The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-28
WILL MEET TONIGHT.
1NTI-TRdDING STAMP PEOPLE TO
HOLD CONFERENCE.
1t is Claimed That the System Recently
Introduced Here Is Working Injury
to Legitimate Mercantile Business.

There viii be a meeting Of merchants
opposed to the use OF trading stamps in
the Assembly room OF the Chamber Of
Commerce tonight.
This gathering will be for the purpose
of considering the best means Of making
the wishes OF those in sympathy with the
movement known to the Legislature.
1t viii DO remembered that Delegate 1.
b. Murphy. Of Richmond. has introduced
bill designed 10 prohibit the use OF
trading stamps and checks and other SIM
liar devices in order 10 secure trade.
The trading stamps were introduced
in Richmond a few months ago and have
had a large sale. Later the check system
was started By another party, but It's
business has not been so large
OPPOSED TO THE SYSTEM.
Many OF the merchants who were the
first TO sell trading stamps soon became
convinced that the system was not only
OF no advantage to themselves. but in
the end did not benefit their customers.
Some large houses refused from the start
TO have ANYTHING TO do with the stamps.
A gentleman who conducts a large
mercantile establishment on Broad street
said yesterday
The trading stamp people came
10 me and explained their scheme
l listened attenuvely TO all they had 70
say and then declined 70 have anything
to do with introducing their system INTO
Richmond In the first place, l saw that
II was n scheme calculated 20 work great
injury TO tho legitimate trade and good
10 no one. save tho stamp people them
selves Secondly. l was convinced That II
was noting short Of lottery system.
MY firm undertook 10 sell these stamps
AT first" said another merchant: put II
was no, long before we became disguised
with the whole business and gave me
stamps up. I am a believer IN free ana
open trade but ~ IS my opinion that the
stamp system Is calculated 10 work meal
culable injury 10 the Legitimate business
Of Richmond merchants"
SOMETHING FOR NOTHING.
THE stamps have had large sale. me
evil OF the system may be summed up
in a few words. People have a great weak
ness for trying 10 get something Tor
nothing and the stamp scheme is ono
that catches them very easily. Why, l
know OF my own personal knowledge or
cases whore the presents given could have
been bought I'm a legitimate way Tor less
than the recipient had % pay IN the long
run. Then. I have another objection. We
merchants pay largely OF the city taxes.
The Trading Stamp Company, | am in
formed. was assessed for only $1,000 worth
OF goods. and l am convinced that books
aggregating $4,000 have been presented at
the headquarters and the so-called pres
ents have been given out Thus, you see,
with very small stock tho stamp people
hscfnngC
has been a gold mine-a genuine Klon-
dike-and the legitimate trade has suffer-
ed 10 the extent the stamp people have
been proited."
COSTLY EXPERIENCE.
4 fourth merchant said the stamp sys-
tenn was Calculated TO demoralize trade
more tEan anything he knew Of. ut will
be only temporary said he. FOR you
cannot fool all the people all the time.
The most OF those who have spent money
for things they could have done without
I'm order to get something free will finally
learn how dearly their experience has
cost them The stamp system will soon
wear itself out but, then, IL VIII come
ND under a new name and may not ne
easily recognized as an old enemy. III Is
better TO pass a law that VIII keep ouo
Of our State this and other kindred
schemes Washington has had 70 do so
and Richmond and Virginia ought TO lose
no time I'm bringing down the heavy iron
hand OF the law upon all semi-lottery
schemes of this sort"
There are many people now selling
stamps who are said to be anxious Tor
the Murphy bill 20 be passed. Such people
are selling the stamps I'm self-defence.
They are doing so TO hold their custo-
mers. some Of whom would trade with
other concerns. believing they are getting
something free with the stamps.
War Is being waged against the stamp
and check system az Asbury Park. y. j.,
Oswego. y. Y. Chester. Pa, Detroit.
New Haven, and Derby, Mass, at this
time.
CHARGE IT TO RIVALRY.
The trading stamp people claim mat
their device Is nothing but an advertising
medium. and that the proposed bill OF
Mr. Murphy's was the result OF rivalry
between business enterprises. The pro
posed bill II Is also claimed would forbid
the use OF tickets with goods which are
redeemable or mere goods OF ths same
kind-as with baking powders, cigarenes
etc
The whole subject will he discussed
tonight at the meeting The mer-
chants OF Richmond are deeply inter
ested in the result.
Colonel CusSOn's Position.