f tionalities and races. Those e showed me a great, friendly spirit of teamwork, and, remember, this was really hard work.” Marvel did stay on that job for quite some time—almost at capacity, only 18 and though per cent 1950 for almost a year. He the International Materials Conference Committee. During the war, Marvel had Served aS a member of the seam- five years. A combination of the depression and a case of chemical dermatitis, forced him to quit. The plants were operating in was chief of the brass mill branch of the National Production Authority and later U.S. representative on less tubing advisory committee and on the subcommittee for the stand- of ardization he had work- of tubular products. ed up to first helper, being only a young man and single, he yielded his rights to older men with bigger families as the foremen daily tried Now with all that steel tubing and heavy industry background, what about sporting goods? What does Marvel Know about guns and to parcel out the little available work as fairly as possible. ammunition and the the goods dealers? “Well, He moved inside—to the slag sales department of Carnegie Steel, but grew impatient at a desk. “I was just a clerk again and the job was too soft,’ Marvel recalls. “I felt out of place, especially knowing how hard those other men were working. So I quit and went to Dayton, Ohio, where my brotherin-law operated White Baking Co.” What did Marvel do? Why, drove a truck and had a route. “You he know,” Marvel reminisced, “those were happy days. I’d get to know all those people on my route and what swell people they were. We’d exchange problems and favors. Real people.” Likes Almost Everything Sounds a lot like his earlier statement about the steel mill and it is. Not only that, Marvel’s but rise, you as find most everything. And his speciality you trace he likes al- Dislikes nothing. is people. come to appreciate more and more. That is: ‘If you are under 40, get to know people over 40. If you are the sent Marvel Griffiths, steel to then division of his friend, president Timken of Roller Bearing Co., Canton, Ohio. Marvel spent two years in training at Tim- at the office that now, about can be. I like to those people At National Tube, Marvel moved forward to become manager of sales for the Gary, Ind., and the EIll- wood City, Pa., works. While in Gary, he brought his trusted clarinet out of the trunk and began fingering it once again. He sur- prised even himself and soon actively played the instrument in the local symphony orchestra. Later, he headed Symphony, ber of the a call for as Marvel up with once again, relaxation and, as had in the club car conversation came manager at the of sales for tubular home office. Though Marvel left Timken in 1940 to become assistant manager of sales for the specialty division of the National Tube Co., a division of U. S. Steel, he remained a close friend and admirer of Page. “Mr. Griffiths was a grand man and ‘I’ve 92 he followed a principle was Marvel helpful Marvel of has getting like people. in their interest stores. I in sports.” that enviable to know and to But he can be excused persons others—attractive better than Mrs. Marvel, the former Elizabeth Allen of Valley City, N. D.; his pretty daughter, Marjorie, who attends the Univer- sity of Arizona, and that chip off the old block, David T. Marvel, Jr., 17-year-old student at George Bucks is Marvel was familiar. After time, the man said to Marvel: some and an all-round athlete. As to Mrs. Marvel, you may guess where he first met her. On a train, headed for a job in Duluth, Minn. “Even though not look- job and though you more than content in an offer will may make you Gary, products it’s their if he likes three and which Marvel In 1938, he be- and all stranger— them- School, loy bars tubes. a for Olin’s which you and cious geuess Marvel its see a man not connected with nor any other firm with say in with point prefers been to people than the sporting goods men. What fine fellows. So gra- Yes, it—caught like wanted to stress was this: “Of all the people I’ve met in various industries, I don’t think I’ve met any nicer, down-to-earth ability luck, drive I Praises Sports Dealers Another the Fate—or to fund store. like to hear from the dealers selves—their problems.” and he also was a memGary Rotary Club. He hustled al- years I get, I drop into a neigh- Even meet and hear under 40.” Chicago sales office. more chance myself how our products are selling as compared to our competitors. I for a new two to helpful ing then point and the ken, a true in Page it learn as quickly as possible,’ Marvel reported. “I’ve already attended a number of meetings where I’ve met sporting goods people. I’ve visited with jobbers and every How eral Fred made of borhood habit from time to time, it found him on a train bound for the East. He was enjoying a few moment’s Corp. I’ve problems over 40, get to know those under 40.’ In 1934, another of the old Chalfonte-Haddon Hall guests beckoned Marvel. He was DeWitt Page, president of New Departure Ball Bearing Co. and vice-president of GenMotors sporting are I’m you telling you soon reach you that change your mind.” And Within Marvel bly are County, another big Pa. Young six-footer She was on her way to relatives. “How lucky can a fellow get?” asks lucky David T. Marvel. But one of his close friends, happened. high up in the steel industry had a a few days, the Olins made an offer he couldn’t possi- different answer. His note was one of many which Marvel has stapled together on his desk; all letters of congratulations when Marvel assumed his new Olin duties. “Heartiest congratulations to you, that’s just what refuse. Though Marvel has been with Olin’s since 1949, he hasn’t been on the job too long, for he was loaned to Washington and the defense ef- THE you SPORTING Mar-vel,” GOODS the letter said. DEALER for MAY, 1953