­
ness,  there  has  grown  up  in Grand  Rap­
ids,  during  the  past  twenty  years,  an  in­
is  dependent  on  and 
dustry  which 
closely  connected  with 
it,  one  which 
has  assumed  such  proportions  of  im­
portance  in  its  sphere  as  to  be  of  inter­
est  to  all  who  are  concerned  in  the  ad­
vancement  of  the  city  as  a  productive 
center.  The  industry  referred  to  is  the 
manufacture  and  distribution,on  a  scale 
not  elsewhere  attempted,  of  improved 
wall  coatings—material  taking  the place 
of  and 
improving  on  the  old-fashioned 
kalsomines  and  wall  paper  in producing 
artistic  interior  wall  decorations.

A l f r e d   D .  R a t h b o n e .

Why  the  Clerk  Was  So  Honest.
Lady  (to  clerk)—Will  these shoes hold 

their  shape?

Clerk—No,  madam, 

run 
down  at  the  heel,  spread  out  over  the 
sole,  and,  in  fact,  are  a  very  inferior 
article.

they  will 

Lady— Why,  young  man,  how  honest 
you  are!  I  thank  you  for  telling  me.  It 
is  not  often  that  I  find  a  clerk  with such 
an  elevated  idea  of  honor,  and—
lady;  but  the 
manager  left  me  out  when  he  raised  the 
wages  of  the  others  to-day,  and  I’m  try­
ing  to  get  quits  with  him.

Clerk— It’s  not  that, 

How  the  Public  Views  It.

“ Look  here,  I  went  into  a  drug  store 
yesterday  to  buy  a  bottle of Liverine. 
I 
asked  the  druggist  how  much  it  was, 
and  he  said,  ‘ A  dollar.’  I  said: 
‘ Why, 
I  got  it here  last  week  for  85  cents. ’  He 
said: 
‘ I  know  you  did,  but  now  we 
have  to  charge  full  price  on  account  of 
the  revenue  law.’ 
I  looked  on  the  bot­
tle  and 
it  had  a  2-cent  stamp.  The 
Government  got  2  cents  and  this  drug­
gist  kept  the  extra  13  cents.  What do 
you  think  of  that?”

“ Well,  that’s  another  one  of  the  hor­

rors  of  war.”

B . J.  R E Y N O L D S

Wholesale  and  Retail

C I G A R S ^

Distributing Agent for

T h e B arr ister

I  make  a  specialty  S5

| 

of  Standard

2*  Popular  Factory  Hi 
|
5 
I
I* 

and  am  the 

Brands 

£3 

|  

6 

largest  distributor

of  the  same  in

the  State

The Leading  10 cts. Cigar.

Little Barrister, 5 cts.  &  ^ 

Main Store, Cor* Monroe and Division Sts*

PHONE  172.

w m m

m

TO

32

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

tions  can  only  result 
in  the  greatest 
satisfaction  to both merchant and patron, 
for  where  confidence  exists  skepticism, 
bantering,  and  the  fear  of  being  im­
posed  upon  are  unknown.

INDIVIDUALITY  LOST.

Another  dangerous  element  to the 

in­
dustries  of  the  country, also a  product of 
the  last  few  years,  is  the  department 
store,  and 
it  remains  to  be  seen  what 
legislation  will  accomplish  in  its  effort 
to  correct  this  evil. 
It  is  not  only  the 
dry  goods  stores  which  are  affected,  but 
all  branches  of  our commercial  indus­
tries.  While  thoroughly  believing 
in 
the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  num­
ber,  experience  has  not  thus  far  shown 
any  practical  benefit  derived  from  the 
department  store 
idea.  On  the  other 
band,  it  has  forced  many  of  the  smaller 
dealers  to  retire  from  business,  thus rob­
bing  them  of  the  means  of  supporting 
themselves  and  families.

Exclusive  dry  goods  stores  are  not

DRY  G OODS  TRADE.

Graghic  Description  of  the  Changes 

in  Prices  and  Fashions.

After  a  mental  survey  of  the dry goods 
industry 
in  Grand  Rapids  for  the  past 
fifteen  years,  on  which  subject  you  have 
requested  me  to  prepare  an  article  for 
your  anniversary  edition,  I  have  taken 
the  liberty  to  encroach  to  some  extent 
upon  the  territory  assigned. 
It  occurs 
to  me  that  what  I  could  say  regarding 
the  subject  would  only  reiterate facts  al­
ready  familiar  to  the  active  dry  goods 
merchants  of  Michigan  and  the army  of 
salespeople  employed  in  our  stores.

As  our  country  has  just  emerged  from 
the  perils  and  anxieties  of  another  war, 
with  its  glorious  conquests  in  the  cause 
of  humanity,  a  comparison  of  to-day’s 
prices  with  those 
in  vogue  during  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion would  prove  inter­
esting  to  the  younger  “ knights  of  the 
yard  stick, ’ ’  as  but  few  dry  goods  mer­
chants  who  were  engaged  in  business 
from  1861  to  1865  are  still  operating, 
the  Spring  Dry  Goods  Company  being 
the  only  exception  in  Grand  Rapids.

in  vogue 

It  is  true,  however,  that  the  past  fif­
teen  years  has  brought  radical  changes 
in  the  methods  and  manner  of  dry goods 
retailing,  and  the  merchants  and  their 
patrons  have  now  a  more  intelligent 
understanding  of  each  other’s needs  and 
requirements;  but  some  of  the  methods 
now 
invite  severe  criticism. 
The  strife  for  first  place  in  the  business 
arena  often  tempts  the  unscrupulous 
merchant  to  practice  schemes  for  com­
manding  business  as  questionable  and 
transparent  as  they  are  dishonest,  yet  as 
the  old  saying  goes,  “ There  are  fools 
born  every  minute.”   Sooner  or  later 
these  methods  can  but  result  in  destroy­
ing  the  confidence  of  the  public.  These 
modern 
innovations  are  quite  in  con­
trast  with  the  honest  ways  of  half  a  cen­
tury  ago  and  are  to be  deplored  as  tend­
ing  to  cheapen  and  injure  the  business 
of  dry  goods  retailing—sowing the  seeds 
of  distrust  and  skepticism  among  the 
people.

Should  all  merchandise  be  sold  at  a 
profit  or  should  some  staple  article, 
worth  four  or  five  cents  per  yard,  be 
offered  for  one  day  at  one  cent  per 
yard,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  enticing 
customers  into  the  store,  thus  sustaining 
a  positive  loss  and  at  the  same  time 
hoodwinking  the  very  people whose con­
fidence  and  patronage  it  should  be  the 
duty  of  every  honest  merchant  to  estab­
lish?

Would 

it  not  be  more  honorable  to 
mark  and  sell  all  merchandise  at  a  uni­
form  profit,  however  small,  rather  than 
recover  the  loss  on  something  else or 
levy  the  deficiency  upon  the  next 
inno­
cent  victim?  This 
is  but  one  of  the 
many  “ shrewd”   schemes  which  are 
practiced  almost  every  week  and  which 
result 
in  demoralization  and  create  an 
unhealthy  condition  of  business.

As  an  example  of  conservative and 
successful  dry  goods  retailing  the  Bon 
Marche 
in  Paris  is  a  momentous  illus­
tration.  None  of  these  questionable 
methods  are  ever  employed, and  not  one 
single  dollar’s  worth  of  merchandise 
is 
sold  on  credit.  Every  article  is  marked 
in  plain  figures  at  a  living  profit and  no 
deviation  whatever  is  made,  regardless 
of  quantity  purchased,  as  no  discount  is 
allowed  to  any  one.  The  Bon  Marche 
does  a  business  upwards  of  $31,000,000 
annually,  and  I  understand 
that  the 
methods  of  this  world-famous  empo­
rium,  the largest  in  the  world,  are  being 
adopted  generally  in  the  larger  cities  of 
the  East.  Shopping  under  such  condi­

nearly  so  numerous  as  formerly,  and 
the  same  wagon  that  delivers  your dress 
will  also  deliver  your  groceries,  cod 
fish  and  hardware,  the  sole  purpose  of 
the  dealer  being  to  sell  anything  that 
will  turn  a  penny  into  bis  cash  box.

It 

is  my  opinion,  based  on  observa­
tion,  that  those  merchants  who depart 
from  legitimate lines soon find their best­
paying  trade  slipping  away  to the  ex­
clusive  stores,  where  only  dry  goods 
is 
the  study  of  the  merchant.

MODERN  ADVERTISING.

Never  in  the  history  of  the  world  has 
so  much  attention  been  given  to  adver­
tising  as  now,  and  page  advertisements 
are  everyday  affairs.  From a  perusal  of 
the  great  newspapers,  it  would  almost 
seem  that  merchants  have gone advertis­
ing  mad.  Advertising,  however,  is  a 
business  proposition,  and  that 
large 
merchants  expend  thousands  of  dollars 
advertising  year  after  year 
is  ample 
proof  that  it  pays  to advertise.  It  is  the

medium  by  which  the  wares  of  the  mer­
chant  are  exploited  to  the  world  and 
is 
conducive  of  either  good  or  bad  results. 
Good  advertising  is  a  public  educator, 
the  powerful  engine  which  drives  the 
wheels  of  trade  with  increased  momen­
tum.  But  as  employed  by  most  mer­
chants 
it  has  taught  the  people  a  few 
bad  tricks,  viz.,  to  wait  for  cheap 
prices,  for out-of-season  sales,  thus  pre­
venting  the  sale  of  merchandise  which 
should  be  sold  in  season  at  a  profit 

Although  a  fair  per  cent,  of  the  peo­
ple  follow  styles  closely,  swaying  with 
every  fashion  breeze  that  blows,  there 
are  many  who  deny 
themselves  the 
pleasures  of  first  styles  for  the  sake  of 
the  dollars  they  will  save  by  waiting. 
No  one  but  the  merchant  is  responsible 
for this  bolding  back,  for he  has  educa­
ted  the  public  to  the  habit.  Among 
other questionable  methods  are  the  cut- 
price  sales.  Seductive  prices  are  pub­
lished  for  one  day  in  the  week,  while

tisement  never  appears  tw ice;  original­
ity  of  expression,  new  prices  and  sin­
cerity  invite  the  readers*  attention 
Il­
lustrative  advertising  has  become  very 
popular  and  the  up-to-date  advertise­
ment  writer  must  be  an  artist. 
It  is  a 
study  all  around,  both  with  the  writer 
of  an  advertisement  and  the  man  who 
handles  the  type.

PE R PLE X ITIE S.

Speaking  as  one  who  has  devoted  half 
a  century  catering  to  the  caprices  of 
Fashion,  that  ever-changing  and  fickle 
goddess,  to  the  exacting  and  discrimi­
nating  demands  of  women  in  matters  of 
dress,  I  can  truly  state  that  the  life  of  a 
dry  goods  merchant  is  not  one  of  per­
petual  sunshine.  He  must  be  a  reader 
of  the  future,  must  judge  in  the  spring 
what  will  be  fashionable  and  popular 
next  fall,  what  will  take  best  with  his 
patrons.  He  must  always  bear  in  mind 
that,  of  all  the  women  in  the  world,  no 
two  want  the  same  dress  pattern,  cloak 
or  bonnet.  He  must  have  them  all 
different  and  still  all  beautiful.  He 
must  not  forget  that  styles  change  three 
or  four  times  in  one  short  season—that 
certain  styles are  condemned every year, 
never  to  be  resurrected.  Take  shawls 
for  instance,  who  would  have  predicted 
that  such  a  staple,  comfortable  and  use­
ful  article  would  ever  become  unpop­
ular?  Can  any  one  suggest  what  style 
of  garment  will  be  fashionable next  sea­
son?  Thus  the  daily  walk  of  a  drygoods 
merchant  is  in  a  wilderness  of  uncer­
tainty  as  to  what  the  future  will  bring 
forth,  and  bis 
is, 
“ What  will  the  harvest  be?”

continuous  song 

CA PR IC E S  OF  WOMEN.

Of  the  twenty  thousand  bonnets  worn 
in  Grand  Rapids  c  n  any  two  be  found 
alike? 
If  perchance  on  Sunday  morn­
ing,  while  attending  divine  worship,  a 
lady  discovers  on  the  head  of  her  fellow 
worshipper  a  hat  or  bonnet  closely  re­
sembling  her  own 
in  architectural  de­
sign,  her  first  duty  on  Monday  morning 
is  a  visit  to  the milliner’s.  Her beauti­
ful  “ dream”   of  a  bonnet  is  shivered  to 
its  foundation  and  another  is  built on an 
entirely  new  and  original  plan— exclu­
siveness  is  everything  in  woman's ap­
parel.  To  many  women  Fashion  is  their 
unbending  goddess;  they  worship  at  the 
throne  of  this  extravagant  dame,  adopt­
ing  whatever  folly  she  may  introduce. 
Contrast  the  close-fitting  dress  sleeve  of 
this  season  with  those  immense  floats 
or  balloons  worn  by  the  ladies  two  or 
three  seasons  ago.  Would  men  ever  be 
found  adopting  for  their  own  use  such 
outlandish  dress  innovations?  All  these 
perplexities  and  complications  have 
been  brought  about  within  the  past  fif­
teen  years.  R ivalry  between  merchants 
has  forced  them  to  extravagancies  in 
many  directions  and  it  is  only  natural 
that  the  public  should  avail  itself  of  the 
situation.  Within  the  past  fifteen  years 
sample-gathering  has  become  a  mena­
cing  factor  in  the  life  and  happiness  of 
the  dry  goods  merchant,  and  the  exten 
to  which 
is  carried  on  amounts  to 
thousands  of  dollars’  expense to the larg 
er  stores  every  year.  The  field 
is  not 
confined  te  Grand  Rapids  alone,  for 
every  market  in  the  East  and  West  is 
worked  by  the  sample-gatherers. 
It  is 
gratifying,  however, 
to  discover  that 
when  price  comparisons  are  made  the 
local  stores  furnish  goods  of  same  qual­
ity,  always  much  less  in  price  than  the 
foreign  houses.

it 

For  fear  your  readers  may  accuse  me 
of  being  pessimistic  I  wish  to  say  that 
I  find  no  fault  with  the  women.  They 
have  been  encouraged  and  educ  ted  by 
the  merchants  themselves  through  their

identical  garment 

those  who  come  during  the  other  five 
days are  charged  full  price.  Is  this  fair 
to  the  woman  who  receives  her  paper 
next  day  after  the  sale  is  over,  or  to 
Mrs.  Brown  who  paid  $20  for her  coat 
while  Mrs.  Smith,  at  a  bargain  sale, 
purchased  the 
for 
$13.98?  But  with  all  its  evils  the  up-to- 
date  merchant  would  as  soon  order  his 
goods  shipped  by  ox  team  from  New 
York  as  to  dispense  with  advertising. 
It  is  the  medium  which  keeps  his  store 
in  touch  with  the  people.  Unlike  the 
old  sign-board  style,  the best advertising 
of  to-day  tells something—conveys intel­
ligence  about  goods  and  prices 
that 
every  woman  wants  to know.  When  the 
reader  has  read  it,  she  knows  something 
more than  “ John  Smith,  Dry  Goods.”  
In  early  days  the  changing  of  an  adver­
tisement  was  an  event  which  occurred 
once  in  three  months,  and  to  the  news 
paper  even  this  was  really  a  hardship. 
With  good  advertising  the  same  adver­

33

EDSON, MOORE & CO

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

194  TO  202  JEFFERSON  AVENUE 

DETROIT,  MICH.

Importers and Jobbers of

Foreign  and  Domestic  Dry  Goods,

Underwear, Hosiery  and  Notions

Manufacturers of

Ladies'  Wrappers  and  Men’s  Furnishing  Goods

Every  Department  offers  complete  lines  of Seasonable  Goods.

AM ERICAN  PR IN TIN G   CO. 

WM.  SIMPSON,  SONS  & CO. 

Printed  Fabrics  from  the  well-known  American  Mills: 

W IND SO R  M ILLS 

COCHECO  M ILLS 

ST E R LIN G   M ILLS

PACIFIC  M ILLS

HARM ONY  M ILLS

ARNOLD  M ILLS 

A L LE N   M ILLS 

And  Others

New designs  in  all  kinds  of  Outings.  The  celebrated  Sterling  Fleeced  Flannel  and  Sterling  Outings  are  of  unequaled  value. 
Our stock  of  Hosiery,  Underwear and  Men’s  Furnishings, bought direct from the best manufacturers,  is the largest in the State.

Outings,  Domets  and  Cotton  Flannels

The  Dress  Goods  Department

Is  showing newest  styles  in  Black  Crepons,  Black  and  Colored  Whipcords,  Plaids,  Wool  Fancies,  Poplins,  Coverts,  Soleils 

All counts  and  weights  in  Bleached  and  Brown  Cottons.  Colored  Cotton  Goods  of  every  description,  including 

and  Prunellas;  also  Silks,  Velvets,  Velveteens,  Corduroys,  Moreens,  etc.

Denims,  Tickings,  Shirtings,  Ginghams  and  Madras  Cloths.

Lining  Departm ent

We  carry  in  this  department  Cambrics,  Silesias,  Satines,  Fast-Black  Taffetas,  Linen  and  Cotton  Canvas,  French  and  Amer­

ican  Haircloth,  also  Fancy  Linings  and  Fancy  Skirtings of  the latest  styles  and  newest  effects,

Wool  Flannels,  Cottonades  and  Cassimeres.  House-keeping  Linens  and  White  Goods.  __

Crashes  we  carry  in  large  variety to  meet  the  demands  of  the  trade. 

**?*.-,'*,

which  are  much  in  demand  this  season.

The largest  variety  of  White,  Colored  and  Fancy  Cotton  Blankets.  The largest  variety  of  Camp arid Lumbermen's Blankets.

The largest  variety of  White,  Scarlet,  Grey  and  Plaid  Wool  Blankets.

Blankets

W e  are  fully equipped  to  supply  all  the needs  of  the  retail dry goods  dealer at tb?  lowest  market  rates.

Our  Notion  Department  is  the  largest  in  the  State  of  Michigan,  j 

Notion  Department

^ats

Mail  Orders  given  special attention. 

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dosa  .mII os ol 81

EDSON,

,d adì io asi hod io aJc.'ii  no aaohq

& C 0 .

84

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

efforts  to  win  patronage  and  excel  each 
other. 
I  am  simply  endeavoring  to 
show what  the  evolution  of  time  has  ac­
complished  for  the  dry  goods  industry.

SALESPEOPLE.

There  is a  growing  disposition  among 
the  dry  goods  stores  to  employ  female 
labor,  although  men  of  experience  are 
usually  found  at  the  heads  of the depait- 
ments.  Nearly  every  lady  has  her  fa­
vorite  clerk  with  whom  she  prefers  to 
trade,  and  the  clerk  is  often  judged  by 
the  “ pull”   he  or  she  may  have  with  the 
public.

Courtesy,  intelligence  and  refinement 
are  the  essential  elements  in  a  good 
clerk,  and  there  are  many such in Grand 
Rapids.

WAR  PR ICE S.

The  following  quotations,  taken  from 
the  dry  goods  market  reports  for  August 
27,  1864,  show  the  inflated  condition  of 
prices  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 
These  bulletins  were  sent  out  from  day 
to  day  and  were  only  guaranteed  for 
twenty-four  hours,  as  no  one  could  anti­
cipate  a  day  in  advance  what  condition 
the  country  would  be 
in  to-morrow. 
Upon  the  day  these  prices  were  quoted, 
notice  was  also  given  that  goods  were 
advancing  every  hour :

PR IN TS,  W H O L E SA L E   PRICES.

Merrimac,  per yard, net......................  $  .50
Sprague,  per yard,  net............................. 46
Indigo blue,  per yard, net........................ 47^4
Turkey red,  per  yard, net........................ 46
Shirtings, per  yard, net............................46
American,  per yard,  net........................... 45
Duchess  B.,  per yard, n e t.......................30
Wamsutta, per yard, net.......................... 39
Amoskeag,  pink, per  yard, net................43
.43
London  and Atlantic,  per yard,  net.. 

GIN GHAM S.

Roanoke,  per yard, net.............................40
Hampden, per yard, net............................40
Lancaster, per yard, net......................  

.4S14

D ELAINE S.

High colors, per yard, net........................ 60
A ll wool, per yard, net.............................85

APRON  CHECKS*

Hamilton, per yard,  net......................
Whittenden, per yard, net..................
Star 4-2,  per yard,  net...................... .
STRIPED  SHIRTINGS.
Pittsfield,  per  yard,  net......................
Hudson River, per  yard, net..............
Anchor, per  yard, net 
.....................
Ucasville, per  yard, net....................

TICKS.

Ticks,  per yard, net.............................
CANTON  FLANNELS.
Canton  Flannels, per yard,  net.........

DENIMS.

Hudson River, per yard, net..............
Warren, per yard,  net.........................
Oxford, per yard, net..........................
Idaho, per yard, net............................
Massachusetts, per  yard', net.  ..........
Merrimac,  per yard, net......................
Naumkeag,  per  yard, net...................

•45  , 
.5** 
•SS

•35 •36
•42*  
-57*@5S*

.30  @75

.44  @.80

.40
•55
•52K.46*
•5°.60
.fio

COLORED  CORSET  JEANS. 

Colored Corset Jeans, per yard, net...
BROWN  SHIRTINGS.
Brown Shirtings,  per yard, net.........
BROWN  SHEETINGS.
A ll Standards,  per yard,  net...............
Atlantic, per yard, net.... 
.  .........
Burlington,  per yard,  net....................
Wamsutta,  per  yard, n e t...................

•47J¿@&>

•72K
.63
.6754

4-4  B L E A C H E D   CO TTO N.

New York Mills,  per  yard,  net................7754
Masonville, per  yard, net.........................70
Androskoggin,  per yard, net....................71
White Rock,  per yard, net....................... 74
Hills Sempter Idem,  per yard, net............ 65
Kensington, per yard, net.........................50
Seneca Mills,  per yard, net....................... 50
Narragansett,  per yard, net..................... 4^^
10-4 Sheetings,  Pepperill, per yd., net  1.60
I Colored Cambric,  per vara, net.................30  @45
Lonsdale Cambric,  per yard, net.............. 43 y2

T H R E A D .

Coates Spool Cotton,  per dozen, net..  2.00
Williamatic, per dozen, net................. 
1.50

The above  few  prices  will  serve  to  il­
lustrate  the  hardships  endured  by  the 
people  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 
Although  wages  went  up,  they  were  not 
in  accordance  with  the greatly increased 
prices  for  everything,  and  the  pay  of 
our  soldiers  at  613  per  month  was  bare­
ly  sufficient  to  sustain  the  wives  of 
soldiers  and  their  little  flocks.  What 
would  our  people  think  to-day  of paying 
50 cents  a  yard  for  calico  that  now  sells 
for  4  cents,  or  81.60  per  yard  for  sheet­
ing  that  now  brings  but  16 cents,  or  20 
cents  for a  spool  of  cotton  that  now  sells 
for  5  cents! 

H e n r y   S p r i n g .

Changed  Conditions  of  the  Finding 

Business.

For aught  the  writer  knows,  the  term 
“ leather and findings" may  date back to 
Simon,  the  tanner.

Webster  describes  findings  as  being 
the  tools,  together  with  thread  and  wax, 
which  a  journeyman  shoemaker  has  to 
furnish  in  his  employment.  The  word 
findings  has  evidently  grown 
very 
much  more comprehensive,  as  it  finally 
embodied, 
in  addition  to  the  above, 
everything  that  was  needed  to  make a 
boot  or  shoe.

The  leather and  finding  business  was 
at 
its  zenith  about  1850.  At  this  time 
the  majority  of  boots  and  shoes  were 
still  made  by  hand  in  the  custom  shoe 
shops,  of  which  the  smallest  hamlet 
could  boast  of  at  least  one.  These  an­
cient  Knights  of  St.  Crispin  were  usu­
ally  found  working  and  arguing  in  com­
panies  of  from  two  to twenty  in  a  shop. 
There  was  the  journeyman  who  made 
the  cacks,  another  who  made  the  bats, 
and  others  still  who  made  hand-sewed 
boots  and  stogies.

In  order  to  supply  the  multitude  of 
shoe  shops distributed  through  the coun­
try,  it  was  quite  necessary  to  have  a 
convenient  source  of  supply,  where  it 
was  possible  to  obtain  leather  and  the 
necessary  adjuncts  termed  findings.

Leather  and 

finding  establishments 
were,  therefore,  at  that  time,  quite  nu­
merous,  as  compared  with  the  present 
day.  The  writer well  remembers,  back 
thirty-five  years  ago,  when  his  feet  were 
measured  for  redtop  bools,  “ just  like 
papa’s ."   At  that  time  it  was customary 
among  the  old  country  farmers to  hire a 
shoemaker to  come  to  the  home,  and  all 
members  of  the  family,  from  grandpa 
down  to the  baby,  were  properly  decked

out  with  new  footwear.  Preparatory  to 
this,  a  call  was  made  by  the head  of 
the  family  upon  the  leather  and  finding 
dealer,  and  with  the  aid  of  the  shoe­
maker  the  necessary  materials  to  shoe 
the  family  were  selected  and  purchased.
Not  more  than  fifteen  years  ago,  it 
was  still  quite  customary  for  woodsmen 
and  log-runners  to have what was termed 
river  boots,  made  to  order,  out  of  the 
best  brands  of  French  and  German  tan­
nages  of  kip  and  calf,  of  which  the 
leather  and  finding  dealer  kept  a  well- 
assorted  stock.

is 

Since  the  advent,  however,  of  shoe 
machinery,  and  the  consequent  estab­
lishment  of  shoe  factories,  the  custom 
shoe  business  has  steadily  declined,  un­
til  to-day  very  little  more  than  the  cob­
bling  shop 
left;  hence  the  original 
leather  and  finding  business,  where  it 
has  survived,  has  done  so  by  adding 
other  lines,  such  as  shoe  store  supplies, 
etc.  To-day  we  advertise as  leather  and 
findings  and  shoe  store  supplies.  The 
latter  term  came  into general  use twelve 
to  fifteen  years  ago,  at  which  time  shoe 
dressings,  overgaiters, 
leggings,  lamb 
wool  soles,  soft  soles,  etc.,  one  after 
another,  came  into  existence,  and  were 
added  to  the 
list  by  the  progressive 
leather  and  finding  dealer.

Occasionally,  although  rarely,  we  still 
find  one of the  old-fashioned leather and 
finding  dealers,  satisfied 
to  adhere 
strictly  to  his  business  of  supplying old- 
time  shoemakers,  whom  the  march  of 
events  has  turned  to  cobblers,  whose 
contented  spirit  is  best  described  in  the 
following:

The shoemaker sang while he hammered away, 

Oh, who is as happy as I am to-day?

I save twenty soles where the parson  saves  one, 
And I always heel when the doctors heal none.

G   A d o l p h   K r a u s e .

The  Peerless

Finest Grocers’ Counter in the World. 
in  eight  sizes.  A  safeguard 
Made 
against  mice, 
flies,  bugs,  dust  and 
pickers. 
It  beautifies  the  store,  in­
vites  trade,  attracts  attention  and  in­
creases  sales.  Descriptive  circulars 
and  prices  sent  free.  Patented  April 
27,  1898.

We  also  manufacture  Pickle  Dis­
play  Stands,  Oyster  Refrigerators  and 
Folding  Bath  Tubs.

FOLDING  BATH  TUB  CO.,  Marshall,  Mich.

f
THE  HERCULES  VENTILATED  BARREL |

CHEAPEST, STRONGEST AND LIQHTEST BARREL THAT CAN BE USED FOR SHIPPING APPLES, POTATOES AND VEQ- 
ETABLES OR ANYTHING REQUIRING VENTILATION,  Cheapest.  Why?  We can save you freight charges.  The Hercules 

$
?

can be shipped knocked down,  and one man can set up 75 to  100 barrels per day  and  no  skilled  labor  required.  They 
take same freight classifications as heads and hoops—that is,  fourth and fifth class.  With your wagon  you  can  haul  200 
Hercules barrels, heads and hoops complete, and you can store 200 in a space  10 feet long  by  6  wide  by  6  high.  The 
Hercules weighs  14 lbs.  set up,  so that in shipping produce to market you make a saving in freight,  as other barrels weigh 
18 to 20 lbs.  each.  With every order for 500 we furnish free our setting up outfit,  or  with  orders  for less  than  500  we 
charge  $2,  and  refund  the  $2 when 500 barrels have been purchased.  We make  12-peck or  10 peck barrels or any size 
you desire.  The Hercules has no inside-lining hoops,  the bilge being formed by the heavy spring wire on  the  outside  of 
the  barrel,  and  a  small  binding wire holds the staves firmly in place,  so it is impossible for the Hercules to go to staves.
Write to us for sample barrel and delivered prices. 
If you have heads  and  hoops  we  would  be  pleased  to  quote  you 
prices on mats or bodies of the barrel.  For further information address

, 

HERCULES  W OODENW ARE COMPANY,  7,-8, WmtcS S S A .  i

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

Ups  and  Downs  of  the  Merchandise 

Brokerage  Business.

A  history  of  the  merchandise  broker­
age  business  of  Grand  Rapids  is an 
in­
teresting  one  in  some respects;  interest­
ing  in  the  fact  that  it  probably  has  seen 
more  failures  than  any  other  line  of 
business.  Deluded  by  the  success  of 
one  or  two  of  our  earlier  brokers  and 
imbued  with  the  idea  that  there  was  no 
capital  invested  and  no  experience  re­
quired,  and  that  all  brokerages  received 
were  clear  profit,  men  of  all  classes, 
from  book-keepers  to  cash  boys,  got a 
molasses  or  rice  account  and  became 
brokersf?).  The  result  was  the  same 
as  though  they  had  embarked 
in  any 
other  business  about  which  they  knew 
nothing.

In  the  seventeen  years  that  the  writer 
has  been  engaged  in  this  business  he 
has  seen  no  less  than  one  hundred  of 
such  failures,and  of  the brokers  here  to­
day  only  three  or  four  have  survived  the 
ten  year  period,  and  all  of  the  success­
ful  brokers  to-day  had  previous  experi­
ence  that  especially  fitted  them  for  the 
brokerage  business.

Away  back  in  the  seventies,  a  gentle­
man  from  New  York,  with  more  cour 
age  than  sand,  embarked  in  the  broker­
age  business 
in  Grand  Rapids.  His 
career  was  so  short  that  even  his  name 
has  been  forgotten.  A  few  years  later, 
about  1875  or  1876,  two other gentlemen, 
seeing  the  possibilities  of  a  successful 
business 
in  the  rapidly  growing  town 
and  the  development  of  the surround­
ing  territory,  also  opened  offices  here. 
One  of  these  gentlemen,  a  Mr.  Mc­
Kenzie,  soon  got  tired  and  “ gave  up 
the  ghost."  The  other,  H  F.  Hastings, 
stuck 
it  out,  and  in  a  short  time  built 
up  a  lucrative  business,  in  which  he

continued  until  his  death  in  1893.  For 
several  years  he  was  the  only  broker 
here,  but  about  1880  or  1881  the  rush 
began,and  has  continued  until  the  pres­
ent  time.

To  give  a  detailed  history  during  this 
time  would  be  to  record  a  long  list  of 
failures  and  a  short  list of successes  and 
I  will  not attempt  the  task.

The  last  fifteen  years  has  seen  a  great 
many  changes 
in  the  kind  of  goods 
handled  by  brokers.  We  formerly  sold 
plug  and  fine-cut  tobaccos and  cigars, 
but  the  ever-increasing  competition  for 
trade  compelled  the  manufacturer  to  go 
direct to  the  retail  trade  if  he  expected 
to  keep  his  brands  on  the  market.

Ten  years ago  we  sold  large quantities 
of  California  canned  fruits.  Since  the 
expansion  of  our  own  fruit  industry,  we 
not  only  do  not  sell  many  California 
goods,  but  we  ship  large  quantities  of 
our own  canned  fruits  to  other stales.

In  provisions,  the  great  staples  were 
mess  pork  and  dry  salt  sides.  Now  it 
is  all  clear  back  or  short  cut  pork,  and 
the  fresh  meat  business,  with  modern 
refrigerator  cars,  has  cut  into  this  line.
California  raisins  and  prunes  take  the 
place of  the  Valencia  raisins  and Turk­
ish  prunes.  Cleaned  currants  in  pound 
packages  have  supplanted  the  dirty  un 
cleaned  article  formerly  sold 
in  large 
barrels.  And  so  it  goes  on  down through 
the  list  and  the  successful  broker  is  of 
necessity  compelled  to  change  his  busi­
ness  accordingly.  As old ideas  drop  out, 
he  must  catch  onto  and 
improve  the 
new ones.

In  conclusion,  let  me  say  that  it  is  a 
mistaken  idea  that  anyone  can  embark 
in  the  brokerage  business  and  succeed. 
The  result of  the  last  fifteen  years  effec­
tually  disproves  this.  The  successful 
broker  must  be  thoroughly familiar  with

the  grocery  business;  he  must  know, 
not  only  all  about  his  own  goods,  but 
those  of  his  competitors.  He  must  be 
thoroughly  posted  on  the  market  prices 
of  his  offerings and  also  as  to  crop pros­
pects,  present  and  future  supply  and  the 
tendency  of  the  market.  To  him  the 
buyer  looks  for  such  information  and  to 
acquire and  be  able  to give  this 
infor­
mation  intelligently  requires  a  constant 
study  of  the  subject.

C h a s .  N .  R e m i n g t o n ,  Jr .
------- ♦

  •  ♦ --------

The  Positive  Salesman.

In  Wanamaker’s  store  recently  a trav­
eling  salesman  for  some  clothing  house 
was  endeavoring  to  influence  one  of  the 
managers  of  the  clothing  department  to 
buy  some  “ all  woof"  clothing  from 
him.  The  traveling  man  was  evidently 
positive  that  his  goods  were  all  wool. 
Three  of  the  brightest  clerks  in  the  de­
partment  fingered  and  “ snapped"  sam­
ples  of  the  cloth,  unraveled  threads  and 
untwisted  them,  touched  them  to  a  gas 
flame,  and  were  still  uncertain.  All 
mistrusted  that  there  was  cotton 
in  the 
stuff  despite  the  confidence  of  the  trav­
eling 
contrary. 
“ There’s  only  one  thing  to  do,”   said 
the  manager,  “ boil 
’em.”   Next  day 
they  were  boiled,  and  the  result  was 
shown.  After the  wool  had been “ boiled 
out”   there  was  still  enough cotton left to 
maintain  the  original  shape  of  the  fab­
ric  It  had  been  combed  all  through  the 
wool.

salesman 

the 

to 

Couldn’t  Meet  the  Demand.

Customer— I  want  a  watch  that  will 
withstand  the  usage  of a healthy  12-year- 
old  boy.

Jeweler—-Sorry,  but  the  armor  mills 
are  now  all  busy  with  Government  con­
tracts.

3 5

Why  Paper  Wrappers  Deteriorate 

Meat.

F rom  the  N e w   E n glan d   G rocer.

Grocers  are  coming  more  and  more 
every  day  to  keep  as  a  side  issue a meat 
department. 
In  doing  so  they  are  find­
ing  out  new  secrets  about  the  proper 
way 
in  which  meat  should  be  handled, 
that  it  may  be  satisfactory  to  their  cus­
tomers.  One  mistake  that  many  gro­
cers  make  is  in  wrapping  the  meat  for 
delivery  in  paper.  This  is  wrong,  for 
even  from  the  time  the  meat  is  put  in 
the  store  until  it  is  delivered  to  its  buy­
er,  the  paper  surrounding  the  meat  has 
time  to  absorb  many  of  the  juices  so 
necessary  to  its  palatability.  Then,  be­
sides,  many  housewives  have  a  habit  of 
leaving  the  wrapper  on  the  meat  as they 
put  it  away  in  the  refrigerator;  so  when 
the  time  comes  for  the  cooking  of  the 
meat,  it  will  be  found  that  much  of  the 
juice  has  been  absorbed-by  the  paper, 
and  the  meat  has  lost  just  so  much  of 
its  lusciousness.  Grocers  are  fast  com­
ing  to  realize  this  fact,  and  are  taking 
pains  to  overcome  the  deterioration  re­
Some 
sulting 
have 
trays  covered 
with  agate  and  divided  by partitions  in­
to  compartments.  Others  have  baskets 
which  are  kept  particularly  clean  for 
this  purpose. 
In  this  way,  by  using 
simply  an  ordinary  cover,  the  meats 
come  to  the  housewife  in almost as juicy 
a  condition  as  when  cut  in  the  store. 
Besides  this,  matrons  are  more  careful 
nowadays 
in  attending  to  their  meats 
just  as  soon  as  they  get  them  in  their 
houses. 
If  they  are  careful  to  place 
them  away  in  the  refrigerator  at  once, 
in  an  earthen  dish,  there  is  little  chance 
for  deterioration,  and  their  meats  go  on 
the  table  in  a  much  better  and  juicier 
condition.

from  paper  wrappers. 

introduced  small 

The  Woman  of  It.

it  happen 

Wallace— How  does 

that 
you  have  no  flag  flying  from  your house?
Ferry— My  wife  insists  that  we  shall 
wait  until 
the  neighbors  have  all 
bought  theirs  and  then  get  a  bigger one.

MICHIGAN  &  OHIO

ACETYLENE  GAS  CO.,  Ltd.

M anufacturers of th e C elebrated

Buffington  Acetylene Gas  Machine

Wholesale dealers in Calcinm Carbide,  Acetylene Gas Burners,  Etc.

LIGHT  YOUR  HOMES,  STORES  AND  CHURCHES  with  the light  of ail  lights

ACETYLENE  GAS

And with the celebrated Buffington  Gas  Machine,  the  best  and  most  popular  machine 
on the market.  WHY?

1st:  Because it is no  experimental  machine  made  in  some  tinshop,  having  been  on 
the market for years, being the first machine cy |ru cted   to  control  Acetylene  Gas that 
is practical;

2nd:  It has been approved by the National  Board of  Underwriters;
3rd:  It uses less Carbide than  any  other  machine,  on  account  of  its  perfect  conden­

sation;

4th:  There is no odor in recharging, as in most  machines,  as  it  has  a  closed  carbide 

pail.

You will consult your best interest by writing, or calling on the Company.

405  So.  Jackson  St.,  Jackson,  Mich.

A.  F.  PEAKE,  Sec’y  and  Manager.

30

THE  CHEESE  INDUSTRY.

Progress  and  Present  Status  of  the 

Business.

The  first  authentic  account  of  cheese­
making 
in  the  United  States  is  found 
in  memoirs  of  the  State  Board  of  Agri­
culture  of  New  York  for  1826. 
In  a 
paper  on  “ The  Manufacture  of  Butter 
and  Cheese,”   Mr.  S.  De  Witt,  of  A l­
bany,  says:  “ When  I  first  came  to  A l­
bany  more  than  thirty  years  ago  I  found 
a  Mr.  Hudson,  a  farmer  near  Cherry 
Valley, 
for  his  excellent 
cheese.”   This  locates  the  beginning 
of  the  industry  in  what  is  now  Otsego 
county,  New  York,  about  1795.

celebrated 

In  a  history  of  Pennsylvania  in  1800 
we  are told  that  the  German  settlers 
in 
the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia  lived 
on  pork  and  rye,  onions  and  saurkraut, 
turnips  and  Indian  corn,  and  milk  and 
cheese.

In  1802  the  people  of  Cheshire,  Mas­
sachusetts,  sent  to  President  Jefferson  a 
mammoth  cheese. 
It  was  carried  on  a 
wagon  drawn  by  six  horses.

In  the  year  1808  Daniel  Day  moved 
from  Massachusetts  to  New  York,  and 
began cheesemaking in Herkimer county 
—a  name now  known wherever cheese  is 
used.

A  description  of  cheesemaking  pub­
lished  in  New  York  in  1813  states  there 
was  a  constant  strife  between  the  cheese 
vat  and  the  churn  to  see  which  would 
have the  lion’s  share  of  the cream.  That 
undesirable  feature  of  the  cheese  indus­
try  has  been  its  companion  from  early 
childhood.

In  1851  the  first  factory  for co-opera­
tive  dairying  was  built 
in  Oneida 
county,  New  York.  The annual  produc­
tion  of  the  country  was  then  a  little over
100.000. 000  pounds,  of which the State of 
New  York  produced  nearly  one-half.

The  factory  system  passed  through 
several 
years  of  slow,  experimental 
growth.  Not  until  1870  was  much  in­
In  that
crease  of  production  shown. 

In  those  early  days  the cheese were  all 
made 
in  private dairies  of  from  ten  to 
forty  cows,  and  principally by  the  wom­
en  of  the  household.  The  apparatus 
used  was  of  the  simplest  home-made 
kind :  A  wooden  tub  for  the  vat;  the 
milk  warmed  by  placing  a  portion  of  it 
in  a  kettle  on  the  stove,  where  it  was 
heated  and  then  poured  back  into  the 
tub;  the  degree  of  heat  was  usually 
guessed  at  by  contact  of  the  hand  with 
the  milk ;  the  press  was  a  weight  hung 
on  a  lever,  the  cheese being the fulcrum. 
The  cheesemakers  had  no  rules to guide 
them,  depending  wholly  upon 
their 
judgment;  but  there 
is  no  doubt  that 
their  cheese  were  as  palatable  then  as 
those  made  at  the  present  time.  The 
industry  made  considerable  progress, 
for  in  1847  the  United  States  exported
15.000. 

000  pounds.

About  1830 the quantity of cheese  pro­
duced  in  New  York  and  the  New  Eng­
land  States  became  sufficiently  large  to 
attract  the  attention  of  special  buyers 
who  traveled  through  the  dairy  sections 
and  purchased  for  city  trade  and  for ex­
port.

At  that  time  no  bandage  was  used  on 
the  cheese and  they  were carried to mar­
ket  laid  on  straw  in  the  bottom  of a 
wagon  box,  or else  placed  in  long  casks 
holding  four  to  six  cheese. 
In  T841  we 
find  the  first  mention  of  cheese  boxes. 
In  the  market  reports  for  December  of 
that  year  cheese  in  casks  are  quoted  6 
to  7  cents  and  cheese  in  boxes  7  to  8 
cents  per  pound.

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  history  of  the 

early  days  of  dairy  cheese.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

year  t64,ooo,ooo  pounds  are  reported 
made,  of  this  109,000,000  being made  in 
factories. 
In  1880,  according  to  the 
United  States  census,  the  cheese  fac­
tory  product  was  215,000,000  pounds.

is  now  made  at  the 

A  noticeable  change  has  occurred  in 
the  relative  production  in  factories and 
Practically  all  the 
private  dairies. 
cheese 
factory. 
Equally  noticeable 
is  the  fact  that  in 
the  early  days  of  the  industry  the  entire 
season’s  make  was  kept  until  fall.  The 
time  from  factory  to  consumer.has grad­
ually  decreased  until  now  cheese  are 
marketed  at  from  fifteen  to  thirty  days 
old.

The  changes 

in  the  cheese  industry 
during  the  past  fifteen  years  have  been 
very  marked.  Strange  as  it  may  seem, 
the  quantity  of 
cheese  per  capita 
made  in  the  United  States  is  less  now 
than  fifteen  years ago,  or  even  less  than 
in  1850. 
In  1895  the  total  cheese  pro­

duction  of  the  country  was  only  four 
pounds  for  each  inhabitant.  This  de 
crease  as  shown  by  the  census  reports 
incredible  to  us  who  are  per­
seems 
sonally  engaged  in  the 
industry.  Still, 
when  we  consider  that  many  states  pro­
duce  scarcely  any  cheese,  and  that  only 
eight  states  are  extensive  producers,  we 
can  understand  why  an  apparent  over­
supply  may  come  from  other  causes.

Ohio has  for  many  years  been  a  noted 
cheese  state.  According  to  the  “ Ohio 
Farmer,”   her  make  in  1866was22,000,- 
000  pounds,  and 
in  1893,  from  figures 
furnished  by  the  Dairy  and  Food  Com­
missioner,  she  produced  only  14,000,000 
pounds.  Michigan,  during  the  last  fif­
teen  years,  has  doubled  her  cheese  out­
put  from  four  to  eight  million  pounds.
The  statistics  of  exports  are  more 
easily  obtained  and  more  accurate  than 
those  of  cheese  production.  Here  we 
find  a  wonderful  decrease:  99,000,000 
in  1883  and  33,000.000 
in  1896.  The 
floodtide  of  export  occurred  in  1881, 
147,000,000  pounds.  A 
late  report  of 
the  United  States  Treasury  Department 
g i v e ^ e   export  of  cheese  in  1897  as 
5o, ooc?too  pounds,  an  increase  of  50 per 
cent,  over  1895 I  but  the  season  of  1898 
up  to  July  23  shows  a  decrease  over  the 
same  part  of  1897  of  116,000 boxes.  The 
shipments  from  Montreal  for  the  same 
period  were  170,000  boxes  less  than  in 
1897.  The  chief  causes  of  this  decline 
in  exports  are  skim cheese,  filled  cheese 
and  foreign  competition.

