Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-03
Opposition to Parcels Post.

4
cells post, who was recently quoted as
| predicting the passage of his pet bill at
| the present session of Congress. is now
| confronted with the most serious OPP
position that has developed since he
| espoused the cause of low, and area
| graded rates on parcels sent through
Uncle Sans malls. His latest and
most earnest foe is the retailer of the
nation, the small and the large dealer
| in the city and in the country. The
| arguments voiced by this formidable
| claimant for the privilege of the floor.
are of interest.
Washington has already heard the
echo of a recent meeting of retailers
| held in New York and attended by
| more than 200 Eastern business men.
who on the spot formed the Retailers
National Protective Association for
the purpose of lighting the further
encroaehments of mail order houses on
the legitimate business of the nations
retailers, urging proper legislation and
other suitable means for retaining for
the retailer, who is the logical healthful
commercial factor of his community.
At the outset we must admit two
sides to this great question. But we
must admit also, that the parcels post
is inevitable, and that those who fight
against it instead of making ready to
adapt themselves to foreseen eondi-
tions, are but laying open their sore
spots to the CALLING gales of progress
The more they fight against it, the
more strength they add to the argu-
ment of the great public whole, of its
necessity.
1t is up to the Large and small
dealers of city and country" to prevent
the mail order houses from getting the
business of the country-not by cut
ting off the buyers opportunities of
defeating local greed. but by fair and
wholesome competition and by con-
Quoting for buyers the business which
they would transact.
The argument that local buying
keeps the money at home is SO per
cent. poppycock, because the number
of dealers to be affected, is only one
per cent of the total population, and
dealers have to send their money
Z, Fox laa CO. DC individual
| buyers. And again it is certain to-
| weed out the irresponsible and I'M
scrupulously greedy dealers who are
as much drag on honest. legitimate
business as can be conceived
We hear no whine from conservative
business men who are studying the
future with care. They foresee a reac-i
ton from the mail-order business and
| buyers turning to careful and honest
and proved.
| The demand for parcels post is one
| mere evidence of the public determine
| ton to wipe out the enormous profits
which market and transportation
| manipaiators are squeezing out of
producers and consumers.
| Legitimate business is recognized by
| ell as a necessity. but INSCRIPTIONS
greed and extortion are on their last
legs A new adjustment is near and
| the wise man will read the writing on
the wall as it should be interpreted.
The fittest dealers in both city and
country will survive.
A bureau in New York sends out the
following:
THE business men of the State of
Mississippi have influenced their legis-
lature to enact law ieyying a tax on
all statesmen taking orders in that
state for mail order houses. speech
made by one of the advocates of that
bin reflected in a striking manner the
resolution adopted in the New York
meeting.
" 1t is one thing he declared, to al
low legitimate business to take its
course unhindered. 1t is another thing,
however, to foster through our laws
q business system which does nothing
Tor our city or state except to take our
: money. at the expense of our friend
and neighbor who contributes in nc
small measure TO the prosperity and
? Well being of our local institutions
The above would imply that goul
I | friend and neighbor' has not the sam,
opportunities in his community "a
have the other citizens who buy. WI