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VOL. VI, NO. «r. Phone Wilmette 1640. WILMETTE, ILLINOIS. FRIDAY, MAY 14. 1915. PRICE FIVE SYSTEM CUTS John H. Schaefer, Cashier of Wilmette Exchange State Bank; Writes On This Subject. PRINTED IN SYSTEM Magazine On Business De- votes Much Space to De- tailed Explanation. In tbe May issue of "System," a magazine on business, published in Chicago by A. W. Shaw, there is an article by John H. Schaefer. cashier of the Wilmette Exchange State Bank, on "Setting Credit Standards." It tells tbe-story of how the merchants in the New Trier Township Commer- cial association cooperated to raise the standard of collections 50 per cent. f The article is reprinted here in full: Saves targe Amount "Interchange of credit experiences saves the merchants of New Trier township, Illinois, many hundreds of dollars annually. Today, credits there are established on a sound basis; and collections, on the aver- age, are 60 per cent better than they were two years ago. This desirable condition Is entirely due to tbe ef- fective organization of merchants and business men in the township. "Two years ago, before this organi- zation was created, merchants of the hull-dozen towns in this vicinity used the same methods In extending credits that prevail 'in the majority of small towns. Bach dealer traveled bis own way and knew nothing about.the ex- periences of his competitors. When Mrs. Smith-Jones, lor example, re- quested the -privilege of a Charger ac- count, the dealer had, besides her word that she would pay. • only the references that she cared to give; and he relied on his own Judgment as to her ability and willingness to meet her obligations. If she failed to pay, she soon transferred her trade to a competitor; and the original dealer felt a certain pleasure, greater or less, according to his temperament. In watching Mrs. Smith-Jones 'sting' his rival. The two dealers failed to recognize in her a common enemy. War Against Dead Beats." Recognition of this very fact, however, is the condition that Is to* day bringing Into being more and mot e organizations like tbe New Trier Commercial association. The war against the 'dead beats' cannot be waged successfully alone. The man who does not pay bis debts relim. in tact, on lack of organisation among merchants to attain his ends. Con* petition of the sort that alma as a rival's throat la what permits him to i>rey first on one and then on another dealer, until he has gone the rounda of all of them. He dreads, above all. having his name listed 'black' on an index that can be freely consulted by all the merchants he wishes to obtain credit from. His past record there Btauds plainly revealed, and the dealer who still grants him a credit privilege does so with all danger signals up. and at his own risk. Merchants of New Trier township have found they can co-operate suc- cessfully against the 'dead beat,' and the experience of two years proves they can do this, not only without in- jury to their individual businesses, but with positive benefits to them- selves. Their success suggests a way for the formation of similar Organi- zations in other communities where the same need exists. Once organ- ized, an association of the sort is practically automatic in Its work- ing. The Marking Scheme. "The first problem faced by the New Trier organisers was to establish ratings for the credit buyers of the community. This was effected in the following way: each merchant went through his books and listed his credit customers, giving the name and address in every__case. - Then he placed a check mark beside each name; tliowlng bis experience with that customer. There were five classes: "prompt," 'good.' fair,' "slow,* and 'very poor.' To save time in com piling the lists, these classes were designated respectively by the num- bers l, 2. 