Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-07
Certain Ideas UaderaoIap q Change.

According to reports a large number
of people visited Boston during "Mer-
chants week." OF these comparative.
ly few came from this part of the
State. there being no excursion rates
on the railroads this side of Portland.
1t is also stated on good authority
that the Boston merchants were great
ly disappointed over the results. One
great department store engaged 500 ex-
ira clerks for the occasion and had no
more business than the regular force
of clerks could well attend to. The
visitors did not take very kindly to the
bargains offered, for this store was
no exception to the rule, 1t Is said.
couragement Boston boomers encoun-
tered, for certain of the jobbers find
that their patrons in the places from
which this extraordinary travel to the
metropolis was drawn intend to buy of
New York houses in the future if Bos-
ton continues these attempts to get
trade which properly belongs to others,
to whom Boston jobbers sell goods.
A significant feature of the situation
is the reported far seeing attitude Of
General Manager Evans of the Maine
Central toward the question of granting
excursion rates for Merchants weeks
in Boston. He does not believe, it is
said, to his credit, that it is good bust
ness policy for railroad management
to offer extra inducements to the GUS
toners of it's chief patrons to take
their custom elsewhere. The Maine
merchants contribute very largely 20
the prosperity of the Maine Central
Railroad, and why should the manage
men of that corporation lend itself to
the Gripping of the bird that lays the
always a dollar saved and sometimes
interferes with the gaining of two on
more dollars at some future time. This
truth is as applicable to all who make
up our communities as to the railroads
who look to our prosperity for the con-
tinuance of their dividends.
In the above circumstances long
search is not required to find evidences
of changing ideas respecting the desir
ability Of making our purchases in
Boston, New York or some other great
metropolis. Those who derive their liv
ing from any community are, of course.
interested in the prosperity /of that
community, and their interest cannot
be offset by the fact, If it be fact.
which we much doubt, that they can
save enough on a lot Of purchases in
Boston to pay their fare there. More
over they seldom return from such ex
petitions without realizing that they
have spent more than they could af-
ford, more than they would have done
had they remained at home. Modern
conditions are such that the trader in
Augusta is obliged to keep up with the
times and down with the popular
prices. and abreast of the new styles in
order to do business, and the greater
his custom the better can he do these
things, the better results do his Gus
toners obtain. What with cheaper
rents, taxes and other expenditures
there is no question but he can sell as
cheaply as do the Boston merchants.
provided the latter do not lure away
part of his legitimate patronage. Best
of all, these facts the people who visi-
ted Boston last week appear to have
recognized. They took advantage OF
the excursion rates to see the town, go
to the theatres and look at the pretty
things and get the prices, this done
they seem to have discovered that.
generally speaking. they could do as
well or better at home in making their
purchases. Besides there is feeling
of security in buying of someone we
know and to whom we can go with
assurance that any undue advantage
taken of us can and probably will be
set right, as it is for the home traders
advantage to do so.