West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-09-05
GOOD FISHING GROUND.
This Town the Paradise for Building
and loan Agents.

There has hardly been time of
late but what there was one or two
at large in this town, roaming
around, seeking whom they could
devouf. The reputation OF the town
as good fishing ground seems to
have gone abroad, likewise good
deal Of our money, never to return.
Some OF the agents have found this
place so attractive and such rare
sport here, that they have remained
for six months at time.
The plan on which they nearly
all work is to sell as many shares
of stock as possible and get the fee
therefor, which is generally one
dollar for each share, and which
goes to the agent. This is what
most of them work for, with but
little care whether the investor
sticks to it and keeps mp his stock
or not. The agents aim is to sell
as many shares as possible, get his
fees therefor, and then skip for
some other fishing ground where
there are no trespass notices posted.
Sumo of them have sold over five
hundred shares while here, and
most Of these would lapse in short
time. Many of the parties who
invest in the stock want to borrow
money, and the agent holds out to
them as an inducement that the
company has plenty Of money TO
loan and they can get all they want
If they will take stock. Some few
of our people have negotiated loans
in this way and gotten the money
by giving gilt-edged security and
making everything in favor Of the
company. They could have gotten
the money at the Bank on the same
terms and with much less trouble
and delay. 1t is hard to tell how
much money has gone out of our
county to swell the Golfers of these
foreign corporations, who are often
doing business under some kind of
wildcat charter and liable to be
closed up at any time, as many of
them have been. Still our people
won't even profit by their own ex-
perlence, and the next well dressed -,
slick-tongued agent that comes
along will talk and figure them into
investing in his company. The only
Building aud Loan Association that
ought to be patronized at all would
be one at home, operated entirely
by our own people. These local
Associations are all right when well
managed, and make good invest
ment. Most towns of any size have
one and make a success of them.
We think the Town Council ought
to pass law against those travelling
fakirs or charge them a heavy Ii
cense, at least 50 per day for every
twenty-four hours spent IN the Cor
poration, and every fellow who is
buncoed by them should be pub
lished in the papers as an exam pie
for others-not to follow.
Most of these agents are polite,
gentlemanly and good fellows, aud
while we have been wanting to pub
lish sermon on the subject, we
disliked to say anything to hurt their
feelings while they were here, and
have been watching an opportunity
for a long time to catch the town al
rest and read the riot act, on the
principle that we should prepare
for war in time of peace. Time
and again, when All agent was here
waylaying our people, we have made
up our mind to have our say soon
as he was gone, and before We could
get our paper out, another agent
would arrive. We haven't looked
around town yet this morning, but
two agents just left and we want tc
try and publish this before any
more break out here, il we can. VIZ
are little uneasy about it, as the
train isn't in yet for the day, anC
We may have to salt this articl,
down till cooler weather, when il
does arrive.
P. S.--Tha train has just arrived
and two or three slick-lookinc
strangers came up from the depot
This article is hung up for investi-
CATION. If this town is to have an
other attack Of this building anl
loan epidemic, we shall insist OF
the Board Of Health having it vac.