The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-03
j. q. JOHNSON, f fss R stsss Under ofa e6
tract with Travellers Protective Assn Same TO
u.C. T. Satisfaction guaranteed
DATING AHEAD.


Travelling Men.
The invitation to prepare this paper
came ION the n.y. and was O. KID before
an inventory could be taken OF our mental
resources-otherwise it would have been
turned down"
Dating ahead is always spoken OF as m
evil; this is not strictly true Its abuse
undoubtedly is an evil ana an expensive
one, but there is some satisfaction in the
thought that the abuaer is the victim.
The dating of bills should have for Its
primal purpose the convenience OF both
buyer and seller, and should never be
based on the buyers need for bolster
10 his credit, with this proposition in mind
we will declare for moderate trade dat
ing and attempt to sketch IA plan that
would seem to US TO be equitable, Just and
If adhered TO strictly, reasonably safe.
We viii state here, by way Of parenthc-
sis, that we speak from the standpoint OF
the jobber, rather than from that Of tho
manufacturer. assuming that the fall
trade FOR iobbers line OF goods does
not begin with the retailer until Septem-
her !, and granting him thirty days
grace from the opening of his season. We
viii date October j. terms thirty days net,
or ] per cent discount ii paid in ten days;
for spring business we Will date April j,
same terms as on fall sales; these terms
are probably more generally quoted by
jobbers than any other. with the possioie
exception OF 2 per cent discount in ten
days, and they seem TO us to be equitable
and just, but they should be supplemented
by equally defined limits of time for ship
ments; for example. goods sold with 4
fall dating should not be delivered be-
fore August l. or spring shipments ne
fore February 4. and all intermediate
shipments--ur sorting up orders, as they
are termed--should bear no dating.
strict compliance with the above sci
OF terms will not only give tho retailer
who is in good financial condition nj
the time he needs, but 1t will also obyiat.
band and expensive habit that is moi
prevalent namely. the early shipment o
goods to be sold during season when they
are dated ms for use during the following
season.
Two matters that very naturally follow
those OF .'terms'' and dating are icy.
tensions and limit Of credit" In our
opinion there should be absolutely N,
tapping seasons. and no extension bo
yond contract terms. except on negotiable
paper (secured or unsecured). and includ'
ing interest for extended time. This ox,
especial accommodation only and should
not be In any sense part Of the ohllga-
ton assumed by the jobher when he SOLD
the goods, but rather special favor for 4
good reason and carrying with 1t no obii-
cation for its repetition on future pli-
chases.
We do not altogether advocate a strintl,
limited line Of credit. Lack OF time pre-.
vents our going into details, but how
svor, you Mas stand on that particular
q point. II Ia q safe rule TO draw the lin,
IN tapping Of seasons II Is u declared
purpose OF our association to stimuat,
he extension Of credit within reasonahi,
ind safe limits our opinion Is that th
leason marks the limit Of 0me for safety
RI A very important factor in connection
With the naming Of terms for the salt
Df goods, Is that Of instruction to tn
snIo6mQns They should be required i
IN goods at the prices and upon tn
t(Hna named By their employers. and Their,
8al4 ~ ahsolutely no deviation,
IeAtlps VIII destroy the confidence o