Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-03

THE various systems by which store
keepers manage to keep their accounts
have grown more and more complicated as
the years go by" said old citizen to
Slar reporter today. ut is with feeling
OF longing for the good old times that l
recall the method in vogue everywhere
when 1 was young. In every place in which
q purchase was made there was adopted
the very simple plan of allowing the GUS
toner to pay the clerk and end the transac-
ton right there. The storekeeper kept his
accounts without bothering his customers
to assist in that work. Now the customer
not only has to pay for goods. but the
methods of payment are becoming so bur-
densome that in a short time l expect an
indignant public will rebel against what is
sure to be branded as an imposition.
II recently entered store for the very
simple purpose Of purchasing small
amount of candy. AS the clerk was wrap
ping UP the candy she directed me to hand
the check she passed to me to the cashier
across the way. 1 did so, and upon paying
the cashier 1 was given another check,
which l was told to give to a second
cashier located toward the other end of
the store. The place was crowded and l
had my arms filled with bundles, but l
obediently entered upon this service as a
messenger boy for the storekeeper and
laid the check down as l was directed l
thought | had earned my little box CT
candy and wedged my way back to get it.
1 was mistaken. l had only begun to un-
derstand the intricacies of modern business
methods. l was told l must present a
check before 1 could get the candy. 1 pro-
tested that had paid and passed the check
in at the rear Of the store. When 1 told
the man he commanded me to go back
the candy unless l did so. AS had parted
with the money and didn't wish to donate
the candy to the firm trudged back again
amid the crowd. all the time realizing that
for a little box Of Christmas candy 1 was
allowing my mind to get into a condition
that made my ultimate salvation ques-
ton for speculation. 1 got out of the store
with the candy, but l determined then and
there that Santa Claus should do his own
work in the future If a little purchase
could be made only by performing mes
senger service In order to help the store
keeper keep his accounts straight.
x X
II never was so tired of hearing the
word coal as 1 have been during the past
few weeks" a coal dealer remarked to
Star reporter. up to the time of the be-
ginning of the present trouble the word al
ways made me feel tri1e happy. for every
time 1 heard it thought Of a prospective
sale. Now the word means trouble and
lots Of It,
''One day. during a cold snap, more than
hundred persons had been In the office
clamoring for coal, and my feelings were
those of a man who needed treatment in
the mansion on the hill overlooking Ana
costa. There was no coal in my yard but
the people would not believe what l told
them. When 1 would tell them to investi-
gate the yard for themselves they were
frank enough to say they thought my
stock was secreted at some other place
when l felt that the sick bed was the
place for me and l could stand the strain
no longer. l left the yard and thought
short visit to the house of my mother-in-
law would prove restful. If l went home
I knew people in want of coal would find
me, but at the mother-in-law'S there would
be no such trouble encountered. for her
supply of fuel was large enough to last
her several weeks.
But" he concluded my anticipations
were not realized, for my wife's mother
had list of names of friends who wanted
coal and two friends were in the house
who wanted TO make purchases Then
was forced to go to a hotel, and because
the clerk in the yard was unable to find
me he instituted search and was about to
call In the police when l reappeared upon
the scene
The metric system bill. which is now
tives. has gained another supporter. This
bill was reported at the last session of Con-
gress and its friends are quietly calling 1t
to the attention OF members. This program
was being Chrried out the other day in the
republican smoking room. adjoining the hall
OF the House. Representative Cushman of
Washington had been quiet listener to the