3, 4 and 5. **A 'prompt* customer was one who made a practice of paying bills with- in fifteen day* of the time when statements were pat in the mail. A 'good' customer was one who was per- fectly reliable, but usually paid from fifteen to thirty days after his bill »as received. Still slower cus- NEW MOTOR CONCERN OPENS IN WILMETTE McGauran-Neill Company Will Sell Automobiles and Offer Service. The McGauran-Neill Company, dis- tributors of new and used automo- biles, have recently opened an office and salesroom in Wilmette. Realiz- ing the opportunities on the north shore, they chose Wilmette as their headquarters, and have as fine an es- tablishment as any of the firms in Michigan avenue. Both Mr. McGauran and Mr. Neill have a great following in the motor world and are experts and authorities on all motor driven vehicles. Mr. Mc- Gauran was formerly with the Stearns factory, where he was instrumental in designing the racing cars which he drove during 1908 and 1909, win- ning every race he entered. Since that time he has been in the sales end of the business and has bad experi- ence with practically every make of car, both gasoline and electric. Mr. Neill recently moved to Chicago from the Bast, where he also distinguished himself in the automobile business, establishing an enviable reputation among automobile men. He also re- ceived his training in some of the high class factories. Both of these men are pioneers in the automobile industry. Their expert advice and opinion will doubtless be appreciated by some of the dissatisfied motorists. MAY MERGE CIVIC AND LIBRARY CLUBS Glencoe Women Think They Could Accomplish Better Results United. One of the Interesting points in the business of the annual meeting of the Glencoe Woman's Library Club was the report of a special committee ap- pointed to confer with the president of the Equal Suffrage and Civics as- sociation as to a suitable method of uniting that organisation with the .club. The committee, Mrs. Marc. W. Dar- ling and Mrs. James P. Brewster, recommended that the club extend on invitation to the suffrage organization to become a branch of the club, offer- ing a plan of adjustment of dues in detail. In the math idea ' the club seemed to be heartily in accord. As to some details of the report there was considerable discussion. The out come was entirely satisfactory to all who took part In the discussion A civics department Is to be formed by the club. The Suffrages and Civics association are Invited as an organize ttoa to become members of this de- partment, its members becoming full members of the club on payment of the annual dues This invitation has not y#t been aeW upon by the Suf- frage and CHvies association. They will meet Maw*-*, May 17. when the subject »•» be SPEEI>KRS PLENTIFUL ON CHESTNUT AVE. Letter From Resident Says Machines Travel at Dan- gerous Rate of Speed. SHOULD FLAN iMAY ASSEMBLY FOR 1840, SAYS In an Address Before Civic Association, M. H. West Advises Them to Look Ahead. BUY PROPERTY NOW Make Provisions for Public Parks While Real Estate Prices Are Low. OF MEN'S CLUB ENOS SE Indoor Sport is Now Dis- placed By the Garden* the Golf Courses and Tennis Courts. —p O.W.SCHMIDT SPEAKER Told Group What He Meant to Do for Wilmette While In Office of President. A story appeared In The Lake Shore News last week to the effect that speeders were scarce In Wil- mette. A letter has been received from a resident of the village with the fol- lowing comment on this subject. "It was reported in last week's is- sue that auto speeders were scarce in Wilmette, only one arrest having been made so far this month. "It Is believed if an officer was sta- tioned on Chestnut avenue for a while he would find it necessary to make many arrests. "Property owners along that street have made complaint concerning the recklessness of drivers. The lives of HtUe children are greatly at hazard and the village should provide means of some nature to stop the speeding on this mile stretch." FILM ACTRESS SAVED. RHa -JFoHvet -*tar—to—the—Lasky picture. "The- Unafraid." which is on the bill at the Village theater tomor- row. was one of the passengers on the Lusitania who was saved. She was talking with Mr. Charles Froh- man, the play producer, when the ship was torpedoed. Miss Jollvet was res- cued; Mr. Ftohmaa was drowned. IConttsned on Page a.) JOINT SUNDAY SERVICE. Next Sunday evening the congrega- tions of the Congregational. " odist. Baptist and churches will unite In a onion service *i the Presbyterian Church- The service will begin at 7:4a, and one si the local pastors will preach. Plans should be drawn now for the Wilmette of 1940, and steps should at once be taken toward the beautifl- cation of Wilmette of 1915. This was the keynote of the message delivered by Mr. M. H. West, president of tbe American Park Builders, at tbe last meeting of the Wilmette Civic asso- ciation. He spoke, in part, as fol- lows: Matter of Prudence. "Wilmette should plan for future growth as