The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-18
FLORIDA BUSINESS.
Some Good Advice to Savannah
Merchants.

Editor Morning News: 1 am a daily
reader of your paper, as well as that of the
Times Union and Citizen, and have read
with some interest the article that ap-
peared in your issue relative to freight
rates between Savannah and Jacksonville
and other Florida points; also as to TIE
statement that Jacksonville merchants
make their travelling men get receipts from
the railroads for tickets purchased, pre-
Stunning. that their houses get rebates. q
know of only one house that does so, over
only one of the railroad systems of this
state) Any way 1 cannot help but make
some comments on the subject, as 1 have
Travelled this state fifteen years, and, like
all drummers, think l know how. The
Times Union and Citizen is pleased TO re-
ply this way: Yes, certain Jacksonville
houses COR, l am inclined to think, they
saw a certain Jacksonville house, as nave
not the article before mel, do instruct
their Representa- tives TO take receipts from
railroads for cash paid for tickets that
this is business; they do not question the
honesty OF their men, but Wlsh 10 Keep
them So or words to that effect; that pre-
vious to the withdrawal OF mileage DOCKS
IL was not necessary to take receipt
as the books were check against tleii
men How is this? 1 have used, at low
estimate. three hundred thousand mics
and have not noticed a check against the
misuse of them. If they have, what 90
No, mean what do the railroads
,-orf with an anti-tiCket scalplng Dill!
7 l,nov the first page and each succeeo-
ing one is turned in to the audltor OIL the
road as taken up by the conductors ana
a,,en The cover is sent In with the last
mile. OF course, any one gettlhg the COW
ers hack from the auditor could see now
r,anv hooks had been used. That Is, IL
thew wanted to count up the NUMBER Oh
miles They would have their own rea-
sons for this, especially II tney got
half cent a mile rebate, or otto II thsy
.,1,.ned in so many receipts for cash fare,
but that would not check up an elnployes
5isbonestv. What is the matter with sell
mo the last 100 miles of the book and
nocxeting the cash? No! Your Savan-
nob drummer. naturally, thinks there IS
a Niger in the wood pile, as he doesh
see them take receipts for hotel livery
etc which are over 50 per cent. OF the
coet of travelling. l can see one OF those
r,or fellows Just getting in from
country trip in time to eaten tram
and al the last minute, Insisting on
,aceint from the coon VINO mas peeh
driving him, or maybe he got nasty
dinner of one of his customers Mr.. Jay
of Javtown, in the shape of potted ham;
az biscuits. O.5. pickles 10, and failed
to get a receipt. My! how his mouse nous.
,,.o,id kick. They have my sympathy.
r,ta facts are that there is business in
Florida for Savannah as well as Jacks -
vile. Those who hustle will get the.r
sbare we are all trying TO live SaVah-
nah must remember there are other
nebbes on the beach," New York. Tam.
pa Mobile and Atlanta are a few OF
them, and that she has to keep up WIN
the times. BY all means investigate
freight rates, they need 1t, and If possible
and out if competitors get rebates. IN
the meantie get bills of lading with rates
and weight. cut off your old style pack
,ns and drayage charges, and above all
nafer for and pay closer attention to mail
orders, giving the lowest possible market
orice so that a customer will be encour-
p5 - mali another one-and not wait
far a travelling man TO come to quote him
"a Savannah Drummer.