It  is  interesting  to  note  the imports  of 
cheese  into  this  country  during  the  past 
ten  or  twelve  years. 
In  1885  we  im­
ported  6,250,000  pounds;  in  1895,  10,- 
440,000  pounds,  at an  average  value  of 
eleven  cents.  Quite  a  quantity  of  for­
eign  style  of  cheese  is  made  in  different

parts of  the  United  States,  but  with  two 
or three  exceptions  they  do  not  compare 
favorably  with  the  imported  article  and 
do  not  command  the  same  price.  No 
doubt  climatic  conditions  are  a  chief 
factor,  and  Yankee  ingenuity  will  even­
tually  overcome  that  obstacle.

jar,  so  often 

Methods  of  manufacture  are  another 
feature  where  change  is  noticed.  The 
manufacturers  of  dairy  appliances  have 
kept  pace  with  improvements  in  other 
It  is  possible,  at 
branches  of  business. 
the  present  time,  to  equip  a  factory 
in 
such  a  way  that  one  man  can  handle six 
to  eight  thousand  pounds  of  milk  a  day 
with  as  little  labor as  was  formerly  re­
quired  with  one-quarter  that quantity. 
The  self-heating  vat  with  its  dust  and 
smoke;  the  rennet 
the 
cause  of  poor  cheese;  the  pooling-by­
weight  system  regardless  of  cream  or 
water;  the  poorly-built and  poorly-ven­
tilated  factory  buildings—all  are being 
replaced  by  modern  buildings  with  up- 
to-date  equipments.  Within  the  past 
few  years  a  number of  Michigan  facto­
ries  have  been  remodeled  or new  ones 
built.  New  and  labor-saving  machinery 
was  placed 
in  them,  and  curing  rooms 
arranged  to  at  least  partially  control  the 
temperature  and  ventilation,  which  is 
absolutely  essential  to  the  proper  curing 
of  cheese.  Among  modern  inventions  I 
believe  no  other  has  been  of  so  much 
value  to  the  cheese  industry  as  the  Bab­
It  is  the  cheesemak- 
cock  milk  tester. 
er’s  watchdog.  With 
it  he  need  fear 
neither  the  skimmer  nor  the  pump. 
Since 
introduction  into  Michigan 
factories  in  1895,  it has rapidly  extended 
its  influence,  destroying  that  old  claim 
of  the  cream  all  going  into  the  whey, 
until  now  we  have  sixty  factories  using 
the  official  State  brand,  whereas  five 
years  ago  strictly  full  cream  cheese  was 
scracely  known.  What  is  true  in  Michi­
gan  is  probably  true  of  other  states. 
The  test  system  is  not  only 
improving 
the  quality  of  our  cheese,  but  keeps 
from  the  market  a  large  quantity  of 
low  grade  dairy  butter,  thus  relieving 
country  merchants  of  a  very  unpleasant 
part  of  their  work  and aiding the cream 
eries  to  sell  a  portion  of their  product 
to  local  consumers.

its 

Another  assistant  of  recent  years  is 
the  curd  test  for  detecting  tainted milk, 
a  reliable  test  for  that  most  annoying 
trouble  which  is  the  cause  of  more  loss 
to  cheese  men  than  all other causes com­
bined.

The  rennet  test  for  determining  the 
ripeness  of  milk  is a  useful  aid  to  the 
progressive  cheesemaker.  Rennet  ex­
tract 
is  a  pure,  uniform  product  that 
gives  definite  action  upon  the  casein. 
In  early  publications  on  cheesemaking 
more 
is  said  regarding  the  use of  ren­
net  than  upon  any  other  topic.  As  late 
as  1866  Mr.  Weeks,  the  Secretary  of  the 
American  Dairymen’s  Association, 
stated,  " A   substitute  for  rennet  that 
shall  be  cleanly  and  of  uniform  strength 
is  what  we  most  need  in  cheesemak­
ing.”   Purity  and  uniformity  can  be 
secured  with  much  more  certainty  in 
commercial  extracts  than  by  the  use  of 
rennets  by  the  factoryman.

Among  labor-saving  machinery  intro­
duced  in  recent  years  is  the  curd  agita­
tor. 
It  relieves  the  cheesemaker of  a 
tedious  part  of  bis  work,  and  enables 
him  to  handle  the  curd  during the cook­
ing  process  with  more care  than  can  be 
given  in  any  other  way.  The  latest  fac­
tory  invention  is  the  cheese  rack,  but  I 
doubt  the  practical  value  of the  plan. 
The  cheese are  placed  in  a  rack  in such 
a  way  that  by  turning  a  crank  all  the 
racks—six  or  eight— in a range,  with  the

cheese  in  them, are  turned  opposite side 
up.  But  turning  the  cheese  is a  minor 
part  of  the  curing  room  work. 
A 
thorough  rubbing  with  the  band  or  a 
cloth  and  a  close  inspection  should  be 
given  each  cheese  every  day.

The  weighcan  gate-opener,  the 

The  method  of  marketing  cheese 

fat 
man’s  friend,  and  the  lazy  man’s,  too, 
can  be  purchased  for  $2.50. 
It  saves 
bending  over  to  open  the weighcan gate.
in 
Michigan  is  a  subject  of  great 
impor­
tance  to  the  factories and  offers  a  wide 
field  for 
improvement.  Some  of  our 
factories  sell  their  whole  product  to 
wholesale  grocers  or  cheese 
jobbers. 
Such  a  plan,  to  my  mind,  is  the  most 
satisfactory  for  all  parties  interested. 
The  cheese  can  be  shipped  regularly, 
the  requirements  of  the  market are  soon 
learned  and  it  simplifies collections  and 
saves  losses  from  poor  accounts.  Whole­
sale houses  having  salesmen  on  the  road 
are 
in  a  better  position  to  look  after 
sales  and  collections  than  the  factory- 
man  is.  The  legitimate outlet  for  the 
factory  is  the  wholesale  dealer,  and  for­
tunate  is  the  cheese  manufacturer  who 
finds  a  responsible  wholesaler  to  take 
his  entire  make.  He  who  undertakes 
to  sell  direct to  the  retail trade will find, 
at  the  end  of  the  season,  that  his  extra 
expenses and  losses  from  poor  accounts 
will  overbalance  the  %  or  %  cent  a 
pound  that the wholesale dealer receives. 
At  my  own  factory  we  sell  largely  to 
the  retail  trade,  but  we  have  regular 
customers  who  have  been  with  us  for 
years.  We  know  what  they  want,  they 
know  what  we  can  furnish  them;  it 
makes  a  very  satisfactory  trade.  But my 
advice  to  a  new  factory  would  be  to 
place 
their  cheese  with  a  wholesale 
house  and  then  be  honest  with them  and 
send  only  first-class  stock.

In  line  with  market  changes  I  quote 
from  a 
letter  lately  received  from  a 
cheese  dealer  who  has  been  in  that  line 
of  work  for  over  thirty  years,  E.  L. 
Baker,  President of  the  Riverside  Pack­
ing  Co.,  of Adrian:

We  have 

looked  up  our  books  of 
cheese  distribution  for  month  of  June, 
1883,  fifteen  years  ago this  summer,  and 
we  find,  by  comparing  with  sales 
in 
June,  1898,  that  our  sales  in  June of  ’98 
show  an 
in  boxes  of  cheese 
over  June,  1883,  of  a  trifle  over 60 per 
cent.  Prices  do  not  compare  so  favor­
ably. 
In  June  of  ’83  the  month  opened 
with  billing  price  12  and  12%  cents and 
closed  9%  to  10,  while  in  1898 the month 
opened  and  closed  6j£  to  7.

increase 

The  tendencies  of  the  times  are  to 
concentrate  the cheese  distribution 
into 
fewer  hands,  and  while  the  jobber’s 
profits  have  been  materially  decreased 
within  the  last  fifteen  years,  he  has  de­
pended  upon  a  larger volume  of  busi­
ness and  larger  distributing  territory  to 
help  him  out.  A  large  percentage of  the 
trade  of  the  Adrian 
is  to  the 
wholesale trade,  the  retail  dealers  more 
and  more,  year  by  year,  buying  of  the 
wholesale  grocer  or  the  near-by  factory. 
One  noticeable  change  in  the  cheese 
distribution  in  the  last  fifteen  years 
is 
this:  Then  three-quarters  or over of the 
Michigan  product  distributed 
from 
Adrian  was  shipped  within  the  State; 
now  over  three-quarters  of  it goes  out­
side  the  State.

jobber 

The  part  of  tbe  cheese trade  in  our 
State  which  has  shown  the  least  im­
provement,  and  the  one  most  difficult  to 
control,  is  the  indiscriminate  cutting  of 
prices  by  the  factories.  No  doubt  the 
future  will  see  our  cheese  handled  by 
boards of trade as  in  other  states  or  by 
combination  of  factories,  thus  securing 
a  more  uniform  and  stable  market.

Our  State dairy  laws are  placing  the 
industry  on  a  higher  plane,  and  our 
present  efficient  Dairy  and  Food  Com­
missioner  merits and  receives  the  sup-

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

37

The  fact  that  Franklin  Co  ,  Vt.,  Creamery  Batter  is  eagerly  sought  by  the  most  critical  consumers  certainly reflects  great  w  
Sfjjf

credit  upon  the  group  of buttermakers  whose  portraits  are  here  given. 

St.  A lbans,  V t.,  May  2,  1898. 

Diamond  Crystal Salt  Co.,

St.  Clair,  Mich.

G e n t le m e n:— W e  believe  that  the  purer 
the  salt  used  in  butter  the  better is  that  deli­
cate  flavor retained  which  gives  the  value  to 
high-priced  butter.  As  long  as  the  English 
salt  was  purer than American  we  used  it,  but 
when  our  attention  was  called  to  Diamond 
Crystal,  and  by chemical analysis  we  found  it 
purer  than  any  other,  we  commenced  to  use 
it,  and  now,  after  six years’  use,  we  can  say 
that the  remarkable  purity of the first we tried 
has  been  unifomly  maintained  and  the  re­
sults  in  our  butter  have  been  correspondingly 
satisfactory.  W e  believe  that,  in  respect  to 
grain, purity and everything,  Diamond Crystal 
is  the  most  perfect and economical butter salt.

Yours  truly, 

T.  M.  D EAL,

Mgr.  Franklin  Co.  Cr’y Ass’n.

SUCCESSFUL  CREAMERY  MANAGEMENT 

MEANS  SKILLED  UPERATIVES  AND 

THE  VERY  BEST  OF  SUPPLIES.

This latter fact,  so often  forgotten,  is  well  remembered  at  St.  Albans,  as  may 

be seen  by the  accompanying  letter  from  Manager  T.  M  Deal.

CRYSTAL  SALT

is  sold  by  jobbers  throughout  the  United  States  or  supplied  direct. 

DIAMOND  CRYSTAL  SALT  CO.,  ST.  CLAIR,  MICH.

3 8

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

port  of  our  cheese  manufacturers  and 
dealers.

The  Michigan  Dairymen’s  Associa­
tion  is  now  fifteen  years  of  age.  While 
the  membership 
is  not  so  large  as  it 
might  be,  our  annual  meetings  for  the 
discussion  of  dairy  topics are productive 
of  much  good,  chief among  which  is  the 
social  and  business  relationship  of  the 
members.  The  Michigan Cheesemakers’ 
Association  died 
in  early  childhood, 
caused  by  too  much  paternalism.

Future  improvement  will  be  along  the 
line  of  better  quality  and  more uniform­
ity.  This  will  be  secured  by  more  skill 
at  the  factory  and  by teaching our dairy­
men  the  need  of  more  rational  care  of 
their  cows  and  better  handling  of  the 
milk  while  on  the  farm,  thus  securing 
the 
largest  possible  quantity  of  milk 
and  of  the  finest  quality.

This  phase  of  the  question  is  so clear­
ly  expressed  by  Mr.  D.  B.  Gilbert,  Sec­
retary  of  the  New  York  State  Dairy  As- 
SDciation,  that  I  conclude  the  subject  by 
quoting  his  words:

in  discussing. 

‘ ‘ The  question  naturally  arises,  What 
must  our  dairymen  and  cheese  factory- 
men  do  to  improve  the  conditions  sur­
rounding  their  industry?  The  first  and 
most  obvious  thing  to  do  is  to make bet­
ter  cheese,  cheese  which,  when  brought 
into  competition  with  the  foreign,  will 
possess  just  as  fine  flavor  and  just  as 
long-keeping  qualities  as  that  product. 
This  is  one  of  the  self-evident  proposi­
tions  which  it  hardly  seems  necessary to 
spend  any  time 
It  is, 
however,  a  vital  point  and  must  be 
looked  after  with  all  the ability,  shrewd­
ness  and  skill  that  our  makers  can bring 
to  bear  upon  it.  The  first  requisite  for 
making  good  cheese 
is  clean,  whole­
some  milk.  This 
is  the  foundation  of 
the  dairy  business ;  but until the farmers 
themselves  appreciate  this  and  strive  to 
produce  such  milk  all  efforts of the mak­
ers  of  cheese  must  be  more  or  less  in­
effectual.  A  great  deal  has  been  said 
and  written  on  cleanliness  in  the  dairy, 
but  when  dairymen  think  of  that  sub­
ject  they  generally  apply  it  to  the  uten­
sils  and  receptacles  of  the  milk  and 
manufacturing  rooms.  It must,  however, 
go  back  of  all  that  and  be  applied  to 
the  external  condition  of  the  cow,  to  her 
daily  surroundings,  to  the  hands  of  the 
milker  and  to  the  care  taken  in  milk­
ing.  The  average  farmer  is  too  apt  to 
think  that  the  factoryman  who  insists 
upon  having  clean,  untainted  milk  is a 
crank,  and  to  neglect  the  regulations 
prescribed  by  him  for  obtaining  a  pure 
article.  But the  truth  is  that  our  cheese 
will  never  reach  the  standard  of  Euro­
pean  quality  until 
fundamental 
in  the  care  of  the  cow  and 
cleanliness 
the  milking 
is  understood  and  adopted 
by  our dairymen. ”  

E.  A .  H a v e n .

this 

Little  Things.
Only a little shrivelled  seed—
It might be a flower or grass or weed;
Only a box of earth on the edge 
Of a narrow, dusty window  ledger 
Only a few scant summer showers;
Only a few clear, shining hours.
That was all.  Yet God could  make 
Out of these, for a sick child’s sake,
A  blossom-wonder as fair and sweet 
A s ever broke at an angel’s feet.
Only a life of barren pain,
Wet with sorrowful tears for rain;
Warmed sometimes by a wandering gleam 
O f joy that seemed but a happy dream.
A  life as common and brown and bare 
A s the box of earth in the window  there;
Y et it bore at the last the precious bloom 
Of a perfect soul in a narrow room—
Pure as the snowy leaves that fold 
Over the flower’s heart of gold.

H e n r y   V a n   D y k e .

The  Child’s  Observation.

She— My  father’s  a  general.  What 

does  your  father  do?

He— Whatever  mother  tells  him.

SHINGLE  TRADE.

Grand  Rapids  the  Monetary  Center 

of the  Industry.

Most  materials  that  enter 

into  the 
process  of  house  construction  have  been 
subject  to  evolution  during  the  progress 
of  time. 
In  no  greater  respect  is  this 
fact  manifest  than  in  the  matter  of roof­
covering,  notably  in  the  United  States, 
and  it  is  safe to  say  that go  per  cent,  of 
the  roofs  of the  country  are covered with 
wooden  shinlges.  Wooden shingles con­
stitute  the  idea  of  modern,  correct  and 
economical  roof-covering  of  the  great 
majority  of  the  population  of  our  coun- 
try.

Primeval  man  learned that the foliage­
laden  branches  of  trees  overlapped  in  a 
slanting  position  would  afford  him  cer­
tain  temporary  protection  from sun,  rain 
and  snow,  and  so  these  were  employed 
by  him  for his  comfort  and  protection. 
The  crudely-tanned  skins  of  animals 
afforded  him  a  more  lasting  shelter,  but 
with  added  cost  of  effort  in  the  prepara­
tion  of  his  roof.  Our  colonial  ancestors 
thatched  their  roofs  with  straw,  a  tem­
porary  but  essentially  available material 
for  the  purpose.  As  time  progressed 
the  thatch  of  straw  gave  way  to  the 
crude  but 
lasting  roof  made  from 
‘ ‘ shakes”   riven  from  the  trees  of  the 
forest.
The 

‘ ‘ shake”   was the  original  shin­
gle.  Riven  as  it  was,  like  an  unshaped 
barrel  stave,  from  a  bolt of timber,  when 
slowly  and  painstakingly  formed  into a 
roof  it  was  uo  mean  covering. 
In many 
instances  these  roofs  have  withstood  the 
suns  and  storms  of  nearly  a  century; 
and  even  to-day,  in  many  pioneer and 
mountain  sections  of  the  country,  they 
represent  the  roofs  that  are  the  popular 
standard.

As 

the 

time  progressed 

‘ ‘ shake”  
evolved 
into  the  shaved  and  tapered 
shingle,  made  still  by  crude hand-proc­
ess,  almost  exclusively  from  the  soft 
and  easily-worked  wood  of  the  cone­
bearing  trees,  principally  white  pine  in 
the  North  and  red  cedar  in  the  South. 
In  some  northern  sections  hemlock  was 
employed  to  a 
limited  extent  for  the 
purpose.  With  the  advent  of  shaved 
shingles  from  the  conifers  perfection 
was  reached 
in  wooden  roof-covering, 
both  in  the  material  selected  and  in  the 
ability  of  the  product  to  withstand  for  a 
long  period  of  time  the  wear  and  tear 
of  the  elements.  Cost,  represented  by 
the  labor 
involved,  led  to  the  undoing 
of  the  shaved  shingle.

The  demand  for a  lower-priced  prod­
uct  doubtless  stimulated  the  invention 
of  shingle-sawing  machinery.  For many 
years  the  product  of  the  shingle-sawing 
machine  was  looked  upon  with  manifest 
disfavor  when  compared  with  shaved 
shingles,  but  eventually  the  sawed  shin­
in  the  contest.  The  de­
gle  won  out 
creased  price 
overcame  prejudice. 
The  only  valid  argument  that  ever  ex­
isted 
in  favor  of  shaved  shingles  over 
the  machine-made  article  was  the  fact 
that  from  very  necessity  the  former  was 
made  from  the  very  highest  class and 
straightest  grained  trees in the forest.  In 
the  days  of  shaved  shingles  labor  was 
worth  more than  timber,  with  the  result 
that 
just  the  cream  of  the  forest  was 
felled  for  shingle-making  purposes,  and 
even  at  that  every  tree  trunk  that  did 
not  rive  perfectly  straight  was  left to 
rot  in  the  woods.

Improvements  in  shingle-making  ma­
chinery,  in  both  capacity of  production 
and  quality of  product,  have been rapid ; 
in  fact,  so  rapid  has  been  this  econom­
ical  advance  that  the  cost  of  shingles to­
day 
is  less,  with  white  pine  stumpage

A. B. KNOWLSON

WHOLESALE DEALER IN

G O A L

PETOSKEY AND MARBLEHEAD LIME,  PORTLAND  AND  OTHER 
CEMENTS,  FIRE BRICK  AND  CLAY,  AKRON SEWER PIPE, DRAIN 
TILE, LAND PLASTER, STUCCO, HAIR, BRICK, E TC

Call on or address for price 35  Pearl St.,  Grand  Rapids.

I

I
I
1
*

M y ,  concisely ana Briefly 

W e  want  your  trade,  or  a  part 
of  it,  for  Flour,  Feed,  Grain 
and  Cereal  Foods.  W e  make 
Winter  Wheat  Patent,  Staight 
and  Clear  Flour;  also  Spring 
Wheat  Patent.  We  grind  Rye,
Buckwheat,  Corn  and  Oats.
Special  attention 
to 
small orders and to assorted cars.
Write  us. 
It costs but little and 
may do both  of us  lots  of  good.
Daily  capacity:  600  barrels  of 
Flour and  50  tons  of Feed.

is  given 

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

3 0

rated  at  from  $5  to $10  per  thousand, 
than  when  pine  forests  were  considered 
of  so  little  value  as  to  be  regarded  as an 
encumbrance  upon  the  face of the earth.
Time  and  experience  have  demon­
strated  that  approximate  perfection  in 
wooden  roof-covering  is  reached  by  the 
employment  of  the  wood  of  the  straight- 
grained  conifers,  in  relative  value  as 
follows:  Tennessee  red  cedar,  white 
pine,  white  cedar  of  the  Great  Lakes 
region,  red  cedar  of  the  Pacific  coast, 
cypress of  the  Gulf  and  Atlantic  coasts, 
and  white  hemlock.  Straight-grained 
red  cedar  of  the  South  being  practically 
an  unknown  quantity  for  the  purpose 
named,  it 
large 
possessor  of  the  two  most  desirable 
shingle  materials  known,  white  pine 
and  white  cedar. 
In  manufacture,  ex­
perience  has  also  shown  that  the  more 
nearly  the  shingle  is  sawed  at  right  an­
gles  with  the  grain  the  better  is  the

leaves  Michigan  the 

handlings  of  the  local  shingle houses, 
the  present  year,  at  not  far  from  500,- 
000,000.  Grand  Rapids  is  also  notable 
from  the  fact  that  from  its  inventive 
genius  and  mechanical  instincts  nearly 
all  the 
in  shingle  ma­
chinery have  emanated,  and  that  in  this 
city 
is  located  the  most  complete  and 
up-to-date  shingle  machine manufactory 
in  the  country.  Wm.  £.  Barrett.

improvements 

Don’t  Talk  Loud.

F ro m  Shoe and L e a th e r F a cts.

The  other  day  the  writer  saw  a  lady 
in  a  large  shoe  department  in  Philadel­
phia 
inspecting  some  shoes  of a  pretty 
good  grade  that  were  in  open  drawers 
here  and  there  about  the  place.  The 
buyer  for  the  department,  whose  busi­
ness 
it  was  to  make  the  price  on  the 
goods  to  be  sold,  had  agreed  with  a 
salesman  to  make  a  special  price  on  a 
certain  pair  of  the  shoes  because  the 
leather  in  the  uppers  bad  evidently been 
burned  in  the  tanning  process,  but  had

it 

quality.  Smoothness  of  manufacture  is 
also  an  essential  feature of  excellence 
in  quality.  Time 
is  fast  showing  that 
shingles  disintegrate  and  rot  faster  than 
they  wear  out.  The  lesson  is  manifest 
that 
is  not  economy  to  increase  the 
size  or  thickness  of  shingles,  inasmuch 
as  the  present  thin  shingle  outwears 
its 
tendency  to  decay. 
In  fact,  the  vogue 
is  toward  the  employment of the 16-inch 
shingles 
in  preference  to the  18-inch, 
as the  original  24-inch  shingle  was  sup­
planted  by  the  18-inch.

For  more  than  two  decades has  Mich­
igan  been  the  great  shingle-producing 
section  of  the  United  States,  and  for 
quite a  portion  of  that  period and  at  the 
present  time  Grand  Rapids  is  the  mon­
etary  and  business  center of  the  vast  in­
dustry.  No 
statistics  are  available 
either  of  the  Michigan  shingle  produc­
tion or  of  the  exact quantity  manufac­
tured  and  controlled  by  Grand  Rapids 
operators,  but  it  is  safe  to  place  the

forgotten  to  say  just  what price it should 
be  sold  at. 
In  the  meantime,  the  lady 
referred  to  came  in  to  buy  the  identical 
pair  of  shoes,  and  the  salesman,  instead 
of  walking  over  to  the  buyer of  the  de­
partment  and  asking  him  privately 
what  special  price  he  had  concluded  to 
make,  sings  out across the  store  so  that 
everybody  can  hear 
it,  "Mrs.  Jones 
wants to  know  what  is  the  special  price 
you  will  make  her  on 
this—they’re 
marked  $2.”  
The  shoes  had  been 
marked  down  from  $3  to $2  already,  so 
the  buyer  thoughtlessly  called  back, 
"S ell  that  pair  for $1.25,”   and  numer­
ous customers  who  were  in  the  depart­
ment  at  the  time  and  overheard  the 
conversation,  not  understanding  the cir­
cumstances,  no  doubt  interpreted  the 
matter  incorrectly.  Certain  it  is  that  it 
is  absolutely  necessary  to  watch  your 
buyers  and  your clerks,  if not  yourself. 
Caution  your  subordinates  to  be  cir­
cumspect  in  their  remarks  to  one  an­
other,  and 
if  they  have  anything  to  say 
to  one another to  say  it  privately,  where 
it  can  not be  misunderstood  by  people 
standing  near.

WILLIAM  REID

Importer  and 
Jobber  o f

P O L I S H E D   P L A T E  

WINDOW 
O R N A M E N T A L

P A I N T O IL,  W HITE  L E A D , 

V A R N I S H E S  
B R U S H E S

G R A N D   R A P ID S ,  M IC H .

We  have  the  largest  and

most  complete  stock  o f  Glass  and P aint  Goods  in 

Western  Michigan.

ESTIMATES  FURNISHED.

ALL  ORDERS  FILLED  PROMPTLY.

Distributing  Agents fo r   Michigan  o f

H A R R IS O N   B R O S .  &   C O . ’ S   OIL  C O L O R S ,  

D R Y   C O L O R S ,   M IXED   P A I N T S ,

E T C .

[^ \c i® e h a n t§

as  well  as  others  should  realise  the  importance  o f giving  their

(§ons  and  ©aughteps

fDraetieal  (business  ^dueation

at  the

rand  fl^apids  business  (gjniwpsftvj

and

<P)raetieal  dfrainiug  (^ehool

(Corner  fDearl  and  (Ottawa  S tre e ts.

■(©or  p a rtic u la rs   call  at  office  or  write  to

( § .   P W i s h ,

rand  f$apids,  M ich iga n.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

the  serious  responsibilities  that  are  now 
upon  him.  Accompanying  this  sketch 
is  the  roster of  the  firms  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  grocery  business  in  1883,  with 
the  changes  and  dates  of  the  same. 
It 
will  be  observed  that  at  that  time all 
were  copartnerships,  while  now  all  are 
incorporated.

During  these  years  there  have  been 
marvelous  changes  in  the  conditions  in­
cident  to  our  business.  Perhaps  the 
most  noticeable  one  has  been  the  local­
izing  of  the  jobbing  grocery  business, 
not  only 
in  this  State,  but  all  over  the

contrary  has  made a  very  flattering 
in 
crease.  This  is really  remarkable  when 
one  recalls  the  fact  that  Western  Michi­
gan,  north  of  Grand  Rapids,  has  been 
gradually  passing  through  the  transi­
tional  period  from  a  lumbering  com­
munity  to  an  agricultural  one.  To  be 
sure,  the  great  hardwood  lumbering 
in­
is  but  fairly  begun,  but  that  is 
dustry 
confined  to  comparatively  few  counties 
and  supplements  the  agriculturist's  la­
instead  of  being  the  chief  source 
bors 
of 
in  the  old  days of  pine. 
So  that  the  fact  that  Grand  Rapids  has

income  as 

Then  the  variety  of  the  stocks  carried 
by  the  jobbers  was  comparatively  small. 
Now  these  stocks  are  up  to  date,  both 
as  to  variety  and  size,  this  being  neces­
sary 
in  order  to  successfully  compete 
with  the  jobbers  from  the  large  cities 
who  come  upon  our  territory.

Another  change,  not  so  gratifying,  is 
perhaps  more  keenly  realized,  namely, 
the  gradual  reduction  of  gross  profits 
and  the  gradual 
increase  of  the  ex­
pense  account.  This  disagreeable  fact 
is  not  peculiar to  our  center.  From  all 
directions, in  all  lines of business,  comes 
the  same  testimony,  and  many  houses 
have  seriously considered the great ques­
tion,  "T o   be  or  not  to  b e.”   It  is  a  mo­
mentous  question  for  solution—to  know 
how  near  you  can  bring  these  two  ac­
counts  without  disaster;  yet  you  will  al­
ways  find  some  one  in  every  locality, 
in  the  wholesale  and  retail  busi­
both 
ness,  experimenting  along  these  lines— 
an  experiment  more  hazardous  than 
trifling  with  a  buzz saw.

Another  marked  change  that has taken 
place  during  these  years  is  in  the  char­
acter  and  general  make-up  of  the  trav­
eling  men  and  the qualifications that  are 
now  absolutely  necessary  to  bring  suc­
cess.  To-day,  if  a  representative  of  a 
wholesale grocery  house  would  succeed 
with  the  better  class  of  retail  dealers, 
he  must  be  a  gentleman,  bright,  cour­
teous,  obliging,  and  honorable  and  fair 
in  all  his  dealings.  The  dissipated 
“ j'dly  good  fellow”   is  no  longer  in  de­
mand,  eithsr  by  the  retailer  or  the  job­
ber,  and  hence  the  excellent  average 
that  prevails  among  the  grocery  sales­
men  who  go  out  from  Grand  Rapids. 
Their  visits  to  their customers  are  more 
frequent  than  they  were  fifteen  years 
ago. 
In  some  respects  this  may  inure 
to  the  jobber’s  benefit,  as  the  purchases 
made 
in  this  way  are  smaller  and  the 
collctions  more  easily  made.

There  was  also  a  marked  difference 
in  the  character  of  the  goods  sold fifteen 
years  ago.  Much  green  coffee  was 
handled  by  the  jobbers;  now  practically 
none.  Then  mess  pork  and  dry  salt 
sides  were  "the  thing”   in  provisions; 
now  you  can  not  sell  them.  Then  com­
paratively  few  cereal  products were con­
sumed ;  now  they  have  become  a  large 
factor  in  feeding  the  people.  Our  pure 
laws  passed  three  years  ago  have 
food 
produced  splendid  results. 
It  required 
no  little  prudence  and  discretion  to  put 
these  laws  into  operation  without  bring­
ing  unnecessary  annoyance  and  finan-
Poi, Musselman ft Loreridge

40

WHOLESALE  GROCERY  TRADE.
Gradual  Expansion  and  Growth of the 

Business.

Fifteen  years—almost  half  a  genera­
tion  of  business  life—since the  then  lit­
tle  bark,  the  Michigan  Tradesman,  was 
launched  upon  the  uncertain  waves  of 
public  favor. 
It  hardly  seems  possible 
it  is  so  long  since  the  proprietor  came 
into  our  office  to  ask  our  views  upon  the 
prospective  enterprise. 
One  almost 
resents  the  rude  awakening  to  the  un­
welcome  fact  that  youth,  with 
its  glit­
tering  possibilities,  has  passed away  for 
both  the editor  and  the  writer  and  that 
they  are  now  away  out  upon  the  sea  of 
life—so  far  the  shore  left  such  a  short 
time  ago  looks  dim  in  the  mists  of  for­
getfulness  as  the  eye  is turned  back  up­
on  it.

But  we  have  not  been  asked  for  rem­
iniscences,  but  for  a  review  of  the 
wholesale  grocery  business  during  these 
years  in  our  city;  of  progress  made,  or, 
perchance,  a  possible  retrogression. 
It 
is  well,  in  this  age  of  push  and  unceas­
ing  activity,  to  occasionally  stop  and 
calmly  look  back  over  the  past  to  con­
sider 
its  errors  of  judgment,  that  now 
seem  so  plain,  and  to  note  how  irresist­
ibly  we  have  been  borne  onward  by  the 
unchanging 
laws  of  our  busy  business 
world.

The  review  of  the  wholesale  grocery 
business  of  Grand  Rapids,  during  that 
time,  seems  at  first  thought  no  difficult 
task,  yet,  as  we  endeavor  to  live over 
again  the  experiences  of  these  years  in 
our  line  of  business,  the  work  assigned 
us  assumes  large  proportions;  not  as  to 
space,  but  as  to  data  of  interest  to  the 
general  reader,  especially to one who  has 
been  active  in  helping  to  make  its  his­
tory,  to  whom  the  miuutest details are of 
It  will  be  pardonable  to  say 
interest. 
that  no  branch  of  business 
in  Grand 
Rapids  has  had  more  energy  and  devo­
tion given it,  during these years,  than the 
wholesale  grocery  business.  The  results 
to-day  are  gratifying  in  this,  that  it  can 
be  safely  said,  in  no other  line of  busi­
ness  are  so  few  goods  placed  by  outside 
merchants 
in  the  territory  tributary  to 
Grand  Rapids  as  in  our  line,  in  propor­
tion  to  the  amount  consumed.

An  interesting  fact  in  connection with 
our  jobbers  is  that,  of  our  present  firms, 
not  one  then  bore  its  present  name;  yet 
in  all  the  bouses  one  at  least  of  the 
present  active  men  was  then  taking  his 
kindergarten  training  in preparation  for

Lemon ft Peters
Lemon ft Wheeler Co.

Bulkley, Lemon ft Hoops
Lemon, Hoops ft Peters

1883 Shields, Bulkley ft Lemon
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897  Í

Incorporated

country.  At  that  time  jobbers  of  New 
York  City  did  considerable  business 
with  the  larger  retailers  in  our territory, 
and  Chicago  sold  very  large  quantities 
of  groceries  in  Western  Michigan.  Job­
bing  bouses  have  sprung  up  all  over 
this  State 
in  the  larger  towns and  the 
trade  they  have  secured must necessarily 
come  from  the  larger  jobbing  centers  in 
the  State,  and  they  in  return  have  had 
to  recoup  themselves  for  this  loss  of 
business 
from  such  centers  as  New 
York,  Chicago  and  Milwaukee  or  lose 
part  of their  volume  of  business.  Grand 
Rapids  has  not  lost  volume,  but  on  the
John Caulfield

Freeman, Hawkins ft Co.

not  lost  volume  in  the  jobbing  grocery 
business  during  these  changing  condi­
tions  is  a  tribute  to the  energy  and  sa­
gacity  of  her  jobbers.

Great  changes have  taken  place  in the 
methods  of  doing  business  during  this 
time.  Then,  long-time  credits;  taking 
notes 
in  settlement  for  bill*  past  due, 
and  often  renewing  these  notes,  was  a 
frequent,  if  not  regular,  practice.  Dur­
ing  this  time  the  tendency  has  been  all 
in  the  direction  of  sounder  business 
methods.  The  successful  jobber  insists 
upon  shorter  time  and  upon  bills  being 
paid in cash when due, instead of by notes.

Clark, Jewell ft Co.

Cody, Ball  &. Co.

Arthur Meigs ft Co.

Hawkins ft Perry

Out of Business

Hawkins, Perry ft Co.

Out of Business

1. 1.  Clark ft Son

Ball, Barnhart ft Putman

Cody, Ball, Barnhart & Co. Amos S. Musselman  ft Co.

Olney, Shields ft Co.

Incorporated

Ball-Barnhart-Putman Co. Musselman ft Widdicomb

Incorporated

Olney & Jndson Grocer Co.

Incorporated

Musselman Grocer Co.

Hawkins ft Co.

Incorporated

1. 1.  Clark Grocery Co.

Purchased by

Worden Grocer Co.

Clark-Jewell-Wells Co.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

4 1

jt

IN   ADVERTISEMENT  to  be  effective  most  be 
convincing.  It  most  strike  the reader as reason­
able, must win bis confidence, and to do that must 
state  facts  and  facts  only,  «¿*  Some  people  bad 
rather lie on 30 days than tell the truth for cash;  such  people, 
like an untruthful advertisement, have no influence.  There 
is no particular harm done, as no one believes either  of  them. 
The  moral  is,  make  your  advertisements truthful if you ex­
pect them to  be  effectual, 
Now,  were  we  to  say  that  "  CERESOTA ”   is  the  only 
good spring wheat flour and "  BARLOW’S BEST ”  the only 
good winter wheat  flour,  it  would  be  untrue  and  our  state­
ment would carry no weight because the people know  better. 
We do  not  say  they  are  the  only  good  flours,  "  there  are 
others,”   but there  are  NO  OTHERS  BETTER  and  very 
few as good.  Why is it that there are few as good and none 
better?  Because  in  the  first  place  no  one  KNOWS  HOW 
to make better and 90 per cent, of the millers do  not  KNOW 
Three-fourths of the  other  10  per 
HOW to make as good. 
cent, don’t think IT PAYS to make as good. «5* They believe 
it pays better to make a flour just a trifle inferior to "Ceresota” 
and "Barlow’s Best”  at a little lower cost and then  offer it  to 
the trade at a small cut under  Olney  &  Judson  Grocer  Co.’s 
price for "Ceresota”  and "Barlow’s Best,”  claiming  it is "just 
as good.”  i5*  <5*  «i*  <5*  <5*
Now  we  might  string  this  out  two  or  three  pages, but  the 
"Tradesman”  can spare us but one this week.
If the "just as goods”  will answer your purpose  you  can  al­
ways buy them a  little  cheaper  than  "the  best.”  
If  you 
want  THE  BEST  of  anything  in  our  line you can always 
buy it at the right price of the

OLNEY  &   JUDSON 
GROCER  CO.

Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

42

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

cial  loss  to  retailer  and  jobber  alike and 
much  credit  is  due to  our Commissioner 
for  the  temperate  methods  employed  to 
enforce  their  provisions  with  the  least 
possible  inconvenience to all  concerned. 
The  result 
is  to-day  that  very  little 
adulterated  merchandise  finds  its  way 
over the  counters  of the  retailer  and  the 
better  class  of  both  wholesalers  and  re­
tailers  most  heartily  rejoice  that  this 
is 
true.

Another  very  gratifying condition pre­
vails  now  that  was  not  in  evidence  fif­
teen  years  ago,  namely,  the  high  regard 
in  which  wholesale  grocers’  paper  is 
held  by  our  banking  institutions.  Then 
if  a  man  came  into  a  cashier's  office 
and  claimed  to be  a  lumberman or  man­
ufacturer,  all  that  was  necessary  for  him 
to  do  to  secure  the  coveted  loan  was  to 
bring  with  him  a  pronounced  odor of 
the  woods  and  sawmills  or  the  workshop 
and  he  was  sure  to  get  what  he  asked 
for.  But  the  wholesale  grocer coming 
for  a  like  favor  was  looked  upon  with 
suspicion,and  while favors  were  granted 
in  this 
line,  it  was  not  done  with  that 
graciousness  extended  to  the  man  from 
the  woods  or  manufactory.  To-day  all 
this  is  changed  and  no branch  of  busi­
ness,  whether mercantile  or  manufactur­
in  higher  esteem  by  the 
ing,  is  held 
banking 
than  that  of  the 
wholesale  grocer.

fraternity 

To  sum  up  the  whole  situation,  there 
has been  much  progress  in  many  direc­
tions  during  the  past  fifteen  years  in our 
line  of  business :

1.  The  volume  of  business  has  been 
largely  increased  notwithstanding  there 
have  been  serious  obstacles  to  be  over­
come  to  bring  this  about.

2.  The  houses  all  carry  much  larger 
stocks  than  were  then  carried,  of  much 
greater  variety,  and  all  are  splendidly 
equipped  with  offices  and  salesrooms 
that would  be  a  credit  to  them  if located 
in  a  city  five  times  as  large.

3.  The  average  quality  of  goods  now 
handled  is  in  every  way  superior  to  that 
of  fifteen  years  ago.

4.  The  methods  of  selling  goods  and 
making  collections,  also the relations be­
tween  the  retailers  and  jobbers,  have 
vastly  improved.

5.  The  condition  of  the  retail  trade 
tributary  to  our  market  is  far  superior 
in  every  way.  and  the  standard  of  abil­
ity  employed  is  of  a  much  higher  order 
than  generally  prevailed  fifteen  years 
ago.

6.  While  the  profit  and  expense  ac­
counts  have  gradually  worked  closer  to­
gether,  there  is  yet  fair  interest  on  the 
investment  if  the  tendencies  of  all  suc­
cessful  mercantile 
are 
enterprises 
promptly 
into  the  manage­
ingrafted 
ment.

7.  The  high  estimation  in  which  the 
wholesale  grocery  business  is now  held 
in  banking  circles  as  compared  with 
fifteen  years  ago.
In  closing,  it 

is  but  just that  proper 
credit  should  be  given  to the  Michigan 
Tradesman  for  its  helpful  influence 
in 
all  mercantile  channels— its high  stand­
ard of  morals,  the superior class oflitera- 
ture  it  has  furnished. 
Its  fearlessness 
in  denouncing  all  manner of dishonesty, 
no  matter  where  found,  can  but  have  a 
telling  power  in  moulding  and elevating 
the  standard  of 
integrity,  uprightness 
and  business honor,  and  thus  it has  con­
tributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  prog­
ress  made  by  our  city  during  these 
eventful  years.

A m o s   S.  M u s s e l m a n .

Incompatibility  of temper occurs when 
both  parties  have  the  same kind  of tem­
per,  and  plenty  of  it

HARDWARE  TRADE.

Marked  by  New  Goods  and  Declining 

Prices.

The  changes  that  fifteen  years have 
brought  about  in  the  hardware  trade  in 
Grand  Rapids  are  many.  To think  them 
all  up  and  put  them  on  paper  is  not  an 
easy  task,  for  as  one  grows  older  it  is 
harder  to  date  back  to  a  time  when  any 
particular  change  came  about.  When 
one  says,  “ A  year  ago  such  and  such 
was  the  condition,”   upon 
investigation 
be  is  apt  to  find  it  was  three  or even five 
years  ago.  However,  we are  safe  in  say­
ing  that  the  last  fifteen  years has  seen 
the  hardware  trade  of  Grand  Rapids  so 
developed  that  the  representatives  of 
either  of  the  jobbing  houses no  longer 
have  prices  of  Detroit  or  Chicago 
thrown  at  them,  as  we  are  already  rec­
ognized  as  competing  with  all  markets

were  not  carried  in  stock,  and  were 
made 
in  very  small  quantities  in  this 
country,  if  at  all.  The  iron  cut  nails 
were  then  used,  sales  running  as  high 
as  fifty  thousand  kegs  in  a  year.  Then 
came  steel  cut  nails,  which  soon  took 
the  place  of  the  iron,  and  then  wire 
nails  began  to  show  their  heads.  At 
first,  the  dealers  were 
loath  to  take 
many  of  them,  and  orders  would  be  for 
ten  kegs at  a  time.  Now  iron  cut  nails 
are  not  made,  steel  cut  nails are  not 
in 
demand— about five  hundred  kegs  would 
supply  this  market  for  one  year— while 
it  now  takes  one hundred  thousand  kegs 
of  wire  nails  to  supply  the jobbing trade 
of  Grand  Rapids.  When  wire  nails  first 
came  they  were worth  $5  to $6  per  keg; 
now  the  price  is  less  than  $1.60.

Many  articles in  general  use  now were 
not  thought  of  fifteen  years  ago,  a  few 
of  which  come  to  my  mind,  as  follows:

taken  place  within  the 
last  fifteen  to 
twenty  years.  These  old  prices  are 
taken  from  a  salesbook  of  the  late  John 
B.  Reed,  who  represented  Foster,  Ste­
vens  &  Co.  in Northern Michigan during 
the year  of  1880,  and was  the  latest  book 
of  prices  I  could  conveniently  lay  hands 
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It  can  readily  be  seen  by  these  com­
parisons  that  the  decline  in  the majority 
of  lines  of  hardware  has  been  almost  50 
per  cent. 

Sidney  F.  Stevens.

Becoming  an  Employer.

Every  ambitious  clerk  is  more  or  less 
desirous  of  becoming  an  employer  some 
day,  which 
is  an  aspiration  natural 
enough  to  the  healthy  American  with 
average  ambition  and talent  How much 
experience  be  should  have  as  a  clerk 
before  opening  a  store  of  his  own  de­
pends,  of  course,  upon  his  mentality 
and  the  opportunities  he  has  had  for 
picking  up  pointers.  Some  young  men 
learn  more  in  a  year  than  others  do 
in 
five  years. 
If  he  spends  all  his time  in 
one  place  where  be  delivers  orders  he 
will  not  make  much  progress;  but  if  be 
changes  places,  or if  he has  a  good  boss, 
who  knows  how  to  teach  him,  be  can 
learn  a  great  deal  in  a  year,  and  if he  is 
bright and  old  enough  when  he  starts  in 
he  may  be  more  competent  to run a store 
within  two  years  than  some  others  are 
in  ten  years.  The  clerk  who  begins  his 
career at  15  naturally  has  to  work  four 
or  five  years  before  he  can  be  a  good 
employer,  because  he must be old enough 
for  it.  The 
intelligent  man,  however, 
who  starts  in  at  20  can  become  compe­
tent  more  rapidly.

Don’t  Think  of Trouble.

Retailers  should  prepare  themselves 
for the  best  fall  trade they  have  ever en­
joyed.  The  war  is  over  now,  and  there 
is  no  need  of  looking  for  threatening 
signs  in  that  direction.  No  doubt,  how­
ever,  there  are  pessimistic  retailers  who 
are  already  looking  for threatening signs 
in  some  other  quarter.  The  sensible 
business  man  will,  however,  recognize 
the  present  as  an  opportune  time  to 
make  some  money.  Expect  success, 
Mr.  Retailer,  and  you  will  probably  get 
it,  for  if  success  is  taken  and  expected 
it  will  be 
as  a  matter  of 
achieved.  Every retailer hopes  for  suc­
cess,  but  there 
is  a  mighty  difference 
it  and  the 
between  merely hoping  for 
unwavering  confidence  that  compels 
it. 
It  is  the  part  of  wisdom  to be  contin­
ually  prepared  for  the  worst,  too,  but  to 
be  continually  thinking  of  it 
is  not 
healthy  mental  exercise,  for  to  think 
trouble  is  to  merit  misfortune.

course, 

Occasionally  a  young  man  may  be 
persuaded  out  of  marrying  a  young 
woman,  but an  old  man—never.

and  find  no  difficulty  in  securing  for 
Grand  Rapids  its  full  share  of trade.

Fifteen  years  ago  the  hardware  trade 
of  Michigan  was  visited  by  agents  rep­
resenting  the  jobbing  houses  of  Buffalo, 
New  York,  Cleveland,  Toledo,  etc.,  but 
to-day  in  the  territory  tributary to Grand 
Rapids,  it 
is  rare  to  meet  agents  from 
any  of  these  points.  The  jobbers  of 
Detroit,  Sagiaaw  and  Grand  Rapids are 
able  to  take  care  of  this  trade  on  much 
more  profitable  terms  than  these  foreign 
houses  can  possibly  do.  Fifteen  years 
ago but  one  house  in  Grand  Rapids was 
doing  a  jobbing  trade;  to-day  there  are 
two,  with  sales  of  not  less  than  a  mil­
lion  and  a half dollars  in  aggregate.

