Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-02-12


in the world. In 1905 one Of the two
largest reported total sales for the
year of $3S,70S. 526. and added to this
report that this was an increase Oh
over 100000 over the year before.
Supposing this increase has been
maintained, it would mean a total OF
over $50 1000, 600 for 1907. Every cent
Of this comes from the regular mer-
chants volume of trade, and large
proportion from the smaller towns.
We know this" says the advocate
Of parcels post, ''and that's just the
reason that we want this law passed
because it will put the small dealer
on a strong competitive basis, and
thus protect his own trade, for the
recommendation made provides spe-
cial service for the local dealer ag.Inst
the mail order house by allowing him
to deliver a package to his customer
in the country for 25 cents, whereas
the Chicago mail order house must
pay 1892, therefore it must be good
thing for the merchant"
In reply to this should say that a
law of this kind would be direct VIC
lation to the constitution of the United
States which strictly prohibits the en-
actment of any law which grants GER
tain privileges to any one class OF peo-
pie against another, and if, therefore,
this act will allow a privilege TO the
country dealer which cannot be taken
advantage of by any one else, no mat
ter what his business or where To-
Gated, it becomes class legislation in
restraint of trade, and would SO be de-
clared by any court of the United
States. Such a provision is also part
of practically ell state constitutions.
1t would not in its present form
cause you any greater competition
from the Chicago mail-order houses
because they could have no particular
advantage in mailing an eleven
pound package TO your trade because
they could send 1t cheaper to any
point in Minnesota by express, but
when it came to sending the same
package to long distances, then would
appear the advantage, and by this
same token it becomes at once appar-
ent that it will be easy for the mail
order house in the east, in New York
or Maine. to send packages to your
trade at great deal less than they
now can be by express.
1t means, therefore, that it will in
crease the field of mail-order competi-
ton because the concerns that are
now shut out of this territory because
distance and higher transportation are
SO unfayorable that they cannot COM
pete with the concerns located near,
and consequently must confine them
selves 10 their own territory. But
with parcels post as proposed in effect
il is different matter, for distance
then will be no restraint for the cost
of delivery is the same.
1t is easy to figure, then, what this
will develop. Hundreds of specially
mail-order houses, especially among
that class of concerns who deal with
the smaller articles, and just stop and
think of the thousands of articles OF
everyday use which weigh under
eleven pounds, particularly among
factories making such mailable mer-
chandise, which are located in New
England or eastern states where Ia
Dor is cheap and consequently the ar
ticles may be much more cheaply
manufactured. And as the cost OF de-
livery is the same to every part OF
ne United States, it at once be-
comes apparent that the western man
ufacturer as well as the western
dealer cannot successfully compete.
In figuring their prices they may
even mike them on a delivered to
the customer basis which must neces-
sarily be lower than a merchant can
sell for, and the result is obvious, for
the farmer, overlooking the fact that
you are a taxpayer in his own coun-
try, and that you have granted him
favors in the way of credit for goods,
to say nothing Of dozens of other "a
vors of personal nature, perhaps even
owing you an account at the time, sees
only the Slight difference in price and
at once sends away his order and his
cash, probably clear to New Hamp-
shire, for an article which will be de
livered to him by Uncle Sans trans
portation system.
1t is apparent, therefore, that this
is not a good thing, and should be de
feated, and by entering a vigorous
protest with your congressman and
contriving to do so, will accomplish
its defeat; but you must be activ ). be-
cause the supporters of the move
ment are as numerous as those who
oppose.