The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-11-24
Deadbeats, Chapter II.

In our last issue we had something
to say on the question of deadbeats.
The deadbeat is an unsavory subject to
deal with. 1t is much more satisfactory
to theorize on foreign wars and sub.
jects far away. We feel, however, that
if'by January 1, we can organize cru.
SADIE against these pests we will have
done more good for the community
than by unlimited columns of pure
theory.
In our last issue we discussed the
relation of the deadbeat to the merch.
ant. we now propose to discuss the
deadbeat and his relations. to the pnr-
chaser.
rhe selling price is governed, where
competition enters ing by three things,
first, by the originab4cost; second, by
the cost of handliag, and third, by the
desire for a reasonable profit. The
merchant usually buys his goods sub
ject to 80, go or 80 days. time and also
subject to discount for cash. If the
merchant is able to discount his bills
the item of original cost which governs
the selling price is reduced from to
per cent as the case may be. This is
the first way in which the people can
assist in reducing their twn bills, by
paying cash to the merchant he can
pay cash to the wholesaler and receive
his discount.
A The second item IN fixing the selling
price is the expense of handling. In
this is properly included, rent, taxes
help, interest and general expense. In
firms doing credit business portion
i Of the general expense, is the expense
of collections, and to this must be add
ed the loss occasioned by the ,deadbeat
Many merchants doing credit business
i do successfully compete with the cash
Il concern but in order to do so they mus
cut down on the item of reasonable
profit and thus they are to certain
extent deprived Of the just fruits Of
4 their labors. In this manner the dead
beat robs every man in the communit,
in two ways 6rsts by the direct deb
he may owe, and secondsby the increas
ed price the citizen mastspay on nearl.
II every article in ordertbs cover the losse
to business men occasipned- by the dead
beat. "A ~
4 Since our last issue we, were talkiu,
with some artisans of Denison, hard
working men, men whose bread an.
butter depends upon their daily wages
1t would seem that even the hardene,
deadbeat would hesitate before Robin,
them. but he has done 1t. To work tel
hours day and then get insults TO
pay Is certainly an outrage.
The day of the deadbeat should b,
passed in Denison. These men shout,
be given to understand that they are
curse to the community, that they ar
not wanted. that they must pay or q
without. The question is, have ou
business men sufficient courage to re
fuse the shop filters, if they have, tn
trouble will soon be ended. Begil
now, and the next time one of thes
professional deadbeats comes to ge
something, mildly but firmly insist or
cash." II may make him mad, but
his enmity will not hurt you; you may
lose his trade. if you do you will be {
gamer. The REVIEWS articles viii
hurt no honest man. we but give voice
to the general sentiment of the com
mnnlty. 1t the deadbeats knew how
generallysthey were discussed and how
greatly they were despised we believe
that even their hardened consciences
would be reached.
| In saying what we have about dead
| ~AAAAAAAA~