The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-08-13
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
Paducah. KY. Aug. 10. 1908.


more for coal than the city.
We do not know who this knocker
Is. but whoever II Is. he appears to
be doing so for a purpose antagonis-
Nc to the interests of the local retail
coal merchants.
The school board is composed of in
telllgent gentlemen. loyal to the in
terests of the schools in their keep
ing. They advertised for bids for
coal. and awarded the contract 10 the
lowest and best bidders. Our COM
pany was one of the successful bid
deTs, and was awarded the contrac,
to furnish coal for the following
schools Whittier. Jefferson, Long
fellow, Franklin and Lncoln-at Sc
per bushel delivered to the school
buildings ANY person familiar with
good coal, ard the retail business,
will admit this price to be very roa-
sonable. Our company did not quote
price. either (. o. b. mines, or on
track at Paducah.
The city buyer-Mr III Miller-
tat SIS per- requested the school
board to let him include their supply
OF coal. In his purchase for the city.
They declined his generous ofer for
reasons. one of which is. they find Il
more satisfactory TO contract with a
reliable local dealer, and get good
coal, than TO contract with an out
slider. not able 20 make delivery to|
school buildings
Now for the c'ty's position IN the
matter: WHY are they SO Interested
In the purchase OF coal FOR the
schools? Their boosted purchase at
= Use per bushel. Is underestimate,
as they will fully learn before the de-
livery is complete. or the end Of tho
season. Coal cannot be delivered for
one cent per bushel. We would D.
delighted to contract with some re-
sponslble pePsOn or firm al that price.
The city will find out before the sea
son is over. that the school board Is
getting their coal considerably cheap
er than the city. and that by pro-rat-
| ing the buyers salary, and charging
the proper amount to fuel account,
the cost. instead OF being loo per
bushel. will be nearer Toe bushei
Every retail coal dealer 10 Paducah
pays the city a license FOR The priv
!lege of doing business. They edu-
cate their children IN Paducah schools
4ssfN Of k.aI
schools. They pay taxes. and IN num-
erous other ways contribute to the
advancement and up-build.rg of our
beautiful city. With a few exceptions
all they possess IS invested In Paducah
They spend their mopey IN Paducsh
and with Paducah merchants. They
pay out each month thousands Of dol
lars for labor. which 10 turn is spent
with Paducah merchants. They keep
their places OF business open six day-
In each week and hfty-two weeks o.
each year, any day OF which they viii
send to a purchaser as small an
amount as SL0D worth. or as large q
quantity as the purchaser desires
Can you point out one coal dealer
who has become rich retailing coal
Can YOU find one who owns a country
home. with a curious sounding name
painted on a board over the front
gate? Can YOU think OF one that
owns a private launch. or an automo-
bile. How about the fellow lu other
lines Of business. such as wholesale
fgrOcery. brewery companies. whole
sale and retail liquor. clothiers. bank
ers. manufacturers. etc. Don't nearl,
all Of them have a country home. an
automobile. a fast horse or launch.
or all Of them? Don't YOU think al
retail goldman would Ike to possess
those things, too? Why don't he?
We will mention the clty's interests
In the matter again. The first of the.
year every coal dealer is compelled tn
i pay his license. II he fails to paj
within a reasonable time the city can
warrant him for doing business with
out license. Now, what do they do
after selling us-a privilege to do bust
ness? They create an Office of "Cits
Buyef", at a salary Of SIS per month.
to destroy The privilege they sold M.
and take from US what right is ours.
Suppose the citizens of Paducali
would follow the example OF our city
authorities. and when they wanted
groceries, send to ST LuiIis for rhemg
If they wanted flour. send to Cairo.
II they wanted clothing, dry goods.
boots or shoes. send buyer to New
York to make the purchase. When
thcy happen 20 want jug CT rcd
liquor, send TO Lou. sville or Nash
vile for Il. II IL happened 10 be a
case OF beer, order II from Milwaukee.
II YOU happen to have any money to-
spend for advertising. send II 20 a
town that believes in patronlzlng
home Industries. In fact get the hab-
II Of spending your money anywhere.
and with any person except Paducah.
and Paducah merchants, then after
you have the habit fully developed
you can sit around and squawk Pan
Isl Hard Times and Paducah so -
600 sometime doat think.
Respectfully.
JOHNSTON FUEL Co.
Nv l. Inhpcfop