The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-07-23

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S3NDV system. The discus
sions on this subject were no doubt pre-
cpitated by communication that appeared
in the HERALD few days ago. 1t read
like this:
ED HERALD Have we company stores in
our midst2 1 am led to ask this question by
charge made by Luzerne county miners that
Schuylkill county, especially Shenandoah has
more Of them than Luzerne and Lackawanna
counties put together. Give us light, Mr..
Editor. SHENAN.
Schuylkill county has its quota of COM
pany stores and an abundance over her
share of abortions-stores that psrtake in
all particulars of the full-fedged pluck-me
breed, but lack maturity because they are
not officially sanctioned by the Philsdel-
phia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.
1t is surprising to me that the legitimate
merchants of Shenandoah have so patient
| ly suffered the encroachment of these
octopus-like places, but it seems now that
the victims are crushed beyond forebear
ance and something will give way before
many more picnics are held.
80
One of the most prominent business men
in the town has given me the facts of a
case which brings to light circumstances
that the Reading company cannot con.
sistently overlook. Heretofore the ''ruR.
ners for these company stores have been
shielded by declarations that they in nc
way solicited or encouraged any patronage
for any store owned or controlled by any
of their relatives or friends This fact
alone has deferred an onslaught on the
quasi company stores to this date, but nov
delay is no longer necessary. If the p. &
r. @. & l. Co. wants to investigate it car
have abundant proof that such declara
tions are false.
The case brought to the attention of tn,
HERALD is this A merchant of towr
enjoyed the patronage of good paying
customer for years. The buyer and selle
always seemed satisfied with the dealing
between them and no complaint was eve
made by one against the other Suddenl,
; the customer stopped dealing at the store
The merchant was mystihed and when al
opportunity offered itself he made inquir.
as to the cause. The lady was frank. Sh
said to the merchant mo, have no com
plant to make against your place and
have always been we'll satisfied with you
treatment but the fact is that Mr.. --
(mentioning prominent mine Officially ha
been SO persistent in his efforts to get m.
. husband to deal at -'s store that we q
last concluded it would be policy to pak
the change"
This is 8 case in which an employe of tn
Philadelphia and Reading Company wa
dogged by one of his superiors under th
}. company until he stopped patronizing
place against which he had no complain
= and become customer of the store owne
by relative of the official. The offieit
still holds his position under the compan
and the persecuied employe is still
customer of the relatives store. Th
HERALD has the names of all the partie
But this is only one case. There are scor'
and scores of them.
~
It has always struck me as quite singuli
= that Poles and Huns who cannot unde
stand English. who can hardly articula
"Mr. Boss, give me job ?" and who cal
not read a sign of English words in front
store, though the letters be dozen fe
long, are also intelligent enough to find
store owned or controlled by the relative
some mine official Singular, isn't it2
-
But serious thought on this matt
e presents itself--one which should intere
the company that has proclaimed it do
not countenanee company stores. 1t
this Can mine official consistently a
as a runner for these stores and ser
the company In other words, is it n
reasonable to suppose that the errors of I
employe who patronizes such stores is mo
+, likely to be overlooked than those of
employe who is independent and de-
where be sees ht7 II must be SO. I
patronage these stores receives is no i
than bribe for the mine officials in d
guise. Meanwhile the legitimate m'
oants of the town suffer,
PETER