The Merchants' Association VISCOUNT BRYCE'S FRANK DISCUS-ation of the ruin and misery which hang of New York The Woolworth Building 233 Broadway CHANE THEOME "To Foster the Trade and Welfare of New York" Telephone Barclay 7660 OFFICERS WILLIAM FELLOWES MORGAN, President. S. C. MEAD, Secretary. HUGH LYNCH, Assistant to the Secretary. The Luncheon Meeting of the Mem-the nations bordering upon each other bers' Council of The Merchants' Asso- there were making life almost unbearciation last Tuesday in honor of Vis-able for the people of those nations, and he called upon America to join with count Bryce was an auspicious opening of the present season of activity on the England in healing the sores and dissi- tions. The meeting of last Tuesday, distinViscount Bryce occupies a unique guished by Lord Bryce's wise and place among the world's "elder states- scholarly address, will long be rememmen." His long career, going back to bered by the members of The Merchants' Association who attended it. Gladstone's Cabinet, his varied experi ence, his learning and his wisdom en- possess. CHANGING PRICE LEVELS Some interesting studies of changes The greeting extended to him by the in price levels have been completed by Council was so warm and the demonstra- the Industrial Bureau of The Mertions of personal affection were chants' Association. They indicate that marked that Lord Bryce was deeply the gradual approach to normal condimoved. He sailed for home on the day tions is continuing. SO W. H. CONNELL, Asst. Mgr. Traffic Bureau. G. W. BRAMHALL, Mgr. Members'p Bureau. DIRECTORS sage to America, to sum up with re- The most conspicuous feature of the rope, and in India and Japan show a lack of uniformity in price tendencies, but indicate on the whole a halt in the general decline so that it is now posBERTRAM H. BORDEN; M. C. D. Borden and Sons. sible to indicate the extreme low point WILLIAM C. BREED; Breed, Abbott and Morgan. WILLIAM HAMLIN CHILDS; Chairman of the Ex-Bryce, was the earnest and confident as well as the extreme high point of ecutive Committee of The Barrett Company, and Vice-President of the Allied hope expressed by each of the speakers fluctuations. In other words, reports LINCOLN CROMWELL; William Iselin and Com- that the approaching conference in indicate that, for the time being at least, LUCIUS R. EASTMAN; President of the Hills Washington with regard to national the price recession has been succeeded Brothers Company. MICHAEL FRIEDSAM; President of B. Altman armaments would lead to a reduction by an upward turn. and Company. Lamb. Chemical and Dye Corporation. pany. CHARLES R. LAMB; President of J. and R. of the military establishments of the Another study, dealing with the cost world, with a consequent relief from intolerable taxation and an abatement of the war fever. JOHN H. LOVE; Graupner, Love and Lamprecht. WALDO H. MARSHALL. JOHN W. NIX; President of John Nix and of living, shows that the decline in the retail prices of articles considered in determining living costs, still continues. In addition to his discussion of this Compared with the level of December, subject, Lord Bryce touched upon the 1914, the cost of living prices in this J. CRAWFORD MCCREERY; The James McCreery situation in the Pacific and in China City arose to a high point of 219.2 per Company. It is shown that a LEOPOLD PLAUT; Chairman of the Board of the country in the world, has any foreign large part of this excess is due to rents, Black and Boyd Manufacturing Company. He predicted a set- clothing, furniture and fuel, and that GEORGE A. POST; of the George A. Post Com aggression to fear. pany. lement of the troubles between England the cost of food is now only about 50 and Ireland, relieving a situation that is per cent above the 1914 level. irksome to every English-speaking people. J. LOUIS SCHAEFER; Vice-President and Treas urer of W. R. Grace and Company. JAMES GILBERT WHITE; President of J. G. Perhaps the most striking and force Keep your file of "Greater New York" OWEN D. YOUNG; Vice-President and General ful portion of Lord Bryce's remarkable complete. You can get a special cover for Counsel of the General Electric Company. address was his brief and vivid deline-it on application—price sixty-five cents. Merchants' Association's Record Warmly Praised Other Commercial Organizations, Both in New York City and Outside, Express their Admiration of Its Work and Methods in Acknowledging Receipt of the Year Book for 1921-Find Useful Information in "Greater New York” tion of New York of great interest and value and consider 'Greater New York' one of the most valuable publications Keeps a Complete File High valuation placed by other com- tion not only informs us by showing the mercial organizations upon the Year way, but stimulates us to achieve for ourselves." Book of The Merchants' Association is Newburgh Chamber of Commerce, which come to our office." indicated in replies received from a cirNewburgh, New York: "Activities of cular note of inquiry asking whether The Merchants' Association of New such organizations desire to have the York is shown through the weekly pubYear Book and "Greater New York" lication, and carefully read and then ough of Queens, Long Island City, New placed on file for future reference. Material contained in it is of great importance and value." sent to them as usual. Interesting Replies Received Many interesting replies have been received. Among them were the following: Chamber of Commerce of Michigan City, Indiana: "The various reports of your officers and details of your activities show the magnitude of your organization and the information vouchsafed proves especially helpful to smaller community like ours which is ambitious