The greatest  change  has  been  in  the 
steady decline in  prices on  nearly  every­
thing  made  of  iron  or  steel,  as  well  as 
new  articles  that  have  come  into  gen­
eral  use.  Wire  nails  fifteen  years  ago

Potato  planters,  bug  sprinklers  and 
sifters,  gasoline  stoves,  blue  flame  oil 
stoves,  ¡hand  com  shelters,  as  well  as 
many  other things,  which at present  will 
In  all  articles  of 
not  come  to  mind. 
hardware,  steel 
in  a  great  many  in­
stances  has  taken  the  place of  iron  at a 
much  lower price.

To-day,  owing to lower  prices  of hard­
ware,  the  merchant  is  obliged  to  do 
three  times  as  much  work  to  get the 
same  net  profit  out  of his business  as  he 
did  fifteen  years  ago.  Wages  are  high­
er,  expenses  more,  competition  greater, 
and  the  percentage  of  profit  lower,  con­
sequently  in  the  volume  of  business  and 
close  attention  to  details  lies the success 
of  the hardware  merchant  of  to-day.

I  can  not  lose  this  article  without 
making  a  few  comparisons  in  the  sell­
ing  prices  of  many  goods  which  tell  the 
story  of  the  many  changes  which  have

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

4 3

fili l l

Wholesale  Grocers  and  Importers  of  Tea

Grand  Rapids,  Michigan

44

FOOD  INSPECTION.

State  Laws  and  Court  Decisions  Re­

lating  Thereto.

Under  compliment  extended  by  the 
Tradesman  to  the  writer  to  review  the 
laws  now  in  force  in  Michigan  regard­
ing  the  sale  of  food  products,  we  shall 
endeavor  to  confine  the  discussion  in  an 
effort  to  clarify,  so  far as  may  be,  the 
understanding  of  dealers  just  as  to  what 
these  laws  mean,  and  their scope,  intent 
and  practiced  method  of enforcement.

In  the  first  place,  in  1803,  the  Dairy 
and  Food  Department  of  Michigan  was 
established,  and 
it  was  declared  to  be 
the  duty  of  the  Dairy  and  Food  Com­
missioner  “ to  carefully  enquire  into  the 
quality  of  dairy  and 
food  and  drink 
products,  and  the  several  articles  which 
are  foods  or  the  necessary  constituents 
of  foods,  which  are  manufactured  for 
sale,  or  sold  or  exposed  or offered  for 
is  further  de­
sale  in  this  State.”  
It 
clared  that  samples  of 
food  products 
shall  be  taken  up  and  be  examined and 
that  complaint  shall  be  made  against 
the  manufacturer  or  vender in the county 
where  the  goods  were  manufactured  or 
sold.
It 

is  further  made  the  duty  of  all 
prosecuting  attorneys  to  prosecute  all 
suits  brought  by  the  Dairy  and  Food 
Commissioner  under  the  provisions  of 
the  food  laws.

is 

The  Commissioner 

further  em­
powered  and  instructed  to  publish  in  a 
monthly bulletin  the  results  of  such  ex­
aminations  or  inspections,  together  with 
a  summary  of  the  work  done  during  the 
month.

The  general  statute  regulating the sale 
of  food  products  was  passed  at the legis­
lative  session  of  1895  and  has  been 
amended  in  some  important  respects  by 
the  Legislature  of  1897.

Section  1  of  this  statute  proh  bits  the 
manufacture  for  sale,  offering  or  expos­
ing  for  sale,  having  in  possession  with 
intent  to  sell,  or  selling,  any  article  of 
food  which  is  adulterated.

Section  3  contains  seven  distinct  dec­
larations  of  what  shall  be  deemed  adul 
If  any  substance  or  sub- i 
terated :  1. 
stances  have been  mixed  with 
it  so  as 
to  lower  or  depreciate  or  injuriouslv 
affect  its  quality,  strength  or  purity. 
Under  this  provision  comes  the  adulter­
ation  of  a  great  many  articles  such  as 
spices,  cream  of  tartar and  wheat flour. 
2. 
If  any  inferior substance  or  substan­
ces  have  been  substituted  wholly  or  in 
part  for  it.  These  two  are  manifestlv 
aimed  at  the  same kind  of  adulteration 
and  it  is  for  violation  of  these  sections 
that  most  of  our  prosecutions 
are 
brought.  3.  If  any valuable  or  necessary 
constituent  or 
ingredient  has  been 
wholly  or  in  part abstracted  from  it.  4 
If  it  is  an  imitation  of  or  is  sold  under 
the  name  of  another  article.  Under  this 
provision*  occur  some  of  the  most  im­
portant  cases.  Under  it,  prosecutions 
for  the  sale  of  artificial  extracts  or  the 
sale  of  honey  adulterated  with  glucose 
and  adulterated  jellies  are  brought.  5. 
If  it  consists  wholly  or  in  part  of a  dis­
eased,  decomposed,  putrid, 
infected, 
tainted  or  rotten  animal  or  vegetable 
substance  or  article,  whether  manufac­
tured  or  not,  or,  in  the  case  of  milk,  if 
it  is  the  product  of  a  diseased  animal. 
6. 
If  it  is  colored,  coated,  polished  or 
powdered  whereby damage  or inferiority 
is  concealed,  or  if  by  any  means  it  is 
made  to  appear  better  or  of  greater 
value  than  it  really  is.  The  sixth  covers 
oleomargarine, 
extracts  and 
some  kinds  of  cheap  coated  coffees  and 
others.  The  seventh  is  plain  and  is,

vanilla 

it  contain  any  added  substance  or 
“ If 
ingredient  which 
is  poisonous  or  in­
jurious  to  health.”   The  last  paragraph 
in  this  section  of  the  law  contains  a 
important  proviso  and  one  which 
very 
we  find 
is  very  generally  passed  over 
and  at  the  best  imperfectly  understood.
It  is  the  proviso  relating  to  the  sale  of 
mixed  or  compound  articles,  and  makes 
the  seller  liable  unless  each  and  every 
package  sold  shall  bear  the  “ name  and 
address  of  the  manufacturer,  and be  dis­
tinctly  labelled  under its own distinctive 
name,  and  in  a  manner so  as  to  plainly 
and  correctly  show  that  it  is  a  mixture 
or  compound  and  is not in violation with 
definitions  4  and  7  of  this  section 
that  is,  that  it  is  not  sold 
imitation 
of  another  article  and  is  not injurious  to 
health.

in 

The  Attorney  General  has  construed 
this  proviso  to  mean  that  no  mixture 
shall  be  sold  in  this  State  unless  under 
a  name  distinctively  its  own,  such  as  a 
coined  name.  He  holds  that  a  coined 
name  stands  for  that  particular  mixed 
product  put  upon  the  market  under  that 
name  by  the  owner  and  user  of  that 
coined  name,  and  that  the  use  of  such a 
name  fulfills  the  requirements  of  the 
statute  and  correctly  shows  that  the 
product  is a  mixture  or  compound.

Section  4  relates  to  the  sale  of  butter 
and  declares  that  no  person  shall  sell 
for  butter  any  article  not  made  exclu­
sively  of  milk  or cream.  This  section 
has  a  penalty  of  its  own,  which  is  a  fine 
of  not  less  than  $50  nor  more  than  $500 
and  the  costs  of  prosecution,  or  impris­
onment  of  not  less  than  90  days  nor 
more  than  two  years, or  both  fine  and 
imprisonment 
in  the  discretion  of  the 
court,  for  each  and  every  offense.  Hotel 
proprietors  who  serve  oleomargarine 
in 
place of  butter  without  proper  notice  to 
their guests  are  liable  under this  act.

Section  5  relates  to  the  sale  of  imita­
tion  or  filled  cheese,  prohibits  the  sale 
of  imitation  cheese,  and  affixes a  spe­
cial  penalty,  which  is  the  satqe  as  in 
Section  4.

Section  6  provides  that  manufacturers 
of  full  milk  cheese  may  brand  tueir 
product  “ Full  milk  cheese,”   and  pro­
vides  further  that  no  person  shall  use 
such  a  brand  upon  any  cheese  made 
from  milk  from  which  any  of  the  cream 
has  been  taken.  It  further  provides  that 
the  proprietor  of  every  cheese,  creamery 
or butter  factory  in  the State where milk 
or cream  is  purchased  or  contributed  by 
three  or  more  persons  shall  register  the 
location  of  such  factory,  together  with 
the  name  of  its  owner  or  manager,  with 
the  Dairy  and  Food  Commissioner  on 
or  before  the  first  day  of  April  each 
year.  The  section  provides  a  penalty 
for  failure  to  register,  with  a  fine  of  not 
less  than  $5  nor  more  than  $25  and  the 
costs  of  the  prosecution,  or  imprison­
ment  in the  county jail  for  not more than 
30 days,  or both.

By  Section  7  the  Dairy  and  Food 
Commissioner  is  obliged,  upon  applica­
tion,  on  or before  the  first  day  of  April 
of  each  year,  to  issue  a  uniform  stencil 
brand  bearing  a  suitable  device  or 
motto  and  the  words,  “ Michigan  full 
cream  cheese. ’ ’  Such  brand  shall  be 
used  upon  the  outside  of  the  cheese  and 
upon  the  package  containing  the  same, 
and  shall  bear  a  separate number  for 
each  factory. 
is 
compelled  to  keep  a  record  of  these 
brands  and  the  persons  authorized  at 
each  factory  to  use  same.  No  person 
shall  use  this  brand  except  upon  full 
cream  cheese  or  packages  containing 
the  same.  The  Commissioner  shall  re­
ceive  a  fee  of  $1  for  each  registration,

The  Commissioner 

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

McCray  Refrigerator  and  Cold  Storage  Co.

5 2   M ill  St.,  Kendallville,  Ind.

Detroit  Office,  248  Wooward  Ave.

Manufacturers of

Show  Case  Refrigerators^

Cheese  Case  Refrigerators

Also Refrigerators of

all designs and Grocers’ 

Fixtures  of  all  kinds.

Builders  o f Fine

R O L L   T O P  

B U T T E R

R E F R I G E R A  T O R S

o f a ll sizes  and 

designs.

J*  J*

Also  Builders  o f

C O L D   S T O R A G E  

R O O M S

fo r  Hotels,  M eat Markets, 

Public  and 

Private  Institutions, 

E tc .,  Etc.

No.  204.  Four-Roll-Top  Butter  Refrigerator.

McCRAY’S  MODERN  FAMILY  REFRIGERATOR 

=

Every  man  and woman  is  interested in  improvements fo r   the  home.  D o  
not f a i l to  write fo r   Catalogue  No.  33  o f these refrigerators.  We make
a  specialty  o f special made-to-order  Refrigerators fo r   the  home  to  be  teed 
from   the  back porch.

WE  ALSO  BUILD  BUTCHER  COOLERS  OF  ALL  SIZES  AND  DESIGNS  AND  FURNISH 

MEAT  MARKETS  COMPLETE,  INCLUDING  TOOLS  AND  FIXTURES.

Oeorqe Rime $ Co.

IMPORTERS  OF 
TEAS,  AND *

iDbolesale Grocers

MUSKEGON, 
MICH.  *

T h e   best  goods,  rig h t  prices,  and  fair 

dealing  a lw a y s  w in .

T h a t   is  w h y   our  business  is  increasing 
so  rapidly.  Jh  ah

W e   h a v e   a   fu ll  stock  and  just  w h a t 
y o u   w a n t.  jP 

jh 

Send  us  a   trial  order*  J*

which  sum  becomes  a  part  of  the appro­
priation  to  maintain  the  Department.

Section  8  prohibits  the  sale  of  any 
falsely 

package  of  cheese  which 
branded.

is 

Section  g  prohibits  the  selling  as  lard 
of any  substance  not  the  legitimate  and 
exclusive  product  of  the  fat  of  the  hog.
Section  io  provides  that  all  lard  sub­
stitutes  or compounds  shall  be  distinct­
ly  and  legibly  branded  “ Lard  substitute 
or  compound"  and  it  is made obligatory 
upon  every  person  who  sells,  offers  or 
exposes  for sale,  or has  in  his  possession 
with  intent  to  sell,  any  lard  substitute, 
to  have  the  same  properly  branded  as 
* * Adulterated lard, 
Lard compound, ’ ’ 
or  “ Lard  substitute."  The  letters  used 
in  branding  shall  be  not  less  than  one 
length.  Each  package  must 
inch 
contain  the  name  of  the  maker  and 
lo­
cation  of  such  factory.

in 

Section 

ii  compels  every  dealer  who 
sells,  by  himself  or  his  agent,  any  lard 
substitute  to  brand  the  package contain­
ing  the  same  in  letters  not  less  than 
one  half  inch  in  length.

Section  12  makes  possession  of  any 
lard  substitutes  prima  facie  evidence 
of  ill  intent.

Section  13  provides  that  no  person 
shall  manufacture  for  sale,  sell  or  ex­
pose  for  sale  any  imitation  fruit  jelly  or 
fruit  butter  with  any  other  designation 
than  the  words,  “ Imitation  fruit  jelly 
or  butter,"  with  the  name  of  the  manu­
facturer  and  the  place  where  made,  and 
such  jelly  shall contain no ingredient  in­
jurious  to  health  and  shall  not  be  col­
ored 
im  tation  of  fruit  jelly.  This 
section  provides  a  special  penalty  of 
not  less than $50 nor  more  than $500,  and 
imprisonment  for  not  less  than  90  days 
nor  more  than  two  years,  or  both  such 
fine  and 
in  the  discre­
tion  of  the  court

imprisonment 

in 

Section  14  prohibits  the  sale  of  pre­
served  or  canned  fruit  or  vegetables  or 
other  articles  of  food unless such articles 
shall  be  entirely  free  from  deleterious 
substances  and  unless  such  articles  bear 
the  name  and  address  of  the  firm,  per­
son  or  corporation  that  packs  the  same. 
All  soaked  or  bleached  goods,  all  goods 
put  up  from  products  dried  before  can­
ning,  shall  be  branded  “ Soaked  or 
bleached  goods"  in  letters  not  less  than 
two  line  pica  in  size

Section  15  prohibits  the  manufacture, 
sale  or  offering 
for  sale  of  all  artificial 
coffee  berries  in  imitation  of  the  genu 
ine  berry.  And  further  provides  that 
coffee  adulterated  with  chicory  or  any 
other  nondeleterious  substance  shall  be 
distinctly  labeled  “ Coffee  Compound.”  
And  such  package  shall  have  no  other 
label  of  whatever  name  or  designation.
The  Attorney  General  has  construed 
this  part  of  Section  15 
to  mean  that 
coffee  adulterations  shall  be  sold  under 
the  name of  “ Coffee  compound,"   with 
the  name  and  address  of  the  manufac­
turer,  and  shall  have  no  other  label  ex­
cepting  matter  descriptive  of  the  arti­
cle.  The  section  further  provides  that 
any  molasses  or syrup,  when  mixed with 
glucose,  must  be  labeled “ Glucose  Mix­
ture"  and  have  no  other  name  or  desig­
nation  whatever.  Such  label  shall  be 
in  letters  not  less  than  one-half  inch 
in 
length.

Section  16  provides  that  no  liquors 
shall  be  manufactured  or  sold  in  this 
State  containing  any substance injurious 
to  health.

Section  17  is  a  very important one and 
makes  the  taking  of  orders  or  the  mak­
ing  of  agreements  or  contracts  by  any 
person,  firm  or  corporation,  or  by any 
agent  or  representative thereof,  for  the

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

4 5

future  delivery  of  any  food  products  a 
sale  within  the  meaning  of  this  act.

Under  similar  sections  in  other  states 
the  courts  of  final  jurisprudence  have 
decided  that  any  agent,  although  his 
principal 
lived  without  the  state,  shall 
be 
liable  for  the  sale  of  adulterated 
goods,  although  he,  the  agent,  bad  spec­
ified  when  sending  the  order  to  his 
house  that  it  was  to  be  filled  with  pure 
goods.

These  same  decisions  have  laid  down 
the  further  principle  that  any  member 
of  a  firm  or  corporation,  although  he 
may  live  without  the  state,  is  liable  for 
the  sale  of  adulterated  goods  by  any 
agent  or  employe  or  member of  the  firm 
or  corporation.

less 

Section  18  provides  a  penalty  of  not 
less  than  $iuo  nor  more  than  $1,000,  or 
imprisonment  for  not 
than  six 
months  nor  more  than  three  years,  or 
both  such  fine  and  imprisonment within 
the  discretion  of  the  court,  for  falsely 
labeling  or  branding  any  article  of  food 
required  to  be  branded  or  labeled,  or 
for the  removal,  alteration,  defacement, 
mutilation,  imitation  or  counterfeiting 
any  brand  when  required.

Section  19  provides  a  general  penalty 
for  failing  to  do  any  of the acts enjoined 
by  this  statute  or for  any violation  of  its 
provisions  where  no  specific  penalty 
is 
otherwise  prescribed.  The  penalty  is  a 
fine  of  not  less  than  $100  nor  more  than 
$500,  or imprisonment  in  the  county  jail 
for  a  period  of  not 
less  than  30  nor 
more  than  90  days,  or  both  such  fine 
imprisonment  in  the  discretion  of 
and 
the  court. 
is  this  penalty  which  is 
most  generally  applied  to  the  sections 
above  quoted, 
In  fact,  it  may  be  con­
sidered  the  general  penalty  for  viola­
tions  of  the  pure  food  act.

Section  20  makes  it  the  duty  of  the 
Dairy  and  Food  Commissioner  to  en- 
for  e  the  provisions  of  this  statute,  and 
further  makes  it  the  duty  of  all  prose­
cuting  officers  of  the  State  to  prosecute 
to  completion  all  suits  brought  under 
the  provisions  of  this  act  upon  com­
plaint  of  the  Commissioner  or  of  any 
citizen, 
it  also  makes  it  the  duty  of  all 
health  boards  in  cities  and  health  offi­
cers  in  townships  to  take  cognizance  of 
and  report  and  prosecute  all  violations 
of  this  act that  may  be  brought  to  their 
notice  within  their  jurisdiction.

It 

Section  21  repeals  all  acts  or  parts  of 
acts  inconsistent  with  the  original act  of
’95.

The  above  is  a  short,  concise  state­
ment  of  the  requirements  for  the  sale  of 
most  food  products.  There  are,  how­
ever,  specific  and  independent  statutes 
upon  different  subjects:  One  provides 
for  the.labeling of adulterated buckwheat 
flour  with 
the  words,  “ Adulterated 
buckwheat,  compound,  or  substitute"  in 
letters  not  less  than  one  inch  in 
length 
and  followed  by  the  name  of  the  maker 
and  location  of  such  factory.  The  sev­
eral  acts  passed  from  time  to  time  for 
the  regulation  of  the  manufacture  and 
sale  of  liquors  in  general  may  be said to 
(1)  prohibit  the  sale  of  any  liquor  con­
taining  anything  that  is  poisonous or in­
jurious  to  health;  (2)  require  upon  the 
barrel,  cask  or  vessel  containing  the 
same  the  name  of  the  person,  company 
or  firm  or  manufacturer  preparing  the 
same,  and  also  the  words,  “ Pure  and 
without  drugs  or  poison.”

There are several  statutes  and  amend 
ments  in  Michigan  concerning  the  sell­
ing  of  milk  and  dairy  products.  Their 
general  provisions  are:  (1)  Prohibiting 
the  sale  of  any  unwholesome,  watered, 
adulterated  or 
impure  milk  or  swill 
milk,  or  milk  from  cows  fed  upon  gar-

46

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

or  packages 

bage,  swill  or  any  substance  in  a  state 
of  fermentation,  or  any  deleterious  sub­
stance,  or  from  cows  kept  in  connection 
with  any  family  in  which  there  are  in­
fectious  diseases.  The  addition  of 
ice 
to  milk  is  also  declared  an adulteration.
(2)  Cans 
containing 
skimmed  milk  shall  have  the  words, 
“ Skimmed  m ilk”   distinctly  painted  in 
letters  not  less  than  one  inch  in  length
(3)  A   standard  for  the  sale  of  milk  is 
enacted,  and  milk  must  contain  not  less 
than  12%  per  cent,  of  milk  solids  and 
not  less  than  3  per  cent,  fat,  and  with 
specific  gravity  at 6 degrees Fahrenheit, 
between  1  29-1000 and  1  33-1000.

It  has  been  held  by  courts  of  last  re­
sort  that  it  is  within  the  police power of 
a  state  to  set  up  a  standard  for  milk, 
providing  such  standard  is  a  reasonable 
one. 
It  can  be  shown  that  cows  in  a 
perfectly  healthy  condition,  well  fed 
and  cared  for,  will  give  milk  below  the 
standard  prescribed  in  this  State,  yet, 
it  lying  within  the  power of  the  Legis­
lature  to  provide a  reasonable  standard, 
milk  below this  standard  is  not  salable. 
To  be  more  explicit,  it  is  not  material 
whether  milk 
is  watered  by  hand  or 
through  the  medium  of  the  cow.  Unless 
it  conforms  to  this  standard  it  can  not 
be  sold.  The  penalty  for  selling  milk 
below  standard  is  a  fine  not  exceeding 
$100,  or 
imprisonment  not  exceeding 
90  days.

There  is  also  a  special  statute  regu­
lating  the  sale  of  oleomargarine  and 
providing  that  agy  butter 
substitute 
shall  not  be  sold  in  Michigan  if colored 
to  imitate  butter.  The  statute  provides 
a  penalty  of  not  less  than  $50  nor  more 
than  $500  and  the  costs  of  prosecution, 
or 
imprisonment  for  not  less  than  six 
months  nor  more  than  three  years,  or 
both  such  fine  or  imprisonment  in  the 
discretion  of  the  court 
for  each  and 
every  offense.

There  is  also  a  statute  preventing  the 
use  of  butter  substitutes by  proprietors 
or  keepers  of  hotels,  restaurants,  eating 
saloons,  boarding  houses  or  other  places 
where  food  is  offered  to  persons  paying 
for  the  same,  unless  such  proprietor  or 
keeper  “ shall  have  placed  on  the  out­
side  door,  and  conspicuously  hung  in 
the  center  and  placed  on  the  walls  of 
any  store  or  room  where  food  is  sold  or 
offered,  a  white  placard  on  which  are 
in  plain  Roman 
printed, 
less  than  three  inches 
letters  not 
in 
length  and  not  less  than  two  inches 
in 
width,  the  words,  “ Oleomargarine  or 
butterine  sold  or  used  here.“

in black 

ink 

which  it  is  represented  to  be  made  and 
shall  contain  no  foreign  substance,  and 
shall  contain  not  less than  4  per  cent, 
by  weight of  absolute acetic  acid.  The 
penalty  for  the  violation  of  this  act  is  a 
fine  of  not  less  than  $50 nor  more  than 
$100,  or 
imprisonment  not  to  exceed 
90  days  and  the  costs  of  prosecution, 
or  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment 
in 
the  discretion  of the  court.

The  Supreme  Court  of  New  York  and 
other  states  have  held  that  just  as  it 
was  competent  for  a  legislature,  in  the 
exercise  of  the  state’s  police  powers,  to 
set  up  a  reasonable  standard  for  milk, 
so  it  was  in  their  power  to  set  up  a  rea­
sonable  standard  for  vinegar.

The  Department,  with  some 

little 
pride,  states  that,  owing  to  the  recent 
energetic  prosecutions  and  denuncia­
tions  of  adulterated  vinegar,  the  poor, 
and  in  most  cases  almost  worthless,  vin­
egars  have  been  quite  generally  driven 
from  the  State.

in  American 

We  can  not  close  without  marked  ref - 
erence  to  the  doctrine,  comparatively 
new 
jurisprudence,  that 
want  of  knowledge  is  no  defense  for  a 
violation  of  the  food  statute. 
It  had 
become  a  settled  doctrine  that  there 
could  be  no  crime  committed  without 
some  criminal  intent on  the  part  of  the 
criminal.  This  has  become  known  to 
the  bar  as  an  elementary  principle,  and 
the  Department  still  finds  many  persons 
in  the  State  who  believe  that  they  can 
not  be  found  guilty  of  selling  adulter­
ated  goods  unless  they  knew  them  to be 
adulterated.  This,  up  to  a  year ago, 
had  been  one  of  the  principal  obstacles 
to  success  in  prosecutions.

The  present  administration  of  the 
Dairy  and  Food  Department  met  this 
trouble  early  in  1897,  and  in  order  that 
there  might  be  no  further  question 
forced  a  case 
in  our  State  Supreme 
Court,  where,  on  May  25,  1897,  Chief 
Justice  Long  filed  an  opinion 
in  the 
case  of  The  People  vs.  Michael  Snow- 
berger. 
In  this  opinion,  and  at consid­
erable  length,  Chief Justice  Long  quotes 
practically  all  the  cases  in  the  United 
States  which  bear  upon  this question 
in  the  concluding  paragraph  says:
and 
“ The  statute  not  requiring  knowledge 
on  the  part  of  the  seller to  make  the 
offense  complete,  we  are  satisfied  that 
the  conviction  must  be  sustained.  No 
case  has  been  cited,  and  we  are  not 
able  to  find  one,  where  a  contrary  doc­
trine  is  laid  down.  The act  may  work 
hardship  in  many  cases;  but  that  ques­
tion  is  one  to be addressed  to  the  Leg­
islature  and  not  to  the  courts.  As  we 
have  said,  it  was  within  the  power of 
the  Legislature  to  pass  the act  making 
it  an  offense  punishable  with  fine and 
imprisonment to  sell  adulterated  food  or 
drink,  although  the  person  selling  the 
same  has  no  knowledge that  it  is  adul­
terated.  Under  this statute  one making 
sales  must do  so at  his  peril.”
Another  decision  we  shall  refer to  is 
that  of  the  United  States  Supreme Court 
at  the  October  term,  1894,  being  the 
case of  Plumbley  vs.  Commonwealth,  of 
Massachusetts.  This decision  bolds  con­
stitutional  the  Massachusetts  anti-color 
oleomargarine  law.  The  Massachusetts 
law 
the  same  as  the 
Michigan 
law.  The  oleomargarine at­
torneys  have appealed  two cases  to  our 
State  Supreme  Court  and  attacked  the 
constitutionality of  the  law. 
In  view  of 
the  fact  that  the  Massachusetts  statute 
—the  same  as 
law, 
letter  for  letter,  punctuation  for punc­
tuation—has  been  held  constitutional  by 
the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  we 
can  only  look  upon  the  appeal  in  Mich­
igan  as  a  subterfuge  and  only  a  move to 
put  off  a  final  enforcement  of  this  law.
The  Michigan  Supreme  Court  has  ad­
journed  until  September  20,  when  it  is 
expected  the  Michigan  cases  will  be de­
cided. 

E l l i o t   O .  G r o s v e n o r .

the  Michigan 

identically 

is 

We  have  also  in  this  State  a  statute 
against  the  adulteration  of  candies  or 
confectioneries  if adulterated  with  any 
substances  detrimental  to  health.

The  last  Legislature  enacted  a  statute 
for  regulating  the  manufacture and  sale 
of  vinegar.  This  statute  provides:  (1) 
that  all  vinegar  made  by  fermentation 
and  oxidation  shall  be  branded  “ Fer­
mented  Vinegar,”   with  the  name  of  the 
fruit  or  substance  from  which  the  same 
is  made.  And  all  vinegar  made  from 
distilled  liquor  shall  be  branded  “ Dis­
tilled  Vinegar,”   and  all  such  distilled 
vinegar  shall  be  free  from  artificial  col­
(2)  All  fermented  vine­
oring  matter. 
gar  shall  contain  not  less  than 
per 
cent,  by  weight,  upon  full  evaporation 
at  the  temperature  of  boiling  water,  of 
solids  contained 
in  the  fruit  or grain 
from  which  said  vinegar  is  fermented. 
Said  vinegar shall  contain  not  less  than 
2%  tenths  of  1  per  cent,  ash  or  mineral 
matter,  the  same  being  a  product  of  the 
material  from  which  said  vinegar  is 
manufactured.  All  vinegar  shall  be 
made wholly  from  the fruit or grain from

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t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

4 7

BANKS  AND  BANKING.

Doubling  of Capital  and Deposits  Dur­

ing  Fifteen  Years.

The  business  of  banking  was  first 

in­
troduced  in  England  during  the  Seven­
teenth  Century.  The  Bank  of  England, 
which  has  long  been  the  principal  bank 
of  deposit  and  circulation 
in  Great 
Britain,  and 
in  Europe,  was 
founded  in  1694.  The  Bank  of  France 
is  second  in  magnitude and importance, 
and  was  originally  founded  in  the  year 
1800,  but  was  not  placed  on  a  solid  and 
well-defined  basis  until  1806.

indeed 

savingsbanks, 

The banking  institutions of the United 
States  may  be  classified  as National  and 
private 
state  banks, 
banks  or  bankers,  and 
loan  and  trust 
companies.  National  banks  were  first 
authorized  by  a  law  of 
the  United 
States  enacted 
in  1863.  They  receive, 
lend  and  transmit  money,  issue  notes 
which  are  used  as  money,  and  buy,  sell 
and  collect  bills  of  exchange.  Their 
circulating  notes  are  secured  by  United 
States  bonds  deposited  with  the Govern­
ment,  and  their  operations  are  subject 
to  the  inspection  and  supervision  of the 
Comptroller  of  the  Currency. 
State 
banks  perform  the  same  functions  ex­
cept  that  of 
Private 
banks  and  bankers  carry  on  the  same 
business  as  state banks,  but  are  not  un­
der  state  or  National  supervision.  Loan 
and  trust  companies  are  incorporated 
institutions,  and receive  deposits,  usual­
ly  for  a  fixed  period,  and 
loan  them 
on  the  pledge  of  stocks,  bonds  and  other 
securities. 
Bankers  lend  money  by 
opening  credits  in  their  books,  against 
which  their  customers  may  draw  to  the 
extent  of  the  credits  opened,  by  dis­
counting  bills,  by  purchase  of  securities 
or  by  advancing  money  on  securities, 
etc.

issuing  notes. 

Accompanying  the  developments  of 
commerce  the  business  of  banking  has 
undergone  various  changes.  A  banker 
receives  deposits  and  lends  money,  but 
the  conditions  under  which  money  is 
received  on  deposit  or  loaned  out  may 
be  extremely  various,  and  the  different 
classes  of  bankers  are  distinguished 
from  one  another  by  differences  in  the 
rules  which  they  observe  in  receiving 
money  or  in  making  loans.

The  Bank  of  England  rarely discounts 
bills  that  have  more  than  two,  or at  the 
most  three,  months  to  run,  and  it  would 
be  well  were  this  rule  more  generally 
observed.  The  discounting  of  bills  on 
is  a  powerful  stimulus  to 
long  terms 
unsafe  speculation.  When 
individuals 
obtain 
loans  which  they  are  not  to be 
called  upon  to  pay  for  six,  twelve,  or 
perhaps  eighteen,  months, 
they  are 
tempted  to  venture 
into  speculations 
which  are  not  expected  to  be  wound  up 
until  some proportionally distant period ; 
and,  as  these  ventures  frequently  fail, 
there  is  little  or  no  provision  made  for 
the  payment  of  these  bills  when  they 
In  such  cases  the  banker, 
become  due. 
to  avert  a 
loss,  sometimes  consents to 
renew  the  paper,  and  thus  aggravates 
and  extends  the  evil.

In other  respects,  too,  the  discounting 
of  notes  on  long  time  or  their  renewal, 
or the  making  of  permanent  loans,  is al­
together  inconsistent  with  sound  bank­
ing  principles,  for it  deprives  the  bank­
er  of  that  command  over  his  resources 
which  is  so  necessary  at  all  times,  and 
so  indispensable  in  periods  of  difficulty 
or  distress.

At  first  the  clearing  bouse  was  simply 
a  place of  meeting,  but from  experience 
it  was  learned  that  the  sorting  and  dis­
tribution of  checks,  bills,  etc.,  could  be

more  expeditiously  conducted  by  the 
appointment  of  one  or  more  clerks,  to 
whom  each  banker’s clerk could  give  al 
the  instruments  of  exchange  he  wished 
to  collect,  and  from  whom  be  could  re­
ceive  all 
items  payable  at  his  own 
house.  The  payment  of  the  balance  in 
cash  settled  the  transaction. 
Later, 
however,  the  arrangements  of  the  clear­
ing  bouse  were  further  perfected,  so 
that  neither  notes  nor coin  are  now  re­
quired,  balances  being  settled  by  draft 
or  certificate.
Reviewing 

the  banking 
business  for  the  past  fifteen  years,  I 
wish  first  to  call  attention  to  the  num­
ber  of 
incorporated  banks  which  were 
in  existence  in  1882.  At  that  time  there 
were  3,525  banks  which  reported,  with 
a  capital  of  $565,600,000  and  deposits 
$2,363,000,000. 
In  1897  8,423  banks  re­
ported,  with  a  capital  of  $853,000,000 
and  deposits  $4,688,000,000,  showing  an 
increase  in  capital  of  $287,400,000  and 
deposits  of  $2,325,000,000.  The banks 
of  the  country  in  1882  had  cash  on  hand 
$204,000,000  and  at  the  present  time 
$458,000,000.

somewhat 

interests. 

In  our  own  city,  for  the  past  fifteen 
years  banking  has  kept  pace  with  other 
business 
In  1882  there  were 
five  banks  in  Grand  Rapids,  with  a cap­
ital  of  $1,250,000 and  deposits  $5,500,- 
000.  At  the  present  time  we  have  nine 
banks and  two  trust  companies,  with  a 
combined  capital  of  $2,950,000 and total 
deposits  $11,660,000—an 
in 
capital  ot  $1,700,000 and  an  increase  in 
deposits  of  $6,160,000.

increase 

I  wish  at  this  time  to  call  particular 
attention  to the  National  Association  of 
Credit  Men,  of  which James G.  Cannon, 
of  New  York,  is  President.  The aim 
and  object  of  this  Association,  so  far as 
I  understand  it,  is  to  bring  about  a  uni­
form  system  of  book-keeping  among 
business  men  and  to  adopt  a  uniform 
blank  on  which  to  make a  statement, 
when  asking 
for  credit,  so  that  the 
credit  men,  be they  bankers,  merchants 
or  manufacturers,  may  have  placed  be­
fore  them  a  complete  and 
intelligent 
statement  of  the  borrower’s  true  finan­
cial  condition,  on  which  they  may  be 
able  to 
intelligently  extend  or  refuse 
credit

There  has been  such  a  change in busi­
ness  and  business  methods,  during  the 
past  fifteen  years,  and  all  firms  are  op­
erating  on  such  close  margins,  that  the 
individual  or firm  conducting  business 
on  the  old  and  haphazard  method  can 
not  expect  to  continue  long  under  exist­
ing  conditions.  Profits  are  so  small  that 
the  losses  must  be reduced,  or should be, 
to a  minimum,  and  to  do  this the  bank­
er  or  credit  man  should  and  must  know 
the  true  financial  condition  of  the  party 
asking  credit.

The  large amount  of  money  in  bank 
does  not  belong  to,  neither is it  intended 
for  the  benefit  or  use  of,  bank  officers 
or  managers,  but  J s  deposited  in  trust 
and  for safe-keeping,  and  it  is  expected 
by  the  people  to  whom  it  belongs  that 
a  certain  percentage  shall  be  used  to 
discount  business  paper  and  be  loaned 
for  legitimate  needs  and  purposes,  and 
not  paid  out  to  men  of  unknown  finan­
cial  standing  or to  men  whose  business 
instincts  are  tainted  with  a  desire  for 
speculation. 

Wm. H. Anderson.

Wear  a  Veil.

Her  mother  (to  bride-elect)—What! 

frowning  on  your  wedding  day?

in  a  quandary. 

Bride-elect—I'm 

If 
I  go  to the  altar smiling  people  will  say 
I’m  simply  crazy  to get  Charlie;  and  if 
I  look  solemn  they  will  say  I  already 
regret the  step.  What  shall  I  do?

THE KEPI UNION SPIT

Only  combination  suit  that  gives 
perfect  satisfaction. 
Is  double- 
breasted;  elastic  in  every  portion; 
affords comfort and convenience to 
wearer that are not obtained in any 
other make.  We,  the  sole  manu­
facturers  and  patentees,  are  pre­
prepared to supply  the  trade  with 
a great variety of qualities and sizes. 
Special attention given mail orders.

dole Knillii Works.—

OUR  A in

THIS  YEAR  IS  TO  WHOLESALE  MORE

LIME, CEMENT "2.FEED

THAN  EVER  BEFORE.

We buy  Hay,  Grain  and  Wood.

THOS.  E.  W YKES

Cor.  W ealthy Ave.  &  (1. C. R.  R.

F0 NE5  371.

Grand  Rapids,  flieh.

Seymour  M

m

should  commend  them  to  the  up-to-date  grocer. 
They  never  become  stale,  for  even  the  very  old­
est  of  them,  by  a  little  warming  up,  become  as 
crisp  as  at  first.  This  isn’t  possible  in  ordinary 
crackers,  and  it’s  by using  none  but  the choicest 
selected  ingredients,  and  being  mixed  and baked 
in  the  improved  way, 
the  SEYM OUR 
Cracker  retains  its  hold  upon  the  buyers  of pure 

food  products.  Always  FRESH,  WHOLESOME,
NUTRITIVE.  Has absorbing qualities far in excess 

that 

of all  other crackers. 
Is  asked  for  most  by  par­
ticular people,  and hence brings the most accept­
able  class  of customers  to  whoever  sells  it.

Can you  afford  to  be  without  it?

Made only  by

 
t

National  Biscuit  Company

Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

cost  of  materials  used  and  the aggregate 
value  of  the  finished  product:

0
0
0
0
0

fifty  to  four  hundred  gallons,  and  live 
steam  in  adequate  volume  will  cook  an 
enormous quantity in from twenty tosixty 
inutes, according to the variety of goods 
desired.  The  small  factory  where  a  few 
persons  did  all  the  work  in  one  small 
room  has  been  so  enlarged  that  the  use 
of  the  whole  of  mammoth  buildings  es­
pecially designed  for  the  particular  firm 
who  is  to  occupy  it  is  now  no  uncom­
mon  occurence.  The  modern  manufac­
tory  is  divided  into  departments  where 
set  of  skilled  workmen— men,  women, 
boys  and  girls—do  nothing  but  turn  out 
one  particular  variety  of  goods,  such  as 
hand-made 
creams,  chocolate  drops, 
stick  candy,  gum  drops,  lozenges,  etc., 
etc.,  and  through  constantly  doing  one 
ind  of  work  such  as  pertains  to  the  re- 
pective  department  a  degree  of  effi- 
iency 
is  acquired  which  is  wellnigh 
perfection.

But  a  comparative  few  aside  from

CONFECTIONERY  TRADE.

Remarkable  Growth  and  Development 

of the  Business.

interests  have  made 

Probably  none  of  the  large  manufac­
turing 
greater 
strides  into  prominence  during  the  past 
twenty  years  than  has  that  of  confec­
tionery,  candy  and  sweetmeats,  which 
have  contributed  to  please the epicurean 
taste  for  centuries,  but  the  capital  em 
ployed  by  the  individual  manufacturer 
was  usually  of  small  amount,  because  in 
each  instance  the  product  was  sold  over 
the  counter  of  the  manufacturer,  whose 
establishment  was  generally  a  small  one 
and  little  effort  was  made  to  effect  sales 
to  other  dealers  who  might  vie  for  the 
retail  patronage.  Gradually,  however, 
the  capital  necessary  to  operate 
large 
plants  was  centralized  and  brainy  men 
with  an  eye  open  for  the  benefits that 
were  discernible  were  incorporated  in 
the  management,  and  slowly  the  field  of 
operation  was  widened,  until  now  there 
is  hardly  a  city  of  importance  in  our 
glorious  country  that  does  not  contain, 
among 
its  many  institutions  of  pride 
and  enterprise,  a  beehive  of  industry 
teeming  with  bright  faces  of  contented 
employes  who  turn  out  tons  of  delicious 
candy  daily.

When  the  business  was  in  its  infancy 
the  cooking  was  done  over  various-sized 
charcoal  furnaces,  and  when  the  proper 
boiling  point  had  been  reached  a couple 
of 
lustv  young  fellows  would  pour  the 
contents  of  each  kettle—usually  from 
forty  to  sixty-five  pounds—on  massive 
slabs  of  marble,  where 
it  was  allowed 
to  harden  sufficiently  to  keep  from  run 
ning.  The  cooling  process  was  hastened 
by  having  the  workmen  knead  the  molt 
en  mass  over and  over  with  iron  shovels 
— or  spades,  to  be  more  explicit,  just 
the  same  as  those  used  by  the  workmen 
who  labor  from  sun  to  sun  in making the 
excavations  in  which  to  lav  the  base  of 
the  monster  buildings  that  adorn  our 
thoroughfares.  When  a  proper  consist 
ency  had  been  reached  the  batch  would 
lifted  bodily  by  one  of  the  expert 
be 
workers  and  hung  over  a  large 
iron 
pulling  hook  and  then  the  hardest  part 
of  the  manipulation  began.  The  parts 
suspended  from  each  side  of  the  hook 
would  at  first,  of  their  own  weight,  fall 
or  stretch  out  quickly  to  a  distance  of 
from six to e  ght  feet,  only to be gathered 
quickly  and  accurately  by the  deft work 
er,  who  would,  by  a  dextrous movement 
give  the  two  sections  an  upward  toss 
that  would 
land  the  flexible  sweetness 
squarely  on  the  hook  again  and continue 
the  “ pulling,”   so-called,  until  the  am 
ber-colored  mass  gradually  assumed  ; 
snowny  whiteness  and  was  ready  to  be 
laid  on 
into 
sticks  of  the  requisite  length  or  cut  into 
such  shapes  as  were  desirei.  During 
the  “ pulling”   process  an 
attendant 
would  pour  on  the  necessary  quantity  of 
the  various  flavors  and  colors  that might 
be  called  for;  and  the  bright-eyed  boys 
and  girls  who  bought  the finely-flavored 
pleasing  confection  the  next  day  had 
little 
idea  of  the  amount  of  labor  and 
excessive  manipulation  that  bad  been 
expended  on  the  handsome  stick  of 
candy  from  the  time the  sugar  and  other 
ingredients  of  which  it was made left the 
barrel  to  the  finishing  of  the  product.

long  tables,  to  be  spun 

Of  late  years  the  business  has  grown 
to  such  proportions  that  the  most  mod 
ern  and  expensive  machinery  has  been 
added  to  the  equipment  of  up-to-date 
factories,  and  the  old  furnace  kettles  of 
sixty-pounds  capacity  have  been  super 
seded  by  massive  copper  reservoir cook 
ers  with  a  capacity  of  two  hundred  and

Employed

Hands
1.733
2,34°
5,825
9,801
27,212

No.  Estab­
lishments

383
541
941
1.450
2,921
Wages
Paid
$  458,904
668,423
2,091,826
3,242,852
” ,633,448

Capital 
Invested 
*  1,035,551 
1,568,478
4,995.293
8,486,874
23,326,799
Cost of 
Materials 
$  1,691,824
2,990,186
8,703,560
17.>25,775
31,116,629

1850
li*»
1S70
1SS0
1S90

Value of 
Products 
$  3,040,671
5,361,100
15,922,643
25,627,033
55.997.'Oi
To be  more  local  in  treating  the  sub­
ject,  we  may  state  that  the  three  lead­
ing  manufacturers  in  the  State  of  Mich­
igan  turned  out.  goods  in  1865  to  the 
value  of  between  fifty  and  seventy-five 
thousand  dollars,  while  at  the  present 
ratio  each  concern  has  an  output  of 
between  one-half  and  three-quarters  of 
a  million  dollars  each,  surely  a  most 
gratifying  comparison. 
is  reported 
that  one  New  York  firm  alone  which  is

It 

B.  W.  Putnam,  President  and  Mana­
ger  of  the  Putnam  Candy  Co.,  is the 
pioneer confectioner  of  Western  Michi­
gan,  having  come  here  from  the  rock- 
bbed  hillsides  of  Northern  Massachus­
etts  in  1865,  at  which  time  he  embarked 
his  present  line  of  business,  in  com­
pany  with  his  brother,  now  deceased. 
The  keen-eyed,  energetic,  country  boys 
had  a  joint  capital  of  $42,  but  with  this 
pittance  they  had  ability  and  the  deter­
mination  to  carve  out  a  success,  and 
with  what  degree  it  has  been  accom­
plished  there  is  little  need  to  ask.  The 
Putnam  Candy  Co.  was  organized 
in 
889,  succeeding  the  old  firm  of  Putnam 
Its  Manager  can  look  back 
over  a  life  of  endeavor.  His  friends 
are  limited  only  to  those  who  do  not 
know  him,  and  the  men  and  women  he 
has  assisted  during  his  long  business 
career  with  words  of  counsel  and  acts  of 
indness  are  legion.  The  company  is 
one  of  the  business  landmarks  that  have 
assisted  in  advertising  the  Valley  City 
for  many  years, and  is  now,  as  it  always 
has  been,  one  of  the  city’s  reputable  in ­
stitutions. 

Frank  T.  Lawrence.

Brooks. 

Old  and  New  Methods.

present  swift  method. 

