The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
PAY YoUR BILLS PRoMprLY.

| Now that the scarcity of money seems
to be the root of all evil'' countless
discussions are going on as to the ways
and means of bringing out the foolishly
boarded millions. In most cases the
echoes of the talk are about the only
results and little of account is actually
accomplished. To do a thing, some
thing must be done and the ability of
the business men and the merchants
throughout the country. irrespective of
bank officials. to "get right down to
brass tacks" and do something is to be
relied upon in the present emergency.
It would seem that much could be
accomplished to restore business condi-
lions to their normal and prosperous
state through the medium of accounts
payable" and accounts receivable''-in
other words through the prompt pay
ment Of bills not only between BUSH
ness men, merchants and manufacturers
but between these gentlemen and their
hosts of debtors who have accounts
with them. Particularly is this true of
local conditions where the people as a
whole are treated with great courtesy
by the merchants and manufacturers
in the extension of credit.
OF course it must be admitted as a
ton, or an individual cannot pay out
money, or it's equivalent, unless it has
a large cash surplus or can collect from
its debtors the moneys that are due.
Collections are now slower than normal,
not only in this locality but all over
the country 1t logically follows, there
fore, that to resume payments of ac-
counts due, accounts receivable must
be started coming in. If that can be
done 1t will serve helpful factor at
the present time. There does not seem
GO be any good reason, as far as local
conditions are concerned, why the aver |
age debtor to the business men and |
merchants should not meet his obliga- |
lions promptly. Salaries in all fields of |
endeavor in this vicinity have been go |
ing on as usual either in real money or !
It's equivalent. 1t is just as easy for |
the Individual to settle his ordinary |
debts now as 1t ever was. And 1t Is |
senseless for him to let these debts run |
along on the theory that he ought to |
hold on to his money for the hard times |
that the pessimists have been bowling |
about but which hard times arc largely |
"a state of mind" as President Wood |
row Wilson of Princeton university so |
aptly puts it. Quite as easy, is it. for |
The average individual to meet the bills |
presented on the first of the month
within a few days of that time as it is
to meet them at the middle of the |
month or at the end of the month when
another bill is about due. Prompt pay
ment of bills by individuals will give |
the business men and merchants a
working capital on which to conduct
their business and will permit them to
be prompt in settling their obligations
with each other and with manufac-
turers.
So the prompt payment of bills by
everyone at this time would go a great
ways, it would seem, in restoring con-
1dence and prosperity for all concern
I'd. The spirit of patriotic cooperation
should govern every one at this time,
and the most practical method is for
to pay each other the bills
which are owed.
American merchants and manufac-
urers and American individuals have
never been found wanting in a patriotic
Nor will they in this one where the
shoulder of everyone to the wheel in
he prompt payment of bills will help
so much.