The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-03-14

ions of dollars find their way from
the towns, villages and rural dis
tricts of the country to the Golfers
of the mail order houses in the
cities. and go to the upbuilding
of enormous institutions in the
centers Of population. Naturally,
the sources from which the con-
tributions are made suffer accord
ingly.
Figures ever tell better story
than words. Here are figures
which tell story so stupendous
that its full Significance cannot be
grasped in a moment, but the
mere sight of which are awe in
spring.
In the year 1905 two mail order
houses, located In Chicago, did a
business amounting in round num-
bers to $50, 100000. In the year
1904 these same concerns did a
business of about $62, 900, 900, a
gain of $ls, 600, 600 or nearly 80
per cent. in a single year being
thus exhibition.
These figures represent the sale
last year of one dollars worth of
merchandise for every man, woman
and child in the country by two
a talogue houses alone, and
those operating from the same
central point. Dozens more of
varying size and Importance are
operating all over the country from
coast to coast and from border to
border.
A fact not generally known is
that hundreds of concerns through
out the country which now are
doing business through the regu-
lar trade channels are awaiting
only parcels post law to unloose
literature, already prepared in
many instances, which would pro-
ject them into the mail older field,
and this does not take into ac-
count the hundreds and perhaps
thousands of entirely new mail or
der concerns which inevitably
would spring into existence under
such friendly auspices.
The two Chicago institutions
referred to, already occupying
immense buildings, found them
selves cramped for room. One Of
them expended not less than $l,
600, 900, and probably more, for a
new home. The other lately has
secured a new location and also
will expend at $1,OO0,O0O for an
immense new building.
Anyone who will reflect even
casually on the subject must be-
come impressed that the influence
of the mail order business is to-
ward the Capitalization of wealth,
and how enormous part it is play
ing in the direction will be under
stood from a second glance at the
figures which have been given
above.
1t is due to himself that every
patron of the mail order house
should inquire honestly of him
self what the final outcome is to
be if the mail order business shall
continue to make the great strides
which have marked its progress
during the last half decade.
1t is useless to repeat the well
worn argument of the mail order
concern that the selling goods
enough more cheaply than the
merchants in the regular channels
of trade to leave their customers
more money than ever to devote to
home enterprises and institutions.
The fallacy of this statement has
been proved over and over again
by actual and minute comparisons
of goods, as to their quality and
prices. To refute it finally and
indisputably by simpler and
more direct method it is necessary
only to ask the reliable business
men of any of the smaller com
munities to show the evidence from
their books and accounts of the
harm the mail order habit is do
ing their communities.
1t Is a truth as old as the hills
and as certain as the rising and
setting of the sun that no country
or section of country can prosper