The  farmers  around  Pennsville  a  few 
decades  ago  used  to  celebrate  "hog- 
illing”  day  quite  differei tlv  from  their 
In  the  good  old 
me  the  farmer,  his  wife,  children  and 
the  farm  hands  would  all  pitch  in  on 
some cold  December  morning  with  the 
endeavor  to  kill  the  dozen  or  so  of  hogs 
n  the  pen  in  a  week’s  time,  or  at  least 
before  the  advent  of  Christmas  Day. 
The  whole 
family  would  necessarily 
work  in  unison,  some cutting  and  trying 
the  fat  for 
lard,  others  cooking  the 
meats  in  the  pots  for sausage and slicing 
ff  the  hams and  shoulders,  while  still 
others  would  be  industriously  engaged 
on  some  other  equally  important  details 
in  connection  with  the  event.  But  how 
different,  by  contrast, 
is  the  existing 
method  of  killing  hogs!  Nowadays 
they  invite  neighbors  that  live  within  a 
adius  of  two  and  three  miles  of  the 
farm,  and  sometimes  further,  who  come 
willingly,  bright and  early  in  the  morn- 
ng,  and  work  with such  zeai  that  by  the 
1 me  the  sun  has  disappeared  behind 
he  horizon  they  have  accomplished 
ibout  everything  that  is  to  be  done  at 
,uch  a  gathering.  Everything  is  done 
between  “ sun  and  sun,”   in  the  farm- 
res’  vernacular,  each  farmer  helping  his 
neighbor 
in  turn,  thus  forming  a  reci­
procal  relationship,  so  that  it  is  mani­
fest  that  the  present  arrangement  has 
many  advantages  over  the  old  way.

those directly interested  in  the  manufac­
ture  have  any  authentic  or  well-defined 
knowledge  «*f  the  detail  that  is  an  all- 
important  essential 
in  producing  from 
the  raw  material  the  exquisite  bonbons 
that  daily  find  their  way  into  so  many 
homes,  and  the  various  groups  of  visit 
ors  who  now  and  then  are  escorted 
through  one  of  the  large factories always 
express  themselves  as  being  astonished 
at  the  magnitude  of  the  industry,  and 
never  seem  to  regret  the  time  expended 
in  making  the  interesting  tour of  obser­
vation.

To  convey  an 

idea  of  the aggregate 
volume  of the  business  and  the  rapidity 
of  its  growth  during  the  past  fifty  years, 
attention  is  invited  to  the table  of  sta­
tistics  that  follows,  showing,  at a  glance 
the 
in  ten-year  periods  as  re­
lates  to  number of manufacturing plants, 
increase  of  capital  and  number of  em­
ployes,  amount  paid  out  in  salaries,

increase 

its  employes  was 

for  one  specialty—chocolate 
famous 
last  year  12  000  t ms,  or 
drops—made 
the  average 
24  coo 000  pounds;  and 
number  of 
rearly 
2,000.  More  candy  is  consumed  by  the 
people  of  the  United  States  than  the 
combined  total  of  any  other two  coun 
tries,  and  the  cities  of  New  York,  Chi 
cago  and  Philadelphia  sell  annually  as 
much  as  the  whole  of  France.

The  foregoing  rather  meager  sketch 
of  the  confectionery  business of  to-day 
may  serve  to  convey  an  idea  of  its mag 
nitude  and  commercial  value 
in  the 
marts of  trade.  Candy  manufacture has 
been  reduced  to  a  science  and  there 
little  prospect  of  its  ever  being  over 
done.  The  sugar  refineries of  the  world 
count  the  confectioners  as  their  most 
reliable  customers,  and  grant  them  con 
cessions  that  even  the  most  liberal  buy 
ers  in  other  lines  of  trade are  not  al 
lowed.

What  Constitutes  a  Compromise.
The  doctrine  that  debt  is  not  dis­
charged  by  the  receipt,  even  ostensibly 
n  satisfaction,  of  a  smaller  amount,  is 
based  on  the  fact  that  there  is  in  such 
case  no  consdieration  for  the  compro­
mise. 
It  does  not  applv  to the case  of  a 
disputed  claim. 
In  some  of  the  states 
the  courts  have  stated  the  old  rule to ap­
ply  to  liquidated  claims,  and  the  dis 
tinction  is  made  between  those  that  are 
liquidated  and  those  which  are net  The 
term  “ liquidated,”   when  used 
in  this 
connection,means one  where  the  amout t 
due  has  been  ascertained  and  agreed 
upon  between  the  parties,  or  is  fixed  by 
operation  of  law.  But  it  is  now  gener 
ally  held  that  where  a  certain  sum  of 
money  is  tendered  to  a  creditor  by  a 
debtor on  the  condition  that  he  accent 
it  in  full  satisfaction  of  bis demand,  the 
sum  due  being  in  dispute,  the  creditor 
must  either  refuse the  tender  or  accept 
it  as  made  subject  to the  condition. 
If 
he  accept  it  he  accepts  the  condition 
also,  notwithstanding  any  protest  he 
may  make  to  the  contrary.

He  Missed  a  Chance.

She— Have  you  ever formed  any 
of  what an  angel  really  looks  like?

He  (after  some  deliberation)— No; 

idea 

I  don’t believe  I  have.

He  found  loitering  on  her  rich  papa’s 

porch  unpleasant  after  that.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

49

An  up-to-date  manufacturing  plant,  completely  equipped  with  latest  im­

proved  labor-saving machinery,  conducted on  correct business  principles.

Our  business  (the  size of it) justifies  us  in  doing  a  great  many  things  that 

induce  paralysis  in  more limited  efforts.

For  Instance:  Quantity  does  not alarm  us.
When  we succeed  in  originating a  brand  which  is  better  than  anything  we 
have  made  before,  we turn  out large  quantities  of it. 
It is  a  sort  of  liberal  pru­
dence  to  do  so.  We  know  that  if  the  goods  come  up  to  our  standard  we  can 
dispose  of them.  So  can  you.

Our  experience  in  this respect  has  always  been  invariable. 

It  is  summed 
up, indeed,  in  the  trite  statement  that we  sell  what  the  merchant can  readily  sell 
again

We  know  that the  quality of  our  goods  is  exquisite.  We  know  also  that 

they  are in  prime condition  when  they reach  you.

There will  be  no  diminution in our transactions.  We  will  look  out  for that.

PUTNAM  CANDY CO.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

5 0

SHOE  TRADE.

Gradual  Increase  In  Both  Wholesale 

and  Retail  Lines.

The  shoe  industry  of  Grand  Rapids 
has  kept  pace  with  the  growth  of  the 
city  during  the  past  fifteen  years.  The 
development 
is  not  confined  to  one 
branch  of  the  trade— it 
is  seen  in  the 
retail,  wholesale and  manufacturing  in­
terests  alike. 
There  are  ten  places 
where  shoes  are  sold  in  the  city  to-day 
where  there  was  only  one  fifteen  years 
ago;  and not  only  in  number,  but  in  the 
size  and  variety  of  the  stocks  carried, 
may  be  seen  the  same  proportionate  in­
crease.  Fifteen  years  ago  there  was but 
one  wholesale 
establishment—to-day 
there  are  three,  and  notwithstanding the 
two  additional  ones,  the  annual  business 
of  the  one  in  existence  fifteen  years  ago 
has  increased  fully  100  per  cent.  The 
wholesale shoe  trade  of  the  city  is  prob­
ably,  not  less  than  $1,750,000  per  year 
at  the  present  time.  The  wholesale  shoe 
trade  of  Grand  Rapids  has  reached  a 
point  of  development  where  it  is abund­
antly  able  to  meet  all  competition  in 
supplying  the  States  of  Michigan,  Ohio, 
Indiana  and  Wisconsin  with  footwear. 
The  facilities  for  manufacturing  shoes 
have  been  greatly 
improved,  and  the 
manufactured  product  has 
increased 
fully  75  per  cent,  within fifteen years.  A 
wonderful  revolution  has  been  brought 
about  during  the past fifteen  years  in  the 
general  manufacture  of  shoes,  by the  aid 
of  inventive  genius  and  improved  ma 
chinery.  To-day  the  cheaper  grades  of 
shoes  are  made  up  in  as  good  style  as 
were  the  higher  priced  grades  fifteen 
years  ago;  and  not  only  so,  but  these 
same  grades  are  about  25  per  cent, 
cheaper  than  they  were  then.  It is  need­
less  to  say  that 
in  this  marvelous  de­

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

velopment  of shoe manufacturing,  Grand 
Rapids  has  kept  abreast  *f the times. 
Fifteen  years  ago  the  retail  shoe  trade 
was  confined  to  Canal  and  Monroe 
streets;  now  it  is  scattered  all  over  the

toe  has  come  in  and  gone out,  causing 
serious  loss  to  the  jobber and  still  more 
serious  loss  to  the  retailer;  and  it  will 
be another year  before all  the  shoes  are 
disposed  of,  so that the  dealer  can  com-

a  larger  stock  than  he  can  afford  to  for 
the  amount of goods  he  sells.  This  also 
causes  much 
loss  every  time  the  style 
changes. 
is  hoped  that  we are now 
It 
in  a  position  where  th e. broader  toed 
styles  have  come  to  stay,  so  that  in  case 
of  future  changes  the  retailer  will  not 
suffer  as  he  has  from  the  reign  of  the 
pointed  toe,  because  he  can  sell  the 
shoes  at  some  price.

Now  that  the  war  is  closed  and  good 
crops are assured  and  the  country  is  in 
excellent  condition,  it  would  seem  as 
though  we  had  several  years  of  good 
business  ahead  of  us and  that  the  com­
ing  year,  especially,  should  be  one  of 
profit  to all  branches  of  the  shoe  trade— 
retail,  wholesale  and  manufacturing.

L ester  J.  R indge.

Have Department  Heads.

In  the  village  store  one  buyer  for  all 
lines 
is  sufficient,  but  when  new  lines 
are  added  a  mistake  is  made  if  a  good 
buying  organization 
is  not  perfected. 
The clerks  in  a  large  general  store  will 
naturally  feel  the  responsibility  of  a 
stock  under  their  supervision 
if  they 
alone  are  responsible  for  its  presence  in 
the  house.  So  will  a  buyer 
looking 
after  one  or  two  lines  be  better  versed 
in  those  lines  than  if he  were  dabbling 
in  everything  in  the  store.  Manifestly, 
one  man  can't  know  it  all,  even  if  he  is 
a  lion  in  his  particular  line,  and  a  one- 
man  institution  is  usually  weak  in  more 
points  than  one.

He  Paid  for  It.

city.  There  are about  100  retail  stores  pute his  real  loss. 
is  now  very  hard 
in  the  city  where  shoes  are  sold,  and  at  to  give  away  the  pointed  toe.  The 
a  rough  estimation  I  would  place the  greatest  drawback 
incident  to  the  shoe 
is  that  too  many  styles  of  shoes
total  annual  sales at  $450,000. 
During  the  past  few  years  the  pointed | are  made,  compelling  the  dealer to keep

trade 

It 

Stranger—You  are  the  cnly  gentleman 

in  the  room.

Guest— In  what  way,  sir?
Stranger— When  I  tripped in the dance 
and  went  sprawling  on  the  floor,  tearing 
my  fair  partner's  dress,  you  were  the 
only  one  in  the  room  who  didn't  laugh.
Guest— The  lady  is  my  wife,  and  I 

paid  for the  dress.

9000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Boots. Shoes and Riihlm 1

9
0

W e  make  the best-wearing line of Shoes 
line 
on  the  market.  W e  carry  a  full 
of  Jobbing  Goods  made  by  the  best 
manufacturers.

When  you  want  Rubbers,  buy the  Bos­
ton  Rubber  Shoe  Co.’s line,  as  they  beat 
all the  others  for wear and  style.  W e are 
selling agents.

See  our  lines  for  Fall  before  placing 

your orders.

Rindge, Kalmbach, Logie & Co., 

*
>9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

® ® @ @ © @ @ © @ @ ® (§ )(§ X § )(§ )@ @ ® ® @ ® @ ® @ @ (§ )
I   HEROLD-BERTSCH  SHOE  CO.  |  
©

MANUFACTURERS 
AND  JOBBERS  OF

GOOD SHOES

AGENTS  FOR

W ALES-GOOD YE AR  1 3 1   I D D P n C  
AND  CONNECTICUT

GRAND  RAPIDS  FELT  AND  KNIT  BOOTS. 
BIG  LINE  OF  LUMBERMEN’S SOCKS.

@   5 AND 7 PEARL ST., 
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.  A
® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® (§X§XgX§)® ® ® © © ® © © ® ® (|)

R u b b e r s * ^ - ,

The best  is the cheapest,  and  the  BOSTON 
RUBBER  SHOE  CO.’S  goods  are  the  best 
always. 
You  need  Rubbers  without 
doubt.  W e  have  them  in  all  styles,  sizes 
and  widths.  Order  now;  we  are  busy 
always,  but can  take  better  care  of  you 
now than  when  we  are  rushed  later on.

E“ .ichigan  Shoe  Company,  Detroit,  Mich.

OLD
COLONY
RUBBERS

FINE  JERSEY  BUCKLE  ARCTIC,  in  up-to-date last,  net $1.06 per pair.

Send  for  a  sample pair and be convinced 
that  they  are  seconds  IN  NAME  ONLY.

HIRTH,  KRAUSE  Su CO.«  g r a n d   r a p i d s ,  m ic h

EARLY  DAYS.
Interesting  Reminiscences 

Pen  of  H.  B.  Fairchild.*

from 

the 

One  year  ago  to-night  I  was  invited 
to  a  place  at your  annual  supper,  and 
am  thankful  that  I  am  once  again  hon­
ored.  When  your  President  asked  me 
if  I  would  make  a  few  remarks,  I  an­
swered,  “ Not  on  your  tin  type!”   re­
membering  some  former  experiences 
when  I  attempted  an  oration.  My  first 
experience  in  speechmaking  was  re­
ceived,  however,  with  great enthusiasm. 
It  was  at a  private  school  exhibition 
in 
1855.  After  careful  preparation  I  landed 
the  following:  “ Boys  and  girls,  did 
you  ever  see  a  frog?  When  it  stands,  it 
sits;  when 
it  runs,  it  jumps.”   Up  to 
this  evening  that  is  the  longest  speech  I 
have  ever  been  able  to  make.  My  sec­
ond  attempt  was  in  Buffalo  in  1868. 
I 
had  won  as  a  trophy  lor  best  general 
play  in  a  home  baseball  game  a  silver- 
mounted  rosewood  baseball  bat.  The 
town  club  and  friends  assembled  at  a 
banquet.  After  coffee,  a  man  I  had  al­
ways  supposed  to  be  my  friend  arose 
and,  pointing  his  finger  at  me,  desired 
me  to  stand  up.  That  was  dead  easy. 
He  then  started 
in  on  a  ten-minute 
presentation  speech,  filled  with  embar­
rassing  references  to  my  superior  ball 
playing,  and  ending  by  handing  me  the 
bat  across  the  table.  From  the  time  he 
commenced  to  speak  up  to  the  close  of 
bis  remarks,  I had  been  uneasily  chang­
ing  my  position. 
I first  relieved  myself 
by  placing  one  band  on  the  table;  then 
both;  then  the  gloom  began  to  deepen 
and  the  dishes  to  rattle  in  front  of  me, 
I  was  rattled  myself.  Then  my  knees 
began  to  give  way,  so  that  when  he 
handed  me  the  bat  I  was  just able  to 
say,  “ Bovs,  1  am  glad  of  it!”   as  I  sank 
in  nervous  fright  into  a  chair.

A  year ago  I  found  it  quite  the  thing 
for  your  very  nervous  and  excitable  de­
signer,  and  the  equally  nervous  proof 
reader,  to  read  their  remarks;  so  I  shall 
ask  the  privilege  of  reading  my  drug 
market—if  I  can  keep  my  legs  under 
me  long  enough.

Looking  back  into  the  history  of  the 
Tradesman,  I  well  remember  the  boy­
ish-looking  editor,  fresh—very  fresh— 
from  the  field  of  daily  journalism,  who 
called  at  our  office  with  the  question, 
“ Is  there  room  in  this  State  for  a  mer­
cantile  paper,  and  will  you  help  sup­
port  one?”   Our  answer  was,  “ Yes, 
and  a  contract  for advertising  to  the  ex­
tent  of $100 per annum. ”   Nothing  shows 
the  growth  and 
influence  of  the  paper 
so  much  as  to  say  we  are  now  paying 
$400  for  the  same  space,  and  that  we 
are  getting  the  worth  of  our  money. 
With  the  encouraging  words  of  Dr. 
Hazeltine  ringing  in  his  ears,  be  sought 
the  co-operation  of  other  houses  in  job­
bing 
lines,  ascertained  the  needs  and 
necessities  of  the  retail  trade,  inciden­
tally  bidding  for  the  friendship  of  the 
traveling  men,  and  started  out 
to 
create  something  out  of  nothing—a 
handsome  property  where  nothing  exist­
ed  before.  How  well  he  has  succeeded 
you  are  quite  as  able  to  judge  as  my­
self,  but  I  think  this  bountiful  table and 
the  half  hundred  happy  faces  I  see 
around 
it  betokens  the  success  of  the 
Tradesman  and  the  place  it  occupies  in 
the business  world better than any  words 
can  describe.

The  drug  editor  was  in  evidence  from 
the  start.  There  were  columns  to  be 
filled  each  week,  and  brain—and  scis­
sors—ran  short  of  copy. 
I  was  asked  to 
fill  the  page  on which  our advertisement 
appeared  with  matters  pertinent  to  the 
drug  business  and  also  furnish  quota­
tions  on  staple  drugs  and  keep  the 
prices  corrected  up  to  date. 
Then 
came  the  traveling  man.  Kick?  Oh, 
bow  be  did  kick. 
“ Say,  you  are  ruin­
ing  the  drug  business  with  that  con­
founded  Tradesman ! 
The  dry  goods 
man  calls  on  the  druggist  for  5  cents’ 
worth  of  salts;  gets  two  ounces;  calls 
the  druggist  a  thief;  says 
it’s  only 
quoted  at  i^ c   per  pound  in  the  Trades­
man  and  he  won’t  stand  any  such  impo­
sition.  Why,’ ’  said  the  traveler,  “   I 
saw  an  old  farmer  in  the railroad station
*  P aper read  a t th e la s t  an n u al  b an q u et  o f  the
w o rk in g  fo rce o f th e T rad esm an  C om p an y on
F r a n k lin ’s  b irth d ay .

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

ö l

with  his  want  list  in  one  hand  and  in 
the  other a  copy  of  the  Tradesman  he’d 
filched  from  bis grocer,  and  he  was  get­
ting.  the  cost  of  every  article  on  his 
memorandum  so  he  could  queer  the 
dealer.”   Well,  the  drug  editor  again 
came  to  the  rescue  and  translated  the 
names  of  the  drugs  int~  Latin,  so  that 
when  the  grocer  wanted  Epsom  salts 
he  could  not  check  up  the  druggist  in 
sulphate  magnesium,  and  did  not  rec­
ognize  calomel 
as  Hydraag  Cblor 
Mite.  Then  said  the  drug  editor  to 
himself,  “ I  think  I’ll  have  a rest  now.”  
Not so.  Down comes  the  editor  one  day 
and  wants  a  column  of  matter  relating 
to  market  changes. 
“ Now,”   says  he, 
“ Mr.  Sidney  Stevens,  editor  of  the 
hardware  market,  says  nails  have  gone 
up,  and  he  gives  a  reason  for  it;  so  I 
want  you  to  tell  the  trade  why  tartar 
emetic  comes  up  so  easily  and  why  cas­
tor oil  goes  down  so  quickly.”   Now,  I 
believe  the  editor  is  satisfied.  He  has 
not  called  on  me  lately  for  anything 
additional,  so  I  believe  the  drug  mar­
ket  and  its  editor  are  satisfactory.

I  congratulate  you  on  the prosper fty of 
the  company,  due  to  the  careful  super­
vision  of  its  management  and  the  faith­
,  ;
ful  service  of  its  employes. 

.  t 

Why  He  Was  an  Idiot.

There  is  a  story  told  of  a  very  talka­
tive  lady  who  met  with  a  well-deserved 
rebuke  at  a  social  gathering  not  long 
is  a  man  of  high 
ago.  Her  husband 
standing 
in  the  world  of  science,  but 
the  lady  regards  him  as  a  dreamer  of 
“ Do  you  know,”  
impossible  dreams. 
she  remarked, 
‘that  genius  and  im­
becility  are  twin  brothers?  The  world 
regards  John  as  a  genius.  Now,  there 
are  times  when  I  believe  him  to  be  an 
idiot.”

A  painful  silence  followed,  broken  by 
a  blunt  old  doctor  who  had  overheard 
the  remark.

“ Are  we  to  understand,  madam,”   he 
said,  “ that  Prof.  Y .,  although  your  hus­
band,  is  so  lightly  esteemed  by  you?"
“ I  say  what  I  think,”   she  retorted. 
is  unmistakably  an 

“ At  times  John 
idiot. ”

“ Merely because he  is your husband?”
“ Sir!”
“ Oh,  very  well,”   was  the  grim  re­
“ We  will  put  it  another  way. 
is  your  husband  because  he  is  an 

joinder. 
He 
idiot.  Will  that  do?”

We are  the----  

-

Oldest  Exclusive 
Burner (louse

in Michigan and handle the best line of rubber 
goods  that  are  made.

Candee  Rubber Boots  and  Shoes  are  the 
best.  The  second  grade  Federals;  made  by 
the same Company.  The  third grade Bristol. 
Write  for  Price  Lists.

See  our  line  of  Felt  and  Knit  Boots, 

Socks,  Mitts,  Gloves,  Etc.,  before you  buy.

M e g  

k Barclap, 4 iflouroe Street, Brand Rapids, jnich.

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A f r É N - r >■

ACETYLENE  BBS  6EHEBBT0H

We  h a v e ..
X  
«  
ig 

A line  of  Men’s  and  Wo-
men’s  Medium  P r i c e d
Shoes  that  are  Money
Winners.  The  most  of 
them  sold  at  Bill  Price. 
We  are  still  making  the 
Men’s  Heavy  Shoes  in 
Oil  Grain  and Satin;  also 
carry  Snedicor &  Hatha 
way’s  Shoes  at  Factory 
Price in Men’s,  Boys’ and 
Youths’.  Lycoming  and 
Keystone Rubbers are the 
*  best.  See  our  Salesmen 

or send  mail  orders.

GEO.  H.  REEDER  &   CO.,

19 S. Ionia St, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Greenville, June  17,  1898. 

Geo.  F .  Owen &  Co  ,

Gentlemen—In  answer  to  yours  of 
the  15th,  would  say  that the gas plant 
put in our county house by you is work­
ing to our entire satisfaction.  The light 
is soft  and  abundant.  Our  Keeper  is 
more than pleased with it.  We think it 
just the thing for buildings of this kind.

J. P. SH OEM AKER,

Supt.  Poor.

Beo.  F. Owen  k 60. Grand  Rapida 

Michigan.

Ü
1I
Si

sa

"   EVERY  DEALER 

in 
fU 

can  please  customers  and  guarantee 
them Perfect  Foot Comfort by selling’ 
PEDA-CURA  (Flint's  Original  Foot 
Powder).  Shaken in  the  stocking* it 
will  relieve  burning,  stinging  and 
perspiring  feet,  cure  soft  corns  and 
Keep the feet as sweet  and healthy as
an infant's.  PEDA-CURA has been
sold for eight years and is superior to 
all other foot powders.  Largest pack­
age.  Retails for 25 cents;  $1.75  per 
doz. of jobbers.  Dealers in Michigan 
supplied  by  Hlrtht  Krause  &   Co., 
Grand Rapids,  Mich.  Mfd. only by

*

BBOWK 

ni  PEV*PEDA-CURA  CO..  Chicago.

J

Prices  right. 

kSEBLEB,  W.  Bridge  St.,  Brand  Bapids.
We  manufacture  only  11 H A N D   M A D E ”   Harness.

5 2

FURNITURE  MAKING.

Steady  Progress 

in  Grand  Rapids’ 

Greatest  Industry.

Fifteen  years  ago  the  furniture  busi­
ness  of  Grand  Rapids  was  thoroughly 
established  and  well  recognized  in  the 
United  States  and  beyond.  Since  that 
time  it  has  made  great  progress,  but  to 
speak  definitely  and  statistically  of  such 
progress 
is  not  an  easy  matter.  The 
various  establishments  have  been  so 
busy,  producing  honest  work 
and 
giving  that  work  a  wide  market,  that 
they  have  kept  little  formal  record  of 
the  general  advance.

From  the  early  days  of  the  history  of 
our  city  this  business  has  had  a  definite 
place,  but  the  Centennial  Exposition 
gave  it a  new  direction.  At  that  time 
three  of  the leading establishments made 
excellent  exhibits,  side  by  side.  The 
character  of  goods  shown  and  the  fact 
of  their being  from  one  place  attracted 
attention  to  Grand  Rapids.  From  that 
time  the  market  was  extended  and  the 
eyes  of  the  business  world  turned  to­
wards  our  city  as  an  authbrity  on  fur­
niture  matters,  and  this branch  of  busi­
ness  has  steadily  advanced  until  the 
name  “ Furniture  City”   belongs  to  us 
by  right  of  our dominant  interest.

Just  how  many  factories  were  in oper­
ation 
in  1883  does  not  appear,  but  the 
number  was  something  less  than  to-day. 
There  was manufacturing along the same 
general 
lines  as  at  present,  although 
with  less  diversity  of  style  and  less  va­
riety  of articles.  The  market then  was 
practically  limited  to the  United  States, 
with  some  foreign  trade,  not  extensive 
and  not  to  be  depended  upon.  Designs 
were  still  such  as  the  Centennial  had 
suggested,  ornate,  with  some  evidence 
of  struggling  towards  the  light  of  purity 
of  style,  but 
in  a  few  cases  only  did 
they  show  artistic  merit  with  claim  to 
permanence.

To-day  there  are  forty  factories  doing 
business  in  this  city.  As  new  establish­
ments  have  arisen  new  lines  have  been 
introduced,  while  the  older houses  have 
modified  their  products  and  pushed  out 
into  new  directions.  Besides  the  staple 
lines  of  household  furniture,  the  city 
produces  to-day  all  kinds  of  fine  and 
fancy  furniture,  school  furniture,  desks, 
for  offices,  banks,  public 
furniture 
buildings,  churches, 
including  pews, 
pulpits,  and  even  contribution  boxes. 
Refrigerators and carpet sweepers should 
be added,  if  they  can  be  counted  as fur­
niture.  Two  factories are  devoted  to  the 
manufacture of  upholstered  goods.

Attempts  were  early  made  to establish 
business  relations  with  foreign countries 
and  this  problem 
is  not  yet  entirely 
solved.  Especial  effort  bas  been  made 
in  the  direction  6f  South  America.  The 
visit  of  the  Pan-Americans last year had 
in  view  the  establishment  of  mutual 
business  relations  between  the two coun­
tries.  This  delegation  was  made  up 
entirely  of  men  with  commercial  inter­
ests  and,  doubtless, 
the  visit  sowed 
good  seed  which  has  not  yet  had  time 
to  fructify.  We are not without  a  foreign 
market,  however,  and  our  goods  are 
found 
in  England,  Holland,  Turkey, 
South  America,  Egypt,  South  Africa, 
and  even 
in  China.  During  the  past 
year  the  first  church  on  the  American 
plan  was  built  in  Pekin  and  was  fur­
nished  throughout  from  Grand  Rapids.
The  past  fifteen  years  has  shown  a 
marked  change  in  the  woods  used.  Ma­
hogany  has  always  been  standard,  al­
though  its  popularity  has  greatly 
in­
creased  during  later  years.  Aside  from 
this,  walnut,  cherry  and  ash  were  for-

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

Columbian transfer  Company

Carriages,  Baggage  and  Freight 
Wagons. 
Teaming  of  all  kinds. 
We  have  leased  the  Cold  and  Dry 
Storage  Buildings on  Winter  St.,  and 
added  a  special  room  for  storage  of 
butter,  eggs,  fruit  and  produce  of  all 
kinds  needing  cold  or  dry  storage. 
W e  solicit  your  patronage.  Prices 
for  storage  upon  application.

T elephone  3 8 1 ,  main  office.
T elephone 

2 3 ,  storage.

Columbian transfer Company.

WEHAVENO AGENTS

b at have sold direct to the con­
sum er for 25 years a t whole­
sale prices, saving  him  the 
dealer's profits.  Ship any­
where  for  exam ination. 
E verything  w arranted.
,  118 styles of  Vehicles.
55  styles  of  Harness.
Top jpoggies, $36 to $70. 

r  Surreys, $50 to $125.  Carria- 
^ 0  ges, Phaetons, Traps, Wagon-
__  ^   ettes,  Spring-Road  and  M ilk
Surrey Harness.  Price, $16.00.  Wagons.  Send for large,  free
As good as sells for $25. 

Catalogue of all onr styles.

ELKHART C A R R I AC E  AND HARNESS M FC.  CO.  W . B.  P R A T T ,  Bee’y ,  E LK H A R T ,  INI*

®n Surrey.  Price, with curtains, lamps, sun­
shade, apron and fenders. $60.  As good as sells for $90.

merly  used.  Walnut  has  entirely  dis­
appeared,  cherry  and  ash  nearly  so, 
their  places  having  been  taken  by  oak, 
maple  and  birch.  Other  woods  have 
had  shortlived  popularity,  among  them 
prima-vera,  or  white  mahogany,  and 
padouk,  or  vermillion  wood.

In  this,  as  in  all  other lines  of  busi­
ness,  competition  has greatly  increased. 
Where  an establishment  once  had a clear 
field,  it  now  finds  sharp  competitors. 
These  the  manufacturer  must  excel  or 
be  distanced  in  the  race. 
If  he  would 
not  fail  he  must  produce  better  work  at 
less  cost  than  the  others are able  to  do. 
Grand  Rapids  has  always  been noted for 
its  thorough  workmanship.  In  any  mar­
ket 
its  furniture  is  exceptional  in  the 
honesty  of  its  construction  and  the  per­
fection  of  its  finish.  The  necessity  of 
obtaining  these  results  as  economically 
as  possible  has  wrought  constant  im­
provement .in  machinery  and  in methods 
of  wQsk’..'  T B e. profits ¡(V  a**fectpcy .de­
pend largely «upo» ft» ability ¿ó HbáJbet-, 
tam jpjece  .of  .work, just as  well  as  an­
other,  ln}t,Vcr}h*l£^’^xpenditureTo|  tim£ 
and* money.  *A  áuctfeákfifl’marftifrfctúfef' 
must  watch  all  these  things.  A  single 
awkward  motion  may  not  mean  much, 
nor  one  needless  turning  of  a  mirror 
frame,  but  in  a  factory  where  the  output 
of  bureaus  alone  is  four  hundred  a  day, 
this  same  awkward  motion  repeated 
four  hundred  times  means  wages  paid 
for ho  return.

When  you  count  the  many  parts that 
go 
into  each  piece  of  furniture,  when 
you  estimate  the  number of  hands  laid 
upon  each  bureau  before  it  passes  the 
shipping  clerk,  you may  realize  what  a 
chance  is here  for  loss  of  money.  The 
same  watchfulness  must  be  kept  over 
material  to  see  that  it  is  economically 
used.  Machines  must  be  tested  and 
their  productive  power  brought  to  the 
highest;  in  fact,  the  manufacturer  must 
be  ever  on  the  alert  to  save  time  and 
labor.  The  result  of  this  has  been  a 
steady  gain 
in  methods  of  work  and  a 
constant  improvement  in  machinery.

The  wood  carvers’  strike  in  1890  had 
its  effect  in  hastening  the  perfection  of 
the carving  machine,  which  is  now  in 
general  use.  This  strike  may  have  for 
a  time  diminished  the amount  of  carv­
ing  used,  but  only  temporarily  and  did 
not  make  as  great  a  difference  in  the 
number of  hand  carvers  employed  as the 
public  generally supposes.  To-day  in  a 
factory  employing  460  men  there  are 
forty  carvers  at  work. 
It  did,  however, 
have  the  effect  of  taking  that  branch  of 
business  from  the  tyrannical domination 
of  the  union  and 
factories 
free  to  establish  their  own  rules  as  to 
number  of  apprentices  and  the  hours  of 
work.

left  the 

In  the  matter of design  there has been 
constant  change during  the  past  fifteen 
years.  These  changes  have  depended 
upon  the  demand  of  the  public  for 
something  new.  Once the  popular taste 
insisted  upon  height.  A  bed,  to  be  de­
sirable,  must  have  a  high headboard and 
the  work  of  the  designer consisted  in 
covering  this  elevation  of  eleven  feet 
with  something  elaborate and  massive. 
With  all  the  changes  through  which  de­
signs  have  passed,  it  can  not  be  said 
that  a  distinct  style  has  yet been  de­
veloped.  Various styles have  been  pop­
ular  for  a  time  and  then  have passed out 
of  fashion.  Once  there  was  a  prepon­
derance  of  Byzantine  work ;  again  Six­
teenth  Century;  then  Louis  XV.  and 
Empire  designs.  One  season  the  pre­
vailing  lines  were straight;  another sea­
son  showed  only  curves.  Various  fin­
ishes  have  been  used  with  all  kinds  of

stains  in  all  colors.  For  a  few  years 
past  especial  attention  has  been  paid  to 
the  reproduction  of  antiques,  following 
especially  the  Dutch  styles,  or  Flemish 
Renaissance,  as  it  is  called.

Each  one  of  these  new  styles  origin­
ates  with  one  of  our  best  factories. 
It 
is  the  work  of  a  designer  possessed  of 
high  artistic  skill  and  of 
extended 
knowledge 
in  allied  subjects.  These 
designs  are  the  result of  months of study 
and  careful  research—not  the  accidental 
wanderings  of  an  artistic  pencil.  The 
factory  takes  these  designs,  puts  upon 
them  the  best  workmanship and  gives  to 
the  market  pieces  possessed  of  real  ar­
tistic  merit.  For a  time  the  articles  sell 
at  a  worthy  price,  but  soon  the  makers 
of  cheap  work  imitate,  the  desirability 
of  the  design  is  gone  and  the  designer 
must  again  search  for something  new. 
This  is  the  process  that  goes  on  con­
stantly  and  must  continue  as  long  as  the 
market  demands  new  styles  in  furni­
ture,  side by  side  with  fashions  in  other 
things.  The  effect,  while  it has  not been 
gratifying  to  our  best  factories,  has  cer­
tainly  increased  the  number  of  good  de­
signers  and  has  improved  the  style  of 
cheaper  furniture.

The  progress  of  the  business  for  the 
past  fifteen  years  shows  a  steady  in­
crease  up  to  1893.  The  furniture  inter­
ests  suffered  with  the  rest  and  1894  and
1895  showed  a  falling  off  in  volume  as 
well as in demand for high-priced goods;
1896  showed  an 
increase  in  volume  as 
well  as  a  corresponding  improvement  in 
grade  of  goods  sold.  Each season  since 
then  the  upward  grade  has  continued 
until  the  July  just  passed  shows  larger 
sales  of  better  goods  than  any other  sea­
son  since  January,  1893.

Within  the  past  fifteen  years  the  so- 
called  Furniture  Exposition  has  grown 
up.  When  the  plan  developed  of get­
ting  out  new  designs  twice  a  year,  the 
customers  fell  into  the  habit  of  coming 
here  in  January  and  July  “ to  look  over 
the  market.”   No  definite  record  has 
been  kept  of  the  number that  came,  nor 
the  exact  date  of  the  pioneer  advent. 
Until  July,  1893,  there  is  no  record  at 
all,  but  at  that  time  the  matter  took  on 
such 
importance  that  statistics  were 
gathered  and  have  since  been  kept. 
That  date  showed  161  buyers.  Each 
season  since  has  yielded  a  decidedly 
steady 
increase,  July,  1896,  being  the 
exception.  For  July,  1898,  the  number 
reached  550,  coming "from  almost  every 
state  in  the  Union  and  from  Canada.

When  this  semi-annual  gathering  be­
came a  settled  thing,  it  occurred  to  out­
side  firms that  here,  at  that  time,  were 
the  buyers  of 
furniture  and  whoever 
wished  to  sell  must  get  the  eye  and  ear 
of  the  buyers  before  they  bad  supplied 
all  their  furniture  needs  with  Grand 
Rapids  goods.  So  they  came  with  their 
samples,  a  few  at  first,  but  each  season 
brought  more,  until  the  July  just  passed 
swelled  the  number  to over  160.

At  first,  they  rented  rooms  wherever 
they  could  find  them.  Later,  buildings 
were  erected  especially  for  their  occu­
pancy  and  they  grouped  themselves  in 
these.  This  summer  has  marked  the 
erection  of the  largest  building  yet. 
It 
is  five  stories  high  and  has a  floor  space 
of  300,000  feet,  or about  seven  acres.  It 
is  built  with  especial  reference  to  ad­
vantageous  display  of  samples and offers 
to  the  visiting  salesman  every  facility 
for transacting  business.  Its  very  name, 
Furniture  Exposition  Building, 
indi­
cates  the  element  of  permanency  that 
this  semi-annual  pilgrimage  of  outside 
interests  has assumed.

Wherever there  is a  good  market  for

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

5 3

The “Climax” Family Oil Can

The  Hinged  Cover  on  this 
can  Protects  the  Entire 
Top,  preventing  Rain  or 
Dirt  from  entering the can.

Are  made  from  the  Best 
Quality  Galvanized  Iron, 
and  Every  Can  Carefully 
Tested 
for  Imperfections 
before  leaving  the  factory.

Has a Steady Stream Pump 
which  is  Removable  from 
the  Can  in Case of Obstruc­
tions  or  for  Repairs,  and 
the  Discharge  Tube  is  ar­
ranged  so  that  It  Can  Be 
Turned  to  the  Outside  for 
Filling  High  Lamps.

Has  No  Equal  on  the  Mar­
ket  at  the  Price. 
Sold  by 
jobbers everywhere.  Man­
ufactured  by

^The  Winfield  Manufacturing  Co ^  W arren,  0.  ^

one  thing,  kindred  lines  will  follow. 
Constant  additions  have  been  made to 
the  variety  of  goods  shown,  until  this 
year  many  allied  lines  were  offered  by 
outside  sellers.  These  lines  included 
lamps,  statuary,  bric-a  brae,  bedding, 
crockery,  pictures,  picture  frames,  rugs, 
stoves  and  ranges,  veneers,  choice  lum­
bers  and  various  furniture  supplies. 
There  has  been  some  attempt  to  induce 
the  carpet  and  drapery  men  to  exhibit 
here  at  the  same  time,  but they have  not 
yet  found  it  wise  to do  so.

Whether this  condition  of things  is  an 
advantage  to  our  local  manufacturers 
and  to  our  city  is  still  a  mooted  ques­
tion,  but  the  opinion  is growing  among 
the  leading  furniture  men  that  such  an 
inpouring  of  outside  interests  works  for 
Grand  Rapids  evil  rather  than  good. 
Our  manufacturers  have  built  up  these 
great  home  interests— interests that  have 
made our city  wbat  it  is  Aside  from 
the  support  that  naturally  accrues  to a 
city from extensive manufacturing,  some 
of  these  firms  pay  as  high  as  $7,000 
annual  tax.  Is  it  fair to  them  that  these 
outside  establishments  be  allowed  to 
come  here  free  of  tax  and  compete 
with  our home market?  Certainly here  is 
a  question  which 
it  behooves  not  only 
the  furniture  men,but those interested  in 
the  welfare  of  our  city  to consider.  This 
is  the  problem  which  the  past  fifteen 
years  has  set  and  which  the  coming 
years  must  solve.

F l o r e n c e   M i l n e r .

The  Battle  for  Business.

F ro m  th e B altim o re  A m erican .

Trade  competition  grows  sharper  and 
sharper  in  this  country every  year.  The 
multiplication  of  our  manufacturing  es­
tablishments  has  given  an  enormous  in­
crease to  the  annual  output  and  the  re­
sult  has  been  lower  prices  and  smaller 
margins  for  profit  for  the  manufacturer, 
the  jobber and  the  retailer  alike.  This 
is  not  a 
feature  to  which  American 
business  men  seriously  object,  if  they 
can  make  the  volume  of  business  in­
crease  in  proportion  to  the  decrease  in 
their  profit  on  each  article  sold.  Many 
of  them  have  known  for  years  that  this 
change  was coming,  and  have  profited 
accordingly  by  enlarging  their  opera­
tions  and  getting  ready 
for  the  new 
trade  conditions.

Dollar  Prices.

F ro m  the B o sto n  T ra n scrip t.

It  was  just  about  a  year ago  that  the 
cry  of  “ dollar  wheat”   was  heard  all 
over  the  land,  and  it  was  kept  up  until 
May  of  the  present  year,  when  the  bub­
ble  burst.  The  Pennsylvania  papers  are 
now  rejoicing  over the  rise  in  the  price 
of  petroleum  to $1  a  barrel.  The  Pitts­
burg  Chronicle  says  that  oil  is  worth  $3 
or $4  a  barrel,  and  the  fact  that  people 
are  foolish  enough  to  sell  the  precious 
fluid  for  50  or  60 cents  amounts to  al­
most  a  crime. 
It  hints  at  the  possible 
exhaustion  of  the  supply  in  the  near  fu­
ture  and  wonders  that  no  efficient  steps 
are taken  to husband  the  resource  and 
to get  as good  a  price  for  it  as  possible.

Blessed  Angels.

The  bronzed  soldier 

looked  at  the 
package  addressed  to  him  with  mois­
tened  eyes.
not  forget  us. ’ ’

“ Blessed  angels,”   be said,  “ they  do 
Then  he  carefully took  off  the  wrap­

pings and  found—

A  nail  brush.
An  ornamental  hair  receiver.
A  pair of  tidies.
A  small  bottle  of  mixed  pickles.
A  tract.
A  band  painted  blotting  pad,  and
A  pants  stretcher.

Firm  in  the  Belief.

“ Old  Bilger  has  got  the anti-impe­

rialist  fever  bad.”

“ What's  he done?”
“ His  wife  bought  a  new  extension 

table and  he  sent  it  right back, ”

5 4

GOTHAM  GOSSIP.

News  from  the  Metropolis— Index  to 

the  Market.

Special Correspondence.

New  York,  Sept.  3— Insufferably  hot 
weather has interfered  with trade to some 
little 
extent  this  week.  There  is  very 
enthusiasm  among  buyers  when 
the 
thermometer 
is  a  machine  registering 
from  95  to  100  each  day.  They  prefer 
the  cooling  ocean  breezes  and  will  come 
back  when  the  conditions  improve.

A  little disturbance  to  trade  is created 
by  the  home  returning  of  the  army  and 
there  seems  to  be a  sort  of  holiday  feel­
ing  in  the  verv  atmosphere.  Business, 
nevertheless,  is  good  and  on  every  side 
are  huge  piles  of cases going  to  all  parts 
of  the  country.

While  the  coffee  market  may  be called 
steady,  and  prices  show  no  material 
change,  the  volume  of  business  is  not 
especially  large,  and  both  out-of-town 
and  city'buyers  seem  to  be  bolding  off 
for  the "moment,  as  they  are  probably 
sufficiently  well  stocked  to  keep  them 
going  for  a  while.  The  stock 
in  store 
and  afloat  aggregates  1,049,558  bags, 
against  790,803  bags  at  the  same  time 
last  year.  There  has  been  very 
little 
done 
in  a  speculative  way.  Rio  No.
7  closes  at 6  7-160.  West  India  coffees 
have  been  in  lighter  request  than 
last 
week.  Jobbers  and 
importers  seem  to 
be  unable  to  reach  an  agreement.  The 
lowest  rate  for  good  Cucuta  is  about 
g}£c.  East  India  sorts are  without  in­
terest  and  nominal  quotations  prevail.
The  raw  sugar  market  is  more  active 
and  refiners  are  bidding  i - i 6 c  more  for 
96 deg.  centrifugals.  Some  large  sales 
are  reported  on  the advance and  refined 
shows  greater  activity.  Thursday  and 
Friday  were  both  good  sugar  days  and 
dealers  generally  seemed  anxious  to  lay 
in  good  stocks.  The  Arbuckle  refinery 
is  now  taking  orders  for  some  package 
goods  at  S%c 
for  both  two  and  five 
pound  packages.  They  will  not  yet take 
orders  for  full  cars  of  package  goods, 
but  make  sales  of  25  barrels  and  175 
cases.
Very  little  animation  bas  been  dis­
played 
in  the  tea  market,  the  transac­
tions  being  mostly  for  certain  chops 
that  sell  all  the  Vise.  The  sale  next 
week  Thursday  is  awaited  with  cousid- 
erable  interest  by  the  trade,  and  until 
then  the  markA  must  remain  without 
anything  of  interest to  note.

The  rice  market  is  steady  and  hold­
ers are  very  confident  as  to  the  future. 
No  concessions  are  made  to  buyers,  nor 
do  the  latter  seem  to  expect  any.  They 
take  it  at  full  rates  and  some  very  good 
orders  were  placed.  Prime  to  choice, 
5K@6c.
Supplies  of  spices  are  not  overabun­
dant  and  the  market  generally  isin good 
shape.  Orders  have  come  to  band  in  a 
quite  satisfactory  manner  for  the  time 
of  year and  dealers  seem  satisfied  with 
the  outlook.  Prices  generally  are  firm­
ly  adhered  to,  especially  in  the  case  of 
pepper.