to build greater and benefit by the experience of the larger organization." a Bloomington Association of Com"Your merce, Bloomington, Illinois: publications occupy a prominent place in our library and are quite generally used." Chamber of Commerce of Herkimer, New York: "This Chamber has been receiving your publication and not to receive the same would be a decided loss." Forty-second Street Property Owners' and Merchants' Association, Inc., New York City: "Both of the above publications are read with much interest and are greatly appreciated by our association." Elmira Business Men's Association, Elmira, New York: "This Association enjoys your Year Book, and especially your publication 'Greater New York.' Both of them are of great value to us." Of Unusual Interest Chamber of Commerce of the Bor York: "We have a complete file of the Year Books and weekly publication 'Greater New York' for the last nine or ten years, which we believe to be of great value." Middletown Chamber of Commerce, Middletown, Connecticut: "The progress of New York merchants is always an inspiration, even if small communities cannot hope to imitate it." Schenectady Board of Trade, Schenectady, New York: "Your 'Greater New York' is one that we hold close to us, while there are some we get we hardly get time to even glance over." Appreciates Year Book Chamber of Commerce, Meriden, Connecticut: "We greatly appreciate both the Year Book and the weekly publication 'Greater New York.' Please accept our thanks for this courtesy." Parkersburg Board of Commerce, The National Pipe and Supplies AsChamber of Commerce of Richmond, sociation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: "I Indiana: "We find your publications note from your circular letter of Sep- Parkersburg, West Virginia: "We greatvery interesting. The information is tember 28th that I am to again receive ly enjoy your publications and look forreliable and arranged in very conveni- a copy of your Year Book. I very great- ward with the greatest of interest to reent form for ready reference." ly appreciate your thoughtfulness in ceiving them." sending this, because it has been of un- Writing Paper Manufacturers' Assousual interest to me in years past. Your ciation, 18 East Forty-first Street, New Illinois: "We find both publications of weekly publication 'Greater New York,' York City: "We have received The As "Of Great Value" Chamber of Commerce of Kankakee, great value." Wilson Chamber of Commerce, Wilson, North Carolina: "The Year Book is used quite often by our local merchants." has been a source of great pleasure, association's 1921 Year Book and want to well as useful information, to me, and I compliment you on the excellence of this read it each week with great interest." publication." Oswego Chamber of Commerce, In- Chamber of Commerce, Nyack, New corporated, Oswego, New York: "Our York: "We take this opportunity to exBoard of Commerce of Pontiac, Michi- members have always found the Year press our gratitude to you for the fine Book of The Merchants' Association of way in which you cooperate with us and gan: "We are always grateful to regreat value as a reference work, and all other civic organizations, be they ceive your publications. The 'Greater especially find continued use for the large or small." New York' publication gives us the knowledge concerning New York that is classified list of members and their busiworth reading and knowing." ness." Would Not Be Without It Worcester Chamber of Commerce, Hannibal Chamber of Commerce, Worcester, Massachusetts: "As usual Hannibal, Missouri: "We consider the Year Book of The Merchants' Asso- 'Greater New York' one of the most ciation is most interesting and intelli- interesting publications on our readgently covers a great number of worth- ing table, and would not want to be while activities. We are always glad without it." to receive it." Chamber of Commerce of Auburn, New York: "We have greatly appreciated the information contained in The Association's Year Book and also in the 'Greater New York,' which has been helpful to many of our members." Says Merchants' Association Stimulates Albany Chamber of Commerce, AlChamber of Commerce of Elizabeth, bany, New York: "We always find the New Jersey: "The Merchants' Associa- publications of The Merchants' Associa Board of Commerce, Saginaw, Michigan: "Writer considers 'Greater New York' best conducted civic organization bulletin published." HOW NEW YORK EMPLOYERS ARE CARING FOR WORKERS Inquiry Made by The Merchants' Association Shows that Most of the Suggestions of the National Unemployment Conference Are Already in Effect in This City the length of the week-operating three Prepared by the Industrial Bureau of our employees as possible by reducing "We have found that by the introducThe Merchants' Association tion of certain leaders or staple numbers that are sold very closely by us, we can manage to keep our plants going in the "We have no protection for our em- slack periods of the season, at a considployees against unemployment other erable cost to us in some cases because than a profit-sharnig fund of which the business that we take is not profitmany of our employees are members, able, but it holds our organization toand which gives them some relief gether, and that is indispensable to the through withdrawal in case of distress. maintenance of efficiency. The United States Chamber of Commerce is seeking the cooperation of the various commercial organizations in the country in carrying out the emergency program of the National Unemployment Conference, of which Mr. Joseph H. Defrees, President of the National Chamber, is a member. "We have not undertaken any new "During the period when prices