Fergus County argus., 1905-09-05

De interested IN knowing tnat the post
office department has put the concern
out of business, says the Red Lodge
Picket.
Between fifty and seventy-five peo-
pie who live in Red Lodge and vicin-
ity are numbered among the victims.
who paid attention to the alluring cat
alogues of the concern and sent their
good money for nothing in return.
On account of the five hundred or
mcre complaints received by the pos.
tai authorities, Acting Postmaster
General Hitchcock issued an order to
hold up the mail of the concern.
About the same time constable
swooped down on the store room of
the company to enforce an execution
IN favor of printing firm for s49l.
When an officer took possession of
the store he thought he had levied up
on forty barrels of whisky and wine.
This formidable array of barrels ap-
peared the most valuable asset in the
stock. The constable was seized with
spasm of CONSERVATION, however.
when, Oh investigation, he found ev-
cry barrel empty. A swarm of credit.
ors have since put in claims.
Samuel D'Ancona incorporated the
company about year ago. He has
disappeared. He was cited to appear
in Washington to answer whv a
fraud order should not be issued
against him. While the order was not
issued, the complaints did not cease.
The Home Supply company offer.
ed to supply, through mail-order
system, groceries and liquors much
cheaper than they are sold in the
home town of the purchaser. The cat.
alogues which the company sent out
represented that purchasers could
save forty cents on the dollar by plac.
ing their orders with the Home Sup
ply concern, instead of with the local
merchants. Customers have com
planned that after sending in money
orders for goods, months would elapse
with no word from the company In
reply to these inquiries, customers
would be told that the goods had been
shipped; that the order had been mis-
placed or that certain goods order.
ed were not in stock, but would be
shipped at once.
Upon receipt of a complaint, the
postoffice inspectors would investi.
gate and often the money would be re.
funded in the form of check which
in many cases would be returned
protested by the banks. Then a good
check would be mailed.
The principal complaint seems tc
be that the firm was very slow in
filings orders. 1t would ship the sup
plies piecemeal, and in some cases il
would BE- months before customer
received his entire order.
The press Of Montana has urged
time and time again, and never ceas
es urging the people to patronize the
merchants who live among them, ant
whose reputation for integrity ant
square dealing is beyond question
Notwithstanding the lesson taught b,
the crooked work of the Saint Loui.
concern, it is more than likely tina
the usual number of dupes will b.
found who will send their none,
away from the county and state, and
after they find that they could do jus
as well, if not better at home, will
promise never to send east for any
thing again until their eye catches tn,
first catalogue of mail order hous,
that comes their way. The local meI
chant pays license and taxes for dc
ing business in the county. Hi
money helps to maintain the govern
ment and schools. He is always pres
ent to right any mistake made or eX
change goods that may prove unsatis
| factory. He is deserving of the full
est measure of patronage of good cit
liens whose aim is to build up an
make a prosperous community.