The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-13
A GOOD SCHEME.

Hughes g. Halter Cannot DO Damaged
by Envious Competitors.
To the Editor Of The Appeal
viii you allow an old resident aud re-
tired merchant the privilege Of few
words in your columns? was raised with
the what perhaps are now old iogy no.
tons as 20 the courtesies Of business and
the little amenities OF business life. was
taught that truth, fairness and courtesy
toward my competitors was the basis Of
true business dealing. and that ito live
and LET live" and treat all Others in my
line OF trade rs gentlemen, was the way TO
build up and preserve business; and, no
matter how bitter the competition or how.
ever close tho prices, 10 never deviate
from the rules OF courtesy and business
decency. Mayhap these ideas are old
fashioned and out OF date, but still l do
not believe that the men and women Of
our fair city Of Memphis wish 20 encour-
age by their patronage the reverse style
OF business. aam panied to SEQ that
any men doing business in Memphis have
In tho excitement Of competition 40 far
forgotten these plain rules OF life rs 10 en-
deavor 10 build up trade by accusing in
the public prints rival firm OF dishonesty
aud mstrcatmcnt Of customers. Ger
tainly such course is not necessary 10
build up and maintain q living business.
and II seems 20 me that there must be
something OF innate wrong in any business
that requires such course OF presentation
10 the public. l am disposed 10 believe
that this course Of advertising by the SLAM
doring OF two Of our best known and most
reliable citizens IL the work OF young men,
strangers, who have come here Tor the
purpose OF selling watches, and am sure
that their course cannot he approved by
the gentleman In whose store they do
their business. even though his name APP
pcars herewith. My twos well known and
thoroughly trusted old friends. Ben 4.
Ilaller, and ID. w. Hughes, some little
time since prepared plan for selling
watches or jewclry by the club method, a
perfectly fair. Legitimate aud honest mode
OF selling watches or diamonds, In no way
lottery or chance affair, but plan that
enabled people Of moderate means 10 OBJ
tain n good watch 10y the payment OF
small sums that would not bc missed and
would otherwise be wasted. They made
n success Of these clubs, making large sales
aud doing good to Others, bycnabling them
10 procure goods at lees than regular rates.
As these became successful, Others en-
gagged in the business. aud among them
these young men came here, as they had n
most undouhtcd right 10 do, prepared 10
divide the trade with Hughes & Halter.
This was all right, proper and legitimate;
there was plenty of room for both. What
!. in my old iogy notions aud old FASH
Toned ideas OF business courtesy and fair
dealing, obicc, TO Is that any one should
lind Il necessary 20 build up their business
by dciaming or slandcring two old and
reliable citizens, mon who arc above re-
preach. Certainly no one will DO tempted
10 leave the old iirm and 90 elsewhere by
any such charges. IL cannot harm them
and cannot do any good 10 those who om-
ploy such methods. ! trust our citizens
will not encourage this new style OF OBJ
tanning trade. Pardon my much talking,
but anu still an ON fOaY.