The  weather  has  been  distinctly  un­
favorable 
the  molasses  market. 
Dealers  insist  upon  full  rates,  however, 
and  seem  content  to  wait  rather than 
make  any  important  concession.  The 
low  grades  seem  to  be  meeting with bet­
ter  request  than  the  finer  goods.  Syrups 
are  moving  in  a  fairly  satisfactory  way 
and  at  full  values,  although  the  very hot 
weather  exerts au  untoward  influence.

for 

Lemons  and  oranges  have  both  taken 
on  a  new  lease  of  life  during  the  week, 
the  former  selling  at  an  advance  of 
about  35@5oc  per  box.  Previous  rates 
were  obtained  at  auction  for  California 
oranges.  Lemons,  choice Sicily,  300s, 
$5@5-5o;  and 
from  this  through  all 
prices up to $6 for fancy fruit.  The  range 
is close to  $5  for average  sorts.

Dried  fruits  are  quiet  and  the  situa­
tion  generally  is a  waiting  one.  Deal­
ers  who  are  well  posted,  however,  are 
confident  as  to  the  future and  firm  in 
their  views  as  to  values.  There  is a 
moderate  demand  for  fancy  evaporated 
apples  at  10c.  Prunes  are  firm,  but  not 
much  business  is  going  forward.

Salmon  and  tomatoes  are  the  two 
most  interesting  articles  on  the  canned 
goods  list,  and  everything  points  to firm 
prices  and  active  demand  during  the

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

remainder  of  the  year.  Tomatoes  have 
advanced  5c,  Maryland  selling  at  70c 
f.  o.  b.  The  supply  of  California  fruits 
in  this  market  is  light and  the  assort­
ment  is  not  large.  Corn 
is  very  firm, 
with  New  York  at  75c  for  No.  2  stand­
ard.

Friday’s  receipts  of  butter  were  but 
4,823  packages.  Business  is  almost  en­
tirely  suspended  and  the  hot  waves  soon 
make  oil  of  butter  that,  is  outside of 
cold  storage.  Strictly  fancy  creamery 
butter  is  worth 
i8j£c  and  possibly  in 
instances  a  trifle  more  has been 
some 
paid.  The  accumulation 
is  not  large 
of  this  grade,  but  qualities  that  do  not 
come  up  to  the  standard  are  piling  up. 
Holders  would  be  glad  to  dispose  of 
larger  quantities  if  a  slight  concession 
would  attract  buyers,  but  no  one  seems 
willing  to  take  any  risk  as  long  as  the 
heat  is  so  excessive.  Western  creamery 
firsts,  I7>£@i8c.  June  extras  from  cold 
storage  are  worth  18^@190. 
Imitation 
creamery  extras,  I5^@i6c,  firsts  13^ 
@ 14c¡extra  June  factory,  14c;  firsts, 
I3@i3#c.

sagged  until 

The  cheese  market,  in  sympathy  with 
hotter,  is  showing  hardly  a  bit  of  life. 
is  very  light  and  prices 
The  demand 
bare 
fancy  stock  can 
hardly  be  quoted  at  better  than  7# @ 
jy&c,  for  large size,  with  small  about  ic 
above this.  A  good  deal  of  cheese  is 
going  into  cold  storage and  it  could  not 
be  sold  at  to-day's  rates  without  loss.

Receipts  of  eggs  have  been  quite 
large,  but  with  a  holiday  and  boiling 
weather,  the  eggs  most  be  disposed  of 
at  considerable  concession  or  stored. 
Sales are  made  of prime to fancy Michi­
gan  eggs  at 
i6@i6%c,  but  this  is  the 
very  top.  The  market  will  doubtless 
react  as  soon  as  cooler  weather  sets.  in.
A  decided  decline  set  in  a  few  days 
ago  in  marrow  beans,  but  it  bas  not,  as 
yet,  stimulated  buying.  Choice  mar­
rows  are  worth  $1.70;  choice  medium, 
$i.25@i  30;  choice  pea,  $1.2031.25.
Organization  of Growers  To  Control 

Raisin  Prices.

It 

is  said  that  the  Raisin  Growers’ 
Association  of  California  is  a  success 
and  that  90  per  cent,  of  the acreage  is 
represented  in  the organization,  while  5 
per  cent,  more  is  expected  before  ship­
ment  begins.  Porter  Bros,  are  now  in 
the  pool,  which  includes  virtually  every 
large  packer  in  the  State.  At  a  recent 
meeting  the 
following  resolution  was 
adopted :

Resolved—That  the  board  of  directors 
of  this  Association  be  required  to  pass 
a  resolution  giving  permission  to  all 
persons or  corporations  who  have pooled 
their  grapes  and  raisins  with  this  As­
sociation  to  dispose  of their grapes  in 
any  manner  they  prefer,  except 
that 
such  grapes,  when  made  into  raisins, 
shall  be sold  only through  the  California 
Raisin  Growers’  Association,  and  the 
power  to  impose  a  penalty  of  $20  per 
acre  for  a  violation  of  the growers’  con­
tract,  in the event of  grapes  being  made 
into  raisins  and  sold  outside  of  the  A s­
sociation,  shall  be  reserved  by  said  di­
rectors  and  rigidly  enforced.

About  all  the  trustees  will  attempt  to 
do  this  year  will  be  to  put  the  Associa­
tion  on  a  business basis. 
If  successful 
in  that.it  means  better  returns  for  grow­
ers  than  ever  before  and  no  higher 
prices  for  consumers.  The  difficulty  of 
the  raisin  trade  heretofore  has  been  the 
uneven  grading  and  the  disposition  to 
overcrowd  the  markets  and  force  down 
prices.  The  Association  will  prevent 
that  by  supplying  only  snch  quantities 
as are  required  by  consumers.

Railway  development 

in  Venezuela 
bas  been  neither  so  extensive  nor  con­
tinuous as  in  many  other  South  Ameri­
can  republics.  Concessions  innumerable 
have been  granted,  but  there  are  many 
enterprises  which  never  get  beyond  the 
concession  stage. 
is  true  there  are 
several  English-owned  railways  in  that 
republic,  bat  they  have  not  been  so
rosperous  as  might  have  been  desired
y  their  shareholders.
When  your  wife  is  perfectly  sure  that 
a  missing  article  is  not  in  a  certain 
place,  that  is  the  best  place  to  look  for 
i t

It 

The  best  are  the cheapest 
and* these  we  can  always 
supply.

ALFRED  J.  BROWN  SEED  CO.

24  and  26  North  Division  Street,

Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

ALL  KINDS FIELD SEEDS
 U  C  Q  
C ) C   A   ^

O R D E R S   S O L I C I T E D  

A T   M A R K E T   V A L U E   |  

L b  

I  

I   L bbb  \  J

MOSELEY* BROS.

2 6 - 2 8 - 3 0 -3 2   O T T A W A   S T . 

e s t .  iB7e. 

G R A N D   R A P I D S ,  M ICH .

ÌH5 2 5 0 J

We  ire  always Headquarters  for

BUTTER,  EGGS,  FRUITS 
and GENERAL  PRODUCE

Correspondence  solicited.

HERHANN C.  NAUHANN  &   CO.

Hain Office, 33  Woodbridge St..  W. 
isasasHSHSHSHSHsesHsasciaasaiasHsasHSHsasHsasasHSi

Branch Store,  353  Russell Street

DETROIT 

¡9

9J

POOR  B U TTER  I

is never found in our  1-2-3 and 5*lb.  pack- 
ages.  We make  a  specialty  of  STRICTLY 
FANCY  CREAMERY. 

I  
*** 
J

MAYNARD  &   REED,  » « W dI 'S km.  %
l| i <| l l| l l| l l | l  >0 » l| l l | l  l | l l | l  l| l 10» 1101 >0» l| l >|<  >|r *| «

HARVEY  P.  MILLER. 

M ILLER  &   TEASDALE  CO.

WHOLESALE BROKERAGE AND COMMISSION.

EVERETT  P.  TEASDALE.

FRUITS,  NUTS,  PRODUCE

APPLES AND  POTATOES WANTED

835  NORTH  THIRD  ST., 
830 NORTH FOURTH ST., 

WRITE  US.

C T  
J l »   L . V / U I O ,   I  I W .

I   A |   T I C  

| * I A

ESTABLISHED  1886.

F.  CUTLER &  SONS

BUTTER,  EGGS 
AND  POULTRY.

Consignments  solicited  directly  to 
our house,  874  W ashington  Street, 
NEW  YORK.  Our Eastern  Connec­
tion enables us to realize our shipper’s 
full  market  value  for  any  stock  re­
ceived at either place.

REFERENCES:

For cash prices F.  O.  B.  your station. 
Write us at IONIA, niCH .

State Savings  Bank,  Ionia,  and  the 

Commercial Agencies.

Ship your BUTTER AND EOOS to 

—

N. W O H LFELD ER &  CO.

WHOLESALE 
GROCERS.

399-401-403  High Street, E., 

- 

DETROIT,  MICHIQAN.

Large, Fancy, Yellow Crawford Peaches

MELONS—Yellow Musk, Osage,  Sweetheart Watermelons. 
Grapes,  Pears,  Plums,  Apples. 
Lemons,  Oranges  and 
Bananas.  New  Potatoes,  Celery,  Tomatoes,  Sweet  Pota­
toes,  Cabbage, New Dry Onions, Turnips, Carrots, Squash.

BUNTING &  CO.  -  Jobbers  -  Grand Rapids, Mich.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

5 5

MEAT  TRADE.

Work  Less  Arduous,  But  Competi­

tion  Stronger  and Profits Smaller.
Being  selected  from  among  the  many 
retail  merchants  of  Grand  Rapids  to 
prepare a  historical  paper  for  your  very 
popular  publication,  I  feel  that  I  should 
be  wanting  in  courtesy  should  I  fail  to 
respond  to  the  honor  conferred  upon  me 
by  your  request.  Writing  is  entirely  out 
of  my 
line,  and,  in  order  to  treat  the 
subject  at  all,  I  will  be  obliged  to  sim­
ply  detail  my  own  experience  since 
coming  to  the  city  of  Grand  Rapids 
nineteen  years  ago.

1  began  learning  my  trade  with  H.  I. 
Plett,  of  63  South  Division  street,  at 
that  time  one  of  the  largest  wholesale 
and. retail  meat dealers in Western Mich­
igan.  Mr.  Plett  was  educated  for  the 
business  in  Germany.  He  served  an  ap­
prenticeship  of  three  years  without  any 
compensation  whatever.  He  is  what  we 
call  an  educated  butcher.  He  is  one  of 
the  best  judges  of  stock  in  the  country 
and,  as  a  packer and  general  meat  mer­
chant,  he  has  no  equal.

soup  meat  and  stews  than  at  the  present 
time.  Steaks  and  chops  now  take  the 
lead,  which 
is  very  humiliating  to  the 
dealer  at  times,  because  there  are  so 
few of  those  fancy  cuts  in  a  carcass.

There  are  many  ups  and  downs  in 
the  meat  business.  We  have  the  inex­
perienced  to  contend  with.  There  are 
farmers  who  will  come  to 
the  city, 
walk  through  a  meat  market  and  call 
themselves  butchers.  They  will  squat 
in  some  locality  and,  as  long  as  capital 
lasts  and  credit  bolds  out,  they  will 
slash  prices,  to  the detriment  of  many 
for the  time  being,  but  the  crash  must 
come  and  the  wholesaler generally  gets 
it 
in  the  neck.  At  the  present  time 
butchers  can  go  to  the  wholesale  boxes 
and  get  cuts  of all  kinds  in meats, which 
helps  the 
inexperienced  very  much. 
The  meat  boxes  also  injure  the  retail 
trade  by  selling  hotels,  restaurants  and 
other  large  consumers  of  meat.  This

qooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
0

Ship your  BUTTER  AND  EQOS  to 

R.  HIRT,  Jr.,  Detroit,  Mich.

34  and  36  Market  Street,
435-437"439 Winder Street.

X 
X 
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Cold  Storage  and  Freezing  House in  connection.
Capacity 75  carloads.  Correspondence  solicited,

FREE SHPIPLE TO LIVE IQERGHHHTS

Our new  Parchment-Lined,  Odorless 
Blitter Packages.  Light  as  paper. 
The  only  way  to  deliver  Butter 
to your  customers.

G em  F ibre  P ackage C o.,  détroit.

P O U L T R Y   W A N T E D

Live  Poultry wanted,  car lots 
or  less.  Write  us  for  prices.

H. N. RANDALL PRODUCE CO.,Tekonsha, Mich.

EA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A a A A A A A A A A A A A
:  HARRIS  &  FRUTCHEY

T 
♦  
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Only  Exclusive  Wholesale  BUTTER  and  EQG
House in  Detroit.  Have  every  facility  for  han-
dling large or small quantities.  Will buy oh track
at your  station  Butter  in  sugar  barrels,  crocks  or
tubs.  Also fresh gathered Eggs.

G.  N.  Rapp & go. 

General Commission Merchants 

I  
I  
% 56 W. Market St,

i
3
Buffalo. N. y.  3

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^  
^  
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Do not  be  deceived  by  unreliable  concerns  and 
promises;  we  will  advance you liberally  on  your
shipments.  Write  for  our  daily  price  list  and
instructions  for shipping  all  perishable  fruits  to
insure  good  condition  on  arrival. 

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Now  in  Their Prime

CRAWFORD  PEACHES  and  all  other  choice 
varieties.  BARTLETT  PEARS,  GRAPES.

P L U M S

Quick  shipments.
ANY  FRUITS and VEGETABLES  are  furnished 
to the best  advantage  by  the

Fifteen  years  ago  local  meat  dealers 
did  a  heavy  wholesale  business  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  Stale,  which  called 
for  heavy  shipments of meat every week. 
That  now  is  a  thing  of  the  past,  to  a 
great  extent. 
the 
North  woods  to  supply  with  meat  the 
Northern  farmers  are  now supplying this 
market  with 
supplying 
Buffalo  and  Chicago  to  some  extent..

Instead  of  having 

stock;  also 

Fifteen  years  ago  most  all  the  meat 
dealers  here  did their  own killing.  They 
went 
into  the  country,  did  their  own 
buying,  and  their  own  slaughter  house 
was  looked  upon  as  a  strictly  necessary 
thing  by  any  butcher  doing  a  good busi­
ness.  We  also  bad wholesale slaughterers 
in  those  days—McCrath  Bros  ,  Gifford 
&  Lewis  and  Fish  &  Wykes  were  about 
the  only  ones  that  were  in  the  business 
to  any  great  extent.

Those  were  the  days  we had  to  hustle. 
It  was  a  common  occurrence  to  go  to 
the  slaughter  bouse  at  2  and  3  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  get  a  load  of  meat, 
take  it to  the  market,  weigh  the  same, 
take  it  to  the  Grand  Rapids  &  Indiana 
freight  house  and  load  it  into  a  freight 
car  going  North  at  5  o’clock  in  the 
morning.  We  kept  open  until  9 and  10 
o’clock  at  night  and  during  the  pack­
ing  months  it  was  a  common  occurrence 
for  us to  work  until  12  o’clock  at  night. 
But  the  packing  business  is  also  gone. 
The  large  wholesale  dealer  can  furnish 
us  with  everything, 
from  a  sausage 
casing  to a  barrel  of  pork,  cheaper than 
the  retailer  can  make  it.  As  the  say­
ing  is,  the  packer  loses  nothing  but  the 
squeal  and,  no  doubt,  in time  the  squeal 
will  be  bottled  and  the  retailer  com­
pelled  to  pay  for  it.  The  retail  busi­
ness  is  conducted  somewhat  differently 
than  it  was  in  those  days.  We  have  in 
our  city  two  large  Chicago  wholesale 
houses,  where  the  meat  merchant  can 
go  and  get  anything  he  wants  in  the 
meat  or  sausage  line;  but  the  up  to- 
date  dealer makes  his  own  sausages  in 
these  days.  We  formerly  used 
the 
rocker altogether,  but  during  the  past 
few  years 
improved  machinery  has 
come  to  the  front  and  electricity,  gas 
and  water  power are  now  in  general  use 
in  the  sausage  factory  to  lighten  the 
work.  There are  a  great  many  different 
kinds of sausages  made  and  the  Ameri­
can  people are  falling  in  line  with  the 
German  in  using  them  to a  great extent. 
Fifteen  years  ago 
it  seems  to  me  we 
lived  somewhat  differently  than  to-day. 
People  then  used  more  boiling  meat,

More  credit  business 

evil  can  be  remedied  only  by  thorough 
organization  among  the  retail  dealers.
is  done  now 
than  formerly,  due  in  large  part  to  the 
use  of  the  telephone  and  also  to  the 
fact  that  a  great  deal  of  meat  is  sold  by 
personal  solicitation.  Many  meat  deal­
ers  have  customers  whom  they  have 
never  seen.  They  receive  the  orders 
by  telephone  or  from  the  order  man, 
rendering  memoranda  with  all  orders 
and  statements  at  the  end  of  each 
month.  This  has  a  tendency  to  split 
up  the  orders  into  small  amounts,  fre­
quently  compelling  the  dealer  to  till  or­
ders  for  one-half  pound  of  steak,  on 
which  the  margin can  not  exceed  a  cent 
or two,  yet  the  time  of  the  delivery man 
and  team,to  say  nothing  of  the  wear and 
tear  of  wagon,  harness  and  horseshoes, 
amounts to  ten  times  that  amount.

Philip  Hilber.

The  Correct  Tactics.

"You  pay  too  much  attention  to  your 
husband,  my  dear.  He  will  tire  of  you 
if  you  do. ”

"B ut  I  donlt  care  to  flirt  with  other 

men. ’ ’

"You  don’t  have  to.  Only  make  him 
it  pleases  you  to have  him  flirt 

think 
with  other  women."

Pa  Ought  to  Know.

Ethel—Why  does your  father  object  to 

Fred?

Marie—Pa  tried  to borrow  $10 of him.
"And  Fred  wouldn’t let him have it?"
"N o,  Fred  gave  it  to  him,  and  now 

pa  says  that  Fred  is a  fool. ’ ’

When  a  woman  tells  her  husband  that 
she  wants  to have a  plain  talk with him, 
it  means that  she  wants him  to  confess 
something.

V1NKEMULDER  COMPANY,  grand rapids.

56

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

in  carload 

Cleveland,  and  sold 
lots, 
making  three  grades  only:  cull,  com­
mon  and  uppers.  The  mills about  this 
time  commenced  sorting  and  shipping 
their  products  to  the  retail  dealer  direct 
by  rail.  In  1883,  about  80  per  cent,  was 
shipped  by  water;  to-day  at  Saginaw 
they  ship  about  60  per  cent,  by  ra il; 
Manistee  about  the  same,  while  Mus­
kegon  ships  by  rail  altogether,  making, 
perhaps,  twelve  grades  where  they  for­
merly  made  three. 
In  1887  there  were 
forty  mills  around  Muskegon  Lake,  cut­
ting  out  a  fortune  every 
twenty-four 
hours.  A  view  of  most  of these  mills 
could  be  had  at  one  time  from  the 
bluffs—a  sight  never before  equaled  in 
the  world.  A  fleet  of  lumber  boats  left 
this  port  every  day  of the season,  largely 
destined  for  Chicago.  A  lumber boat 
to day  would  create  passing  interest. 
There  are  four  mills  only  running  there

not  only  in  the  cities,  but  every  little 
crossroad  village  having  a  lumber  yard 
keeps a  full  stock  of  finish  flooring  and 
siding—even 
in  our  own  State  as  far 
north  as  Grand  Rapids,  Muskegon  and 
Saginaw.

White pine and  Norway  piece  stuff are 
being supplanted by hemlock.  Ten years 
ago  hemlock  was  very  little used.  There 
was  great  prejudice  against  it  on  the 
part  of  carpenters,  and  they  can  not  be 
blamed,  as  hemlock  slivers  are a  source 
of  wonder  and  have  done  much  to  in­
duce  the  use of  profane  language.  How­
ever,  the  lower  prices  of  hemlock  and 
competition  have  gradually  forced  it  to 
the  front,  until  to  day  most  yards  carry 
full  stocks  of  piece  stuff,  flooring,  barn 
siding  and  common  boards  for  roofing 
and  sheathing.  Yellow poplar  or  white- 
wood  from the  mountainous  states  of  the 
South  is  being  substituted  to  a  large  ex­

LUMBER  TRADE.

Marked  Decrease  in  the  Volume  of 

the  Business.

The  changes  in  the  lumber  business 
for  the  past  fifteen  years have  been  ex­
treme,  both  in  the  amount  of  the  output 
as  well  as  the  method  of  manufacture 
and  marketing  the  product;  also  in  the 
substitution  of  other  woods  for  building 
purposes  in  the  place  of  white  and  Nor­
way  pine.

In  the  State  of  Michigan  during  1882 
and  for  a  few  years  subsequent,  the  out­
put  reached  its  maximum.  The lumber 
manufactured  for building  purposes  was 
practically  all  white and  Norway  pine. 
This  timber,  growing  on  or tributary  to 
the  rivers  and  waterways,  was  put  in 
rapidly,  with  little  regard  paid  to  the 
small  timber  and  hemlock  which  was 
subsequently  culled  over  two  or  three 
times. 
It  is  interesting  to  note  the  fol­
lowing,  taken  from  the  records  of  the. 
Tittabawassee  Boom  Co.,  showing  how 
the  size  of 
logs  has  shrunk  on  that 
stream  during  the  past  thirty  years,  as 
follows:

1865  they  averaged  249 X  feet.
1875  they  averaged  166X  feet.
1885  they  averaged  115  feet.
1895  they  averaged  90  feet.
The  total  amount  manufactured 

in 
Michigan  during  1887  was  4,450,000.000 
feet,  while  during  1897  there  was  only
2.465.000.  000 
which  350,000,000  feet  was  hemlock 
and  a 
large  amount  hardwood.  The 
amount  manufactured  during  1897,  as 
stated  above,  was  increased  by  about
600.000. 
Shore  mills,  which  can  hardly  be  con­
sidered 
in  speaking  of  the  State  of 
Michigan  output.

feet  manufactured,  of 

000  feet  sawed, by the  Green  Bay 

The  Saginaw  Valley  mills’  largest  cut 
in  1882,  1,011,274,605  feet;  1897,

was 
339.000.  000  feet.

The  Muskegon  mills’  largest  cut  was 

in  1887,  665,000,000;  1897,  25,000,000.

The  Manistee  mills’  largest  cut  was 
in  1892,  300,000,000;  1897,  200,000,000.
The  decreased  cut  at  the  other  lake 
ports  and  mills  was  about  in  the  same 
proportion.

in 

Lumbering  prior  to  1880  was  prac­
tically  all  done 
the  wintertime, 
hauled  by  sleighs  on  snow  anywhere 
from  one  to  ten  miles  back  from  the 
railroads or  streams.  As  the  timber be­
came  exhausted  along  the  watercourses, 
logging  railroads  were  found  to be prac­
tical  and  were  put  in  where  there  were 
large  bodies  of  timber  back  in  the  in­
terior.  Thus  the  logs  were  brought  in 
from  ten  to  fifty  miles  and timber put  in 
that  years  ago  was  considered  almost 
worthless.  Mills  went  in  rapidly  also  at 
about  this  time  on  the  lumber  railroads, 
such  as  the  Michigan  Central,  F.  &  P. 
M..  G.  R.  &  I.,  C.  &  W.  M.  and  the 
D.  L.  &  N.  The  railroads also  caught 
onto  the  idea  of  hauling  logs  by  rail 
in 
order to get  the  freight  haul  when  man­
ufactured  It  would seem that everything 
about  this  time  combined  to  see  how 
fast  the timber  could  be  cut.  This  was 
further  stimulated  by  the  bourn  years  of 
1890,  ’91  and  ’92,  until  to-day  it  would 
seem  that  the  grand  result  has  been  ac­
complished.  Holders  of  pine  who  sur­
vived  the  panic  of  1873,  or  were  wise 
enough  to  acquire tracts of  pine byi88o, 
made  large  fortunes;  but  the  timber  is 
gone  and  we  who  are  now  left  prosecut­
ing  the  good  work  in  Michigan  have  to 
take  the  skimmed  milk,  well  watered  at 
that.  Most  of  the  lumber manufactured 
at  the 
lake  ports  prior  to  1883  was 
shipped  in  vessels  to  Chicago,  Milwau­
kee,  Toledo,  Buffalo,  Tonawanda  and

to-day,  the  largest  mill  getting  its  sup­
ply  of  pine  logs  from  the  north  part  of 
the  State  by  rail,  a  distance  of  200 
miles.  What  would  a  railroad  manager 
think  of hauling  logs  200 miles  in  order 
to  secure  the  freight  fifteen  years  ago 
and  have  to  build  sixty  miles  of  new 
line  to  get  the  timber at  that! 
It  would 
seem  that  under  these  circumstances 
pine  lumber  would  be  much  higher at 
the  present  time  than  during  (883  to 
1890,  but  values  have changed  very  lit­
tle.  Norway  stumpage  is  worth  much 
less.  Good  Norway  strips will  not  bring 
within  $5  per  thousand  at  the  retail 
yard  of  what  they  would  in  1888.  Nor­
way  car  sills  are  also  lower.  This  has 
been  brought  about  by  the  substitution 
of  yellow  pine  from  Arkansas,  the  Gulf 
States  and  the  Carolinas.  The  same  is 
true  of  white  pine  common  strips  for 
flooring.  Yellow  pine  is  used  to-day.

The  saws  used 

tent  for the  upper  grades  of  white  pine 
for  doors  and  blinds  and  finishing  lum­
ber.  These  grades  are about  the  same 
in  price  as  they  were  fifteen  years  ago.
in  the  mills  prior  to 
1883  were  mostly  circular,  making a  saw 
kerf  of  from  X   to  5-16  inch.  The  band 
mill,  making  a  kerf  of  only  1  16 of an 
inch,has been  perfected and in practical 
use  for  some  ten  years.  The  supply  of 
pine  in  Michigan,and  the  Lower  Penin­
sula  particularly,  is  almost  exhausted. 
Some  few  mills  in  Manistee  have a  sup­
ply of  from  four  to eight  years;  one  mill 
at  Muskegon  has  ten  years’  supply, 
getting  it  in  by  rail,  as  stated  before. 
The  others  saw  hemlock  only.  Saginaw 
and  Bay  City  mills  get  the  bulk  of  their 
supply  from  Canada,  towing  the  logs 
across  the  lake.  The  Alpena  district 
has  several  years’  supply.

There  are  no  mills  sawing  pine on  the

C.  &  W.  M.,  none  on  the  D.,  L.  &  N., 
only  one  or  two  on  the  F.  &  P.  M.,  a 
few  on  the  Michigan  Central  and  the 
Detroit  and  Mackinaw.  The  only  mills 
on the  G.  R.  &  I.  are at  Cadillac,  which 
have  perhaps  three  years’  supply.  The 
lumbermen  are  already  ac­
Cadillac 
quiring 
large  tracts  of  hardwood  and 
hemlock,  Cobbs &  Mitchell  and  Mitchell 
Bros,  having  each  purchased  about
30,000  acres,  while  the  Cummer  combi­
is  said  to  have  acquired  18,000 
nation 
acres.  Shore  mills  and 
interior  mills 
are  doing  the  same.  It  would  seem  that 
the  future  lumber  business  in  Michigan 
from  now  on  will be mostly hemlock  and 
the hardwoods.

W a l t e r   C.  W i n c h e s t e r .

The  Best  Pineapples  in  Cuba. 
*

C orrespon den ce  P ro v id e n ce  J o u rn a l. 

the 

Nowhere  on  the  globe  do  pineapples 
thrive  as  in  Eastern  Cuba,  where  the 
conditions  of  soil  and  climate  bring 
“ the  golden  apples  of  Hesperides’ ’  to 
absolute  perfection;  yet  the  pineapple 
industry  has  never  had  much  attention 
in  this  section.  Here  is another  chance 
for  the  enterprising Yankee.  A  tract  of 
unoccupied 
land,  extending  far as  one 
can  see,  may  be  bought  for  a  few  dol­
lars  and  turned 
into  a  fruit  farm,  the 
virgin  soil  of  unparalleled  richness  be­
ing  capable  of  producing  every  tropical 
growth.  Shipping  facilities  are already 
established  at  Baracoa  and several small 
ports,  and  if  the  land  touches  the  Yum- 
uri  or  some  other  river,  so  much  the 
better  for  its  owner.  Until  one  has  seen 
the golden  glory  of  a  pineapple  planta­
tion,  he  can  think  of  no  more  attractive 
sight  than  a  sugar-cane  field  glistening 
pale  yellow  under  the  torrid  sun  and 
billowing 
in  the  gentle  breeze  like  a 
wind-swept  sea.  But  even  more  fasci­
nating  is  a  field  of  pines,  each  great 
“ apple”   guarded  by  a  circle  of  glitter­
ing,  sharp-edged  bayonets. 
In  Florida 
the  pineapple  leaf  is  so  sharply  serrated 
that 
thought  of  getting  around 
among  them  suggests  a  field  of  torture. 
Evolution 
seems  to  have  progressed 
further  in  Cuba,  for  in  the  older and 
more  carefully  cultivated  plantations, 
the  saw  teeth  that  edge the long,  pointed 
leaves  have  mainly  disappeared.

Before  the  war  it  was  the  sight  of  a 
lifetime  to  go  out  to  Marianao,  a  suburb 
of  Havana,  and  there  drive  through  an 
estate  which  had  eighty  thousand  pine 
apple  plants  in  full  bearing.  Over 
in 
Nassau  they  call  the  pine  plantations 
“ groves”   and  “ orchards,”   as  if  they 
were  trees.  Whether  groves  or fields, 
the  plant  is  about  the  same,  producing 
one  of  the  most  luscious  and  popular 
fruits  known  to  man,  for  which  there  is 
constant  and  ample demand.  Like  most 
things  worth  having  in  this  troubled 
life,  the  golden  “ pines”   are  not  easy 
to  get at.  A  very short  stroll  among  the 
stinging  leaves  will  lead  you  to  sympa­
thize  with  the  New  Yorker  who,  after  a 
visit  to  Marianao,  said :  “ You  do  not 
mind  the  first  two  hundred  or  three hun­
dred  sticks  and  prods  from  the  needle 
points  of  the  bayonet  leaves  as  you cross 
a  field,  but after a  while  your  tortured 
cutis  can  endure  no  more,  and  your  re­
marks  about  the  pineapple  crop  are 
likely  to  be  prejudiced  by  present  sore­
ness.  How  much  nicer  it  would  be  if 
the  ‘ apples’  really  did  grow  in  orchards 
and  you  could  send  a  colored  boy up  the 
trees  to  shake  down  a  few  and  then 
could  sit  down 
in  the  shade  and  eat 
them. ’ ’
A  plant  produces  only  one  pine  at  a 
time.  The  fruit  thrusts 
itself  upward 
in  the  middle  of  a  mass  of  long,  nar­
row  and  sharp-arched  leaves  spreading 
forth  from  a  central  stalk,  precisely  like 
those  of 
the  Agave  Americana,  or 
“ century”   plant,  with  which  everybody 
is  familiar.  The  stem  is  perhaps  eigh­
teen  inches  to  two  feet  in  height.

The  same  plant produces  a  second  ap­
ple,  and  a  third,  and  so  on  through  sev­
eral  bearings,  after  which  a  new  plant 
must  be  started  from  the  “ slip.”   Noth­
ing 
is  easier  of  cultivation  or  requires 
less  capital  and  previous  experience, 
and  few  crops  bring  in  greater or  more 
certain  returns.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

5 7

Commercial Travelers

Michigan Knights of the Grip.

President, J o h n   A .  H o f f m a n ,  K alam azoo;  Secre­
tary, J   C.  S a u n d e r s ,  Lansing;  Treasurer, C h a s. 
Mc N o l t y , Jackson.
Michigan  Commercial  Travelers’  Association. 
P resident,  C.  C.  S n b d e k e r .  Detroit;  Secretary 

and Treasurer. C.  W .  A l l e n   Detroit.

United Commercial Travelers of Michigan.

Grand  Counselor, J. J.  By  a n s .  B ay C ity:  Grand 
Secretary,  G  S.  V a l m o r e , D etroit;  G raud T reas­
urer,  W .  S .  W e s t , Jackson.
Michigan Commercial Travelers’ Mutual  Acci­

dent Association.

President,  J.  B o y d   P a n t l in d ,  G rand  R apids; 
S ecretary an d  T reasurer,  G e o .  F.  O w e n ,  G raud 
Rapids.
Lake Superior Commercial Travelers’ Club. 
President,  W .  C.  B r o w n ,  M arquette;  Secretary 
and T reasurer,  A .  F .  W ix s o n ,  M arquette.

GOES  TO  SAGINAW.

Next  Annual  Convention  of  the  Michi­

gan  K.  o f  G.

The  fourth  regular  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Michigan 
Knights  of  the  Grip  was  held  at  the 
Hawkins  House,  Ypsilanti,  Saturday, 
Sept.  3.  The  Board  was  called  to order 
at  8  o’clock.  Present:  President  Hoff­
man.  Secretary  Saunders,  Treasurer 
McNolty,  Directors  Palmer,  Stevens. 
Converse,  Schram  and  Smith  The  res­
ignation  of  Director  Tyler,  on  account 
of  his  removal  to  Boston,  was  presented 
and  accepted.

The  President  appointed 

The  President,  on  recommendation  of 
Post  E  (Grand  Rapids),  appointed  L. 
M  Mills  to fill  the vacancy  on  the  Board 
of  Directors,  which  was  confirmed  by 
the  Board.
j.  W. 
Schram  member  of  Finance  Committee, 
in  place  of  F.  M  Tyler,  resigned,  and 
L.  M.  Mills  member  of  the  Printing 
Committee  in  place  of  J.  W.  Schram.
Proofs  of  the  death  of  A.  1  Colgrove, 
Edmeston,  N.  Y.,  and  J:  B.  Cushman, 
Greenville,  were presented,  audited,  and 
warrants  drawn  for  same.'

The following accounts were presented 

and  allowed  :
Ray Printing Co..............................................$  31  00
J. C. Saunders, salary last quarter.................  148  30
C.  F.  McNolty, salary last quarter...............  55  16
J. C.  Saunders, postage and  expense............  72  25
6 56
Jno.  A.  Hoffman, attendance on  Board 
5  55
J. C. Saunders, attendance on  Board.............  
C.  F.  McNolty, attendance on  Board..........  
2  59
L.  M.  Mills, attendance on  Board................. 
8  41
B.  D.  Palmer, attendance  on  Board.............  
6 08
E.  M. Converse, attendance on  Board.......... 
3  59
J.  W.  Schram, attendance  on  Board.............  
2  50
Chas.  H.  Smith, attendance on  Board..........  
6 35
Secretary  Saunders  reported  receipts 
in  the  general  fund  of  $52  for  i8q8  dues 
and  $48  for  twenty-four  new  members,  a 
total  of  $100.  The  receipts  of  the  death 
fund  were  $94  for  Assessment  No.  1  and 
$2,612  for  No.  2,  a  t  tal  of $2,706.  The 
report  was  accepted  and  adopted.

Treasurer  McNoltv  reported  the  con­

dition  of  the  death  fund  as  follows:

R E C E IP T S .

June 4, balance on hand  ............................. $1,489  59
July 9,  received from Secretary  ................. 
52  °o
July 26, received  from  Secretary....... 
1,000  00
Aug.  14, received from  Secretary............  1,400  00
Sept.  2, received from Secretary.................   254  00
$4»>95  59

Total, 
DISBURSEMENTS.

June 4, transferred to general fund............ $  600 00
July  11,  paid H.  F.  Empey  claim............. 
500  00
Sept.  2,  paid  Edwin Hudson claim.............  
500  00
500  00
Sept.  2,  paid  Wm.  Boughton  claim 
.... 
Sept.  2,  paid A.  H.  Bruen claim................. 
500  00
$2,600 00

Total, 

Balance on hand, 

$1,5,95 59
The  condition  of  the  general  fund was 

reported  as  follows:
June 3, balance on hand 
$101  27
June 3, returned from death fund.  ...............   600 00
Sept  2, received from  Secretary.....................  

..................  

68 60
$767 87

Total, 
DISBURSEMENTS.

June 4,  Secretary’s  s a l a r y ....................  
$100  30
June 4, Treasurer’s salary.....  ......................  65  12
June 4, Ray  Printing Co..................................  59  5°
June 4, expenses Board meeting....................  99  74
Î3S4 66
385  21
The  Secretary  was  instructed  to  rein­
state  all  delinquents  on  the  payment  of 
$3 and  certificate  of  health,  at any  time 
previous  to the  next  Board  meeting.

Balance on hand, 

Total, 

The  Treasurer  was  instructed  to  draw 
a  check  for $343  35  in  favor  of  Mrs.  H. 
J.  Maynard,  less  $6  for  the  expense  of 
printing  circular  letter to  members,  this 
amount  representing  the  sum  of  the  vol­
untary  contributions  sent  in by the mem­
bers  in  response  to  the invitation to con­
tribute  to  such  a  fund  embodied  in  a 
circular  letter accompanying Assessment 
No.  2.

The  employment  and  Relief  Commit­
tee  reported  having  secured  posit'ons 
for  three  members,  and  having  appli­
cations  from  two 
jobbing  houses  for 
salesmen,  and  having  temporarily  aided 
two  families  of  needy  members  by  vol­
untary  contributions.  The  teport  was 
accepted  and  a  vote  of  thanks  tendered 
Chairman  Starbuck  for  bis efficient work 
on  this  Committee.

The  invitation  of  Saginaw  Post  F  to 
hold  our  next  annual  convention  in  this 
city  was  accepted  by  a  rising  vote.

The  next  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Di­
rectors  will  be  held  at  Hotel  Vincent, 
Saginaw,  Saturday,  Nov.  26

Director  Mills,  in  behalf  of  the Grand 
Rapids  traveling  men,  extended  an 
in­
vitation  to  the  Board  of  Directors  to  at­
tend  their  annual  picnic  at  Reed's 
Lake,  Saturday  afternoon,  Sept.  10.

The  following  resolutions  were  offered 
by  Director  Palmer,  and  unanimously 
adopted:

Resolved—That 

Whereas—Brother  F.  M  Tyler,  of 
Grand  Rapids,  because  of  bis  change  of 
residence  and 
location  of  business, 
whereby  be  would  not  be  able  to  give 
attention  to  bis  duties  as  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Michigan 
Knights  of  the  Grip,  has tendered  his 
resignation  as a Director;  therefore be it
it  is  with  regret  that 
we  accept  the  resignation  of  Brother 
Tyler  as  a  member  of  the  Board,  as  we 
recognize  in  him  the  loss  from  the  di­
rectorship  of  a  member  whose  long  ex­
perience  and  perfect  familiarity  with 
the  purpose  and  needs  of  the  associa­
tion  render  his  counsels  of  the  highest 
value.  We  have  always  found  in  Mr 
Tyler  an  honorable,  faithful  citizen,  a 
loyal brother  traveler  and  a zealous,  con­
scientious  officer  and  member,  ever 
watchful  of  the  best  interests  of  the  as 
sociation  and  the  personal  welfare  of  its 
individual  members;  and  be  it  further
Resolved—That  we  extend  to  Brother 
Tyler  our  sincere  thanks  for the services 
rendered  the  association  and  the  uni­
form  courtesy  extended  by  him  to  its 
officers  and  members,and we assure  him 
of  our  earnest  wish  for  his  health,  hap 
piness  and  prosperity  in  bis  new  borne 
and  field  of  business  activity.

J.  C.  S a u n d e r s ,  Sec’y.

Gripsack  Brigade.

G.  H.  Doney,  the  Jackson  salesman, 
who  was  seriously  ill  at  the  Occidental 
Hotel,  Muskegon,  has  been  taken  to  his 
home  by  his  wife  and  the  attending 
physician.  During  his  stay  at  the  hotel 
he  was  under  the  care  of  Muskegon 
Lodge,  No.  32,  K.  P.

On  Friday  evening  Director  and  Mrs 
C.  L  Stevens,  of  Ypsilanti,  entertained 
the  Directors  of  the  Michigan  Knights 
of  the  Grip  with  a 6 o’clock  dinner  at 
their  residence.  The  following  guests 
were  present:  Messrs,  and  Mesdames 
Hoffman,  Palmer,  Schram  and  Smith, 
and  Messrs.  Saunders,  Converse  and 
Bassett.  On  Saturday  morning  the  visit­
ladies  were  driven  about  the  city 
ing 
and 
in  the  afternoon  were  entertained 
with  a  trolley  ride  to  Ann  Arbor  and  a 
visit  to  the  University.

Every  indication  points  to  a  large  at­
tendance  at  the  annual  picnic  of  Po  t  E 
(Grand  Rapids),  which  will  be  held  at 
Reed's  Lake  Saturday  afternoon  and 
evening.  No  special 
invitations  will 
be 
issued,  every  traveling  man  being 
expected  to  report  at  the  boat  dock  in 
front  of  the  pavilion  at  2130  o’clock,  ac­
companied  by  bis  wife —or  prospective 
wife—and  a  basket of refreshments.  The 
first  thing  on  the  programme  will  be  a 
ball  game at  Alger  Park,  followed  by  a 
varied  assortment  of  games  and  sports,

concluding  with  a  picnic  dinner  about 
6  o'clock  in  the  evening  on  board  one 
of  the  floating  palaces  which  navigate 
Reed’s  Lake.  All  the  committees  have 
met  and  resolved  to  prepare  the  best 
programme  of  events  ever  given  under 
the  auspices  of  the  organization.  Cbas. 
M.  Heald 
is  expected  to  be  present  to 
address  the  boys  on  the  subject  of  the 
train  gates  and  Geo.  E.  Bardeen,  the 
Otsego  paper  manufacturer  and  all­
round-good-fellow,  bas  promised  to  at­
tend  and  bring  bis  pet  animal 
in  a 
cage.

American  Artisan:  The  calling  of 
the  commercial  traveler  is  most  honor­
able  and 
it  would  be  an  impossibility 
to-day  to  do  the  commercial  business 
without  him.  Once  be  gains  your  con­
fidence  he  always  retains  it by honorable 
dealings.  No  one  factor  of  business  is 
closer  in  sympathy  or  bas  a  deeper  ear­
nestness 
in  the  welfare  of  the  retailer 
than  the  commercial  traveler.  He comes 
seeking  your  business  upon  honorable 
measures,  with  honorable  ambition,  and 
from  him  you  can  always  secure  equi­
table treatment. 
It will be a cold day for 
the business  world  if  competition  shall 
eventually  drive  him  out  and  suspend 
his  labors.  The  manufacturer  or whole­
saler  who  shall  try  to  dispense  with  his 
services  will  experience  long  waits  be­
tween  bis  going  and  the  orders  comine 
should  be or  they  essay  to  do  the  work 
without  him.  A  clean  cut  commercial 
traveler  controls  much  of  the  business 
be  canvasses  and,  should  he  for  reasons 
change  bouses,  much  of  the  business 
goes  with  him.

R E M O D E L E D   H O T E L   B U T L E R
I.  M.  B R O W N ,  PROP.

Rates, $1. 

Washington  Ave. and Kalamazoo St.,  LANSING.

Travelingmen 
W ear 
Good  Hats

We  sell  the  cele­
brated  Dunlap  and 
Stetson  Hats.

Gardiner &  Baxter,

55 Monroe Street, 
Grand  Rapids.

REED CITY SANITARIUM

REED  CITY,  MICHIGAN.

A. B.  S p i n n e y ,  M.  D.,  Prop’r.  E.  W.  Sp i n n e y , 
M.  I).,  Resident  Physician,  with  consulting  phy­
sicians  and  surgeons,  and  professional  nurses. 
The cheapest Sanitarium  in  the  world;  a  place for 
the  poor and  middle class.  Are you sick  and dis­
couraged?  We give one  month's  treatment  FREE  by 
mail.  Send  for question list,  prices and  journals.

$2  PER   DAY. 

THE CHARLESTON

FR E E   B U S .

Only first-class house in  MASON,  M i c h .  Every­
thing new.  Every room heated.  Large and  well- 
lighted sample rooms.  Send your mail care  of  the 
Charleston,  where the boys stop.  CH AR LES  A . 
CA LD W E L L, formerly of Donnellv  House.  Prop.

HOTEL WHITCOMB

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.

A.  VINCENT.  Prop.

MANY LUKES m STREA18

Delightful  Pastime.  Special  attention and rates for 
such parties.  Write to Mears  Hotel.

Wm  Cherry man.  Prop.

J^empis  &  Qallm eyer  Foundry  Qo.

MANUFACTURERS  OF  ALL  KINDS  OF

Iron,  Brass  and  Aluminum  Castings

“ Standard”

56  and  60  NORTH  FR O N T  ST.

GRAND   RAPIDS,  MICH.

MANUFACTURERS OF

The  Rempis’

PATENT

Oscillating

Sleigh
Knees

The “ Standard** has been in use eight win­
ters and has given good  satisfaction  to  the 
sleigh makers. 
It has found a ready sale in 
various parts of the country and the call for 
it  will  be  increasing  wherever  sleighs  are 
in use.

Our  “ Lumberman*'  knee  is  designed  and 
adapted  for  extra  heavy  logging  service, 
and  makes  the  stoutest  sleigh  for woods 
work.  The knee has a square socket  which 
fits between  two  blocks  and  rests  on  both 
the runner and blocks.  The  blocks  are 5M 
inches apart  and  3#  inches  wide,  any  de­
sired  length.  Four  inches  from  top  of 
runner to bottom of knee.

The  ** Lumberman”   Detached.

SALES  AGENTS

Baldwin, Tuthill & Bolton, Grand Rapids.  Mich.  Edwards & Chamberlain  Hardware Co., Kalamazoo, 
[Mich.

Suelflohn &  Seefeld,  Milwaukee, WIs. 

S. D.  Kimbark, Chicago, Dl. 

Morley Bros.,  East Saginaw,  Mich. 

