The New York herald., 1869-01-04
THE MERCANTILE AGENCIES OF THE UNITED
STATES.
How They Are Conductcd-Thcir Inside and
Outside WORKINGS.


our Eastern newspapers. purporting TO give de-
scrlpton OF mercantile agencies ana how they were
Whst meaGre IN details we propose to give our
readers full and accurate account OF the outside
and inside WORKINGS OF THESE associations, SO neces
Mercantile or commercial agencies have long been
known in the metropolitan cities OF Europe, but only
q century. They orignated In the United
States about the year lS4S, and at the present
s ,neae sae are % four n ae wo q
lucrative business. Each one OF these agencies has
its peculiar advantages. known only to Its patrons
At first these agencies were chiefly confined to New
York city, until the requirements OF trade caused
them to extend branch agencies all over the ooun-
IN New YORK have ave- also brancS establishments ' IN
every large city in the United states p the Canadas
and in the British Provinces Of North America
THE MAIN OFFICE.
Let us suppose ourselves in the metropolitan city
Of New York. As we walk down Broadway we
establishments which line that thoronghiare
sign denoting that within Is one OF these
we %aT up one en Of s pae
enter large aud spacious hall. In front Is circu-
lar counler OF polished black walnut, back OF which
pied with . copyist bustly engaged. Around the
walls are glass cases. containing volumes OF written.
vided by cas- OF counties III which the volumes are
arranged alphabetically. Then there are cases con-
tanning printed injuries & 9m oa ne various oee
also an exclusive department for the city OF New
York. which in itself requires score Of clerks. Then
is daily report all changes In business which may
transpire Another department is occupied Dy par
separate rooms for the superintendent. the book
keeper ana the cashier, together with private office
for private business consultations.
sented IN New York city each employ force OF sew
enty persons daily during the year and this force s
those seasons when there Is q rush OF business.
Connected with one OF these agencies is o mammoth
reports are issued in July and january Of each year
two volumes containing reports OF nearly every busi
ness man in the United states the Iorrt ories, the
gotten up with special reference TO the Western
trade In connection with these volumes there is
and weekly sheet OF business changes all over the
districts comprised within the scope Of the agency
THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
From the main ofice In New York city are numerous
branches, and these branch offices, conducted on
the same system, may be found In the principal
lows:--New York, Boston, Providence. Concord,
cnarieston Savannah. New Orleans Galveston, Mem
phis. Nashville Chics ~ Cleveland Detroit, Cincn
Francisco, Fran % Quebec, Que and ST. John, N. B. All these @
onices report direct to the New York of1lce, from
Whence they receive their lnstracSns and each
points Its commercial subagents whose duty Ii to
answer all business inquiries and to furnish sucn
branch ONCE Many Of the district oihces support
themselves by their business, but few have to
draw their resources from the parent ONCE In New
THE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR WAGES.
varies nom one thousand 10 two thousand dollars
annually, according to the business done by the
ONCE; also . percentage upon al subscriptions re-
rests sr the responsibility Of his particular agency.
and men only are appointed who have tact shrewd-
once head clerk, who ATTENDS to receiving ana
sending out reports and to portion Of the cores
pondence; one or two city repcrters s whose daty
firms entering into BUSINESS; and, lastly, clerks or
copysts who are required TO copy reports received
the manuscript volumes OF the States to which they
belong. Besides these there Is usually ONCE boy
sduea TO ns o
The wages OF the head clerk usually amount to
about $1,000 per year the reporters the same, and
the copyists from ten to fifteen dollars per week.
according to their capacity. One OF tho New York
ofices notorious for its small wages pays copyists
least ten hours; and the same once, only ave years
ago, only paid SIX dollars per week, dedncnng
every hour lost no matter what % tne cause, whether
matters not; for one hour was at least quarter OF
days deduction. Most OF the clerks employed are
Canadians or Engishmen, and how they survive on
such small salaries u matter Of conjecture. The
two established agencies pay better for their
csrefv o prepared reports Very % few Americans @
however, are willing 70 work IN these mercantile
agencies for the small compensation which they
oler.
In almost every town an agent IL appointed, who
Is either q banker. q lawyer or prominent mer-
as loows:-In large towns bankers ana lawyers ro-
ceive copies OF the printed volumes, with special
written reports Of any party whom they may inquire
changes This is equivalent to sl25 per annum.
Lawyers also receive collections, which in some
cases yield q handsome income. In the smaller
towns lawyer or merchant IL empoyed, whose
compensation II subscription TO one OF the popular
on fnms soS and sndI psThaps snSscrpcn q
some leading New York newspaper, or to some coun-
try newspaper, according 70 the option of the agent
A very few receive q cash compensation Tor their
services, which amounts to from $500 TO $500 per
annum.
The following n the m0dus 0g,ev0nd OF obtaining
commercial report :-6uppose new firm n
starting business In the city. The mercantile re-
fcrtnwitn to zee the party. We win suppose tho
new merchant TO be named Mr.. Brown.
kepcrterYSr. kr Brown. believer
Answer-Yes, sir.
Reporier-You are about starting business, and
and have called TO obtain a business report rom
you to your means &C., for our Once, and would
you favor me by answering the following ques-
IL the merchant looks upon the matter favoraby,
as the majority of business men do, he promptly as
Reporter-what 10 your full names
Answer-Charles s. Brown.
Reporter.rour age and are you marriedf
Rsporter-whst business are you in and when did
you commences
Answcr-Grocery, December I. 1884,
Reporter-What IA your capitals
Answer--s2.0 900.
Reporter--Do you own real estate. ana 10 II clear
and what do you consider yourself WORTH
Answer-Two houses and lots on Locust street.
valued at 60 900, with $500 encmbrance. consider
myself worth about 5000 IN real and personal
Reporter you own any stocksf
Answer-N0.
Reporier-wiI you be willing to give me some OF
your references
Answer-Yes, sir. Jones Co. and Fifth National
Bank.
Tne reporter now takes his leave. goes TO Jones 4
Co.. also to the Fiffh National Bank and asks these
parties concerning the general business habits and
character OF Mr.. Brown aud, getting this inl0rna-
ton ne returns 70 the agency once and makes out
the folio wing report, tbat when Mr.. Brow s In
quircd after by the trade this report Ia sent 70 them
conndentially:-
'CharIes s. hrown-Grocer, Dayton, Miami county.