The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
Will 30 Made by Special Committee Of
the Club.
CHARACTERIZED "a BUNCO SCHEME
The Local Periodical Ticket Company Was En-
bodied in the Denunclatory Resolution
1t Was Vigorously Defended by
Bert Jacobs as Legitimate.

The called meeting of the Commercial
club yesterday afternoon to take some ac-
ton in regard to the Grading stamp"
scheme, which was about to be introduced
into this city, resulted in a strong resolu-
ton condemning that and all similar gift
schemes and the appointment of a COM
mittee to call on the mayor and city au-
thorities to see If there is not some way
in which such schemes can be prevented
by law.
The meeting was called to order by ].
Asa Rountree, and on motion, First
Vice-President Rufus N. Rhodes, of the
Commercial club, was called to the chair
in the absence of President Miner, who
was unable to be present on account of
sickness.
A number of the leading merchants and
other prominent citizens were present,
among whom were noted w. G. Estes, Geo.
Griffin, M. V Joseph, A Hirsch, W. l..
Woodruff, G. N. Boyd, Joseph Loveman,
Oliver Chalifoux, w. ]. Wheeler. j. Asa
Rountree, Robert Jemison, Rufus N.
Rhodes, B. Steiner, D. B. Grace, Tom Ed
wards, Gus D. Lebolt, G. Britton, DR.. Gill
lespie j. Burger Robert ]. Love- ]. w.
Johnston, Bert Jacobs, Coleman Black, and
Secretary w. j. Boles, of the Commercial
club.
Painful Silence
Mr.. Rhodes stated that the object of the
meeting was to discuss the trading
stamp" scheme and other important mat
ters.
A painful silence followed the announce
ment of the chair, until b. Steiner arose
and said that in order to bring the matter
before the meeting he desired to offer the
following resolution, which was read by
Secretary Boles
''Whereas, certain parties are now cam
wasting this city with view to perfect
a gift scheme called trading stamps and
by that means take large sums of money
out of this city, is nothing more nor less
than a plan to obtain either from the
merchants or the purchasers of goods 8
per cent on all goods purchased by the
purchaser sold by the business man.
and
Whereas. this mode of doing business
has been declared Illegal in several states
and prohibited in others, and
Whereas, in our judgment it would work
a hardship either on the merchants, who
are already taxed to the full extent of
their ability, or work hardship on the
purchaser therefore be it
Birmingham looks with great disfavor
upon the proposed scheme of organizing
the trading stamp" scheme among the
retail business men of this city, and rec
ommend to the members of this club and
others not to become parties thereto.
Mr.. Rhodes then said that in order to
explain the scheme, he would ask the Sec
rotary to read an article from the Dry
Goods Economist, of New York, which
gave the plan on which the scheme was
operated.
Secretary Boles also read from the same
publication the opinion of leading mer-
chants in the cities where the scheme was
being used, who looked with disfavor
upon it.
Against the Merchants Interests
The strongest argument against it was
brought out in published communication
from A McCallum of the firm of Alex
ander, McCallum & Co., of North Hamp-
ton, Mass, who denounced the scheme as
against the best interests of the merchant
and gave many reasons why it should not
be supported.
Mr.. Rhodes stated that in conversation
with the promoters of the scheme he had
suggested that perhaps there were statutes
or ordinances that would conflict with the
business and that the gentleman smiled
and replied that only in Washington City
had the company met with any trouble.
This he had found to be untrue in as much
as legislation had been taken against it,
in Massachusetts and other states.
In reply to the question, 'Who pays this
per centage?" the promoter said, "Our
experience is that 1t helps business"
Mr. Rhodes was of the opinion that the
scheme was a tax on the commerce of the
city, which the merchants could not stand,
to benefit any one individual Such tax
he thought might be considered for educa-
tional other public benefits.
Bunco Game
B. Steiner then took the floor and We
hemently denounced the scheme as bunco
and fim-flam game. He said that this
company composed of strangers would
.nl-a A.. Co.