San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-06-23
FAKE ADVERTISERS.
How They Are Now Trying to
Work Prominent Citizens.

There are advertising fakes at all times
in the city, and, strange to say, people
who never advertise in the local papers,
who contribute to the general welfare OF
the people by employing many citizens
and spending their money right here, will
take an advertisement in fake scheme
for which they pay double prices, and
they know that the money so gained is
taken mainly out of the state. This is
true, even if the fakir's project is strictly
carried out, but In nine cases out OF ten
the whole thing is fraud and the adver-
tisers get no value for their money.
Hundreds, yes thousands of incidents OF
this kind the LIGHT has watched. And
what is the result? The citizens have
been fooled; they have paid their money
to be sent elsewhere, from which they can
derive no possible benefit, and what is
more in the end, they are swindled.
There is man in the city now who Is
working the fake racket. This scheme
proposes to give write-up OF San Anto-
MO 10 books that are retailed at 80 cents
per copy, or considerably less by arrange
ment for free distribution. These books
proposed are worth their money and In
deed, will wholly cost it, if not for the adj
vertisements but what Of the advertise
ing? Let us see The canvaSSer goes into
a San Antonio store and shows book
which contains nice writeup and some
advertising. In talking of business the
solicitor for $3.50 agrees to give
him good write up and
make cut illustrating his store.
This is too cheap, for the cut alone
would cost publisher from s. TO $40 TO
produce. The merchants say, "oh, ttat'S
all right, stick her in" and when that is
done the solicitor writes out receipt for
for oluarticinn In tho
man has got the money, but in other
cases wise citizens have said: "Oh no, I'll
'sign the contract and when the same is
fulfilled l will pay you" This Is what
the.Solicitor doesn't want. He mumbleS an
excuse, says sadly, that's al! right, I'll
call for the photograph and contract"
but he never calls. He is. after
cash for which he will give nc
service, or If it does it is most deluSive
one, and he knows very well that If the
advertiser does not put up cash before
the publication appears, even If it Is pub
lished, that he will be so disappointed
that he will never pay red cent after
ward to a palpable swiHdle.
Advertising books don't pay Oh the
books but on the advertising in the books,
and no business man in such advertising
can afford to pay s. or SO for a cut to Sc
cure 81 30 advertisement. This in it.
self stamps the whole scheme as fraud:
Now is not it strange. Men here will
not support a local paper that pays taxes,
employs labor and does all it can to ad-
vance the best interests of the city, In
which it is naturally vitality interested,
and yet they will readily support any
catch cent or swindling scneme that
comes along. And mark you: II the
local paper makes money 1t keeps or
spends il right here as far as possible.
II the swindler makes money he skips out,
as soon as possible, and takes his money
with him so that none share in its general
distribution.
The LIGHT has nothing to say, beyond
pointing out the actual facts, and asking
whether, under the circumstances, the
citizens should give their patronage to a
home paper, and circulate 1T in the city,
from which they may ultimately derive
return benefit, or whether they, will give
their money to fake" advertising
schemes, that will do them no good, and
only enriches the swindlers and their
cities, to the detriment of San Antonio.