a mere matter of business prudence. Another twenty-five years will see Chicago a city of five million people and her suburbs with many times their present population. A» other quarter century will find Wil- mette built up solid as far west as she can get territory and with at least 25,000 people. She should not make posterity pay for her lack of fore- sight. She should plan for the growth which is imminent so that there will be the least possible loss and waste. A Civic Center. "A comprehensive plan should pro- vide for a civic center, using the Vil- lage hall as a nucleus. Included in the scheme should be a commodious Union station which wouid socommo- date .. all lines, of transportation. Leading up to this should be a park- like approach extending to the limits of the village, both north and south. As wide a strip of wooded ground should be secured for this as possible for it will always be the main en trance to Wilmette. Public Parks. "On the east the whole lake front Bhould be parked tor public use, urn. on the west, beyond the ridge, a large reservation should be made of at least tOO acres, scattered throughout the village ground should be acquired foi small parks and playgrounds. It U Imperative that such provision ti. made now and not twenty-five years hence. On the south the drainage canal should be improved with con creto walls, a boulevard and a park like right-of-way. The entrance to the canal should bo made a harbor for pleasure craft. Better Buy Now. "Better far to secure all these im provements now by a bond issue which would be paid in the years tc come then to wait until the value oi the land due. to a crowded condition, has advanced to a prohibitive figure. The Lincoln Park commissioners have recently purchased a few acres of ground and wrecked eighty build inga in order to build a playground in a crowded section. The cost was $600,000, If the area had been set aside twenty years ago, as it should have been, the cost would have been a small fraction of that amount Set of Plans. "The Wilmette Plan commission, recently organised, should secure the necessary funds to pay for a set of comprehensive plans which would em brace all the features above men tioned, and many more. With the plans In hand a campaign of public education should be made and the question of a bond issue submitted to the voters. Its success would be as- sured, for every man and woman could be made to see the great economic, physical and artistic an* vantage to be secured. Do This New. "In the meantime every one can begin the work of village beaut loca- tion by keeping a well kept lawn, a few choice banks of shrubbery, prop-, erly trimmed trees, and a well cared for house. The Wilmette Civic as- sociation has by Its garden contest taken a good stop toward toe encour- agement of these essentials Tbe contest Is a game which every citi- zen should encourage by bis own reg- istration. The town of Northampton. Mass.. which has had such a contest for nearly twenty years* and which test year had over one thousand en- tries, has been completely remodeled and rebeau11 fled by this mesas. Da«MM With ths Si an*. "There ere many details of etrle 5™*J™^iilBwemee* wM* could he given at tention by the Village board imme- diate^. All stem boards should be ■iiNittrtMA an shear have been In many LIBRARY HIIS ENJOYED GOOD GROWTH IN YEAR Annual Report to Board of Trustees Shows Gains In Books and In Interest. SERVICE TO CHILDREN Catering to the Wants of Youthful Citizens In Mat- ter of Good Reading. The May assembly of the Wilmette's Men's club brought a full house on Tuesdsy night and tbe year's enter- tainments closed with a flourish. Local Pianist Enjoyed. The guaranteed vaudeville was full quality and a yard wide. The canto? mlttee who booked It will not have any demands made that the money be refunded. There were six numbers. One was local. That was the piano playing of B. h. Goes. At the March muster he was described as the in- genious impeller of the ivories. At this last program It was said that he would move the audience; not the piano. He did that all right There wasn't a minute of Intermission. He played right on. W. S. Hancock, the whistling car- toonist, contented himself by drawing pictures of P. M. Bingham, secretary of the Men's dub, and of C. P. Vsn Schaak. Ralph Bled was advertised as a novelty musician, playing an In- strument that was equal to a full band, but less Intricate. Ralph played on a later edition of an accordion. He got a lot of music out of the appa- ratus, whatever the right name might ^------_---------__uv:-fif~-......