The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-01-12
CASH IN ADVANCE.

In March, 1887, I became part
owner Of The Herald and News and
have been connected with the paper
continuously since that time. I was
with the paper a couple Of years prior
70 that time when under other own
ership. I have, therefore, been the
editor for nearly twenty-five years.
During that time my duties have al
so been to keep the books and sub
scription accounts.
I have always had 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 I could conduct a strictly
cash in advance subscription.
For the past few months T have
been giving a closer study to the Sit
nation than ever before.
When the postoffce 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 bit We
have received no response.
These $50 owed US over $4,000.
Many Of them not only did not pay
what they owel but weai directly and
subscribed fo- or cc.emporary 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. It certainly
was striking evidence of ingratitude.
We still have a good many SUBJ
scribers who are in arrears. State
ments have been sent or will be sent
in a few days to all of these.
During the Is years of our connec-
tion with this newspaper we have
lost in unpaid subscriptions at least
$4,000. We have no one to blame
but ourself and the people "ould
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 90 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 Will
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 sub
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 basie
We find that for a eleven months
Of this year only 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-