Nicols &  Dean,  St.  Paul.  Minn.

Belknap Wagon Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Limback Sons & Co.,  Detroit, Mich.

0 8

Drugs—Chemicals

MICHIQAN  STATE  BOARD  OP  PHARMACY.

......Term expires

P.  W .  R.  P b b r y ,  D etroit 
A.  C.  S c h u m a c h e r .  A n n   A rbor 
Gbo. G u n d r u n ,  Ion ia  - 
L .  E.  R e y n o l d s ,  St.  Joseph 
H k h b y  H e im ,  Sagin aw   .
.

- 
.

- 

 

Dec. 31,1898
-  Dec. 31,1899 
D ec. 31,1900
-  Dec.  31,1901
Dec. 31,1902 

President,  G e o .  G d n d b b m ,  Ionia.
Secretary,  A. C.  Sc h u m a c h e r ,  A n n  Arbor. 
T reasurer,  H e n r y   H e im ,  Saginaw .
Examination  Sessions.

Lan sin g— Not.  1 and 2.

5TATB  PHARMACEUTICAL  ASSOCIATION.

President—J. J . So u r w in e,  E scanaba. 
S ecretary, C h a s.  F .  Man n,  D etroit.
T rea su rer  J o h n  D .  M u i r ,  G rand  R apids.

DRUG  TRADE.

How  the  Jobbing  Business  Has  Been 

Revolutionized.

No  other  line  of  merchandising  has 
undergone  such  radical  changes  in  the 
past  fifteen  years  as  the  drug  business 
and 
its  different  branches.  Each  suc­
jobber  realizes  that 
cessive  year  the 
“ dealer 
is  a  misnomer,  as 
he  should  be  called  a  distributor  of 
proprietary  articles.

in  drugs”  

At  the  date  of  the  first  number  of  the 
Michigan  Tradesman,  the  percentage 
of  drugs,  paints,  oils  and  sundries  sold 
was  about  65  per  cent,  of  the total sales; 
to-day  the  sale  of  proprietary  articles 
is  fully  75  per  cent. 
It  is  said  that  a 
new  patent  is  born  every  ten  minutes 
of  the  working  day,  but  only  one  in
5,000 
long  enough  to  be 
heard  of,  except  by  its  promoter,  and 
only  a  very  small  percentage  is  success­
ful,  although  fortunes  are  spent  in  ad­
vertising.

is  on  earth 

The  reasons  for the change in the class 
of  merchandise  handled  are  easily 
found.  From  drastic  doses  of  powdered 
and  crude  drugs,  given  pure  and  sim­
ple,  the  physician 
is  supplied  by  the 
manufacturing  chemist  more  concen­
trated  and  uniform  preparations  in  the 
form  of  fluid  extracts  and  pills,  and 
now  the  taDlet  triturate  is  in  demand, 
on  account  of  its  low  price and  com­
longer 
pressed  form.  The  jobber  no 
sells  the  drug—he  distributes 
for  a 
smaller  profit  the  finished  product  of  the 
chemist.  The  retail  druggist  who  for­
merly  sold  large  quantities  of  salts  and 
senna,  castor  oil,  cinchona  bark,  soap 
liniment  and  No.  6  for  family  admin­
istration 
is  now  selling  Smith’s  Pills, 
Jones’  Tasteless  Castor  Oil,  Brown’s 
Bitters,  Stevens’  Excelsior  Liniment 
and  Giant  Pain  Killer.  He  buys  few 
drugs  to  compound.  That  part  of bis 
business  has  gone  forever. 
In  the  pre­
scription  department  the  retailer  calls 
on  the  jobber  for  new  and  concentrated 
medicines,  nearly  all  of  which  are  pat­
ented  or  proprietary.

The  paint  and  oil  part  of  the  business 
of  fifteen  years  ago  has  slowly but surely 
gone to the  manufacturer.  Not  less  than 
fifteen  grinders  are  now  seeking  orders 
in  this  territory.  The  necessity of  plac­
ing  this  mixed  paint  and  competition 
themselves  have  brought  about 
among 
the  change.  The  drug 
jobber  is  no 
longer  asked  to  buy,  where  formerly  he 
carried  a  large  and  well-assorted  line. 
There  are  three  articles  in  this  line, 
however,  that  the  manufacturer  of  paint 
willingly  turned  over  to  the  drug  job­
ber-w hite  lead,  linseed  oil  and  turpen­
tine.  He 
is  generous  with  these,  as 
there  is  no  profit  to  be  made  in  selling 
them.

No  line  formerly  sold  so  exclusively 
by  the  druggist  has  been  so  widely  dis­
tributed  as  drug  sundries.  You  can 
now  buy  perfumes,  soap,  combs  and

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

The  Pharmacist  and  the  Community.
People  always admire  a  person  who  is 
awake  to  what  is  going  on  about  him. 
The  successful  pharmacist  must  neces­
sarily  be  awake  to  his  surroundings, 
for  no  pharmacist,  any  more  than  any 
other  man,  can  be  successful  without 
the  patronage  of  the  public.  He  must 
be  pleasant  and  affable to  all,  young  as 
well  as  old,  ever  ready  to  evince an  in­
terest 
in  their  welfare,  to  enquire  how 
they  are  getting  along  with  whatever 
each  may  be  engaged  in  doing. 
In  this 
way  the  pharmacist  will  gain  the  good 
will  of  the  individual.  Then,  having 
won  their confidence,  whenever anything 
is  brought  forward  for the  benefit  of  the 
community,  he,  being  a  man  of  educa­
tion  and  skill,  will  be  able to be of  very 
great  assistance  in  laying  the  plans  for 
any  movement  which  may  be under con­
sideration.
-  Indeed,  his  relation  to  the  public  is so 
close,  professionally,  that  he  can  hardly 
escape being  accessory  to  whatever  will 
inure  to  the  benefit  of  the  people  at 
large.  We  can  find  in  every  community 
those  who  are  ready  to  dash  cold  water 
on  any  project,  and  the  pharmacist  will 
have to take  bis  share,  but  that  will  be 
of  no  consequence  so 
long  as  he  has 
won  the  plaudits  of  the  masses  along 
with  the  resulting  benefit  to  himself.  So 
it  seems  he  should  be  interested,  so  far 
as  his  business  will  permit,  in  every 
legitimate  object  which  will  benefit  the 
community.

live 

A  man  should  endeavor to  be  all  that 
in  order to  reach  that 
he  can  be,  and 
for  himself 
climax  he  can  not 
alone. 
It  is  only  by  coming  in  contact 
with  others  that  we  can  develop  self, 
and  by  making  their  interests  our own, 
legitimately,  that  we  can  reach  our  full 
growth,  socially  and  intellectually.

The  pharmacist's  training  has  fitted 
him  to  be  a  leader  and  bis  profession 
gives  him  the  confidence  of  his  patrons, 
so  making 
it  easier  to  take  a  leading 
part  in  the  affairs  of  his  little  world. 
He  is  necessarily  obliged  to  be at  his 
place  of  business  a 
large  part  of  the 
time;  therefore,  if  he  has  something  to 
occupy  his  attention,  when  outside,  the 
effect  upon  his  entire  manner  of  living 
will  be  most  salutary. 
It  will  serve  in 
aiding  to keep  out  of  ruts  and  up  with 
the  times,  and,  on  returning,  business 
will  be  taken  up  with  much  more  pleas­
ure.

Thousands  live  and  die  and  are  for­
gotten.  Why?  Because  they  have  never 
spoken  a  word,  or  performed  an  act, 
that  can  be  recalled.  Their  light  went 
out  and  their  memory  vanished  as  does 
the  dew of  morning.  Shall  the  members 
of  our  noble  profession  be  numbered

among  these?  Shall  they  be  content  to 
open  their  places  of  business 
in  the 
morning  and  wait  for  the  customers  to 
come,  then  merely  dealing  out  whatever 
may  be  called  for,  thus,  in  a  measure, 
holding 
their 
neighbors?  Or  will  he  be  one  among 
the  people,  always  ready  to  do  some­
thing  for  their benefit  without expecting 
a  full  equivalent  in  return?  That  return 
will  surely  come,  for by  helping  others 
we  help  ourselves.

themselves  aloof  from 

The  pharmacist  has  it  in  his  power to 
do  good  in  his  community  and  so  rear 
a  monument  in  words  and  deeds  which 
shall  survive the  storm  of  time  and  his 
name be  honored  and  revered  for  years 
to  come.  Live  for  something  besides 
dealing  out  drugs  and  medicines  and 
your  good  deeds  will  be  bright as  the 
stars  of  heaven. 

A. W.  M e s e r v e .

JUUULILlUUUULiUUUUUULftiLiLlULllJ

You should always buy

PEEBMS 
FLAMING 
EXIBAGIS

because they are 
. the best.

Manufactured by

L.  Perrigo  Company

Allegan, Mich.

t ir in n m n n n n m ^

ALWAYS  A  WINNER!

$35  00  per  M.

H. VAN TONGEREN,  Holland, Mich.

rubber  goods  of  almost  any  dry  goods 
house  and  numerous  articles  are  sold  by 
grocers  and  stationers.  Retailers  for­
merly  bought  of  the  jobber  handsome 
lines of  comb  and  brush  sets,  toilet sets, 
etc.,  but  the  bazaar  stores,  with  goods 
of  “ Cheap  John”   manufacture,  made 
the  selling  of  better  qualities  unprofit­
able.

The department  of  wines  and 

liquors 
remains  as  of  old.  Jobbers  must  sell 
the  best  in  this  line,  as  they are handled 
only  for  medicinal  purposes.

What  has  the  jobber  doue  to  replace 
the  lines  that  have  passed  away  from 
him?  He  has  met  the  demand  for  phar­
maceuticals  by  increased  manufacture 
in  his  own  laboratory,  placing  in  the 
hands  of  his  customers  the  finished 
products,  competing  with  the  special 
manufacturer and  adding  to  his  profit.

The  handling  of  large  lines of  pro­
prietary  articles  is  in  itself  profitable, 
although  not  so  large  in  percentage  as 
the  handling  of  crude  drugs.

Cigar  departments  have  been  added 
and  the  sundry 
increased  with 
pipes,  pocket-books,  photographic  ma­
terials,  etc.

line 

Credits  have  been  more  closely looked 
after,  and  while  formerly  retailers  were 
allowed  to  pay  their  bills  when  they 
chose,  the  lines are  now  strictly  drawn 
to  60  days,  and  payments  are  more 
promptly  made,  a  large  percentage  of 
the  trade  taking  advantage  of  cash  dis­
counts.

The  necessities  of  the  Government 
imposed  a  tax  stamp  upon  proprietary 
articles  on  July  1  of  %  cent  for  every  5 
cents  up  to  25cents,  1 %  cents  up  to  50 
cents, 1 y% cents up to 75 cents, 2 yi cents up 
and  including  $1.  The  proprietors  all 
took  advantage  of  this  law  and  raised 
their  prices  much  over  the  a r t   of 
stamps— in  some  cases  three  and  one- 
half times.  The  retail  trade  in  cities 
already  burdened  with  cut-rate  prices, 
and  unable  to  advance,  are  selling  all 
the  staple  patent  medicines at  less  than 
cost. 
In  the  country,  where  full  prices 
are  maintained,  the  retailer  must  sac­
rifice  a  part  of  his  profit  and  pay.the 
stamp  tax.  Many  unfavorable  com­
ments  are  heard  on  the  action  of  pro­
prietors  placing 
their  medicines  so 
high,  some  dealers  going  so  far  as  to 
say  they  will  not  handle  them.  Others 
recommend  non-secret  preparations  and 
goods  of  their  own  compounding.  The 
per 
stamp  tax  amounts  to  about 
cent.,  while  the  average 
increase  of 
price  by  manufacturers 
is  over  6  per 
cent.,  and  the  retailer  pays  the  differ­
ence. 

H.  B.  F a i r c h i l d .

The  Drug  Market.

The  volume  of  business  is  very  large 
and  much  in  excess  of  last  year.  The 
large  fall  trade  is  very 
outlook  for  a 
flattering. 
There  are  no  changes  of 
importance  to  note.

Opium— Is steady at unchanged  prices. 
It  is  thought  in  New  York  that  larger 
buyers  are  keeping  the  price  down  and 
that  it  will  be higher  later on.

Morphine— Is  unchanged.
Quinine— Price  is  steady and  demand 

light

vanced  25c.

Ichthyol—The  price  has  been  ad­

Salol— Has  been  advanced  10c.
The  last  two  articles  have been  ad­

vanced  on  account  of  the  stamp  tax.

No  Bargain  Fiend.

Mr.  Parvenu— My  dear,  did  you  in­
tend  to  leave  them  prices on  them  pic­
tures  in  the  parlor?

Mrs. Parvenu—Yes,  I want  folks  to  see 

I  ain't  no  vulgar bargain  fiend.

This Showcase only $4 00 per foot.

W ith Beveled  Edge Plate Glass top $5.00 per foot.

MICHIGAN  TRAÜLSMAN

WHOLESALE  PRICE  CURRENT.

Advanced-
Declined—

A cldum

6@8
8
A cetlcu m .....................I
70® 75
Benzoicum ,  Germ an
15
Boracic.........................
J ®
28® 41
C arb o licu m ...............
48® 50
C ltrlc u m ....................  
4^@
5
H vd ro ch lo r.......
3©
8® 10
N itro c u m ...........
12® 14
O x a llc u m ...................  
13®
© 15
Phosphorlum ,  d ll..
on® 65
S a lic y lic u m ..............  
60®
5
Sulphuricum .............  
IX ®
IX ©
T a n n ic u m .................  1  26®  1  40
Tartarí cum ................. 
38® 
40
Ammonia
A qna, 16  d e g .............  
A qua, 20  d e g .............  
C arbones..................... 
C h lorid u m .................  
Aniline

4® 
6® 
19® 
12® 

6
8
14
14

B lack ....................  
...  2  00®  2  25
B r o w n ........................  
■ 80©  1  00
B e d .............................. 
45® 
50
T e llo w ........................   2  50®  3  00

13® 
6® 
25® 

15
8
30

52® 

58
®   2  75
50
55

45® 
50® 

18
12
18
30
20
12
12
12
15

26

24® 
11®

16®

Baccrn.
Cubesee............ po.  18 
J u n íp e ra s................... 
X an tn o xy lu m ............ 
Balsamum
C opaiba.......................  
Peru.............................. 
T erabin , C an ad a__  
T o lu ta n .,..................... 

Cortex

A bies,  C an ad ian —  
Cas B ise......................... 
C in ch on a F la v a .......  
E uonym us  atropurp 
M yrlca  C erífera, po. 
Prunus V irg in !.........  
Q u illala,  g r’d ...........  
S assafras........ po.  18 
U lm u s.. .po.  15,  g r’d 
Bxtractum
G lyCyrrhiza  G labra. 
G lycyrrh lza, p o . . 
-  
ilb  bo
H sm a to x, 15 
Hsematox, I s .
Hsematox, Ms 
Hsematox,  Ms

Petrs

C arbonate  P reclp . ■ .
C itrate and Q u in ia ..
C itrate Solu ble.........
Ferrocyanldum Sol.
Solut.  C h lo rid e ........
Sulphate,  com ’l ........
Sulphate,  com ’l,  by
bbl, per  c w t...........
Sulphate,  p u r e ........

Flora

A r n ic a ......................... 
A n th e m is................... 
M a tric a ria .................  

12®
18®
30®

Folia

28

25
30

20
10

23® 

18® 
25® 

12® 
8®  

Barosm a...................... 
C assia A c u tifo l, Tin-
n e v e lly ..................... 
Cassia A cu tifo l,A lx . 
S alvia officinalis, Ms
an d   M s..................... 
U ra U rsi......................
G um m l
© 65
A cacia,  1st p ick e d ..
© 45
A cacia,  2d  p ick e d ..
© 35
A cacia,  3d  p ic k e d ..
© 28
A cacia, sifte d   sorts.
60® 80
A oacia, po...................
12® 14
Aloe,  Barb. po.l8@20
© 12
A loe, C a p e __ po.  15
© 30
A loe. Socotrl. .po. 40
55® 60
A m m on iac.................
25® 28
A ssafcetld a. . . .  po.  30
50® 55
B e n zo in u m ...............
© 13
C atechu,  Is.................
© 14
C atech u, Ms...............
© 16
C atechu,  Ms...............
38© 42
C a m p h o r » ...............
@ 10
B uph orblu m ..po.  35
@  1  00
G afbanum ..................
65® 70
G am boge  p o .............
@ 30
G u aiacu m ....... po. 25
@  3  00
K in o ............. po. I3.u0
© 60
M a s tic ........................
© 40
M yrrh...............po.  45
O p ii.. .po. IS.20@5.40  3  90®  4  00
25® 35
S h e lla c........................
40® 45
Sh ellac, b le a c h e d ...
50® HO
T ragacan th   ...............
H erba

25
20
25
28
23
25
39
22
25

55® 60
20® 22
20® 25
35® 36

A bsinthium ..oz.  pkg
Eupatorium  .oz.  pkg
L o b elia..........oz.  pkg
M ajoru m __ oz.  pkg
M entha P lp ..oz.  pkg
M entha V ir..o z.  pkg
R u e .................oz. p k g
T an acetum V  oz.  p k g
T hym us,  V ..o z .  pkg
riagnesia.
C alcin ed , P a t ............
Carbonate, P a t.........
Carbonate, K.  &   M..
Carbonate, Jen n in gs
Oleum

A bsin th iu m ..................3
Amygdalae, D u lc .... 
A m yg d ale, A m a r e .  8
A n ls i..............................2
A u tan  ti  C o rte x ........2
B ergam i!....................... 3
C a jip u tl.......................
C a ry o p h y lll...............
C ed ar............................
Chenopad li.................
Cinnam oni!................  1
C'tronella...............

1 SO

4 50

50® 

35® 

Conlnm   M ac............. 
50
C op aiba.......................  1  15®  1  25
C u b e b e .......................  
SO®  1  00
E x e c h th ito s .............   1  00®  1  10
E rig e ro n .....................  1  00®   1  10
G a u lth e rla .................  1  50®  1  60
Geranium ,  o u n c e ...  ®  
75
Gos8lppii,Sem . g a l.. 
60
H edeom a....................   1  on®  1  10
Ju n ip ers.....................   1  50®  2  00
L a v e n d u la ..................   go®  2  00
L im on is......................   1  30® 
M entha  P ip e r...........   1  60® 2  20
M entha V e r ld ...........   1  50® 1  60
M orrhue,  g a l...........   1  10® 1  25
M yrcia,........................  4  00® 
O liv e ............................  
75®  3  00
12
10® 
P icis  L iq u id a ...........  
@ 
35
P lcls Liquida, g a l. ..  
B lc l n a ........................  
9.®  1  10
R osm arini................... 
® 1 0 0
R o se,  o u n c e .............  6  50®  8  50
40® 
S u c d n l......................  
45
S a b in a ...................... 
90®  1  00
S an ta l............................ 2  50® 
7 00
S assafras....................  
56® 
60
Slnapis, ess.,  ounce. 
65
® 
T lg lfi............................  1  70®  1  80
T h y m e ........................  
50
Thym e,  o p t...............  
@  1  60
T h eo b ro m a s............. 
20
P otassium
18
Bl-Carb........................ 
Bichrom ate 
............. 
15
Brom ide......................  
55
C arb............................ 
15
18
C hlorate..po. 17®19c 
C y an id e......................  
40
Iod id e..........................   2  60®  2  65
30
Potassa,  Bitart, pure 
15
Potassa,  B itart,  com  
Potass N itras, o p t... 
12
Potass N itras.............  
1
25
Prassi a te ....................  
Sulphate  p o .............  
18

15® 
13® 
50® 
12® 
16® 
35® 

28® 
® 
10® 
10® 
2U@ 
15® 

40® 

15® 

Radix

20® 
22® 
io@ 
@ 
20® 
12® 
16® 
@ 
® 

25
A c o n itv m ..................  
25
A l t h e .......................... 
A n c h u s a ....................  
12
25
A ram  p o.....................  
40
C a la m u s ....................  
15
G en tian a......... po  15 
18
G ly c h rrh lz a ... pv.  15 
60
H ydrastis C a n a d e n . 
65 
H ydrastis Can., p o .. 
18®  20
H elleb ore,A lb a,p o.. 
In ula, p o ....................  
15® 
20
Ipecac,  p o ...................  2  80®  3  on
40
Iris p lo x —  po35®38 
35® 
Jalapa,  p r................... 
30
25® 
M aranta,  M s............. 
35
@ 
22® 
Podophyllum , p o.. .. 
25
75®  1  00
R h e i ............................ 
®   1  25
R h el, c u t..................... 
R hei, p v ......................  
75®  1  35
S p igelia....................... 
38
35®  
18
® 
Sanguinaria,  .po.  15 
Serpentari a ............... 
35
30® 
S e n e g a ........................ 
40® 
45
Slm ilax,officin alis H  @ 4 0
Sm ilax,  M................... 
S o lile ................po.35 
Sym plocarpus, Fceti-
dus,  p o....................  
V alerian a, Eng.po. 30 
V alerian a,  Germ an. 
Zingiber a ................... 
Z in g ib e r ]..................  

@ 
@  
15® 
12® 
25® 

26
25
20
16
27

@ 
10® 

25
12

Sem en

@ 
13® 
4®  
10® 

A n lsu m ........... po.  15 
12
15
A pium   (gravefeons) 
Bird,  Is........................  
6
C a r o l................po.  18 
12
Cardam on...................  1  25®  1  75
C oriandram ............... 
8® 
10
C annabis  S a tiv a __  
4®  4M
C vdonium ..................  
75®  1  00
C n e n o p o d iu m .........  
10® 
12
D ip te n x   O d orate...  1  80®  1  90
F cen lcu lu m ............... 
10
F e n u g re e k , p o .........  
9
L i n t ..............................  3M@  4M
4®  4M
L in i,  g r d ....b b l.  3M 
L o b e lia ........... ..........  
35® 
40
4®  4M
P h arlaris  C anarian. 
R a p a ............................  4M® 
5
Sinapis A lb u ............. 
10
9® 
Slnapis  N ig ra...........  
11® 
12
Spirito«

@ 
7® 

F rum en ti,  W.  D. Co.  2  00®  2  50
F rum enti,  D.  F.  R . .  2  00©  2  25
F r u m e n ti........................... 1  25®  1 50
Jun iperls  Co.  O.  T ..  1  65®  2  00
Jun ip eris C o .............   1  75®  3  50
Saacharum   N.  E __   1  90®  2  10
Spt.  V in i  G a lli.........   1  75®  6  50
V in i O porto.....................  1  25®  2 00
V in i  A lb a ........................   1  25®  2 00

c a rr ia g e ...................  2  50®  2  75

Sponges 
F lo rid a sheeps’ wool

Nassau sheeps  w ool
carriag e ................... 
V elvet e x tra  sheeps’
w ool, carriage.......  
E x tra  yello w  sheeps’
w oof,  carriage__  
Grass  sheeps’  wool,
ca rr ia g e ................... 
Hard, for slate u s e .. 
T ello w   R e e f ,   fo r 
slate  u se ................. 
S y ru p s
A c a c ia ........................ 
A u ran ti C ortes.........  
Z in g ib e r.....................  
Ip ecac. 
F erri Io d ..................... 
R h e iA r o m ................. 
S m ilax O fficinalis... 
S e n e g a ........................ 
S d lU s.............. 

. 

 

 

@  2  00

@  1  25

@   1  00

@  1  00
@ 
75

@   1  40

@ 
@ 
@ 
@  
@  
@ 
50® 
@  
•  

50
50
50
60
50
50
60
60
*°

ScillseC o  ................... 
T o lu ta n ......................  
Prunus v lr g ............... 
T in ctu res
A conitum  N apellis R 
A con itum  N a p e llisF  
A lo e s............................ 
A loes and  M yrrh__  
A r n ic a ........................  
A ss a fc e tld a ............... 
A trope  B ellad on n a. 
A u ran ti  C o rtex .......  
B en zoin . 
60
B enzoin C o................. 
B a ro sm a ..................... 
Cantharide8 ................ 
C a p sicu m ................ 
C ard am on............  
Cardam on  C o ............ 
C astor..........................  
C atech u ......................  
C in ch on a.____ : . . . .  
C in chon a C o ............. 
Colum ba 
...............  
C ubeba........................  
C assia  A c u tifo l.......  
C ’ s s r   « c u tifo lC o   . 
u .g l  «1.8 
E r g o t...........................  
F errl C h lorid u  » 
. 
G e n tia n ......................  
G entian C o ............... 
G u ia c a ....................... 
G uiacaam m o n .........  
H yo8cyam us.............  
Iod in e..........................  
Iodine, co lo rless__  
K in o.............................. 
L o b e lia ...................... 
M yrrh........................... 
N u x   V o m ic a ............. 
O p ii..............................  
Opii, cam phorated. 
Opii,  d e o d o rize d .... 
Q u a ssia ......................  
R h atan y......................  
R h ei.............................. 
S a n g u in a r la ............. 
S e rp en taria............... 
S tram on iu m ............. 
T olutan .......................  
V a le r ia n ....................  
V eratram  V e r id e . ..  
Z in giber...................... 

.. 

. 

@ 
@  
@  

so
50
50

60
50
60
60
50
50
60
50

50
50
75
50
75
75
1  00
50
50
60
50
50
50
50
50
50
35
50
60
50
60
50
75
75
50
50
50
50
75
50
I  50
50
50
so
50
so
60
60
50
50
20

n tscellan eou s

9
10
12
75
15

20® 
25® 
22® 

35
38
3
4
50
5
50
35
15
50
12
40

50® 
40® 
© 
©  
© 
©  
60® 

@  
® 
@ 
@ 
@ 
@ 1 5
®  
12® 

30® 
iE  the r,  Spts.  Nit. 3 F  
d ith e r, Spts.  Nit. 4 F  
?-@ 
A lu m e n ......................   2M Ö 
3® 
Alum en, gro’d .. po. 7 
A n n a t t o ....................  
40® 
A ntim oni,  p o ...........  
4® 
40® 
Antim oni et P otassT 
A n tlp y rin ................. 
@  
A n tifeb rln  
@  
.............  
@ 
A rgent! N itras, oz  .. 
A rsenicum .................  
10® 
Balm  G ilead  B ud  .. 
38® 
Bism uth  S.  N ........... 1  40®  1  50
C alcium  Chlor.,  is .. 
C alcium  Chlor.,  Ms. 
C alcium  Chlor.,  Ms. 
Cantharldes,  Rus.po 
Capsici  Fructus. a f . 
Capsicl F ructus,  po. 
15
C apsici F ractu sB .p o 
14
C aryqphyllus..po.  15 
Carm ine, No. 40.......  
®  3  00
55
Cera A lb a ................... 
42
C era  F la v a ................. 
C o c c u s ........................ 
40
33
Cassia F ru c tu s .........  
C entraria....................  
10
45
C etaceum .................... 
63
C hloroform ................ 
C hloroform , sqnibbs 
@  1  15
C hloral H yd C rst__   1  £5®  1  90
25
C hondrus...................  
C inchonidine,P .&  W 
35
C inchonldine, Germ  
30
C o c a in e ......................  3 30®  3  50
70
Corks, list, d ls.p r.ct 
Creosotum .................  
35
C reta............... bbl. 75 
Creta, p r e p ............... 
Creta, p recip ............. 
Creta, R u b ra............. 
C ro c u s ........................ 
C u d b e a r ....................  
C upri S ulp h ............... 
D extrine.....................  
E th er Sulph............... 
Em ery, all  num bers 
Em ery, p o ................... 
E rgota............ po. 40 
F lak e  W h ite ............. 
15
23
G alla............................. 
Gam bler.  ................... 
9
60
G elatin , C ooper.......  
60
G elatin, F re n c h ........ 
70
G lassw are, flint, box 
Less  th an   b o x __  
60
G lue,  b row n ............. 
12
25
G lue,  w h ite ............... 
G ly c e rln a ................... 
20
15
G ran a  Paradis!  __  
55
H um ulus....................  
@  85 
H ydraag C h lor  M ite 
75
@  
H ydraag C h lor  C or. 
@ 
95
H ydraag O x R ub’m . 
@  1  10 
H ydraag Am m oniatl 
55
45® 
H ydraagU nguentum  
70
@  
H yd rargyrum .. . . . . .  
65® 
75
Ich th yobolla, A m ... 
Indigo..........................  
75®  1  00
Iodine, R esu b i.........   3  60®  3  70
©  4  20
Iod oform .................... 
@ 2 2 5
L u p u lin ....................... 
L y co p o d iu m .............  
45
M acis 
75
L iquor  Arsen et Hy-
drarg Io d ................  
LiquorP otassA rsln lt 
M agnesia,  S u lp h .... 
M agnesia, Sulph,bbl 
M annla, S.  F .............  
Ifnntlm l 
.......... 

@  
@  2
@ 
9® 
@  
18® 
©  
5® 
10® 
75® 
@  
@ 

25
@  
12
10® 
2© 
8
©  1M
60
©   t   75

9® 
13® 
15® 
@  
25® 

5
11
8
20
24
6
12
90
8
6

12® 
® 
8® 
@  
35® 

...............  

40© 
65® 

30® 

50© 

35

M orphia, S .P .4 W ... 
M orphia,  S.N .Y .Q .&

C.  C o .................
M oschus Canton 
M yristica,  No.  1. 
N u x V o m ic a .. .po.20
Os  S ep ia....................
Pepsin  Saac, H.  A  P.

D T C o .................

P icis L iq .N .N .M gal

doz.....................
P icis Liq., quarts 
P ic is L iq., pints.
P il H y d rarg ...p o .  80 
P ip er N ig ra ...p o .  22
Piper A lb a __ po.  35
P ilx   B nrgun  ...........
P lum bi  A c e t.............
Pul vis Ipecac et Opii 
P yrethram , boxes H. 
& P.  D.  Co., d o z ...
P yrethram ,  p v .........
Quassise......................
Q uinia, S.  P.  & W .. 
Q uinia,  S. G erm an ..
Q uinia, N .Y ...............
R ubia T in c to r a m ... 
Saccharum Lactis  pv
S alacin ........................
Sanguis D ra co n is...
Sapo,  W ......................
Sapo,  M........................
Sapo,  G ........................
Siedlltz  M ixture  ...

2  55®  2  80

2  45®  2  70
@  
40
65®  80
@  10 
15® 
18
@  1 00
@ 2 00 
@ 1 00 
@   85
@ 
50
@ 
18 @  30
7
@  
10®  
12 
1  10®  1 20
@  1  25 
25® 
30
8®  
10 
31
29® 
32
22® 
34
29® 
14
12® 
20
18® 
3  00®  3  10
50
14
12
15
20  @  22

40® 
12® 
10®  
@  

S ln apis.............................  
Slnapis,  o p t.................... 
Snuff,  M accaboy, De

@ 18
@ 30

V o es............................... 

@ 34
@  34
Snuff,Sco tch .D eV o’s 
Soda B oras.........  
11
9  @ 
11
Soda Boras, p o .........   9  © 
26® 28
Soda et Potass T art. 
2
1M@ 
Soda,  C arb ................. 
Soda,  B i-C arb ...........  
5
3® 
4
Soda,  A sh ...................  3M@ 
Soda, Sulp h as...........  
@ 
2
Spts.  Cologne............. 
@   2  60
55
Spts.  E th er  C o .........  
®  9 00
Spt  M yrcia D o m ... 
@  2 52
Spts.  V fn i  Beet, b b l. 
@  2 57
Spts.  V in i Rect.M bbl 
@ 2   60 
Spts.  V in i Rect. lOgal 
Spts.  V in i Rect.  5gal 
@  2  62

50® 

Less 5c gal.  cash  10 days. 

Strychnia, C rysta l...  1  40®  1  45
Sulphur,  S u b l...........   2X@  4
Sulphur,  R o ll.........  
2}i@3M
8®  10
T am arin d s..................... 
30
Terehenth  V e n ic e ... 
T h e o b ro m s ............... 
48
V a n illa ......................   9  00@16 00
Z in d   S u lp h ................... 
7®  8

28® 
46® 

59

Linseed, pure  r a w .. 
Linseed,  Dolled  __  
Neatsfoot, w in ter str 
Spirits T urp en tin e.. 

35 
36 
65 
34 

38
39
70
40

Paints  BBL. 

Red  V e n e tia n ...........
Ochre, yello w   Mars. 
Ochre, yello w   B er.. 
P utty, com m ercia l.. 
Putty, strictly  pure. 
V erm ilion,  P r i m e
A m erican ................
V erm ilion,  E n glish .
Green, P a r is .............
G reen,  P en in sular..
Lead, R e d ...................
Lead, w h ite .............
W hiting, w h ite Span 
W hiting,  gild ers’ ... 
W hite,  Paris A m e r.. 
W hiting, Paris  Eng.
c l i f f ..........................

U niversal  P rep ared .  1

LB
1M  2  @3 
1M  2  @4 
1M  2  @3 
2M  2M@3 
2M  2M@3
13®
15 
70®
75 
22
18M@
13®
16 
5X@
6M
;©  6m .
@ 
70
@ 
10 
@  1  00
®  1  40 
00®  1  15

Varnishes

Oils

W hale, w in ter........... 
Lard,  e x tr a ...............  
Lard,  No.  1 ................. 

BBL.  SAL.
70
60
45

70 
50 
40 

No.  1  T urp  Coach
E xtra  T u rp .........
Coach B o d y ..........
No.  1  T urp  F u ra . 
E xtra T urk Dam ar
J ap . Dryer,N o. lT u rp  

1  10®  1  29
1  60®  1  70
2  75®  3  00 
1  00®  1  10 
1  55®  1  60
75

70® 

/ »  

O)o[0 yoiO y o  (O Vofo 5)0/0 y 014

POCKET  BOOKS

AND

PURSES

We shall  sample in  a  few  days  a  large 

and well  assorted line of

Ladies’  Pocket  Books 

Ladies*  Purses 

Gentlemen’s  Pocket  Books 

Gentlemen’s  Purses

And invite your inspection  and order.

Hazeltine  &  Perkins 

Drug  Co.

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH.

60

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

GROCERY PRICE CURRENT.

The  prices  quoted  in  this  list  are  for the trade only,  in such quantities as are usually purchased  by retail 
dealers.  They are prepared just before going to press and are an accurate index of the local  market. 
It is im­
possible to  give quotations suitable for all  conditions of purchase,  and those below are given as representing av­
erage prices  for average conditions of purchase.  Cash buyers or those of strong credit usually buy closer  than 
those  who  have  poor  credit.  Subscribers are earnestly requested to point out any errors or omissions, as it is 
our aim to make this feature of the greatest possible use to dealers. 

____ __________

' 

A X L E   O R B A SB .

A u ro ra ..............................56 
Castor O il........................00 
D iam on d ..........................50 
F razer’s ...........................75 
IXL. G olden, tin  boxes 75 
ftlca , tin  b o xe s..............75 
P aragon ........................... 56 

doz.  gross
8  00
700
4  00
9  00
9  00
9  00
6  00

BAK1NQ  POWDER.
*   ’ b cans d o z ....................... 
Id cans d o z ....................... 
lb  can   d o z .......................t  50

A bsolu te.

45
86

A c m .

U  lb  cans 3 d o s....................  
46
S   lb  cans 8 doz..................... 
75
I 
lb  can s 1 doz...................   1  00
B u lk ...........................................  W
6 oz.  Eng. T um b lers.............  
85
u  lb  can s per d o z ...............  
75
%  lb  can s per d o z ..............  1  20
I 
lb  can s per d o z ............... 8  00

E l P u r ity .

A rc tic .

Home.

W lb  can s 4 doz c a s e .........  
i t  lb can s 4 doz c a s e .........  
lb  cans 2 doz case  ........ 

35
56
90

u  lb  cans, 4 doz c a se........ 
45
lb  cans, 4 doz c a se.........  
85
lb  cans. 2 doz case ..........1  60

J e rse y  C ream .

1 lb .  cans, per d o z ................   2  00
9 oz. cans,  per d o z................  1  25
6 oz.  cans, per d o z ................  %

O ar L eader.

v   lb  cans................................ 
H  lb  can s...............................  
I 

46
75
lb  cans................................  1  50

Peerless.

C LO T H E S LIN E S.

Cotton, 40 ft , per  d o s ............. 1 00
Cotton, 50 ft, per  d o s ..............1 20
Cotton, 60 ft,  per  d o s ............. 1 40
C otton, 70 ft, p er  d o z ..............1 60
Cotton, 80 ft.  per  d o s ..............1 80
Jnte, 60 ft.  per  d o s................  80
Jnte. 7* ft.  tm>’   i n i . , ..............  96

COCO A 5 H B L L S .
201b  b a g s ............................  
Less  q u a n tity ..................... 
Pound  p ack a g e s...............  
C R B  A n   T A R T A R .

2 *
3
4

5 an d  10 lb . w ooden boxes. .30-35

COFFEE.

G reen .

R le .

F a i r ................................................... *
G o o d ................................................W
P r im e .............................................. 11
G olden  .......................................... 12
Peaberry  .......................................13

S an to s.

F a ir  ................................................J*
G ood 
J?
P r im e .............................................
Peaberry  .......................................1»

................... 

M exican   and  G n atam ala.

F a ir   ................................................1|
..............................................I®
Good 
F a n cy  
.......................................... 1 '

M aracaibo.

P r im e ..............................................J®
M illed ................................ , ..........20

J a v a .

I n te r io r .......................................... 1®
P rivate  G row th ........................... 20
M an d eh lin g...................................21

I m ita tio n ...................................... *0
A rab ian   ........................................ 22

M ocka.

ReaM ed.

1 lb . can s  ..............................  

85

Q ueen F lake.

5 oz., 6 doz. c a s e .........................   2 70
6 oz., 4 doz. case  .................... 3  20
9 oz., 4 doz.  c a se ............................4 80
1 lb ., 2 doz.  c a se ............................4 00
5 lb ., 1 doz.  c a se ............................9 00

B A TH   B R IC K .

A m e ric a n ......................................70
E n glish ............................................80

C la rk  J e w e ll-W e lls Co.’s B rand s
F ifth   A ve n u e ..........................»
J ew ell’ s A rab ian  M o c h a ... .29 
W ells’ M ocha an d   J a v a .....2 4
W ells’  P erfectio n   J a v a ....... 24
S an ca ib o ...................................21
B rea k fa st  B le n d ...................  ¡8
V a lle y  C ity  M aracaibo .........18H
Id eal  B le n d ............................. 14
Lead er  B le n d ................. .........»

BLUING.

P a ck a g e .

fo r 

fre ig h t 

B elow   are  g iv en   N ew   Y o rk  
prices  on  package  coffees,  to 
th e  w h olesale  d ealer 
w h ich  
adds  th e  lo cal 
from  
N ew   Y o rk   to  yo u r  shipping 
point, g iv in g  you cred it  on  th e 
in voice 
th e  am ount  o f 
fre ig h t  b uyer  pays  from   the 
m arket  in   w h ich   h e  purchases 
to h is sh ip pin g point, in clu d in g  
w eigh t  or  package,  also \ c   a 
pound. 
In  60 lb.  cases th e list 
Is  10c  per  100  lbs.  above  the 
price in  fu ll cases.
A r b u c k le ............................  
J e rse y .................................... 
riH  ..u gtalln ’ s  X X V X  

10  50
1® 50
M cL au gh lin ’s  X X X X   sold  to 
retailers  on ly.  M ail  a ll  orders 
!  direct  to  W.  F .  M cLaughlin   & 
Co., C hicago.

E x tra c t.

V a lle y  C ity  K  g r o s s .......  
F e lix   ft  g ro ss..................... 
H um m el’s fo il  H g ro ss. ..  
H um m el’s tin  vt  grass 

C LO T H E S  PINS.

7b
i  lb
85
i  4?

 

 

40

5 gross boxes  . 

CONDENSED  MILK.
4 doz in  case.
G all Borden  E a g le .............6  75
C r o w n ........................................ 6  25
D a is y .......................................... 5  75
C h a m p io n .................................4  60
M agnolia 
4  25
C h allen g e.................. 
3  35
Dim e 
........................................*  *5

..........................  

 

COUPON  BOOKS.

T rad esm an  G rade.

50 books, an y d en om —   1  50
100 books, an y d en om __   2  50
500 books, an y d en om . . . .  11  50
1.000 books, an y den om — 20  00

Econom ic  G rade.

50 books, an y den om __   1  50
100 books, an y d en om —   2  50 
500 books  an y d en om __II  50
1.000 books,  any  d en om . ..   20  00

S uperior G rade.

6 l u x i 4 ( j

Sm all, 3 d o z ............................ 
Large, 2 d o z ............................ 

40
75

B R O O n S .

S o.  1 C arp et...........................   1 90
No. 2 Carpet............................  1 75
No. 3 Carpet............................  1 50
No. 4 C arp e t...........................  1 15
Parlor G e m ..................................  2 00
Common W h isk ..................... 
F an cy W h isk .. 
...................  
W arehouse......................................2 25

70
80

95 
1  15 
1  20
1  45 
.1  75
2  00 
1  25

C A N D L B S.

8s................................................. 7
16s................................................. 8
P araffine......................... .
.20
W ick in g ................................
CANNED  GOODS, 
rian ltow oc  P eas.
L akesid e M arrow fat........
L akesid e B .  J ....................
L akeside, Cham . o f B n g .... 
L akeside. Gem . E x .  Sifted. 
E x tra  S ifted  E arly J u n e ... 

C A T S U P .

p in ts...............

Colum bia, 
C olum bia,  W p in ts

a ,  H p in ts __
C H E E S E
A c m e ..........................
© 10
© 10
A m b o y ......................
B u tte rn u t...................
© 10
C arson C it v ...............
© 10
E m blem ......................
@
G em ..............................
© 10V4
I d e a l............................
© 9 *
Jersey  ........................
© 10
© 8
L e n a w e e ....................
© 10
R iverside....................
S p a r t a .........................
©
S p rin g d ale.................
©
B r ic k ...........................
© 11
© 70
E d am ...........................
© 17
L e id e n .........................
L im b u rg e r.................
© 12
P in eapple....................50 © 85
© 17
Sap  S ag o .....................
5
7

U n iv ersal G rade.

1,000 

50 books, an y d e n o m ....  1  50 
100 books,  an y d en om . . . .   2  60
500 books, an y denom __ 11  50
books,  an y d en o m _20  00
C red it C h eck s.

500, an y one denom ’n ........8  00
1000, an y on e denom ’n ........5  00
2000, a n y  on e denom ’n ........8  00
Steel  p u n c h ............................  
75
DR IBD  FR U IT S—D O n B S T IC  

A pples.

S n n d rle d .............................  0   5
E vaporated 50 lb   boxes.  O   8 

C aliforn ia  P r a tts.

A p rico ts.......................... 
d 8 tt
B lackberries..................
N e cta rin e s...................  
O
P eaches..............................6H©
P e a rs................................ 8  O   7H
P itted C herries.............
P rn n n elles.....................
Raspberries....................

C aliforn ia  P ra n e s.

100-120 25 lb  boxes...........   O
90-100 25 lb  boxes...........   0   5
80-9025 lb  b oxes...........   O
70 - 80 25 lb  boxes...........   O
60-70 25 lb  b oxes...........   O   6%C
50-60 25 lb  b oxe s...........   O   6 *
40-50 25 lb  b o x e s...........   0   9
30-40 25 lb  b oxes...........   O
u   cen t le ss in 50 lb  cases 

R a isin s.

London L ayers 3 Crown. 
London La yers 4 Crow n. 
Ttaheslas ..••••••••••••••
Loose M uscatels 2 C row n 
Loose M nscatels 3 C row n 
Loose M uscatels 4 C row n 

1  45 
1  55

3*«55X

FOREIGN .
C u rra n ts.

P atras b b ls..............................© 7 H
V ostlzzas 50 lb  c ase s........... © 7H
C lean ed , b n l k ..................... ©  8M
C lean ed , p ack a g es...............©  81£

P e e l.

C itron A m erican 10 lb   b x   ©13 
Lem on A m erican  101b b x   ©12 
O range A m erican 101b b x   ©12 

R aisin s.

O ndura 28 ib b o x e s .... .8  ©  8H 
Sultana  t  C ro w n ..
© 7H
Sultan a  2 f» o w n   .
S ultan a  ? C ro w n ..
Sultana  4 C ro w n ..
«5
SnltATifl  R fr o w n
Sultana 6 C r o w n ...........   ©12
S n ltan a p a ck a g e ...........   ®*4
F A R I N A C E O U S   O O O D S .

24 1  lb.  p ack a g es................T50
B n lk , per 100  lb s ................3  50

W alsh-D eR oo  C o.’s Brand.

F arin a.

O rtts.

24 2 lb.  p ackages......................1 80
100 lb.  k e g s ................................2 70
2001b. b arre ls...........................5 10

B arrels  .................................. 2  50
F la k e, 50 lb.  d ra m s ............ 1  00

H om iny.

B ean s.

D ried L i m a .........................  
M edium  H and  P ic k e d __

M accaronl and V erm icelli.
D om estic,  101b.  b o x .........   60
Im ported,  25 lb.  b o x .......... 2  50

3K

P e a rl B a rle y .

Com m on.................................  
190
C h e s t e r ..................................  2  25
E m pire  ..................................  3  00

P e a s.

G reen,  b n ..............................   95
Split,  per lb ........................... 

2V4

Rolled  O ats.

R olle d  A ve n a,  b b l...........4  25
M onarch,  b b l.......................... 3 80
M onarch,  %   b b l.................... 2 05
M onarch, 90 lb   sacks.......... 1  85
Q uaker,  c a se s..........................3 20
H uron, c ase s............................ 1 75

A ago .

