Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-24
FRIDAY........ DECEMBER q, 1897.
TILE TRADING STAMPS.

trading-stamp business much better than
we did some weeks ago. And our esu-
mate Of it has not improved upon inti-
mate acquaintance.
The profit that the company makes
except a percentage that necessarily
must be spent here. goes to enrich its
Stockholders. who, We believe. are gene
rally residents of other States. More
over. the merchants who have used this
method OF extending their trade with
few exceptions) and those who have not
been privileged TO use it, are equally dis
satisfied with IT,.
In the latter case the merchant finds
much of his custom diverted 70 his com
petitors who offer the stamp. while In
the former case the merchant finds that
he is paying a very heavy tax upon his
increased business. SO we dare say that
n the merchants Of this city were care
fully interviewed upon this question, they
would declare with great unanimity that
the instances where the trading stamps
have done them substantial good
have been rare indeed Further. we think
they would say that the system is essen
TALLY wrong, and that its continuance
here Is by no means desirable.
Nor do the stamps profit purchasers TO
any considerable extent. Many pur-
chassrs never get enough of them to do
them any good, while the temptation 10
buy articles that are not really needed is
constant and strong. And then, when
one has secured a bookful of the stamps
and presents it for his prize, we risk
little in saying he is generally disappoint-
ed in the value of the thing that
he finds himself privileged to take.
The upshot of this whole matter is
that the trading stamp, now that
IL is fully understood, has lost much
of its popularity here, and the general
wish is that the Legislature, when it re-
convenes upon January LIST, may pass
come law that will put an end to the
business.
The bill offered>by Mr. Murphy, of this
city is. we understand, analogous to the
act Of Congress recently passed upon by
the Court of Appeals of the District of
Columbia. His bill was once reported by
our House Committee on Commerce, etc.
but was recommitted at the request OF q
number of gentlemen who desired to bt
heard upon it, and it will be further con-
sidered soon after the Legislature reas
sembles. Quite possibly Mr.. Murphy's bill
may need some amendments--On this
Il. n "a 4.
yisedly now-but we trust that it viii bt
reported in form that will give it III,
effectiveness of the act OF Congress sc
far as trading stamps are concerned, ye
be so guarded as not TO strike where j
ought not to strike. On this point Il
would be well for the committee TO bt
particularly careful.
We herewith quote the closing para
graphs OF the opinion OF the Court o
Appeals Of the District OF Columbia il
the case of the Washington TRADING
Stamp Company and we think nearl!
all OF our people will fnd It interesting
reading;
without the necessity OF declaring tina
the acts proved In this case constitute
the conduct OF a lottery or gilt enter
prise as those words are commonly un
derstood. or even OF finding thar TN
element OF chance operates INTENTIONAL.
and dstinctiyely in the scheme of tn
Trading Stamp Company. we think
nevertheless, that they come within tn
prohibition OF the statute, which, as BE-
fore said, furnishes it's own definition o
gift enterprise
Although one OF the most shtewdl
planned of the many devices 20 obtai
something for nothing. and one appa
rently entirely novel. II could hardly haV
come moro clearly within the scope o
the statute had Nv been well known an
expressly IN the contemplation of Con
gress at the time OF the enactment.
''The Washington Trading Stamp Com
pany and its agents are not merchant
engaged I'm business az that term Is con
monty understood They are not dealer
In ordinary merchandise engaged ia
legitimate attempt 10 obtain purchaser
for their goods by Offering fair a,d law
ful Inducements to traders. Their bus
ness Is the exploitation OF nothing mo-
Nor less than cunning device.
with no stock In trade but that d,
vice and the necessary books and stamI
and so-ealied premiums with which I
operate II successfully. they have int
Hsned In the legitimate business carrie
on Ia the District OF Columbia betwee
s'illef and buyer not for the Rdyantas
OF either. but 10 prey upon both. Tn,
sell nothing 20 the person 10 whom III,
aufnish tbs premiums. They prefer