were Industries Asked to Cooperate construction but are making long-need- dropping drastically we were confronted In the emergency program of the cd repairs in our operating equipment with a situation that was very extraor National Conference the cooperation of that we were not in a position to pay dinary, and we had for the first time in manufacturers and other employers is attention to in the past two or three many years to forego purchases in adespecially solicited. Manufacturers are years." urged to contribute to the relief of present acute conditions by adopting part time work through reduced time or the rotation of jobs; in as far as possible to manufacture for stock; to reduce the Length of Service Counts Another typical letter manifests interest in the solution of the problem: vance of those materials required to keep our plants going full. Instead, however, we managed at considerable cost to ourselves to keep them going three days a week, and in some plants as much as five days a week, contenting ourselves with a very much smaller quantity of work than we paid for. In other words, we consciously took a loss on the work that we did make during this period. "We are extremely glad to note that number of hours of labor per day; to you are undertaking a study that may reduce the work-week by a lower num- lead to alleviating the problem of the ber of days; and to take advantage of unemployed and are extremely sorry to the present opportunity to do as much have to advise that we have no very plant construction, repairs and cleaning worthy suggestions to offer. up as possible, with the consequent "In common, I think, with most con"We also gave our employees one transfer of many employees to other cerns, we have to as great an extent as day's pay extra where they had only than their regular work. possible, undertaken general work, mi- worked three days a week. Our emAll owners of private houses and nor repairs, and rehabilitation to keep ployees are not protected in any way hotels, office buildings and similar the principal part of our force going against unemployment, either through structures, are urged to undertake during the slack time, and have regu- unemployment insurance or some form necessary repairs, cleaning and altera-lated in so far as possible the hours of employee benefits, because this is the tions during this emergency period. worked per week, in conformity with first time that we recall that we have the existing demand, thus retaining as ever had a situation in which our usual methods of providing work for slack periods could not be carried out. Retails His Product "So far as we individually are concerned, we believe we can handle this problem without resort to any form of unemployment insurance or employee benefits, but we recognize that many manufacturers are not so situated. We are very tolerant indeed of some constructive program looking to provision Results of Inquiry Here That many of these plans have al- largely as possible, our older and more ready been adopted by employers in efficient employees, even at some slight New York City is evident from an in- sacrifice to them in their weekly wage. quiry made earlier in the year by the Beyond this we have not hit upon any Industrial Bureau of The Merchants' other solution." Association among some of the larger employers in the City. Of 118 concerns A clothing manufacturer writes that replying to The Association's inquiry, his company provides continuous emeighty stated that they were making a special effort to assist their employees ployment as follows: in the present emergency. Although "The manner in which this company against unemployment but have no plan some employers in adopting this pro- operates its plants provides for continu- that we can suggest other than that we gram were actuated solely by a desire ous employment throughout the year, have this general idea: that any plan to assist the workers, others did so in made possible by the fact that we sup- that is worked out should make the a realization of the value of maintain-ply merchandise to our own stores who employer a beneficiary of such provision ing their organization so that they would have always been able to use more than as he has made against unemployment. be able to handle additional work as we are able to turn out. Our shops, In other words, if a manufacturer so soon as business began to pick up. therefore, are never closed, and unem- plans his business as to keep his people ployment is unknown among our work- employed steadily throughout the year he should get the benefit of it in any scheme of unemployment insurance. otherwise the incentive to keep people Another clothing manufacturer makes employed steadily would be taken away What Employers Say The following excerpts of letters are characteristic of the answers to The Association's inquiry: ers." Makes Use of "Leaders" "We endeavor to maintain as many of the following suggestions: from the employer." HOW NEW YORK EMPLOYERS practice to reduce the working hours RETURNING RUSH Another clothing manufacturer writes: "We would say in this connection that for the past three and a half years, we have employed our factory, in so far as the machine end is concerned, under a contract which guarantees them employment for a minimum time of fortyeight (48) weeks to the year. Up to the present our factory has been worked to its capacity." Distributes the Work Still another clothing manufacturer writes as follows: “We have managed to keep practically our entire force engaged for at least ten months in the year. work." Holds as Many as Possible SWAMPS CUSTOMS Experienced Men Detached from the Appraiser's Stores to Examine Baggage on Piers "During