Merritt badges.(former Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association president James H. Merritt)

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The sketchy obituaries in the trade press reporting the death of James H.Merritt, former president of the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association, failed by a considerable degree to describe for newcomers to the business what his impact was on the industry. From the day he took control of the CTFA (then called the Toilet Goods Association) in 1967 until he left it for early (and not quite voluntary) retirement in 1983, he exerted a powerful influence on industry strategy in fighting off legislation and regulation that was an ominous threat until the election of President Ronald Reagan in 1980. Merritt's decision to move association headquarters from New York City, …