G e rm a n .....................  .......... 
E ast  In d ia ............................. 

T apioca.

F la k e ..................................... 
P e a rl........1............................. 
A n ch or, 40 11b. p k g e s .... 

W h c it.

Salt  Fish.

Cod.

G eorges  cu red ..............  
©  4
G eorges  gen uin e.........   ©   6
G eorges se le cte d .........   ©   5H
Strips or  b r ic k s ........... 6  ©  9

H errin g.

H olland w h ite  hoops, bbl. 
H olland w h ite hoop 54 bbl  2  75
H ollan d,  M  b b l................... 
1  30
H olland w h ite  hoop, k eg. 
75 
H olland w h ite  hoop mens
N o rw eg ia n ............................
R ound 100 lb s .............   —   2  75
R ou n d   40  lb s ....................... 
1  30
13
S cale d ...................................... 

Iln ck ere l.

Mess 100  lb s ..........................   15  00
Mess  40  lb s ..........................   6  30
1  ®
Mess  10  lb s ..........................  
Mess  8  lb s ..........................  
1  38
No.  1100 lb s ..........................   13  25
No. 1  40 lb s ..........................   5  60
No. 1  10 lb s ..........................  
1  *8
N o.  1 
8 lb s ..........................  12 0
No. 2 100 lb s ..........................   8  60
N o. 2  40 lb s ..........................   3  70
100
N o. 2 
No! 2 
83

10 lb s ......................... 
8 lb s .........................  

Trout.

N o. 1100 ids. 
N o.  1  40 lb s ...........  
N o. 1  iO lb z ... 
N o. 1 

8 lb s ........ ................. 

6  25
2  40
68
57

Whiteflsh.

100 lb s  ...........   6  65 
..........  3  00 
40 lbs 
10 lb s .............  
81 
8 lb s .............  
88 

FLAVORING  EXTRACTS.

No. 1  N o. 2  Fam
2  ©
1  2°
38
»3

Jennings’ .

D .C . V a n illa
j  2 o s.........1  20
3 o z ......... 1  50
4 oz.........2  00
6 oz.........3  (10
4  00
No.  8 
No.  10. 
.6  00 
No.  2 T .l  25 
N o.  3 T.2  00 
N o  4 T.2  40

D. .C. Lem on
2 oz.........  75
3 oz......... 1  00
4 oz......... 1  40
6 oz........ 2  00
No.  8 ...2   40 
No.  10 ...4  00 
No.  2 T .  80 
No.  3 T .l  25 
No.  4 T .l  50

Northrop Brand.
Lern 
2 oz. T ap er P a n e l..  75 
2 oz.  O v a l.................  75 
3 oz.  T ap er P a n e l.. 1  35 
4 oz. T ap er P a n e l..1   60 

V an. 
1  20
1* 0
2 00
2 26

Sonders*.

O val  bottle,  w itb   corkscrew . 
the 

ln   th e  w orld 

fo r  

B est 
m oney.

DAYTOKO.l

GU NPOW DER.
R ifle—D upont’ s .
............................... 

Kegs 
H a lf K e g s ........................................2 25
Q uarter K e g s.................................. 1 25
l i b . c a h s ....................................  30
%  lb.  c a n s .................................. 
18
C h oke B ore— Dupont’ s .

K egs  ........................................... 4  25
H a lf K e g s........................................2 40
Quarter KegB..................................1 35
1 lb. c a n s ....................................  34

E ag le D uck— D upont’s .

K e g s .................................................. 8 00
H alf K e g s........................................ 4 25
Q uarter K e g s................................. 2 25
li b .  c a n s ...................................   45

J E L L Y .

151b  p a lls ..............................   85
30 lb   p a lls ..............................   65

L Y B .

Condensed,  2  d oz  .................1  20
Condensed.  4  doz 

“ “

LICORICE.

P ure........................................... 
C a la b r ia ...................................  

*®
■

B o o t.........................................  

1®

MINCE  M B A T .

Ideal, 8 dos. in  case......... .  2  25

n A T C H B S .

Diam ond M atch Co.’ s brands.
N o. 9  su lp h u r........................... 1  65
A n ch or  P a rlo r......................... 1  70
N o. 2  H om e...............................1  10
E xp o rt  P a rlo r......................... 4  00

n O L A S S B S .
N ew  O rlean s.

B la c k ....................................... 
F air 
.................................... 
G o o d ............. *........................ 
F an cy  
Open K e ttle ...........................25@35

..................................

11
14
20

H alf-barrels 2c extra.

M U STA R D .

Horse Radish,  1  d o z ..................... 1 75
Horse R adish, 2 d o z .................... 3 50
B ayle’s C elery,  1  doz..............1  75

P IP E S .

Clay, No.  216...............................     1 70
C lay, T.  D.  fu ll co u n t........ 
Cob, N o. 3 ............................. 

85

**

P O T A SH .

48 can s in  case.

B abbitt’s ..........................................4 00
P en n a S alt  C o.’ s ........................   8 00

PIC K LE S.
ried ium .

B arrels,  1,200 c o u n t.............   4  75
H a lf bbls, 600 c o u n t.............  2  90

S m all.

Barrels, 2,400  c o u n t...........   6  00
H alf bbls  1,200c o u n t.........   3  to

RICE.

Dom estic.

C arolin a h e a d ....................   6V&
C arolin a  No.  1  .....................  5
C arolin a  No. 2 .......................  4
B rok en .................................   3X

Im ported.

Japan,  N o. 1 ..........................   61i
Japan.  No. 2........................  
6
Java,  fa n c y   h e a d .................  6
J ava, N o. l ..............................
T a b le .........................................

S A L E R A T U S .

P acked 60  lbs. In  b ox.

C hnrch’s ...............................8  8G
D eland’s ...............................3  it
D w ight’s .............................. 3  30
T ay lo r’s ................................ 3  00

30DI0SA L SODA.

6o lb.
case
* 3 - i5

G ranulated, b b ls .................   75
G ranulated,  100 lb  case s..  9J
Lum p, b b ls ............................  75
Lum p, 1451b k e g s .................   86

SNUFF.

Scotch , tn  b la d d ers...............  3'
M accaboy,  In Jars...................  81
F ren ch  Rappee, In  Jars........  41

S B B D S .

9
A n i s e .................................... 
3H
Canary, S m yrn a................... 
4 00
8
C a r a w a y ................................ 
Cardam on,  M a la b a r .......   60
C e le r y ..............................  
Hemp,  R u ssia n ................. 
M ixed  B ir d ........................... 
M ustard,  w h ite ................... 
Poppy  .................................... 
R a p e ......... .............................
C n itle  B o n e .............................  20

 
3(4
»»
5
10

 

11

S A L T .

Diam ond  C ry sta l.

T ab le, cases, 24 3-lb  b o x e s .. 1  50 
T ab le, b arrels, 100 3 lb  b ags.2  75 
T able, barrels,  40 7  lb  b ag s.2  40 
B utter,  barrels, 280lb . b n lk .2  25 
B utter, barrels. 2014 lbbag6.2  50
B atter, sacks, 28 lb s ...............   25
B utter, sacks, 56 lb s ...............  56

Com m on G rades.

lO O S lb sack s............................. l  90
60 5-lbsack8 ...................................1 75
28 10-lb s a c k s .................................1 60

W o rcester.

lb.  carto n s........................ 8 25
50  4 
115  2K lb . s a c k s.............................4 00
lb.  s a c k s ......................... >.3 75
60  5 
lb . s a c k s .........................  3 50
2214 
3010 
lb. s a c k s .............................3 50
28 lb.  lin en  s a c k s ....................   32
56 lb . lin en  sa c k s.....................  60
B u lk  In b arrels.............................. 2 50

W a rsa w .

56-lb d a iry  In d rill b ags........  30
28-lb d airy In d rill b a g s........ 
16

A sh to n .

56-lb d a iry  in  lin en   s a c k s ...  60 

H iggin s.

56-lb d airy In lin e n   sacks 

.  60 

S o la r  R ock .

56-lb  s a c k s................................   24

C om m on.

A  P .’s Leader,  100 b a r s .. .2  50 

S O A P .

G ast A  P ulte’s B rands. 

G ranulated F in e .....................  70
M edinm   F in e...........................  70

W h ite Rose,  100 bars, 7* lb s .2  75
W h ite  Rose,  5 box  lo t..........2  60
W hite Rose,  10 b ,'X lo t ..........2  50
G. 
G . &  P.’ s L eader,  5 box lot.2  40 
G . A   P .’s  Leader,  10 b ox  lot.2 30

JA8.  S.  KIRK 5 GO. S BRANDS.

JAXON

S in gle b o x ....................................2 75
box  lots,  d e liv e re d ..__ 2 70'
5 
10 box lots,  d elivered .............. 2 65

A m erican F am ily , w rp ’d ....2   66
D om e.............................................2 75
C ab in et........................................ 2 20
S avon ...........................................2  50
W h ite R u ssian ..........................2 35
W h ite C loud,  la u n d r y ... 
..6  25
W hite C lou d ,  to ile t................ 3 50
D u sky Diam ond. 50  6  o z ___2 10
D u sky Diam ond, 50  8  o z ___3 00
lb ................ 3 00
B lu e In d ia, 100 
K lrk o lln e .................................... 3 50
E o s ................................................2 50

S ch alte Soap C o.’s Brand.

[

100 cakes, 75 lbs.

Sin gle  b o x .................................. 2 80
5 b ox lo ts ................. 
2  75
10 box  lo ts ...................................2 70
25 b ox lo ts ..................................2  60

 

A lle n  B. W risley’s Brands.

O ld Country, 801-lb.  bars  . .2  75
Good Cbeer, 601-lb. b ars__ 3  75
Uno,  100 M-lb. b ars.................2  50
D o ll, 10010-oz.  b a rs............... 2  05

Sconring.

Sapolio, k itch en , 3 d o s ........2  40
Sapollo, h and , 3 d o z ............. 2  40

SODA.

B oxes 
K egs, E n g lis h ........................   4|£

........................................5H

50 books, an y d e n o m ....  15 0  
100 books,  any d en o m —   2  50 
500 books, an y d en om — 11  50
1.000 books, an y  d en om __ 20  00
Coupon P aso B ooks,
C an  be m ade to  represen t a n y
d enom ination from  810 dow n.  "
B n l k .................
20 b o o k s............... .........  
1 oc
R ed  
. . . .
50 b o o k s............... ..........   2 OC
W a lte r B ak er & Co.’s.
100 books  ............ ..........   3 0C
G erm an S w e e t........................ ..23 250 b o o k s............... ...............   C 25
.84 500 b o o k s............... .......... 10 0C
P rem iu m .................. ................
1000 hooka............... ............... 17 6C
B re a k fa st  C ocoa..................... ..45

CHOCOLATE.

4
3J4

3 *
3X
5 

S ag e.. 
Hops  .

HBRBS.

INDIGO.

C racked , b n lk .......................
24 2 lb  p ack a g es......................2 50

M ad ias, 5  lb   b o x e s...............   56
8. F . , 2 , 3 a n d 5 lb   b o x e s ....  60

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

Grains and Feedstuffs

P r o v i s i o n s

spices
W h ole Silted.

13

A ll s p ic e ...........................  
Cassia, C h in a in  m ats............12
Cassia,  B a ta via  In  b o n d — 25
Cassia,  Saigon in  r o lls ..........32
C loves,  A m bo yn a....................14
C loves, Z a n zib a r..................... 12
Mace,  B a t a v i a ..........*.  ........5b
Nutm egs, f a n c y ..................... 6u
N utm egs, No.  1 ....................... 50
Nutm egs,  No.  2....................... 45
Pepper,  Singapore,  b la c k ... 11 
Pepper, Singapore, w h ite .. .12
Pepper,  s h o t............................. 12

P a r e   Uround In B u lk .

 

15

A llsp ice 
. . . .  
.  — 3j
Cassia,  B atavia 
Cassia,  Saigon 
..................40
C loves, Z a n z ib a r ..................... 4
G in ger,  A frican   ....................i»
G inger,  C ocn in   ......................IS
G inger,  Jam aica 
..................¿1
M ace,  B a ta v ia ......................... t‘5
M ustard  ............................. 12@18
N u tm e g s,.......................... 40®. 0
Pepper,  Sing  ,  b la c k .............. 12
Pepper, Sing.,  w h ite ..............20
Pepper, C ayen n e..................... 2u
Sage. 
>6

 

BYRUPS

C orn.

B arre ls............................ 
H alf • b b ls........................  

15

17

P a r e  Cano.

.................................... 

P a ir 
G o o d ..................................   *0
C hoice 

................................   25

>6

S T A R C H .

Klngsford’e  Cora.

401-lb p ack a g es.......................6
201 lb  p ack a g es.......................654

Ktngsford’s   Silver  Gloss.

401-lb p ack a g es.......................  6M
6-lb  b o x e s ................................7

Diamond.

6410c  packages  .................. 5  00
128  5c  p ack a g e s.................... 5  00
3210c an d  64 5c packages.. .5  00

Common  Corn.

201 lb. p ack a g es..................... 5
401 lb. p ack a g es......................4M

Common Gloss.

1-lb  p ack a g es..........................   4M
3-lb  p ack ages..........................   4M
6-lb  p ack a g e s..........................
40 an d  50 lb  b o x e s ...................  3%
B arrels  ................................  

3

STOVE POLISH.

No. 4, 3 dos in  Case, g ro ss..  4  50 
No. 6,3 d os in  case, g ro ss..  7  20

SUGAR.

 

. ...5   94

B elow   are  g iv e n   N ew   Y o rk  
prices on  sugars,  to   w h ich   the 
w holesale d ealer adds th e lo cal 
freigh t from  N e w   Y o rk  to you r 
shipping  point, 
g iv in g   you 
credit  on  th e  in v o ice   fo r   the 
am ount  o f  fre ig h t  buyer  pays 
from   the  m arket  in   w h ich   ne 
purchases to h is sh ip pin g point, 
in clud in g  20  pounds  fo r   th e 
w eigh t o f th e barrel.
D o m in o........................................... 5 94
C ut  L o a f..........................................5 94
C rush ed ................... 
C u b e s ............................................... 5 75
Pow dered  .................................5  75
X X Y Y   P o w d ered .........................5 81
G ranulated in  b b ls.......................5 60
G ranulated in   b a g s..................... 5 50
F in e G ran u late d ........................... 5 50
E x tra  F in e G ran u late d ........ 5  63
E x tra  C oarse G ran u late d .. .5  63
M ould  A ..........................................5 75
Diam ond  C on fec.  A ..............5  50
C onfec. Standard A ..................... 5 38
No. 
1 ............................................... 5 19
N o  2................................................5 19
N o.  3................................................5 19
N o.  4 ............................................... 6 19
N o.  6................................................5 13
No.  6................................................5 06
No.  7 ................................................4 94
No.  8............................................... 4 75
N o.  9................................................4 69
N o.  10............................................... 4 69
No.  11..................................   ...4   63
N o.  12............................................... 4 63
N o.  18................................................4 50
No.  14............................................... 4 44
No.  I f ................................................4 38
No.  16................................................4 88

TOBACCOS.

Cigars.

Clark-Jew ell-W ells C o.’s brand. 
N ew   B r ic k ...................... .......33  00

H. 

& P.  D rug C o.’s brand. 

Q u in te tte ...............................35  00

G. J. Johnson Cigar Co.’ s brand.

8. C.  W ........

33  00

Ruhe Bros. Co.’s Brands.

D ouble E ag  es. 6 -izes.*35*?70  00 
Gen.  M ac e o .S size s....  55@70  00
35  00
Mr. T h om as................... 
35  00
Cuban  H and  M a d e .... 
Crow n  F iv e ................... 
35  00
Sir  William................. 
35  00
C lub   F iv e ......................  
35  uO
Gens. G rant and L e e .. 
L ittle  P e g g y ................. 
35  00
35  oO
Sign al  F iv e ................... 
K nights o f P y th ia s. . . .  
35  00
K ey W est Perfects. 2 sz  55060  00

35 00

Candies.
Stick  Candy.

Standard................... 
Standard H.  H........  
Standard  Tw ist....... 
Cnt L oaf..................  
Jumbo, 321b  ........... 
Extra H .H ...............  
Boston  Cream........  

bbls.  pailB

6)4@  7
6M@ 7
6  @ 8

@  8)4
cases
@6)4
@ 8)4
0

Mixed Candy.

Grocers..................... 
Competition............. 
Standard..................  
Conserve..................  

B ro k en ........ ..........  
Cut  L oaf..................  
English  Rock..........  
Kindergarten..........  
French  Cream........  
Dandy Pan............... 
Valley  Cream..........  

Fancy—In Bulk.

Lozenges, plain....... 
Lozenges,  printed.. 
Choc.  Drops............ 
Choc.  Monumentals 
Gum  Drops.............  
Moss  Drops.............  
Sour Drops...............  
Im perials................. 

0   0
0   ay,
0 7
0   7)4

©  8)4
©  8)4
©  8
©  8)4
©  8)4
©io
©12

©  8)4
© 9
©14
©11
©  e
©  8
©  9
©  9

TABLE  5AUCES.

Fancy—In  5  lb.  Boxes.

Lea &  Perrin’s,  large 
Lea A   P errin ’s, sm all
H alford,  la rg e ...........
H alford sm a ll...........
Salad  Dressing,  large 
Salad  Dressing, sm all

.  4  75 
.  2  75 
...  3  75 
...2   25 
...4   55 
...2   65

VINEGAR.

M alt W hite W ine, 40 grain.  ..  6 
M alt W hite  W ine, 80 g r a in ....  9
P ure Cider, G enesee................. 11
P ure Cider,  Robinson.............. 11

W1CKING.

No. 0, per g ro ss........................  20
No. 1, per g ross........................   25
No. 2, per g ross........................   35
No. 3, per g ross........................   55

Crackers.

T h e  N ational  B iscuit  Co. 

quotes  as follow s:

B u tter.

Seym our X X X ......................   59^
Seym our X X X , 31b.  carton  6M
F am ily X X X   ........................   5$
Salted  X XX 
........................
N ew   Y ork  X X X ....................  
W o lv e rin e ............................ 
B oston......................................

t }4
034

Seda.

Soda  X X X ..............................  6)4
Soda  X X X , 3 lb   carto n __   6%
Soda,  C ity ..............................  8
Long Island  W a fers...........   11
L.  I.  W afers,  1 lb  carton  ..  12 
Z ep h yrette................................ 10

O yster.

Saltine  W a fe r.........   ...........   554
S aliin eW afer,  1  lb   carton.  694
F arin a O y-ter........................   5=4
E xtra F arin a O y ste r.___   6)4

S W E E T   GOODS— B oxes.

. 

A n im a ls .................................   10)4
B en t’s  W ater..........................  is
C ocoanut  T affy  ..................   10
C offee C ake, Jav a ............... 
lu
Ci-ffee Cake,  I c e d ................   io
C rackn el I s ..............................  15)4
Cubans  ...................................   11)4
Frosted  C ream ......................   9
G in ger Gem s 
..................   8
G in ger Snaps, X X X .............   7)4
G raham  Crackers  .............  
8
Graham   W afers....... *-...........  10
G rand Ma C ak es....................   9
Im p e rials................................  8
Jum oles,  H oney...................  11)4
M arshm allow  ......................   15
M arshm allow   C ream s.......   16
M arshm allow  W a ln u ts... 
16
M ich.  Frosted H oney__   12)4
Molasses  C ak es....................   8
Newton  —  
..........................  12
N lc  N a cs..................... 
8
Orange  G em s.........................   8
P en n y A ssorted  C akes.......   8)4
P retzels,  hand  m a d e ........  8
Sears’ L u n c h ..........................  7)4
Sugar  C a k e ............................  8
9
Sugar  Squares..................... 
V a n illa  W afers 
.................  14
S u lta n a s .........................  

12)4

 

 

 

O ils.
Barrels.

E o c e n e ..........................  @11)4
XXX W .W .M ich.H dlt 
@   9)4
W W  M ich igan .............  @ 8)4
Diam ond  W h ite ...........  @  734
D .,8 . G as........................  @ 9
Deo.  N a p th a .................  @ 7
C y lin d e r ....................... 25  @34
Engine......................11  @21
0   8
B’ aek. winter... 

.. 

©50
Lemon  Drops..........  
Sour  Drops.............  
©50
Peppermint Drops.. 
@00
Chocolate Drops__ 
©00
H.  M. Choc. Drops..  @75
Gum  Drops.............  
@30
Licorice Drops........  
©75
@50
A. B. Licorice Drops 
Lozenges,  p lain .... 
@50
@50
Lozenges,  printed.. 
©50
Im perials................. 
©55
Mottoes....................  
Cream  Bar............... 
a q i
Molasses B a r ..........  
©50
Hand Made Creams.  80  @1  00
Plain  Creams..........  eo  @90
Decorated Creams.. 
@90
String Rock.............  
©go
Burnt Almonds.......125  @
Wintergreen Berries 
Caramels.
No.  1 wrapped, 2  lb.
b o xes.......  ..........  
No. 1  wrapped, 3  lb.
b o xes.................... 
No. 2 wrapped, 2  lb. 
..................
boxes 

@00

©50

©35

Fruits.

O ranges.

M edt S w e e ts ...........
S i
Late V a le n c ia s .......   3  2o@

Lem ons.
Strictly ch oice  360s..
Strictly ch oice  300s..
F an cy  360s or 300s...
E x.F an cy  300s.........
E x. Fan cy  360s.........

B an an as.

©5  50
©5  50
@6  00
@
@

Medium  b u n c h e s ...1  25 @1  50
Large b un ches......... i  75 ©2  00

Foreign  Dried  F ru its. 

F ig s.

Choice, 101b boxes.. 
E xtra  choice,  14  lb
boxes........................
F an cy,  12 lb  b oxes., 
im perial M ikados, 18
lb Doxes..................
P ulled , 6 lb b o x e s...
N aturals,  in  b a g s ...
D ates.

Fards in  10  ib  boxes
Fards  in  60  ib  cases
Persians,  G.  M’s ........
lb  cases,  n e w .........
Sairs,  601 b  cases... .

Nuts.

Alm onds, T arragon a..
Alm onds,  Iv a c a ...........
Alm onds,  C aliforn ia,
so ft  sh e lle d ...............
B razils n e w ...................
F ilberts  ........................
W alnuts, Grenobles  ..
W alnuts,  C a lif No.  1. 
W alnuts,  so ft  shelled
C a l if ...................‘........
T able N uts,  fa n c y __
T able Nuts,  c h o ic e ...
Pecans,  M ed..................
Pecans,  E x . L a rg e __
Pecans,  Jum bos..........
H ickory  Nuts per bu.,
Ohio,  n ew ...................
Cocoanuts,  fu ll  sacks

P ean uts.

Fancy,  H.  P.,  Suns. 
F ancy,  H.  P.,  F lags
R oasted......................
Choice, H. P., E xtras. 
Choice, H.  P.,  E xtras,
R o u te d ................

@

@
©  15

@
@
©   7

©   8
©   6
@  5
©  6
@  4M

©13
@
@13
©  7
@11
@14
@

@
@10
@  9
@  8
@10
@12

@1  60
@3  50

@   7
@  7
© 4M

6M

Wheat.

W h e at....................................... 
Winter  Wheat  Flour. 

57

L o cal Brands.

P a te n ts ................................ . .  4  25
Second  P a te n t......................   3  75
S tra ig h t..................................  3  55
C le a r.........................................   3  10
Graham  
................................3  50
B u c k w h e a t............................4  00
B y e .........................................   3  50
S u b ject  to   usual  cash   dis­

count.

F lo u r in  bbls., 25c p er bbl. ad ­

d ition al.
Ball-B arnbart-Putm an’s B rand
D iam ond, )4s............................3  50
Diam ond,  M s............................3  50
Diam ond, Ms.  ........................ 3  50

W orden G rocer C o.’s Brand.

Quaker,  % s.............. ..............  3  45
Q uaker,  M s.............................  3  45
Quaker,  )4s.............................   3  45

5pring  Wheat  Flour. 

C lark-Jew ell-W ells Co.’s Brand.
P illsb u ry’s  B est  % a.............   4  00
P illsbu ry’B  B est Ms.............   4  50
P illsb u ry’s B est M s.............   4  40
P illsb n ry’8 B est 
paper..  4  40 
P illsbu ry’s  Best  Ms paper..  4  40 
B all-B am hart-P utm an’s Brand.

D uluth  Im perial.  M s...........4  75
Dulntb  Im perial,  M8...........4  65
D u luth  Im perial,  Ms...........  4  55
Lem on A   W heeler C o.’s  Brand.
Gold  M edal  % s ......................  4  61
Gold  M edal  Ms........................ 4  50
G old M edal  M s......... .............. 4  40
Parisian,  M s ........................  4  60
Parisian,  Ms.............................4  50
Parisian.  Ms.......................  
  4  40

O lney A  Judson ’s Brand.

Ceresota,  M®.........................
Ce resota,  M s.........................
Ceresota,  Ms.........................

4  70
4  60
4  50

W orden G rocer C o.’s  B rand.
Laurel,  M s............................ . 4 8
Laurel,  M s............................
Laurel,  M s............................

4  70
4  0o

Meal.

.  1  90
2  10

B o lt e d ...................................
G ranulated 
........................
Feed and  Mlllstuffs.
St. Car Feed,  screened  ...
16  ro
No.  1  Corn  and  O ats........
.15  5')
U nbolted Corn  Meal  ....... .14  50
W inter W’ heat  B ra n ... 
.12  00
W inter W heat  M iddlings. .14  00
Screen in gs............................ .15  00

.

Corn.

Oats.

C ar  lo ts .................................
.  33
Less  than  c a r  lo ts............. .  35

C ar  lo ts..................................
24
Cariots,  c lip p e d .................. .  26
Less than  car  lo ts.  ......... .  v8

•  H ay.

No. 1 T im oth y car lo ts __ *8  50
N o.  1  Tim othy,  ton lots  ...  9  00

Fish and  Oysters

F resh  P ish .

© 

Per lb.
W h itefish ......................  @   8
T ro u t...........................   © 8
B lack  B ass.................  8  @  10
H a lib u t..........................   ©  15
C iscoes or H errin g.. 
4
B lu efish ..........................   © 10
L iv e   L o b ster...........  
©  16
©   18
B oiled L o b ster.........  
Cod 
..............................   @  10
@  8
H ad d o ck......................... 
No.  1  P ic k e re l.........  
8
P ik e ..................................  ©   7
P e rch ...............................   ©   4
8
Sm oked W h ite .........  
© 
Red Snapper.............   © 
10
C ol  R iv er  S alm on ..  ©   J2
M ackerel 
@  18

..................... 

@ 

O y ste rs In C ans.

25
F . J. Standards.......... 
F.  H.  C o u n ts.............  
@  35
S e le c ts ............................   @  28
gal.

B u lk . 

C o u n ts ......................................   1 65
X   S e le cts..................................  1 60
A u ch o r Standards.................   1 15

S h ell  G oods.

Oysters, p er  ICO........... 1  25@1  50
Clam s,  per  100...........   @1  25

S w ift  A   Com pany  quote  as

follow s:

B arreled   P o rk
M ess 
................................
10  00
B a ck  
.......................... it   oo@ ll  50
C lear  b a c k .................11  00@11  50
Short c u t ..........................
10  50
14  50
P ig ......................................
Bean  ..... ..........................
9  50
F am ily  ............................
10  50

D ry  S a lt  M eats.

6M
6
6

B e llie s ..............................
B riskets  ..........................
E xtra  sh o rts...................
Sm oked  H eats
Hams,  12 lb   average  ..
8M
Hams,  14 lb  average
8M
Hams,  161b  a v e ra g e ...
8
H am s, 20 lb  a v e ra g e ...
7M
Ham  dried b e e f ...........
12M.
Shoulders  (N.  Y.  c u t).
6
Bacon,  c le a r .............  
. ?M@8M
C alifo rn ia  h am s...........
5M
Boneless h am s...............
9
Cooked  h am ................... 10@12M

Larda. 

In Tierces.

Com pound.......................
K e ttle ..............................
55 lb  T u b s ........... ad vance
80 lb T u b s ........... ad vance
50 lb  T in s ........... ad van ce
20 lb  P a lls ........... ad vance
10 lb  P a ils ........... ad vance
5 lb  P a ils ........... ad van ce
3 lb  P a lls ........... ad vance

4
614

%
%
%
%

1
1M

5M
7

6
9
6M

10  2i
13  50
14  50

70
1  35
2  50

70

2  25

14

10"
60

10
9M
14
13M

2  50
18  50
2  35
50
90

S au sag e s.
B o lo g n a ..........................
L iv e r ............................
F ra n k fo rt.................
P o r k ........................
B lood 
........................
T on gu e  ..........................
Head  ch e e se ...................

Beef.

E x tra   M ess.................
Boneless 
.....................
R u m p ..............................
P ig s ’  Feet.
K its,  15  lb s .....................
M  bbls, 401bs‘ .................
M  bbls, 80 lb s .................

Tripe.

K its,  15  lb s ......................
M  bbls, 40 lb s .................
M  bbls. 80 lb s .................

C asin gs.

P o r k ..........................
B eef  ro u n d s...........
B eef  m id d les...............
S h e e p ............................
Butterine.
Rolls,  d a ir y ....................
Solid,  d a i r y .................
Rolls,  c re a m e ry ...........
Solid,  c r e a m e r y ...........
Canned  Meats
Corned  beef,  2  1b  ...
Corned  beef,  14  lb __
R oast  beef,  2  lb __
Potted  ham ,  V s __
Potted  ham ,  Ms__
D eviled ham , 
) js __
D eviled  bam .  M s__
Potted  tongue  M«
Potted  tongue  M s....

90
50
90
Fresh  Meats.

Beef.

C a r c a s s .......................... 6M@  8M
Fore q u arters............... Ö @  6M
Hind  q uarters.............
Loins  No.  3 .................
R ib s....................  
R o u n d s ........................
C h u ck s..........................
Plates 

9 @12
.......... 8 @12
7V«<&
6 @  6M
............................ 3 @  3M

Pork.

D re sse d ........................
L o in s ..........................
Sh ould ers......................
L e af L a rd ...................... 6M@

4M©  5

@  7M
@  6

Mutton

C a r c a s s .......................... 6M@  “M
Spring L am bs............... 8M@10

Veal.

CstTPAftS 
........ 7 ©  9
Hides  and  Pelts.
T he Cappon  A   Bertscb  Leath er 
Co.,  100 c a n a l  Street,  quotes  as 
fo llo w s:

Hides.

Green No.  1 ...................   @   8M
Green No. 2....................  @   7M
Cured No.  1.................... 
@  9H
C ured No. 2...................  @   8M
C alfskin s,  green No.  1  @ 9
C alfsk in s,  green  No. 2  @  7M
C alfskin s, cured  No. 1  @ 10(4
C alfsk in s, cured No. 2  ©  9

P e lts.

Pelts,  e a c h ....................   50©1  00

Tallow.

No.  1................................. 
No. 2........... 

 
Wool.

©  3
@ 2

W ashed, fine  ...............  @18
W ashed, m edium ...........   ©23
U nw ashed, fin e.............11  @13
U nw ashed, m edium  ..16   @18

61

Crockery  and

Glassware.

AKRO N   ST O N B W A R B . 

B u tte rs.

M g aL , p e r d o z ....................   40
1 to 6 gal.,  per g a l.............  
5
8 gal., e a c h ..........................  40
10 gal., e a c h ..........................  50
12 g al.,  e a c h ..........................  60
15 gal.  m eat-tubs, e a c h . . . .  1  10 
20 gal.  meat-tubs, each. ...1   50 
25 gal.  meat-tubs, e a c h ....2   25
30 gal. meat-tubs, e a c h __ 2  70

C h u rn s.

to 6 gal., per g a l........... 

2 
5
C hurn D ashers, per d o z ...  85 

F r u it  J a rs.

P in t ............................................  5  25
Q u a rt........................................   5  50
M  g a l  .......................................7  25
C overs.......................................   2  uO
R u b b e rs ...................................  
25

M ilkpan s.

M gal-  flat or rd.  bot.,  doz.  45 
1  gal.  flat or rd.  bot., each 
5 
F in e G lazed M ilkpan s.

M  gal.  flat o r rd.  bot., doz.  60 
1 gal.  flat or rd.  bot., each 

5M

S te w  pan s.

M  gal.  fireproof,  ball,  d os.  85 
1 g a l.  fireproof,  bail, d ox.l  10 

J u g s.

M gal., p e r d o z .....................   40
M gal.,  per d o s ......................  42
1 to 5 g al., p er g a l...............  

• 5M

T om ato J u g s.

M gal.,  per d o s.....................  42
1 g al., e a c h ........................... 
Corks fo r M g al., per d os..  20 
C orks fo r   1 gal., per dos..  30 

P re se rv e  J a rs  and C o v ers.

M gal.,  stone cover, d o s ...  75 
1 gal.,  stone cover, doz. ..1  00 

5M

S e alin g  W a x .

2

5 lbs.  in  package,  per lb ... 
L A M P   B U R N B R S.

No.  0  S u n ................................  
35
No.  1  S u n ................................  
40
No.  2  S u n ................................  
t8
No. 3 S u n .................................   1  00
T u b u la r....................................  
60
Security,  No.  1 .......................  
to
Security, No. 2 .......................  
£0
N u tm eg  ................................... 
50
L A M P  C H IM N EYS—Seconds.
P er b ox o f 6 aoz.
No.  0  S u n ........... ; ..................   1  32
No.  1  S u n ................................  1  4)
No.  2  S u n ................................   2  13

Com m on

No. 0 S u n .................................   1  50
No.  1 S u n .................................   1  60
No.  2 S a n ....................................2  45

No. 

No. 

F ir s t  Q u a lity .

0 Sun,  crim p 

top,

80

90

w rapped and  la b e le d __   2  10

1 Sun,  crim p  

top,

No. 

w rapped and  la b e le d __ 2 

2 Son,  crim p  

top,

w rapped and  la b e le d __ 3 

l i

15

X X X  F lin t.
0 Sun,  crim p  

top,

No. 

No. 

No. 

w rapped an d   la b e le d __   2  55

1 Sun,  crim p 

top,

w rapped and  lab eled .  ..  2  75 

2 Sun,  crim p 

top,

w rapped  and  la b e le d __   8  75

CH IM N EYS— P ea rl  Top.

No.  1  Son,  w rapped  and

la b e le d .................................... 3  70

No.  2  Sun,  w rapped  and

la b e le d .................................... 4  70

No.  2 H inge,  w rapped  and

la b e le d .................................... 4  88

No. 2  Sun,  “ Sm all  B ulb,”
fo r G lobe L a m es...............  

L a   B astla.

No.  1  Snn.  p lain   bulb,  per
doz  ........................................ 
No.  2  Sun,  p lain   bulb,  per

doz  .......................................   1  15
No.  1 Crim p, per d o s ...........   1  35
No. 2 Crim p, per d o s .. 
. . .   1  60 

R och e ster.

No.  1,  Lim e  (65c  d o z )......... 3  50
No. 2,  Lim e  (70c d o s ).. 
No. 2, F lin t  (8O0  d o z )......... 4  70

..  4  00

E le ctric.

OIL  C A N S . 

No. 2, Lim e  (70c dos)  ........  4  00
No. 2, F lin t  (80c d o s ).........   4  40
Doc. 
1 g al tin  cans w ith   sp o u t..  1  25
1 gal g a lv  Iron w ith   spout.  1  50
2 g al g a lv  iron w ith   spont.  2  58
3 g al galv  iron w ith  spon t.  3  45 
5 gal g a lv  iron w ith   spout.  4  75 
3 g a l g alv   iron  w ith  fau ce t  4  75 
5 ga l g a lv  iron w ith   fa u ce t  5  25
5 gal T iltin g  ca n s................... 8  00
5 gal g alv  Iron  N a e e fa s .. ..   9  00

P om p   C an s.

5 gal  Rapid  steady  stream .  9  00 
5 gal E u rek a non-overflow 10  50
3 
gal  Home R u le .............. 10  50
5 gal Home  R u le .. ..   .......... 12  00
5 gal  P irate  K in g .................  9  50

LA N T ER N S.

No.  O T ubular.........................4  20
No.  1  B   T u b u la r.........   . . .   6  25
No.  13 T ub n l& rD asb ........... 6  60
No.  1 Tub., glass fo u n t ....  7  00 
No.  12  T ubular, side lam p. 14  0C
No.  3 Street  Lam p.............   3  75

LA N TER N   O LO BES.
No.  0 T ubular,  cases 1 dos.
each, b ox  10 cents.............  
No.  O Tubular,  cages2 doz.
each, b ox  15  cen ts............ 
No.  0 T ub ular,  bbls  5 doz.
each, bbl 35'........................  
No. 0 T ub ular,  buU’s  eye, 

45

46

16

cases 1 doz. e a c h . . . . . . . . .   1  26

6 2

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

Hardware

Trade  Drawing  Amusements.

If  managed  properly 

the  hardware 
dealer  ought  to  secure  a  portion  of  the 
trade  which  comes  to town  during  the 
fall  festivities,  like fairs  and  race  meet­
ings.  There  are  many  things  in  his 
stock  which  may  be  counted  among  the 
most  indispensable  articles  used  by  hu­
manity  of  both  genders.  Where  these 
gayeties  do  not go on  at  certain periods, 
and  the  town 
is  not  fully  alive to  the 
possibilities  for  accelerating  trade  by 
means  of  them,  a  committee  should  by 
all  means  be  organized  to  see  about  get­
ting  up  such  an  affair  which  will  attract 
newcomers  to  town  and help along busi­
ness. 
Some  enterprising  merchants 
who  are  most  deeply  interested  in  the 
subject  should  get  together  and see  what 
they  can  do  to  further the  interests  of 
the  town.  Such  a  plan  of  procedure 
necessitates  some  trouble  and  expense, 
but  this  will  be  more  than  recompensed 
for  and  paid  back  by  the  impetus  which 
it  gives  to  business.  At  such  festivities 
these  people  often  make  arrange­
ments  to  do  some  purchasing  and  the 
merchant  who  has  his  store  decorated 
most  tastefully  and  goods  arranged  most 
attractively  will  come  off  with  a  good 
share  of  the  visitors’  purchasing  capac­
ity. 
In  many  cases  it  is  true  that  peo- 
dle  who  are  seeking  pleasure  do  not  al­
ways  combine  business  with  it;  in  such 
cases  the  window  displays  are  an  im­
portant  feature  in  drawing  trade.  Peo­
ple  pass  by  the  store  and  as  there  is  al­
ways  an 
irresistible  desire  felt to  look 
in  they  generally  see  something  they 
fancy  and  go  in  and  purchase  it.  When 
the  amusements  are  going  on  and  the 
crowds are  out  at  the  scene  of  attraction 
the  store  might  be  closed.  This  would 
be  generally  in  the  afternoon.  Such  a 
change  would  be  refreshing  to the clerks 
and  enliven  them  so  that  they  would  go 
back  to  their  work  and  transact  busi­
ness  with  a  fresh  vim.  There  is an­
other  reason  why  towns  should  endeavor 
to  have  thes**  amusements:  it  impresses 
outsiders  with  an  idea  of  its  progress­
iveness  and  does  much  to  influence  the 
increase  of  the  population  by  means  of 
an 
influx  of  people,  either  from  other 
towns  or  from  the  country—all  of  which 
is  of  material  assistance  to  the  mer­
chant.— Hardware  Reporter.

Maintain  a  High  Standard.

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  coming  sea­
son  will  not  witness  any  of  the  so-called 
attempts  at  bargain-making  which  are 
so  detrimental  to trade.  The  present  in­
dications  are  that  people  will  be  in  a 
financial  position  to  pay  sufficiently 
high  prices  for their  hardware  to  enable 
dealers  to  maintain  prices,  which  in  all 
probability  will  soon  be  raised.  As 
every  one  is  well  aware,  there  is  a tend­
ency  on  the  part  of  many  people  to  try 
to  purchase  goods  as  cheaply  as  possi­
ble,  although  they  are  able  to  pay  well 
for  them.  This  practice  prevails  in  all 
so-called  circles,  the 
immediate  cause 
of  it  being  frequently  a  desire  to  econ­
omize  on  necessities  in  order  to  buy 
some  luxuries.  That  this  is  a  great 
evil  every  one  is  willing  to  admit.  How 
difficult 
it  is  to  do away  with  may  be 
judged  when  it  is  observed  that the  cus­
tom  has  steadily  grown  until  it  has  be­
come  firmly  fixed 
in  many  people’s 
minds.  This  unfortunate  predilection 
which  causes  so  much  trouble  in  trade 
circles  is  also  fostered  in  a  great degree 
by  dealers  who  work  against  the 
inter­
ests  of  legitimate  trade  by  cheapening

goods  in  order  to  accelerate business. 
Such  a  proceeding  is  made  easier  also 
by  flooding  the  market  with 
low-priced 
duplicates  of  high-class  goods,  which 
exercises  an  evil 
influence  on  others 
who  desire  to  maintain  a  higher  stand­
ard  of  excellence  in  quality of goods and 
to  secure  a  legitimate  profit  upon  them. 
A  scheme  like  this  could  be  easily  car­
ried  out  in  such  merchandise  as  hard­
ware,  where  cheap  imitations  are  not 
easily  detected by  the  average  inexperi­
enced  purchaser.  The  injurious  con­
sequences  of  attempts  at  cheapening 
goods  can  not easily be calculated.  They 
injure  the  manufacturer  of  the  higher 
grade  merchandise  and  the  reaction  up­
on  the  originator  is  hurtful,  as be  soon 
finds  rivals  like  himself  who  do  not 
hesitate  to  fight  him  with  his  own 
weapons  until  profit 
is  utterly  de­
stroyed  and  the  goods  must  be  sold  at  a 
loss.  Examples of  the  fatal  results  fol­
lowing  upon  this  line  of  conduct  are 
endless  in  all  branches of  business. 
In 
order  to  maintain  a  standard  of  price 
necessary  to  obtain  a  lawful  profit  there 
should  be  some  co-operation.  A  sale  or 
two  better  be  lost  than  to  sell  to  people 
who  desire  cheap  goods  simply  for  par­
simonious  reasons.  Self-interest  ought 
to  urge  dealers  to  stand  together  in  pro­
tecting  their  rights  and  pieserving  a 
certain  standard  in  qualities  and prjces. 
Animosity  and  rivalry  should  be  for­
gotten  or  ignored  for  a  while  at  least,  or 
until  people  are  led  to  desire,  appreci­
ate and  are  willing to’ pay  for  goods  of  a 
superior  quality.  The  present  rise  in 
prices,  which  should  be  gratifying  to 
merchants  and  meet  with  unqualified 
approval,  ought  to be  the  beginning  of a 
new  era  in  the  hardware  trade,  coming 
as 
it  does  at  the  close of  a  memorable 
conflict  for  right  and  justice  and  at  the 
opening  of  a  period  of  great  financial 
prosperity  to  the  country.  At  such  a 
time  it  would  be  well  for all  merchants 
to  consecrate  it  with  a  vow  to  uphold  a 
higher  standard  of  excellence  in  the 
store. 

____ _ 

____

Advance  in  Sheet  Iron.

-The  Iron  and  Steel  Sheet  Manufac­
turers’  Association  met  at  Pittsburg  last 
week  and  authorized  an  advance  of  io 
cents  per 
ioo  pounds  on  black  steel 
sheets  and  5  per  cent,  on  galvanized 
sheets.  Probably  another  advance  will 
be  made  before  the  end  of  the  year  to 
offset  the  more  pronounced  advance  in 
the  price  of  billets

The  Last  Remedy.

' ‘ My  sister  has  lost  her  voice  and 

we’ve tried  every  doctor  in  towr.”

* ‘ That so? Thendry her with a’mouse. ’ ’

LIVINGSTON  HOTEL,

6RAND  RAPIDS,  MICH.
FIRST-CLASS  IN  EVERY  RESPECT. 
THE  ONLY  HOTEL  IN  THE  CITY  WITH 
SUITABLE  ARRANGEMENTS a n d  CON­
VENIENCES  FOR  LADIES.

RATES:  $ 2 . WITH  BATH S 2.5 0. 

MEALS 5 0  CENTS.

T

Buckeye  Paint  &   Varnish  Co.

PAINT,  COLOR  AND  VARNISH  MAKERS

Mixed

Paints

White

Lead

Varnishes

Shingle

Stains

Wood

Fillers

Japans

Manufacturers  CRYSTAL-ROCK  FINISH 

For Interior and

Exterior Use

TOLEDO, OHIO.

• > •XsASASXaXsdg®

I Cast Hod Tire ¡¡minier

No.  1, for Tire a i-a Inches wide, 75 cents.
$1.35.
No  a, for Tire 4  i-a inches wide, 

You  will  never have loose  tires if you  will boil 
your felloes  in  Linseed  Oil.  Buy  one!  Fill 
it  with  Linseed  Oil!  Build  a  fire  under  it! 
Put  your  wagon  wheel  on  a  spindle  and  turn 
it  slowly through  the hot oil  in  this  cast  iron 
trough.  Your felloes  will  become impervious 
to  water  and  consequently your  Tires  will  not 
loosen.  Cost  of one  saved  many  times in one

ClM-ROTII-jEWELL  QO.,

38  &  40  South  Ionia St.

Opposite  Union  Depot.

Complete  stock  of  HARDWARE, 
TINWARE,  CUTLERY  and  every­
thing  usually  kept  in  a  first-class 
hardware  store.

STRICTLY  WHOLESALE 

All orders filled promptly at bottom 
ruling prices.  Mail orders solicited.