—»---------— Audience Was Polite. Arthur Howard told a bunch of dialect stories, uafe* the Irish, tho Jews and the Englishmen for tbe butt of mast of them. There were very few in tbe audience who could be heard to say—"Oh that's an old one. I heard that on my mother's knee." Possibly the etorlea were of a fresh vintage—maybe the men were too polite to remark that they had heard them before. At any fate Howard sot a bunch of laughs. The three harmony scamps could play very well on banjos and guitars, but they weren't so clever la their vaudeville. If they hadn't prefaced their act with attempted wit It would have got across better. »' Mr. Schmidt Talks. After the vaudeville program J. W. Iliff. president of the club, Introduced 0. W. Schmidt, the newly elected head of the village. It was only through courtesy that Mr. Schmidt was Intro- duced. He knows everybody In Wil- mette. He expressed his views on the things which he waa going to try and do for Wilmette in the next two years lna forcible wjivjmdjrijjlneere re- COMMITTEES NAMED; Glencoe Board In Regular Session Disposes of Large Amount of Business. quest for suggestions and help In the obtaining of bis ends will more than likely bring to him the support of the majority of tbe citizens. Mr. Schmidt took up the financial end of toe village business and gave a brief summary of neat expenditures and receipts. He said that tho per- sonal property schedules were run- ning about ten per cent higher this year, which would afford some addi- tional revenue. Voluntary Wheel Tax. On the matter of wheel tax he said that he felt the motor owners would contribute voluntarily to the street fund, no that the work Of repair and maintenance would nog be seriously hampered. He wants to Install auto trucks to pick up garbage, believing that one track will replace three teams. He SSka the cooperation of toe citizens in cleaning up the alien and the dis- posing of garbage. He said that be meant to enforce ordinances which had been treated as desd letters, especially the one re- garding automobiles. Keeping to tho right side of the street dimming lights, and observing speed laws would be enforced. On the question of better street The fourteenth annual report of the librarian of the Wilmette public library has been prepared and approved by the library board. There is considerahle interest in what Miss Anna Law has to say. Generous quotation from her report Is made here: The progress of the library this past year has been satisfactory In many ways and a greater Interest has been shown by both old and young in the larger attendance and circulation; 19,323 books were circulated this past year, of which 17,897 were fiction end 1.456 non-fiction, being s gain over pre- vious year of 1.616. Adding Mere Books. Tbe library is slowly growing, and gradually adding books of science, art, history and literature; books of worth that will stand the test of time. The novel reader will find tbe best up-to-date fiction, as we purchase monthly fifteen of the best novels. The book-lover who prefers the old stand* ard writers, such as Scott, Dickens. Thackeray, George Bitot, Dumas, Hugo, etc., will find their works on the shelves, and now that the whole world Is filled with the horrors of war, any- one wishing to learn the causes which have led up to the present conflict will find a number of now books on lkA feuhtaet. . ' Per the Children, sfc ";"\:-.:. The Wilmette children are not for- gotten in the library. A eajrafuRjr prepared list of nearly 100 books by the grade teachers has been placed on the shelves, and printed booklets of tbe ssme distributed smogs the chil- dren with moat sstlsfactory results, for ss children applied for cards with- in a short time. The favorite books among toe first and second grade readers are "Little Black Sambo" and "The Dutch Twins"; third and fourth grade readers, "The Lonosomest Doll" and "Matds'S Little Shop." The fifth grade was "Uttla Lord Fauntleroy." Wishing to co-operate with, toe clubs as well ss the schools, all lists -cnt In hy the different study clubs and travel classes have been purchased. The Civic association will now find a complete set of Woman's Citizens' Library on the shelves and twelve vol - lumes of Burton Holmes have been purchased this month. The flower lover will find many new books on gardening. to the reference deportment. An art dictionary of six volumes was kindly donated and a number of art books purchased, ss well aa the follow lug; The regular May meeting of the village boards wss held on the 4th Inst In the trustees' meeting toe president appointed tbe standing committees, as follows: Finance—Smith, chairman, Ravens- croft, McLeisb. Water—Ravenacroft. chairman, Mc- Lelsh. Matthews. Streets — Chandler, chairman. Hausch. Matthews.