the present period of busi- "We have retained men to clean our presses and make minor repairs thereto. and weeks, and where it was found im possible to keep certain employees on Complaints have reached The Merchants' Association from its members with respect to delays occurring at the Customs House, due to the withdrawal of experienced appraisers from duty at the Appraiser's Stores to serve as examiners of hand baggage on the piers during the arrival of steamships. Withdrawal at Its Height soon as "Our employees are not protected in any way against unemployment but we Inquiry indicates that this withdrawal have at all times endeavored to distriis at its height during the present weeks, bute the work in such a manner as to "This latter plan has proved very owing to the heavy tourist travel returnmake very short temporary unemploy- agreeable to both ourselves and our ing to the United States from abroad, ment to anyone of them not a matter of employees. As far as the advantages to and that conditdions will doubtless be ourselves, it means that we do not lose remedied as hardship." that traffic dewhat good men we have and on the creases. In the meantime, the Chairother hand it means that no individual man of the Committee on Customs Seron our payroll suffers total unemploy- vice and Revenue Law, Mr. B. A. Levett, ment, which is, by this method pro and Mr. W. H. Mahoney, Manager of The rated among all the men in the various Association's Foreign Trade Bureau, are groups." Keeps Workers Together A manufacturer of embroideries writes: "Generally we are kept busy manufacturing orders taken by our selling force and as a rule when business falls off we manufacture stock merchandise, and in this way keep our factory force intact. INCOME TAX LECTURES "We do not carry employment insur- Free Evening Course Designed for Business Men and Women ance or have employee benefits, nor have adopted a shorter work day a week, but when the piece workers' wages drop A complete course of evening lectures considerably we put them on a regular on Federal and State Income Taxes is weekly wage and that enables us to to be given under the auspices of the keep all of our workers." Sells at Small Profit The following suggestions come from a ribbon manufacturer: conferring with the appraiser of the Port of New York, in order to determine if it is possible to assign less important persons for the work of examing hand baggage, thereby permitting appraisers continuing their regular work uninter ruptedly at the Appraiser's Stores. Examination of Imports Before Entry A correspondent asked that The Association advocate that importers be perCollege of the City of New York, be- mitted to examine merchandise before entry. The course is ginning on October 14. designed to meet the needs of business men and women, lawyers, accountants, revenue agents and tax officials. "The only scheme we have been able Owing to the abnormally large class to hit upon for the employment of the of college students who will a.tend,, the maximum number of people is by doing lectures are to be given in the Audibusiness at a small profit and selling torium of the Manhattan Trade School, some items at a loss during times of depression. "We are following this rather discouraging program now, resulting in keeping our institution going full blast at present. "We carry no insurance against unemployment. The only insurance we carry is group insurance, accident insurance, sick benefits, etc. "In times of depression, we make every possible repair and try as far as possible to give employment by the rehabilitation of the plant. Special "binders" or covers for "Greater "When all this fails, we make it a New York" may be had for sixty-five cents. Various conferences regarding this proposal bring out the fact that thig procedure, although often suggested by importers, has never been seriously considered by authorities at the Port of New York, inasmuch as it would make possible improper acts on the part of importers, which could not well be prevented by the Customs authorities, such as the substitution of merchandise or the removal of merchandise. PANAMA CANAL TRAFFIC The United States Coastwise traffic passing through the Panama Canal last year amounted to 1,372,388 tons, of which 698,429 tons were shipped from Atlantic to Pacific and 673,959 tons from Pacific to Atlantic. The total was 11.83 per cent, over one-ninth of all cargo carried through the Canal during the year. MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION ACTS TO PROTECT SHIPPERS It Protests to Interstate Commerce Commission Against Attempt of the Express Company and the Erie Railroad to Advance Rates on Carload Fruit-New Southern Service Prepared by the Traffic Bureau of The in one State and points in another State, and as October 14, 1921, increasing the proporsuch common carrier is subject to the provisions tional rates upon fruit and vegetables, Merchants' Association of the Interstate Commerce Act. rated, and the E. Y. Foley and Frank H. Buck Company against the American Railway Express Company to compel it to restore its service for delivery of fruit at its Duane Street Station, Pier 20, North River, without extra charge. Established Practice Dropped terminal. V. on III. That facilities for the handling and mar- carloads, from the Jersey terminals of The Merchants' Association has inter-keting of fruit and vegetables have been provided at Pier 20, North River (the Duane Street the Erie Railroad Company to Piers vened in an application made by the terminal of the Erie Railroad), to take care of American Fruit and Vegetable Shippers' this particular traffic and with the cooperation Numbers 20 and 21, North River, to be of the