The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-12-25


editor Tor nearly twenty-five years.
During that time my duties have al
so been to keep the books and sub
scription accounts.
I have always Lad great faith and
confidence in the honesty of the peo-
pie and their purpose to pay their
debts. For that reason I have never
believed 1 could conduct a strictly
cash in advance subscription.
For the past few months I have
been giving a closer study to the sit
uation than ever before.
When the postofice department is
sued its order that subscription to
semi-weekly more than nine months
in arrears could not be accepted at
the second-class rate we endeavored
to comply with the order and had to
cutt off about $50 names. We first
sent each subscriber at least two let
ters calling attention to the ruling be-
sides mention of it was made in the
paper. This fall we have sent an
other letter to these parsons but we
have received no response.
These $50 owed us over $4,000.
Many of them not only did not pay
What they owed but weai directly and
subscribed il: or cctemporary and
paid for it. We have no objection to
that but we mention it as a reason
for the shaking Of our faith in the
honesty of the people. 1t certainly
was striking evidence of ingratitude.
We still have a good many sub
scribers who are in arrears. State
ments have been sent or will be sent
in few days to all of these.
During the 25 years of our connee-
ton with this newspaper we have
lost in unpaid subscriptions at least
$4,000. We have no one to blame
bit ourself and the people would
have thought more Of US if we had
made them pay it. We are not COM
planning but we propose to stop this
leak or 60 out Of the business.
After the first day Of February The
.Herald and News will be run strictly
on the cash in advance plan. A post
card will be mailed you giving you
thirty days notice so that you may
have time to send in your renewal
and to remind you if you should over
look it.
There are doubtless some errors in
the credits. If you, will call our at
tention to these we will gladly make
the correction and in every case viii
give the subscriber the benefit Of the
doubt.
It takes too much Of our time to
send statements and to pay postage.
We will keep no books except our
receipt stubs and a cash book and the
mailing galleys.
We shall hate to part with any SUBJ
scribers but we cannot longer be an
noyed with trying to collect these lit
tie amounts and then not get them.
The post Office rule does NOT permit
US to carry delinquent longer than
nine months and we had just as we'll
put it on the cash basis
We find that foc; a eleven months
Of this year cnly about 1000 have
paid anything at all. Just about one
half Of the present list. We can, not
pay our debts and keep up this rate Of
collection of what is due us. And we
do not want to offer compromise if
we can help it.
Remember you have two months
to put yourself financial. If you can't
pay all of your back dues give us Your
note and pay the advance subscrip-
ton.
The rule we adopt will be followed
strictly. No doubt some Of those who
have been INDUCED will show their
appreciation by getting mad and TAX
ing the other paper as some have done.
We will not raise any objection for
we will have the satisfaction Of know
ing that you will no longer get pa
per without paying for it.
Those who pay no heed to what they
owe Us will have their accounts turn
ed over to a collection agency.
We have worked hard to serve the
people Of this community and We de-
serve what we have earned.