____ Public Utilities—McLeish. chair- man. Ravenscroft. Smith. Building — Matthews. chairman, Chandler, Hausch. The president also re-appointed George 1. Hicks, village attorney, and T. A. Andrews, village treasurer. The bond of the latter wss fixed at 650.- 000. Monthly bills were paid, aggregat- ing $2,950. Ordinances recommended by the board of local improvements were passed: 1. For the laying of a water main In Harbor street, west from Green Bay road. 3. For the laying of a water main in Walden drive, in McDonald's sub- division. 3. For grading, draining and paving Walden drive. Following a private session the trus- tees took up and passed ordinances vacating "Prospect street" and "Green- leaf avenue" In the "Central Add! tion," lying north of the-Fanning prop- erty on Green Bay road, laid out tuti ty or forty years ago by Charles H Morse. Tho object of the vacation is to enable the park district to acquire a portion of the property. The vaca- tions had been, opposed by John-Jef- frey and Charles M. Dennis, owning adjoining property, and the ordinances had been vetoed by President Mills. A plat of a subdivision of six lots In "Hubbard Woods Villas," msde by Hoy t King of Wilmette, township col- lector, was presented by Trustee Hausch and approved. "Hubbard Woods Villas" is a subdivision made by Brown ft Windes of Wlnnetka sev- eral years ago. The twenty-five acre tract covered by it was the property of tbe "Catholic Bishop of Chicago." nnd was held for a long period with expectation of using it as the site for a Catholic school or other institution. Thirteen Victims Have Bitten By Canines In Wilmette Within the Last Year. Ralph Merriam Writes Ask» ing Consideration at the Next Board Meeting. MINSTREL SHOW MEN SAY THEY'RE READY North Evanstonians to Per- form In Old-Fashioned Style Next Week. On next Thursday and Friday nights all "neighbors" on the north shore will have the opportunity of hearing the best old-time negro melodies, North- end men in Bvanston are putting up what they call "Svanston's Greatest Minstrel Show," and preparations In- dicate they will lite op to the title- The show, which la backed, by the Neighborhood club, will be given at The question of muzzling dogs has come In for no little comment aloes; the north shore this spring. Prac- tically the enUre session, of the Wln- netka board of trustees at the last meeting was given over to the sub- ject. A petition was presented bear- ing fifty-eight .names, asking that notification of the muzzling ordinance be sent through the malls and for a reduction of the $5 fine., Tbe general. complaint was the insufficient posting: . of the ordinance and the lack of sir* dilution on the part of the Wlnnetka Weekly Talk to properly convey the news to the residents of the village. Referred to Rabies Article. Trustee Nortbrup read toe ordi- nance and remarked that further pub- licity had been given the matter of rabies through an article by Dr. Lagorlo of the Pasteur institute in tbe Chicago Dally Hews. The proposition to remit fines of dog owners who had not received no- tices was lost After this. Dr. Charles A. White, a veterinary surgeon, gave a talk on rabies.. Mr. Merriam's Letter. Wlnnetka Is not alone In handling this question. The Wilmette village board Is In receipt of a letter front Ralph Merriam. lslti Forest avenue, on tho subject. Tho letter euldreaued to toe board is reprinted here: "On May 7, iW*. ray little girl. • years old. was severely bitten an th« cheek by a dog which has been in the habit of passing through the yard of my home. "It as been a matter of repeated complaint among the people in my part or wilmette mat vicious and dangerous dogs are permitted to run about through tbe neighborhood un- muzzled and unrestrained. * ww* that in my own street hot fewer than a half a dozen dogs within the range of a block are in tbe habit of running