The age-herald., 1901-10-31
MERCHANTS ARE UNITED AGAINST TRADING STAMPS Board of Trade Expresses Strong Disapproval of
 the Scheme AGENT OF CONCERN HERE Tried to Do Business, But Was Turned Down-Leadlng Merchants Point
 Out Perniclousness of
 the Plan.
AGENT OF CONCERN HERE

The merchants of Birmingham are de- cidedly opposed to the trading stamp.
 The Board of Trade at it's meeting yes- terday afternoon passed this resolution unanimously.
 That the Board of Trade condemn the use of so-called trading stamps as being antagonistic to the merchants of Bir- mlngham, and not alone to the mer- chants, but to the people at large, and that the Board of Trade request the members and all merchants not members not to recognize such trading stamps" President Colman Blach said that the trading stamp was being worked In Att lanta, but that 1t was very hard on the merchants and indirectly hard on the purchaser.
 Paid s15,ooo a Year for lt.
 He knew of one merchant in Atlanta who paid s15,00O year to a trading stamp concern. This merchant said he would like to get out of the clutches of the trading stamp company but didn't know how. MT, Blach used this fact as an arr gument why the trading stamp should be kept out of Birmingham.
 This action was taken upon informa- ton that a representative of an Atlanta trading stamp company was in Birming- ham one day this week trying to arrange for the use of these stamps In Birming- A io fo har made to prominent retail merchant of this city to introduce the stamps, but the proposition was turned down.
 How Scheme Is Worked.
 The way the trading st amp business Is generally conducted Is in this manner: The promoter of 1t secures several mer- chants in each line of business in a city to agree to accept these stamps with pur- chases which call for any amount from a nickel up to say several dollars. The promoter then secures a number of pre- miums, such as pictures, chinaware, and bric-a-brac, and places them on exhibi- ton. The names of the merchants re- ceiving the stamps are advertised, and the books of stamps distributed among the citizens of the place.
 If person should make a purchase of $5 from a merchant accepting these stamps, he presents his book and stamps to the amount of s5, or such as the case may be- are taken therefrom, and the purchaser given credit for the same. A premium say worth s is offered for the purchase of $1OO worth of goods from a merchant using the stamps. A certificate to that effect is secured from the mer- chants selling the goods and the premium Is delivered.
 At the end of the month a representa- tive of the trading stamp company calls on the merchants and presents this cer- tificate.
 They Get 5 Per Cent.
 If the merchant has sold $100,000 worth of goods during the year the trading stamp people get $500o of this amount, which Is per cent. The merchants are compelled to use the stamps to secure the trade, on account of a great many women and children being anxious to se- cure the premiums.
 prominent merchant stated yesterday that not only the merchants suffered by being taxed per cent on their sales, but that the customers in tho long run were made the sufferers on account of the merchants being compelled to add to the price of goods to meet this per cent tax. Several years ago a trading stamp con- cern was established in Birmingham. but before they had been in business long the merchants and local newspapers protest ed against them in such loud terms that they left.
 The Massachusetts Supreme Court has declared the use of trading stamps un- constitutional.
 Merchants Against It.
 Several of the merchants of Birming- ham were interviewed yesterday and they all oppose 1t. Here are some of the expressions,
 M. V. Joseph, of Loveman, Joseph & Loeb: We are opposed to trading stamps. We will not go into 1t at all.
 Ferd Marx: The trading stamp should not be allowed in Birmingham. No one is benefited by it except the operators.
 Oliver Chalifoux of J. l.. Chalifoux & Company: The merchants of Birmingham should not allow these people to come into our city. I don't think there will be any trouble in keeping them out by united action. It is a hardship on the mer- chants and at the same time no benefit is derived by the practice by the customers. Louis Saks; They should not be allowed to come into Birmingham.
 Every merchant seen gave an express sion along the same line.
 
 Constipation is the rock that wrecks ,,,on,, iives. if poisons the very life