CLARK-RUTKA-JEWELL  CO.,  Grand  Rapids, Mich.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

6 3

this  country  are  now  sold  regardless  of 
the  tariff,  and  it  has  never been  so  well 
made  and  so  free  from  crazing  as  at  the 
present  time.

The finer grades of  earthenware,  how­
ever,  continue  to  be  made  in  England, 
and  on  all  these  lines  the  price  is  en­
tirely  governed  by  the  tariff,  the  peo­
ple  paying  more  for  the  ware  under a 
high  tariff  than  under  the  more  moder­
ate  tariff  formerly  in  use,  thus  showing 
that  in  the  case  of  this  trade,  at  least, 
the  foreigner  does  not  pay  the  duty; 
and,  although  trade  is  very  slack  now 
with  English  potteries  doing  business 
with  America,  they  seem  to  be  unable 
to  reduce  their operating  expenses  suffi­
ciently  to  make  a  reduction  in  their 
prices.

In  the  china  branch  of  the  earthen­
ware  trade,  the  business  is done entirely 
with  foreign  countries,  France,  Ger­
many  and  Austria  selling  all  that  is 
used  in  this  country,  the  cheaper  lines, 
such  as  are  found  on  the  5  and  10  cent 
counters,  coming  from  Austria  or  some 
German  factories,  and  the  best  grades 
and  finest  decorations  from  the  French 
factories at  Limoges.

There  has  been  a  steady  advance  in 
the  artistic  merit  of  these  goods,  which 
is  probably  caused  by  the  constantly-in­
creasing  number  of  amateur  china 
painters,  who  demand  the  most  artistic 
shapes  and  the  daintiest  of  decorations 
on  this  class of  ware.

China  is  constantly  increasing  in  use, 
some  of  it now  being  as  low  in  price  as 
our American  glassware,  and  seems  to 
be  largely  supplanting  that  line  in  the 
favor  of  the  public.  The  time  will  un­
doubtedly  come  when  our  factories  will 
attempt  this  line  of  manufacture,  but  at 
present  it  is  impossible  to  compete with 
the  cheap  German  and  Austrian  labor, 
where  a  piece  of  meat  is  only  a  Sunday 
luxury,  and  20  cents  will  actually  go  as 
far  in  supporting  a  family  as  the  Amer- 
j ican  dollar. 

F.  E.  L eonard.

Grand  Trunk  Dining  Cars

Everybody  who  has  had  the  good  for­
tune  to  enjoy  a  meal  on  the  Grand 
Trunk  Dining  Cars 
is  profuse  in  his 
praise  of  the  good  service,  excellent 
cuisine  and  liberal  table  supplied.  Mr. 
J.  Lea,  late  of Windsor Hotel,  Montreal, 
has  been  appointed  to  this  part  of  the 
service  and  the  public  are  appreciating 
the  endeavors  of  the  company  to have 
an  unequaled  service  in  this department 
of  a  great  system.

FOUHNG  TABLE

CROCKERY  TRADE.

Rapid  Strides  Made  During  Fifteen 

Years.

it 

In  response  to  your  request  for a  lit­
tle  talk  about  crockery,  showing  the  de­
velopment  of  the  business  for the  past 
fifteen  years,  we  can  point  with  great 
pride  to  the  strides  that  have been made 
in  the  development  of  the  industry  in 
this  country. 
In  1883  the  American 
potteries  were  only  fairly  beginning  to 
make  ware  which  would  give  satisfac­
tion,  and  then  only  in  the  very  cheapest 
grades.  All  the  fine  classes  of  goods 
came  entirely  from  Europe,  as  the qual­
ity  of  American  ware  was  coarse  and 
heavy  and  the  factories  were obliged  to 
send  a  good  portion  of  it  to  the auction 
rooms,  as  it  came  from  the  kiln  far  too 
coarse  to  sell  or  was  returned  by  their 
customers  on  account  of  the glaze crack­
ing,  or,  as 
is  termed,  “ crazing." 
The  product  at  this time  was  protected 
by  a  tariff  of  55  and  60  per  cent,  ad 
valorem,  but  even  with  this  protection 
they  made  apparently  but  small  head­
way,  only  a  few  of  the  factories  of  that 
time  being 
in  operation  now.  How­
ever,  in  the  space  of  ten  years  they 
steadily  grew  in  number  and  were  con­
stantly 
learning  and  selling  their  wares 
at  more  or  less  reduced  prices,  until  in 
1891  they  were  helped  by  the  Govern­
ment  in  the  way  of  an  additional  duty 
of  55  and  60  per  cent,  being placed upon 
all  packages 
in  which  foreign  goods 
were  packed,  thus  giving  them  still 
further  protection  of  10 to  15  per  cent. 
In  August,  1894  the  duty  was  cut  down 
by  the  Cleveland  administration  to  30 
and  35  per  cent.,  with  the  same  rate  of 
duty  on  packages.  This  seemed  at  the 
time  particularly  hard  on  the  American 
factories,  as,  while  they  had  been  stead­
ily  learning  their  business,  they  were 
hampered  by  lack  of  the  unlimited  cap­
ital 
running 
through  generations,  of  their  English 
competitors,  and the  ware  had  really  not 
improved  to  a  very  great  extent,  ex­
cept  in  occasional  factories  during  the 
past  ten  years.  All  made  an  immediate 
reduction  in  prices,  in  accordance  with 
the  reduction 
in  the  tariff;  notwith 
standing  this  decline,  ware  continued 
to  be  turned  out  in  this  country  in  con­
stantly 
The 
English  shipments  were  usually  a  little 
less  each  year,  giving  the  domestic 
manufacturers  constant  hope  that  the 
end  was 
in  sight.  They  made  even 
better  ware  under  the  lower  price  than 
before,  seeming  to  strive  harder  than 
ever  for  a  great  increase  of  trade,  in 
lay  their  only  hope  of  success 
which 
under  these  low-tariff  conditions. 
In 
August.  1897,  the  Dingley  bill  put the 
tariff  on  crockery  back  exactly  where  it 
had  been  before,  55  per  cent,  on  white 
goods  and  60  per  cent  on  decorated 
goods,  but 
instead  of  advancing  their 
prices  to  cover  the  reduction  made  in 
1894,some of  the  factories  made  a  slight 
advance  of  5  per  cent.  ;  others  paid 
no  attention  to  the  change  in  tariff,  so 
that  the  net  result to the  consumer,  dur­
ing 
the  past  fifteen  years,  is  that  all 
common  white  and  cheaper  grades  of 
decorated  ware,  such  as  is  used  by  the 
masses  of  the  people,  is  33^  per  cent, 
lower  in  price.

increasing  quantities. 

experience, 

long 

and 

This  shows,  we  think,  that  a  more 
moderate  tariff  had  a  stimulating  effect 
upon  the  factories,  causing  them  to  be 
managed  with  greater  care  in  all  de­
partments,  so  that  when  the  higher 
tariff  was  restored  prices  did  not  ad­
vance  at  all  in  proportion  to  the  change 
of duty.  Many  lines  of  ware  made  in

Sterling Furnitur (0.

GRAND HAVEN,MICH.

Hardware  Price  Current.

AUGURS AND  BIT5

70
Snell’s........................................................... 
Jennings’, genuine  ..................................... 25&10
JenningB’, imitation....................................60410
First Quality, S. B. Bronze.............................   5 00
First Quality, D. B. Bronze.............................   9 50
First Quality. S. B. S. Steel.............................   5 90
First Quality, D. B. Steel................................   10 50

AXES

BARROWS

Railroad.............................................*12 00 14 00
Garden.................................................  net  30 00

BOLTS

60410
Stove......................................................  
Carriage new list..  ................. .............   70 to 75
50
Plow........................................................ 

Well,  plain...................................................• 3 25

BUCKETS

BUTTS.  CAST

Cast Loose  Pin, figured...............................70410
Wrought Narrow......................................... 70410

Ordinary Tackle........................................... 

BLOCKS

Cast Steel.............................................. per lb 

CROW  BARS

70

4

CAPS

Ely’s  1-10...............................................per m  65
Hick’s C. F ........................................... per m  55
35
G. D .................................................... perm 
Musket..................................................per m  00

CARTRIDGES

Rim  Fire.......................................................504 5
Central  Fire.................................................254  5

CHISELS

Socket F irm er....................................................... 
Socket  F ram in g ....................................................  
Socket  C orner........................................................  
Socket  S lic k s .........................................................  

80
80
80
80

D R IL LS

Morse’s B it S to c k s ..............................................  
60
T ap er and Straight Shank.................................504  5
M orse’s T ap er Shank.......................................... 50&  5

E L B O W S

oO
Com. 4 piece, B in ..................................doz.  n et 
Corrugated........................................................  
1  25
A d ju sta b le ........................................................dis 40410

E X P A N SIV E   B IT S

C la rk ’s sm all, *18;  large, <26.............................30410
Ive s’, I, *18;  2, *24;  3, *30  .................................. 
25

F IL E S —N ew   L ist

N ew  A m e ric a n ....................................................... 70410
N icholson’s .............................................................. 
70
H eller’s Horse R asp s........................................  .eC410

O A LV A N IZ ED   IRON

Nos.  16 to 20; 22 and 24;  25 and 26;  27.  ........ 
L ist  12 
16........... 

14 

13 

15 

D iscount, 75 to 75-10

28
17

O A U G BS

Stanley R u le and L e vel  Co.’s ........................... 60410

KNOBS— N ew  L is t

Door, m ineral, jap.  trim m in g s....................... 
Door, p orcelain, jap.  trim m in gs..................... 

70
80

M A T T O C K S

A dze E y e .............................................*16  00, d is  60410
H unt E ye.............................................*15  00, dis  60410
H uut's................................................  *18  50, dis  20410

N A ILS

A d van ce over base, on  both  Steel  and  Wire.
Steel nails,  base.......................................................... 
W ire nails,  base..................................... 
 
90 to 60 ad v a n c e .....................................................  Base
06
10 to  16 ad va n ce ................................................... 
10
8 ad va n ce ............................................................... 
20
6 ad va n ce............................................................... 
4 ad va n ce ..................  
30
3 a d v a n c e .............................................................. 
45
70
2 a d v a n c e ...........................................  
 
50
F in e 3 ad va n ce....................................................  
15
C asing 10 a d v a n ce ................................................ 
25
C asing  8 ad va n ce ................................................ 
35
C asin g  6 ad va n ce................................................ 
25
F in ish  10 a d v a n c e ............................................. 
F in ish   8 ad va n ce ................................................  
35
45
F in ish   ¿ a d v a n c e ............................................ 
Barrel  X  a d v a n ce ................................................... 
85

 

 

 

HOUSE  FURNISHING  GOODS

Stam ped T in  W are. .
........................ new  list 75410
Japanned T in  W a re............................................20410
G ran ite Iron  W a re ............................. n ew  list 40410

H OLLOW   W A R B

P ots...........................................................................6041
K e t t le s ..................................................................... 60410
Spiders 
....................................................................60410

Gate, C lark ’s,  1, 2, 3..................................... dis 60410
S tate ..................................................per  dos.  net  2  50

HINGES

W IR B   GOODS

B rig h t....................................................................... 
Screw  E y e s .............................................................  
H ook’s ...................................................................... 
G ate H ooks and  E y e s .........................................  

Stanley R ule and  L evel Co.’s .................... dis 

L B V B L S

Sisal,  *4 in ch  and  la rg e r.................................... 
M anilla..................................................................... 

RO PB S

80
80
80
80

70

10*4
11*4

SQ U ARES

Steel and Iron ......................................................  70410
T ry  and B e v e ls ....................................................  
60
M itr e ........................................................................ 
50

S H E E T   IRON

Nos.  1 0 t o l4 ........................................*2  70 
Nos.  15 to 17.  .....................................   2  70 
Nos.  18 to 21......................................       2  80 
Nos. 22 to 24 .........................................  3  00 
Nos.  25 to 26.........................................  3  10 
No.  27 .................................................  3  20 

com.  smooth,  com .
*2  40
2  40
2  45
2  55
2  65

A ll sheets  No.  18  and  lighter,  over  30  inches 

2  75

w id e not less than 2-10 extra.

SAND  PAPER 
List  acct.  19, ’86............................
SASH  WBIGHTS

dis

50

Solid Eyes............................................per ton  20  00

Steel, Game................................................. 
Oneida Community, Newbouse’s   ........  
Oneida Community, Hawley 4  Norton's 70410
Mouse, choker.............................. per doz 
Mouse, delusion...........................per doz 

60410
50
15
1  2C

TRAPS

WIRB

Bright Market.................................. 
75
 
Annealed  Market............................................  
75
Coppered  Market............................................. 70410
Tinned Market................................................    62*4
Coppered Spring  Steel....................... 
50
Barbed  Fence, galvan ized ...........................   2 00
Barbed  Fence,  painted..................................  1  70

 

 

 

HORSE  NAILS

Au Sable................................................................. dis 40A1C
Putnam.......  .............................................. dis 
Northwestern.........................................................dis 10410

5

WRENCHES

Baxter’s Adjustable, nickeled..........
Coe’s Genuine......................................
Coe’s Patent  Agricultural, wrought
Coe’s Patent, malleable.................... .

MISCELLANEOUS

Bird  C a g e s ..........................................
Pumps, Cistern.....................................
Screws, New List................................ .
Casters,  Bed and  Plate.......................
Dampers, American........................... .

METALS—Zinc

600 pound  casks................................   .
Per pound.............................................

SOLDER

30
50
80
80

50
80
85
50410410
50
.... 
6*| 
....  6*4

The prices of the many other qualities of solder 
in the market Indicated by  private  brands  vary 
according to  composition.

TIN—Melyn Grade

10x14 IC, Charcoal........................................... * 5 7 5
14x20 iC, Charcoal............................................   5 75
20x14 IX, Charcoal................................... 
 
Each additional X on this grade, (1.25.

 

7 00

TIN—Altaway Orade

1 55

1 60

10x14 IC, C harcoal............................................   4 50
14x20 IC, C barcoal............................................   4 50
10x14 IX, Charcoal............................................   5 50
14x20 IX, Charcoal............................................   5 50

Each additional X on this grade, (1.50. 

ROOFING  PLATES

14x20 IC, Charcoal, Dean................................  4 50
14x20 IX, Charcoal, D e a n ..............................  5  50
20x28 IC, Charcoal, Dean................................  9  00
14x20 IC,  Charcoal, Allaway Grade..............  4  00
14x20 IX, Charcoal, Allaway Grade.............   5  00
20x28 1C, Charcoal, A lla way Grade............   8 00
20x28 IX, Charcoal, Allaway Grade..............  lO  00

BOILER  SIZE  TIN  PLATB 

14x56 IX, for  No.  8  Boilers, I 
14x56 IX, for  No.  9  Bollere,  f *** P00“

 —  

„
*

M ILL S

Coffee, Parkers Co.’ s ...........................................  
Coffee, P.  S.  4  W.  M fg.  C o.’s  M alle ab les... 
Coffee, Landers, F erry & C lark ’s................... 
Coffee, Enterprise................................................. 

40
40
40
30

M O L A S SE S   O A T B S

Stebbin’s P atte rn ...................................................60410
Stebbin’s G e n u in e .................................................60410
Enterprise, self-m easu rin g...........  
30

............... 

P L A N E S

O hio T ool C o.’8,  fa n c y .......................................   @50
Sclota B e n c h .......................................................... 
60
Sandusky T ool Co.’8,  fa n c y .............................   @50
B en ch, firstq u a lity ...............................................  @50
Stan ley R u le and L e vel Co.’s w ood............... 
60

F ry, A c m e .........................................................60410410
C om m on,polished...................................... 

 

P A N S

704 5

R IV E T S

Iron and  T in n e d ................................................. 
Copper R ivets and B u rs.....................................  

60
60

PATENT  PLANISHED  IRON 

“ A”  Wood’s patent planished, Nos. 24 to 27  10  20 
“ B”  Wood’s patent planished, Nos. 25 to 27  9  20 

Broken packages it c per pound  extra. 

HAMMBRS

Mavdole 4  Co.’s, new 
irip’ii  ............................................................... dlt 
Terkes A Plumb’s .....................................................di» «1410
70
M ason’s Solid C ast S teel......................30c 11m. 
Blacksmith’s Solid Cast SWl Wsr.it w* Ms. <o*16

list.................................dis W *

25

M e  Cards for 
Country Fairs^

Nothing takes so well with 
the visitors at fairs  as  pic­
ture cards, which are care­
fully preserved, while ordi­
nary  cards,  circulars  and 
pamphlets  are  largely  de­
stroyed and  wasted.  We 
have  a  fine line of  Picture 
Cards,  varying 
in  price 
from $3 to $6 per  1,000,  in­
cluding  printing  on  back. 
Samples  mailed  on  appli­
cation.

TRADESMAN COMPANY

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.

6 4

GRAIN  TRADE.

Grand  Rapids  As  a  Milling and  Wheat 

Center.

Probably  one  of  the  best  industries  on 
the  Grand  River  has  been  the flour mill­
ing  industry.  We  hear  that  previous  to 
the  advent  of  railroads 
in  Grand  Rap­
ids  flour  was  shipped  by  way  of  boat 
down  the  Grand  River  to  Chicago  by 
way  of  Grand  Haven ;  also  east  to  De­
troit  and  to  Buffalo.  Grand  Rapids 
flour, in  those  early  days.had  a  fair  rep­
utation.  Martin  L.  Sweet  and  James 
M.  Barnett  did  most  of  the  business  as 
flour  shippers.  The  mills  were  then  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river.  They  were 
burned  down  before  the  writer  of  this 
sketch  came  here.

We  will  take  up  the  milling  interest 
from  1875.  There  were  then  the  Star, 
the  Crescent,  the  Valley  City  and  the 
Globe  Mills.  The  Star  Mills  were  oper 
ated  by  Mangold,  Kusterer  &  Co.  ;  the 
Crescent  by  Hibbard,  Rose  &  Co  ;  the 
Valley  City  by  Carey  &  Barnes,  and  the 
Globe  by  J.  Widoe.

MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN

about  1,600 barrels  daily.  This  is  flour 
only.  There  are  also  a  number  of  feed 
mills  which  grind  corn  and  oats.

All  the  owners  of  the  mills  did  every­
thing  in  their  power  to  increase  the rep­
utation  of  the  Grand  Rapids  flour,  as 
well  as  to  extend  the  trade,  and  to  day 
the  Grand  Rapids  flour  and  the  milling 
firms  are  known  in  all  the  Southern,  as 
well  as  the  Eastern,  States.  Export 
business  has  not  been  done  on  a  large 
scale  thus  far,  but  without  doubt  there 
will  be  considerable  exporting  done  in 
the  near  future.

In  1875  the  mills  were  reported  to  use 
about  2,500  bushels  of  wheat  daily,  pro­
viding  they  were  running  full  capacity, 
but 
i,800  bushels  per  day  would  be 
nearer  the  correct  figure.  To-day,  ow­
ing  to  the  fact  that  the  Star,  Crescent, 
Valley  City  and  Globe  Mills  have 
steam  connection,  and  cn  account  of 
the  large  use  of  water  for other  purposes 
than  making  flour,  they  keep  grinding 
right  along,  high  water  or  no  water. 
Low  water  is  almost  invariably  the  con-

have  railroads  all  around  us,  which  fact 
detracts  largely  from  our  market  as  far 
as  wheat  by  wagon 
is  concerned,  es­
pecially  as  the  railroads  favor  shippers 
of  wheat—will  set  cars  on  sidetracks 
and  allow 
farmers  time  to  load—and 
there  are  wheat  houses  almost  every 
three  miles.  All  this detracts from wheat 
being  hauled  direct  to  the  mills,  so 
Grand  Rapids  mills  have  to  bring  their 
in  cars  from  surrounding  sta­
wheat 
tions. 
It  certainly  would  be  in  the  in­
terest  of  Grand  Rapids  if  we  could have 
farmers  come  in  with  wheat  as  thev  did 
fifteen  years  ago;  but  then, 
things 
change  with  the  times,  and  this  is  one 
of  them.  However, 
railroads  are  a 
blessing  even  for  the  millers,  for  what 
would  the  mills  here have done two years 
ago  when  all  were  getting  the  most  of 
their  wheat  from  Chicago?

The  writer  well 

remembers  when 
freight  rates  were  eighty  cents  per  bar­
rel  to  Boston ;  now  forty  cents  per  bar­
rel.  A  car  then  constituted  one  hun 
dred  barrels.  Later  a  car  had  to  be 
loaded  with  one  hundred and twenty-five 
barrels,  and  now  they  take  from  one 
hundred  fifty  to  about  two  hundred  bar­
rels.  Taking  the  larger  carloads  en­
ables  them  to  give  the  millers  cheaper 
rates.

While  eighteen  years  ago  there  were 
five  milling  firms,  to-day  there  are  only 
two:  the  Voigt  Milling  Co.  and  the 
Valley  City  Milling  Co.

C.  G.  A.  Voigt.

WANTS  COLUMN.

A d v ertisem en ts  w ill  be  in serted   under  th is 
head  for  tw o   ce n ts  a  w ord   th e   fir s t  insertion 
and  one  ce n t  a   w ord  for  each  subseq uen t  in­
sertio n .  No ad vertisem en ts tak en  for le ss th an  
3 5  ce n ts.  A d van ce  p aym en t.

BUSINESS  CHANCES.

IN oR   ¡»ALE—Ai.MO>T  NEW  DAUGHERTY 
J ;  typewriter,  for $30 c <sh— with  o rd c,  bal­
ance  C.  O.  D.  Cost  $.5  when  new. 
Perfect 
work guaranteed.  L  A.  Ely,  Alma,  Mich.  702

Would like to  put shoe stock in  with  gen­
eral stock in good to« n.  Addrtss C. A. Simouds. 
Niles,  M  ch ._______________________ 703_

W ANTED— LOCATION  FOR  SHOW  S»TOKE.
IEOR SAKE-t A  B AZ A AU >TOCK WHICH WILL 

inventoiy  between  $1,500  and $2,0u0  in  one 
of  the  b e s t  towns  in  Michigan  with  population 
of  from  3,000  to  4,00  .  Address  No.  696,  care 
V ic hi can  Trad  small. 
(596
EAT MARKET F uR   SALE—ON  ACCOUNT 
of  poor  health  Doing  a  good  business; 
Investigate,  as  ycu  can 

have big resort  trade. 
buy cheap.  Job  G  Furman,  Co'oma, Mi ;h

097

69l

W f  ANT  D—C  >11  PAID  FOR  S  OCKS  OF 
TV  shm s, clothing or dry goods.  Correspond­
ence  confidential.  Address  R.  B.,  Box  351, 
Montague, Mich.____________________ t99

IEOR SALE—CLEAN  GENERAL  STOCK  AND 

s  ore bu  lding in small  town  surrounded  by 
excellent farming  and  fruit  country  less  than 
fifty miles  from  Grand  Rapids.  Good  reasons 
for selling.  Inspection solicited.  Terms reason­
able.  Address  for  particulars  No.  691.  care 
Michigan Tradesman. 

689

CO M P L E T E   J U N K   B C 551N E SS ESTAB- 

lished for a term o f years.  Splendid oppor­
tunity for right  party;  w ill  be  sold  cheap  for 
c.sh  or  part  cash  and  good  security.  DuBois 
Hardware Co., Batt e Creek,  Mich. 

dress No. 6-0, care  Michigan Tradesman 

'  splendid farming country.  No trades.  Ad­

IEOR  SALE—NEW’  GENERAL  STOCK.  A 
IEOR S  lLE CHEAP—AN OLD  ES i ABLISHED 
C ENTRALLY  LOCATED  DRUG  STORE,  Do­

confectionery  business  in  Jackson,  Mi- h. 
W r te or call on  L  C  Townsend.  Room 18, Brink 
Bio  k. Jackson, Mich. 

ing a  good  business  in  the  city,  for  sale. 
Good  reasons  for  selling.  Address  I,  Frank- 
ford.  Fire  Insurance  and  Real  Estate  Agent, 
Phone  1236,  53  West  Bridge  Street,  Grand 
Rapids. 

680

667

(87

"ANTED— A  CHEE  E  FACTORY.  STATE 
capa' ity aud lowest cash price.  Cliff Bros., 

ery  stock, 

68 E.  Randolph St.. Chicago.___________ 678

IEOR  SALE—DRUG,  BOOK  AND  STATION- 

invoicing  $4 509,  and  fixtures 
invoicing $309,  which  include show cases, shelv­
ing  aud  bottles.  Dailv  cash  sales  ’n  1891.  $2  : 
>92. $30;  1893. $31;  1894. $34.6=>;  1895.  $25;  1896, 
$21.20,  and  1897. $24 13 
Located in manufactur­
ing town.  No cut prices.  R*-nt  reasonable,  $29 
per month.  Ltviug rooms in conuection.  Ad­
dress N®. 668, care  Michigan Tradesman.  668

Fo r   s a l e — f u r n i t u r e  a n d  u n d e r t a k -

iug business  in  the  most enteiprising  lown 
in  Southwestern Michigan,  Best location in  the 
city.  Add-ess No. 673,  care  Michigan  Trades­
man,  for particulars. 

IEOR  SALE  DRUG  STOKE IN  BEST CITY IN 

'  Michigan.  Average  daily  sales,  $25;  per 
cent.  Monthly  ex­
Investigate.  Ad­

cent,  profits,  50  per 
penses, $60.  These are facts. 
dress No. 659, care Michigan Tradesman. 

659

673

Tbe  capacity  of  the  mills  was:  Star 
Mills,  150  barrels  maximum ;  the  same 
for  the  Crescent  and  for  the Valley City, 
while  that  of  the  Globe  was  75  barrels. 
Total  capacity,  525  barrels  per day.  But 
their  average  output  was  hardly  that,  as 
in  those  days  the  mills  were  bothered 
with  high  water  and,  having  no  steam 
power  as  an  auxiliary,  had  to  close 
down  and  wait  for  the  water  to  recede. 
This  was  when  stones  and  buhrs were  in 
use.

In  1880  there  came  a  radical  change 
in  milling  all  over  the  world,  when  rolls 
made  their  appearance. 
The  Grand 
Rapids  mills  commenced  to change over 
in 
by  degrees,  and  all  used  some  buhrs 
connection  with  the  rolls. 
In  1882  the 
Model  Mill  was  built  by  Hatch  & 
Mitchell,  on  Winter  street.  It  was after­
ward  moved  by  Converse  &  Powers  to 
Court  street,  its  present  location.

The  capacity  of  the  mills  of  the  city 
to  day  is:  Star  Mills,  375  barrels;  Cres­
cent  Mills,  450;  Valley  City,  325; 
Model  Mills,  325;  Globe  Mills,  125,  or

in 

dition  now,  while  high  water  was  the 
rule  previous  to  1883.  As  the  Model  is 
a  steam  mill,  it  necessitates  a  daily 
wheat  supply  of  over  7,600  bushels.
As  late  as  1882  the  mills  had  to  ship 
wheat  out  at  certain times of  the year,  as 
Grand  Rapids  was  a  wheat  center  and 
wheat  came  here  from  all  directions, 
and  some  days 
the  fall  any  of 
the  mills  took  in  as  high  as  3,000  bush­
els  per  day;  when  their storage capacity 
was  full  nothing  remained for  the  miller 
but  to  ship  wheat  out.  I  well  remember 
that  on  one  day  the  mills  shipped  out 
sixteen  cars.  All this  is  changed  to-day. 
There 
is  not  enough  wheat  brought  in 
in  wagons  by  farmers  to  keep  one  of 
the  large  mills  running  half  a  day,  the 
reasons  whereof  are  numerous:  First, 
there 
is  not  as  much  wheat  grown. 
Grand  Rapids  has  grown  from  30,000  to 
over  100,000  population  and  it  requires 
more  vegetables  to  supply  them.  Farm­
ers  have  also  gone 
into  fruit 
raising.  Second,  there are  more  mills 
built  in  surrounding  towns.  Third,  we

largely 

for your stock of merchandise,  or  any  part 

cold  storage  ai  d  general  produce  dealer. 
Write t« tne  Secretary  o f  trie  Oteego  Improve 
nient Association.  Otsego.  Mich_________ 631

Be s t   l o c a t i o n   in   Mi c h i g a n   f o r   a
Me r c h a n t s — d o   y o u   w is h   c a s h   q u i c k
of it?  Address John  A.  Wade, Cadillac,  Mich.
________ 628
rpo  EXCHANGE—FOR CLOTHING,  DRY
A   goods or shoes,  very nice  well rented Grand 
Rapids property.  Address No.  552,  care  Mithi-
gsn Tradesman.____________________ 552_
IVOR KENT OR  SALE—A  STORE  SUITABLE 
J- 
for general merchandise, located  in  a  pros 
perous village in  Berrien  county,  Mich.  Splen­
did  opportunity  for  a  live  man  to  establi-h  a 
paying business  For particulars address  I.  W. 
Allen, st.  Joseph.  Mich.______________ 649

TO  EX(  HANGE — F\RM S  AND  OTHER 

property for dry  goods, clothing  and  sh O '-s. 

Address  P.  Meda.ie,  Mancelona.  Mich___ 553

COUNTRY  PRODUCE

retail trade.  Cash paid.  Correspond with 

Canlkett & Co.. Trave-se City.  Mich.____ 381

W ANTED — FIRST-CLASS  BUTTER  FOR 
W ANTED— 1.000  CASES 

FRESH  EGGS, 
daily.  Write  for  prices.  K.  W.  Brown, 

___________________ 55ti

Ithaca,  Mich. 

FIREPROOF  SAFES

GEO.  M.  SMITH,  NEW  AND  SECONDHAND 

safes,  wood  and  brick  building  mover, 157 

Ottawa street. Grand Rapids.__________ 613

SHIRTS.

Ha v e   y o u r s   m a me  t o  y o u r  m e a s u r e .

Send  for  measurement  blanks.  Frank  T. 
Collver. 103 Washtenaw St. E  ■ Lansing, Mich. 635

MISCELLANEOUS.

be  open  for  engagement  about  Sept.  15. 
Good  references.  W illing  to  take  other  work. 
.00
Address Grocer,  care Michigan Tradesman 

I EXPERIENCED  GROCERY  CLERK  W 'L L  
Po s i t i o n   w a n t e d   b y   y o u n g   m a r r i e d

man  with hardware  and  implement  house. 
Ten years’ experen c  . three as manager.  Good 
references.  Addrets  Hardware,  care  Michigan 
Tradesman.  ___________________ 
YXTANTED  SITUATION  AS  MANAGER  OF 
t v   a general store by a competent and  ex per 
ienced man.  Best  of  references.  Address  J., 
care  Michigan Tradesman.____________ 694
\ \ T ANTED—SITUATION  IN  A  CLOTHING 
V i   or gen en l  store  by  an  A  No.  1  salesman. 
Address No. 685,  c^re  Michigan Trade-man.  685

I POSITION  WANTED  B Y   A  SINGLE  MAN.

Lar.e  experience  in  general  merchandise. 
Can  give good  references.  Address No.664. care 
Michigan Tradesman. 

695

661

Steinway, Everett, Wegman, Harvard, Kroeger 

and other pianos.

Farrand  &  Votey  Organs.

The  wonderful  AN0ELUS  ORCHESTRAL, 
a  perfect piano  player.  A  perfect  self­
playing  organ.
In appearance  it  is  a  small  cabinet  of  elegant  de- 
sign  and  finish.  This  cabinet  contains  two  full 
sets  of  reeds,  of  five  octaves  each,  orchestral 
voiced;  one of a  violin  or  siring  quality,  the  other 
of  a  flute  or  pipe  quality.  This  cabinet  can  be 
placed in  any  part  of  the  house, and  when  away 
from piano is a powerful  self  playing  organ  in  it­
self.  At side and rear of  cabinet  are  panels which 
fold back, admitting  it  to  be  placed  to  the  key­
board  of  any  piano,  upright,  square  or  grind. 
When  it  is desired to  play the  piano  the  cabinet  is 
rolled into position  in  front  of  piano,  the  panels 
are folded back and the openings in  case  allow the 
cabinet to slide under the  key-board or front of  the 
I piano.  The  piano and organ are both  operated  by 
means of pedals in  the  cabinet, the  bellows  being 
large and ea>ily  operated.  We  have  an  extensive 
selection  of music to choose from,  which has taken 
years to  prepare  and  to which we  are  constantly 
adding new.
Call and see this wonderful instrument or  send  for 
catalogue to

NOS.  21-23  S.  DIVISION  ST.. 
GRAND  RAPIDS.  MICH. 
MCMULLEN  BLOCK.  2ND  FLOOR.

\

MANISTEE &  Northeastern Ry.

Best route to Manistee.

Via  C. &  W . M.  Railway.

Lv Grand Rapids................................7:00am ............
A r  Manistee......................................12:05pm ............
Lv  Manistee.....................................  S:30am 4:10pm
A r Grand  Rapids  ...........................  1:00pm 9 :55pm

T R A V E L

VIA

F. A  P  M. R. R.

AND  STEAMSHIP  LINES 

TO  ALL  POINT8  IN  MICHIGAN

H.  F .  M O E L L E R ,  A.  G.  P.  A.

What Is Your 

Husband Doing

about decorating 
those  rooms?

Do  You  Know

our  stock  of  Wall  Paper 
is new, and consists of only 
the 
latest  designs  and 
colorings?

C.  L.  HARVEY  &   CO.

59  MONROE  STREET,
OR AND  RAPIDS,  MICH.

Picture  Framing  and  Painting  of  the  Highest  Art.

Spain is

•   Dwight’s  Liquid  Bluing  ® 
I 
I

never will. 

Manufactured  by

The  Wolverine  Spice  Go..

Grand Rapids, Mich.

*   Everything  in  the  Plumbing  Line 

Everything  in  the  Heating  Line

Be it  Steam,  Hot Water  or Hot Air.  Mantels, Grates and 
Tiling.  Galvanized  Work  of  Every  Description.  Largest 
Concern  in the State.

WEATHERLY  &  PULTE,  99  Pearl  St., Grand  Rapids

%  

FOLDING  PAPER  BOXES Printed  and  plain  for  Patent 

Medicines, Extracts, Cereals, 
Crackers  and  Sweet  Goods, 
Candy,  Cough  Drops,  Tobacco  Clippings,  Condition  Powders,  Etc.  Bottle 
and Box Labels and Cigar Box Labels our specialties.  Ask or write us for  prices,

GRAND  RAPIDS  PAPER  BOX CO.

PHONE 8 5 0 .  

81. 8 3   AND 8 5  CAMPAU S T ..  GRAND RAPIDS. MICH.

n School  Supplies

New  stock.  Special  attention 
to  mail  orders.

FRANKE  BROS.,  Muskegon,  Michigan

Jobbers In D ruggists’  and  Grocers’Sundries,  Pishing 
Tackle,  Sporting Goods, Notions, Toys, Etc.

W e   M o t3  T h e   W o r l d

We are manufacturing an article that will 
suggest  itself  to  you  as  most  desirable 
for Its salable quality.  It is the

Fuller Patented Eccentric Spring  Lever  Mop  Stick

It is adapted  to  your  trade;  in  Neatness 
and Convenience it has no equal;, the price 
is reasonable;  it is being extensively  ad­
vertised ;  it has  proven a phenomenal suc­
cess wherever introduced.

E.  F.  ROWE,  Ludington, Michigan.

roar Kinds 01 coupon Boots

are  manufactured  by  us and  all  sold  on  the  same 
basis,  irrespective of size,  shape or denomination.
Free  samples  on  application.

TR A D ES M A N   C O M P A N Y ,  Grand  Rapids

| They all say F 

---- 

3

“Its as good as  Sapolio,” when  they try to sell you 
their  experiments.  Your  own  good  sense  will  tell —S  
you that they are only  trying to get you to aid  their -j»  
new article. 

: 
Who  urges you  to  keep  Sapolio? 

: 
Is it not  the  Z
public?  The  manufacturers,  by constant and judi- 
cious advertising, bring customers to your stores w h o se  —g  
very presence creates a demand for other articles.

i  

: 

: 

: 

: 

: 

: 

: 

: 

: 

^

 

z

^

Travelers’  Time  Tables.

CHICAGO

Chicago*

Lv.  G.  R apids...................7:30am  3:40pm  *  3:15am
At .  C h icago......................2:10pm  9:G5pm 
7:30air
Lv. C h ic a g o ....................7:20am  4:15pm  *  8:45pm
A r .G ’d R a p id s ........... ...  1:25pm  10:30pm  *  2:15am
Traverse  C ity,  Charlevoix and  Petoskey.
Lv. G ’d  R a p id s...............2:15am  8:05am  2:10pm
Parlor  and  Sleeping  Cars  on  afternoon  and 

n ig h t trains to  and from  C h icago.

*R very  day. 

O thers w eek  d ays on ly.

n P T D H l T   ®nu,<* Rapids & Western.
I / L  1   K U 1  1 . ^ 

June 19.1898.

Detroit.

Lv. G rand  R a p id s............7:00am  1:35pm  5:35pm
A t. D e tro it.........................11:40am  5:45pm  10:05pm
Lv. D e tro it..........................8:00am  1:10pm  6:10pm
A r.  G ran d   R a p id s......... 12:55pm  5:20pm  10:55pm

Saginaw, A in a  and  G reenville.

Lv. G  R  7:00am 4:20pm  A r.  G  R  12:20pm  S:30pt> 
P arlor cars on a ll train s  to  and  from   D etroit 
and Saginaw .  T rain s run w eek  days on ly.

Gno.  DeHaven.  G en eral Pass. A gen t.

GRAND T ru k  Railway System

D e troit and M ilw au kee D lv

(In effect M ay  15,1898)

E A ST . 

L eave. 
A rrive,
t   6:45am .Sag.,  D etroit, B u ffalo  & N  Y   .t  9:55pm
710:10am........... D etroit  and  E a s t............t   5:27pm
7  8:20pm ..Sag.,  D et.,  N.  Y.  &  B oston .. +12:45pm
*  8:00pm. - .D etroit, E ast and C a n a d a .. .*  6:35am
tl0:45am .........   M ixed  to D u ran d ............ 13:15pm

W E S T

*  8:35am__ Gd.  H aven  and  InL  Pts__ *  7:05pm
712:53pm.Gd. H aven   and In term ediate. 7  3:12pm 
7  5:32pm. .Gd. H aven an d  Interm ediate.tlO:06am
*  7:40pm .. . Gd.  H aven an d  C h ic a g o .......  8:15am
fl0:00pm..........G d. H aven  an d  M il............  6:40am
E astw ard — N o. 16 h as W agn er p arlor car.  No. 
22  parlor  car.  W estw ard— No.  11  parlor  car. 
No.  17 W agn er p arlor  car.
■ «Daily. 

tE x c e p t Sunday.

E . H.  H u sh e s, A . G. P . 4 T . A  
B in . F letcher, T rav. Pass. A gt., 
C .  A.  Justin,  C ity   Pass.  A gen t.

97 M onroe St.  M orton H ouse.

GRAND Rapids ft Indiana Railway

N orthern  D lv .  L e av e  

A rrive 
T r a v .C ’y ,P e to sk e y   &  M a c k ...*   7:45am  t   5:15pm 
T rav.  C’y, P etoskey &  M ack ., .t   2:15pm  t   6:35am
T ra v.  C ’y, P eto skey St M ack......................$10:50pm
Q ad fiiac........................................... t  5:25pm tll:1 5 a m
T ra in  le a v in g  at 7:45 a. m. has  parlor car,  and 
train   le a v in g   at  2:15  p.  m.  has  sleep in g  car  to 
M ackinaw .

A outh ern   D lv . 

L e av e   A rrive
C in cin n ati.................................... t   7:10am   t   8:25pm
F t. W a y n e .....................................t   2:10pm  t   2:00pm
C in cin n ati.....................................*  7:00pm  *  7:25am

7:10 a .m .  tra in   has p arlor  ca r to  C in cin n ati. 
2:10 p. m .  train   h as parlor  ca r  to F o rt  W ayne. 
7:00 p. m.  train   has  sleep in g  car  to C in cin n ati. 

C h icago T ra in s.

TO CHICAGO.

L v. G ran d  R a p id s...t7   10am  t2  10pm  *11  35pm 
At.  C h ic a g o ..................  2  0* pm  
6  30am

9  10pm 

FROM  CHICAGO.

L v. C h ic a g o ................................. +3  02pm  *11  45pm
7  25am
A r. G rand R a p id s.......................   9  30pm 
T ra in   le a v in g   G rand  R apids  7.10  a.  m.  has 
b uffet  parlor  car  to  C h icago.  T ra in   le av in g  
G rand R apids 11 35 p. m. h as coach  and Pu llm a n  
sleep in g car to C hicago.

T rain  le a v in g   C h icago  3.02  p.  m.  has  b uffet 
parlor  car  to  G ran d   R apids.  T ra in  
le av in g  
C h icago  11.45  p.  m .  has  coach   an d   P ullm an  
sleep in g c a r to G ran d  Rapids.
GOING WEST.

M uskegon  T ra in s.

L v G ’d   R a p id s..............77:36am  tl:00pm  75:40pm
A r M uskegon .................9:00am  2:10pm  7:05pm

CKMVCt H 8 T *

L v  M uskegon............ ..78:10am   7U:45am   74:00pm
A r G ’d R a p id s ............... 9:30am  12:55pm  5:20pm

S un d ay train s le a v e   G rand  R apids  9.00  a.  m. 
an d  7.00 p. m.  L e ave  M uskegon  8.35  a.  m.  and 
6J15 p.  m.

tB x c e p t Sunday.  «Daily.  $Saturday only.
C.  L .  LOCKW OOD, 

G en’l Passr. an d  T ic k e t A gent. 

W .  C.  B L A K E , 

T ic k e t A g en t U nion Station,

DULUTH, Soath Shore aid Atlantic 

Railway.

WEST  BOUND.

L v . G rand R apid s  (G. R.  Sc L)711:10pm   77:45am
4:20pm
L v.  M ackin aw  C ity .....................   7:35am
5:20pm
A r. St.  Ig n a c e ..............................   9:00am
9:50pm
A r.  San lt Ste. M arie...................   12:20pm
10:40pm
A r. M arq uette...............................  2:50pm
12:45am
A r. N estoria..................................   5:20pm
8:30am
A r. D n ln t h ..................................................

EAST  BOUND.

L v . D n ln th ......................................................   70:30pm
2:45am
A r. N e sto ria...................................711:15am  
1:30pm 
A r.  M arqnette...................... 
 
4:30am
L v . S an lt Ste. M arie..................  
3:30pm  —
A r. M ackin aw  C it y ..................  
8:40pm  11:00am
G .  W .  Hib b a r d , G en. Pass. A g t.  M arqnette. 
E . C . O vlatt, T ra v.  Pass.  A g t., G ran d  R a p id s

^6 Executive  Committee *£

E.  W.  Jones,  Chairman.

Hon.  G eo.  R.  Perry. 

C.  W.  Black.

W.  H.  Boyns.

A.  O.  C rozier.

G.  S.  Johnson.

C o l.  M.  A.  Aldrich.
C.  W.  C hauncey.

J.  Bo yd  Pantlind. 

Leo  A.  C aro.

W.  S.  WlNEGAR.

A.  May.

C o l.  M.  A.  Aldrich,  Director  General.

Carnival  of Fun

October  25,  26,  27,  28.

THE  FOLLOWING  IS  THE  PROGRAM  SO  FAR  AS  NOW  COMPLETED
THURSDAY
PATRIOTS’  DAY

TUESDAY

AGRICULTURAL  AND  CYCLE  DAY.
Sunrise— National Salute by Fox  Battery. 
Forenoon— Reception and  escort  of  visitors  at 

depots.

10:30 A .M .—  Meeting  of  all  Committees 

Headquarters.

in 

11 ¡30 A.  M.— Delivery of City  Keys.
12  M.— Informal  Parade of  Employes  of  Busi­

ness Houses in Costume.
Salute by Fox Battery,  Blowing of Whistles, 
Display of  National Colors, etc.

1:30 P.  M.— Free Street Shows.
3  P.  M.—Agricultural  Parade.
Sunset— Salute by Fox  Battery.
7  P.  M.— Parade of  National, State, County and

City Officials.

8  P.  M.—Wheelmen’s Parade.
All day— Midway Shows.

WEDNESDAY

MUSICIANS’,  CHILDREN’S  AND 

INDUSTRIAL  DAY.
Sunrise—Salute by Fox  Battery.
Forenoon— Reception and  escort  of  visitors  at 

depots.

10 A.  M.— Free Street  Shows.
12  M.— Band Concerts.  Salute by Fox  Battery. 
1:30 P.  M.— Free Street Shows.
2  P.  M.—Children’s Parade.
3  P.  M.— Band  Parade and  Prize Contest. 
Sunset— Salute by  Fox  Battery.
8  P.  M.— Grand  Industrial  Parade.
All day— Midway Shows.

Program for this day  in  course  of  preparation, 
intended to give expression of popular senti­
ment over results of War with  Spain.

Floral  Parade.

FRIDAY

TRAVELING  MEN’S  AND  CARNIVAL  DAY.

Sunrise—Salute by  Fox  Battery.
Forenoon— Reception and  escort  of  visitors  at 

depots.

10 A.  M.— Free Street Shows.
12  M.— Band Concerts.  Salute by Fox  Battery.
1.30  P.  M.— Free  Street Shows.
2:30 P.  M.— Cake  Walk.
3:30 P.  M.— Traveling  Men’s Parade.
Sunset— Salute by  Fox  Battery.
8  P.  M.— Carnival  Parade.
10 P.  M.—Carnival  Ball.
All day— Midway Shows.

^   <£  MORE  FUN  THAN  LAST  YEAR 

'* '* '< *

Excursions  on  all  Railroads  during  Entire  Week.

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