Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-10-25
ANOTHER ARGUMENT EXPLODED.

ANOIIllLIt AhkG OhfLINI AhAA hODAhD'
one OF the favorite arguments for
dry rule is that people pay their
debts hetter in a dry" county than in
wet county. At first thought, this ar
gument would seem reasonable; but
when the cold figures are brought to
bear on the subject. the average busi-
ness man will have to admit there is
nothing to lt-at least, here in Polk
County. And in its present Campaign
OF Facts, the Observer is devoting its
attention strictly to Polk County
The writer has interviewed many of
the large and small business concerns
of Dallas in the last few days, and this
is what the merchants interviewed
tell him;
First-That while collections are
reasonably easy, they are not easier
than they were two years ago.
Second-That men who drank when
the county was wet are not paying
their bills more promptly now than
they did then.
Third-That very few of the drink
ing men who had owed them for a
considerable time before the county
went dry have paid up their old ac-
counts since the saloons were voted
out.
Fourth-That the loss from drink
ing mems accounts under wet rule was
no greater than the loss from the ae-
counts OF people who did not drink.
Fifth-That the monthly purchases
OF goods by men who drink are appar-
emily no heavier now than they were
when the county was wet.
As names and figures can not he
printed from these merchants ledgers
without divulging private affairs, the
Observers readers win readily un-
derstand why detailed statements are
not printed here. This newspaper is
trying 20 bring out actual conditions
as they exist in Polk County today. to
the end that when men vote on the
prohibition question In November,
they may be able to vote intelligently.
and FOR this reason 1t would like to
print what II knows about some Of
these merchants outstanding accounts. |
But any reader will thoroughly un-
derstand why the results OF its inves- |
legations along this line are not given |
20 the public In detail. However. the
Observer does not mind printing a few
figures from its own Office records, /
knowing that such figures will prove .
Of interest 10 all. a newspaper does
business with about all classes OF peo-
pie. and the accounts found on its
hooks are fairly representative In a
showing OF this kind.
Two years ago. the publisher OF this
newspaper leased his plant and volun-
tariy retired nom business FOR year
After collecting the accounts due him
from his regular customers among
the business concerns OF the county.
he found remaining on his advertising
and job work ledger accounts amount
Ing IN the aggregate to s4t6.15. II
must be sorroWfully admitted that by
far the greater part OF this amount
was owed BY persons who did not
drink. Do not look doubtful when
you read this. anc do not challenge
the truth Of the statement unless you
are willing for Us TO prove what we
say The Observer Il sticking 10 facts
IN this campaign. and Il Is insisting
that everyone else do the same. Be
sides. none of these accounts have ever
been paid. ana II you doubt our word.
come into the once and let rs know
that you mean bushes. and We VIII
GLADLY seii you those accounts AZ 10
cents on the dollar
But a. We started out 70 zsy. aside
from The accounts of reliable business
nrms Ne had on our books ff1s1S IN
scattering accounts when We retired
from huainess In the Summer o. 1seS
a roodly portion q our spare tine