The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-12-09
BOX CAR pEDDLERs. /"
Another Chapter on the Question
Before Our Merchants.

Before Our Merchants.
Our reference last week to the class
of merchants known as the "box Cal
peddlers" brought forth considerable
discussion and the matter has been
pretty well dissected up to date by
those discussing the question. Some
thought the class referred TO were
a Godsend to the community as they
sold goods to poor people at lower
prices than local merchants, Others
were of the opinion that restrictive
measures should be adopted to keeI
them out of town, and if that could
not be done, to have them pay q
license in lieu Of taxes, which the
local merchant is compelled to pay
for the privilege Of handling stocE
of goods.
Then again. the laws in the prem
Uses are not just We have in mino
three merchants in this city, who
when times are dull take some Of the
goods from their shelves and peddle
them about the locations. These
men, although residents here, are
charged $4,000 a year license in adj
dition to the taxes they yearly pay
Either the license toipeddle should be
given them without cost or the
others, who have no established bust
ness, should also be licensed at sc
much year, day or week. If the
first is right, there surely is no excuse
for the other not being compelled tc
"dig up"
1t is also argued that under the city
charter and the peddler's ordinance.
the local merchants would be com.
PEELED to do away with their order
men or pay a license for each. The
larger part of the merchants freely
admit that if this could be accomlish.
ed it would be good tling. 1t is
also admitted that much Of the cost
of running business here is due to
the number of men employed and the
credit system in vogue.
A cash basis in the towns on the
ranges should be an easy matter. The
laborers receive their money every
thirty days and could pay cash as well
as work book if they only tried.
Many unnecessary losses would then
be stopped to the merchants and
other expenses would be cut down.
Those buying would secure the dis
counts and it is pretty certain that,
taking the figures through and
through, goods could be purchased
cheaper in these towns than from
the peddler or the catalogue house.
Even now, considering the class of
goods sold and the cash which the
mail order houses and peddlers re-
ceive, the differential in the price of
goods is very slight.
The local merchant is here all the
time and is ready and willing to make
good unsatisfactory purchases while
the peddler is gone as soon as he gets
your money. The mail order houses
are also not any too careful about fill
ing your order with the class of goods
advertised and after they have your
money there is no redress. Another
item that should be remembered. If
you are taken sick and have NO
money for necessaries, who helps you
out by giving you credit? How
much do you get from the peddler or
the mail order houses? How much
does this class of merchants annually
pay towards building churches,
schools, sidewalks, streets or other
Improvements?
However, we did not intend to go
into details regarding the mail order
houses. The state dairy and food
commission has warned the people
against buying of the box-car ped
oilers which infest the state since this
class of merchants were legislated out
of Iowa where they had become {
perfect nuisance. The board has als(
convicted large number for selling
inferior and adulterated goods anC
has recommended to the legislator,
the passing of laws regulating thes,
merchants. Those doing a legitimat,
business in the state are compelled Il
stand rigid inpection against adul
teration and why not these.
A property owner pays taxes to he'll
the city, county. state and nation. 4
peddler pays nothing. An outside
who sells 500 worth of goods an,
leaves, practically takes that muc1
money out OF circulation. Trad
with home merchants and help thos
that help you.
FvnraF onHkFrIIlHln MINI