shippers it has been established as the applied shipments originating at Association, the California Fruit Dis- central delivery point for Manhattan deliveries. IV. That under the former rate adjustment points west of the Mississippi River tributors, the Stewart Fruit Company, by which the American Railway Express Comthe American Fruit Growers' Incorpo-pany and its predecessor, the Wells Fargo Com- which are re-consigned in transit, from pany, applied the New York rate to Pier 20, the present charge of $30 per car to a North River, New York, industrial conditions and business enterprises predicated thereon have charge of $51 per car, the effect of been established at and in the vicinity of this which increase would place further That the discontinuance of the application transportation burden on the handling of the New York rate to Pier 20, North River, New York, by the long established and recog of these food products to Manhattan. nized standard route of the express company The Merchants' Association, through would work irreparable injury to industries and enterprises that have been so established and its Traffic Bureau, in the interest of its would add materially to the cost of fruit and vegetables to the consuming public of Manhattan members handling and marketing fruit It was the practice of the company for VI. That the long maintenance of the former and vegetables and in the interest of the many years to deliver fruit and vegeta-rate adjustment under which the New York rate trade and welfare of New York, has has been applied to Pier 20, North River, New York, is a criterion of its reasonableness and filed a petition with the Interstate Comshould not, therefore, be disturbed. merce Commission, requesting the susVII. That under the American system of rates, river transfers (by vessel or bridge) and pension of these proposed tariffs pendterminal expenses incurred in the rendering of ing an investigation and hearing by the transportation services to the public are not treated as separate and distinct charges from Commission as to the reasonableness of that incurred in the carriage of the goods, and the increased charges proposed. should not be so treated in the pending case. bles shipped in carload lots from California, Arizona and Nevada at the Duane Street Station. It terminated this service on March 1 last, giving notice that thereafter an additional charge of twenty cents per 100 pounds, or in case of carloads lightered in the car, the regular Erie Railroad Company's charge for floating service, would be made. If the additional charge was not paid, consignees were told that they must accept delivery at Jersey City. Island. WHEREFORE, said Merchants' Association of The hearing was postponed Erie Rate Advance inal for Carload Fruit until Fibre Containers Strong Protest Made Against Proposal to Change Rule This Association Intervenes A hearing on the proposed revision of Vigorous demonstrations failed to inthe Consolidated Freight Classification duce the express company to modify this rules and regulations with respect to the order and the complaint was filed by the use of fibre board, pulp board or double various concerns mentioned before the faced corrugated straw board containInterstate Commerce Commission to Railroad Makes Jersey Its Termers, was held in the Classification Comcompel it to do so. The case was asmittee rooms at New York on Septemsigned for a hearing before Examiner ber 26. A very large attendance of Gerry of the Interstate Commerce ComThe Erie Railroad Company has is- traffic representatives of various indusmission in the Assembly Rooms of The sued a tariff to become effective with trial and commercial organizations and Merchants' Association on September 28, October 14, 1921, proposing to establish traffic managers representing individual when The Merchants' Association filed terminal charges for the delivery of concerns were present in opposition. The its intervening petition, signed by Mr. fruit and vegetables, carloads, at its Merchants' Association of New York was J. C. Lincoln, Manager of the Traffic Duane Street Station, Piers Numbers 20 represented by the Assistant Manage? Bureau of The Association, as follows: and 21, North River. These charges are of its Traffic Department. Comes now your petitioner, The Merchants' to be in addition to the through rates The principal grounds of protest were sents that it has an interest in the matters in provided for the transportation of fruit (a) increased cost of containers which moves that it be allowed to intervene in and and vegetables, carloads, from points of would fall upon the shippers were the become a party to said proceeding and for cause origin to their Duane Street Terminal proposed regulations adopted; (b) that I. The Merchants' Association of New York and which through rates now contem- the proposed regulations would not af Association of New York, and respectfully repre litigation in the above entitled proceeding, and of intervention says: is an incorporated Association formed for the purpose of fostering the trade and welfare of plate the delivery of the goods at the of 6,500 members made up in large part of in- II. That the American Railway Express Company is a common carrier engaged in the trans Reconsigned Shipments The Erie Railroad Company has also ford the additional protection as against loss or damage which carriers had in contemplation. It was claimed by the carriers that some of the manufacturers of fibre board and corrugated boxes were furnishing inferior packages and portation of property by railroad or partly by issued a tariff to become effective with that some of the shippers were using railroad and partly by water, between points |