Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-02-28
Paper Tells How Money
Goes to the INSTALL
ment Man
Gets More Than His Share
and Takes Many Dollars
Each Month From Homes

4
d tees and to charitable societies for as
sistance for the poor the question o
the poor Of the city of Conneaut cam
up among party of men yesterda,
afternoon and some new lights wer,
thrown on the subject. Some of tn,
men in the little party happened to b,
so situated that they understood pret
ty thoroughly what they were. talking
about and some of the matters they re
ferred to were quite surprising.
In the first place one man better
versed on the subject than the others
made a statement that Conneaut in
comparison with other cities Of the size
did not have many poor people. When
considered, it was decided that the
man was right. Then followed up his
remarks by saying that the majority
of people who are poor are chronic poor
and would be so at any place or under
any circumstances. While this remark
was not doubted, he continued to ex.
plain. He said that there were some
people who with any amount of money
in their possession could not save il
and in due time any fortune that they
might possess would be foolishly spent
and dwindle away. They never know
that tomorrow is coming and never
believe that the proverbal rainy day
viii come TO them. When il does
come they are poverty stricken. The
man cited several cases of them where
there were children in the family and
hence at considerable expense. The |
husband and father earned good wages .
during the summer, but when winter |
came tho families were in hard cir
cumstanees. The time comes when they
need assistance. They manage with
the aid given them by others to live
through the winter and then the same
thing happens again--plenty and even
more during the summer and poverty
again in the winter. The question
arose as to what becomes of the earn.
ings, and dozen loop-holes through
which it passes were mentioned.
The installment man. What bane
he puts upon town. He is never able
to do business with the well to.do, hut
knows tina he has an influence with
the poorer class and here he works
his graft. lie is even unable 10 find
much patronage among those Of Just
fair circumstances, SO pays but little
attention to them. To the poorer ones
he goes. He sells clock, rug.
piece of furniture, a nick.nack or some.
thing at a price anywhere from few
dollars to a goodly sum and comes
around each month 10 get his dollar or
two installment payment In some
'ases IL is quite bit In this way
homes are furnished with articles that
IRE not needed and in some cases not
wen wanted. The payment is a steady
Train upon the exchequer. Thus the
little sum that could be laid aside '
'ach month is gone and when winter
omes there is no little store in the g
tocking TO meet the needed expenses.
'he grocer is asked TO carry the fami.
y tin spring comes and by that time 9
e goes busted. An examination Of the
nodus operandi Of these installment
ieu They sell cheap line Of goods
nj make a big profit They must,
ecause they are az a greater expense
han merchant. During the conver. p'
alton eases were cited that were dI
ven amusing. one man knew wo-
ian that pair $lS for clock that,
'uld be bought Of any Of the jewellers
! the city for g. Another knew Of
poor family that had their floors
'rpeted with rugs that cost 81. a
ld IS apiece and they could be pur. eg
'ased Of the same merchant that was
usting the family for groceries Tor 10
om 81 20 g., Thus il goes misman.
cement of Affairs and the continual =
Vcrty 81 the family. A laughable n,
Sc was cited by merchant. he ~
Is trusting family for groeeFies ao,
4 each month they ran a little more on,
hind In their hills One month there 80
IS show in the city and the woman -.
.n'cd 10 80 and had no money. she 40,
nt % the grocer and ordered a large IA,
q goods They were sent 10 her -.
ise and she had them delivered 20
heme ef ueighbor. To the neigh, ~,
! lady sAe sold them for about half ,,o,
AZ they cost her and got tho cash 49,
them and weat 90 the show. taking ~
children. The sr0esF had 90 gar. .,o,
aee for The groeery blL TAus il ma,