out and barking and snapping at the passersby. In our neighborhood, the people, especially the children, ate placed In constant jeopardy by unre* Strained and unsafe dogs, to say noth- ing of the many annoyances to which they are subjected by these animals. In some Instances one or more fe- male dogs have been kept In the dwelling houses and have attracted other dogs In the neighborhood to large numbers, with the result that the Lincoln wood school. Colfax and McDahlel street, in North lftanataa. tbe tfiSfilbittttefi of&K neighbors are Tickets are good for either night oftentimes offended, and there are no reserved seats. All Suggest* An Ordinance, of the youngsters on the north shore »| would respectfully suggest that are looking forward to tola event, { gomethlng be done by wsy of ordt* Interest." for the children; two volumes of Chamber's "Book of Days." two vol- umes of "Peter the Great." four vol- umes or Prince Metternlcb, three vol- umes on London by Knight, and many others. Have Time to Help. Two women were placed on the board this past year for the first time In the history of toe library and hav- ing more leisure than the other mem- bers, have visited too library frequent- ly and have suggested many improve- ments. One wss toe opening up of a German section. Tho board voted tea dollars for the purchase of books and will incresse toe fund If there la a demand for them. As soon as it was known, several German hooka were donated, including the biographies of noted men. There were seven petrons tbe first week. The reading rooms are well patron ized by both old and young; W54 read- ers were registered, but it is not a complete 11*1, which almost outrivals the annual ap- pearance of toe circus. The "ole folks' Six volumes of 'Ready "f^™™ Ucket. are also going fast. A. a «. Ubwy*ri!?vtW0K.T?^?^I^S^ •■* of their efiort-the members of in.«m<.t •• fr..-thn<>Mifir«it: tvnvolumes ..... „_ . the club hops to give a good sum for the benefit of the school and libraries. WILMETTE GIRL IS SAVED ON LUSITANIA Agnes Crosbie, Enroute to Former Home In Scot- land, a Survivor. nance or otherwise requiring ssora 1 strictly the muasHng o*****_***jjj*£ "This letter is not written froa any personal repugnance which the writer has to these animals, as he recognises that they are a source « pleasure to many people.^TtasTdpfcaR of tho writer Is merely to bring about In a neighborly spirit a correction of an evil which baa been too long nan checked." According to O. W. Schmidt, press, dent of the village board, tola Is to* thirteenth child to be bitten by a deal ins year. At the Men's chto urostms; on Tuesday night he advocated thp massUng of dogs the year arewad. H Idea met with hearty applause from One message of happiness easse•ent-1-toe-fifiSmen who were there- to the library and we are toe Christian of their books sad on Page C> lighting he held out MtOe hop* for—itasj g^R* of bosks ssffe been improvement. The contracts which the village have do not expiro until October. IMS. A change before that time is elmost Impossible Thorough study of existing condi- tions with a regard for and the coveting of help from individuals and tlons was the final note of his mem. BEAT THEM 22 TO 3. The Wilmette grammar sets* defeated tho Uneotnweod SS to J met only meted and received tor gift a total, ty-fiv* toss than toe of the sorrow-choked cities of the Irish coast Wednesday to break the monot- ony of grief sad despair which has gripped Chicago homes since the Lusitania tragedy. It read: "Sato ami well.* R came from Miss Agnes Crosbie. s maid in tho home of Aisslle CI Bell of Wilmette. one of a party of row girls who worn abroad to visit toetr old With tb* exception *f Mma Smith, aa employe of Mrs. Bernard m»« «? flsssstosi all of the party sow are kseera to be safe. COMMITTEES. el toe toe l- CIVICS ASSOCIATION MSSTINQ. The Equal Suffrage and CMca as>. sociatioa ofi Qteecee will meet Moe> day. May IT. at i:W p. au. at toe* home of Mrs* James Fv toewetor. let Beach road. The subject before toe meeting win be. «A OMSwMktelawi at a Propostrton to Become Affiliate* with a ©trie branch at too OS«e^ •^jasjaELclsA" a tars* at to destred. These wttj •metis* of omeere. Mrs. Ire* the retires* peuMsmt. wflt abort talk; subject. -JIba BOYS WILL BE #»•** --K«N3wm»»»*»-- a»Mammsty Hermit and Crow dab are st i i i ■■!. a* si I Diversity heralded as tho Lnsav. AA. sto tosSJg HfflHHgHHsBBBBBBBl