Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-02-24

other expense; the family automobile
mas added a group Of expenses suffi-
clent 10 dnnlhllate a comfortable saw
lnSs bank account. There Is a multi
pllcation of societies and associations
to which dues must be paid and whose
meetings entail expense. There is a
more ready disposition to call the fam
lily physician than formerly. The tip
ping practice is becoming more gen
eral. 1t is this sort of consumption
that plays havoc with what otherwise
might become a family nest egg-a
savings bank account laid by for a
rainy day"
Now, as to the solution of the prob
lem-the remedy for the disease. Chief
Holmes says
The present situation with regard
TO nigh prices should not be tolerated
without some notifications that will
contribute to the relief of the consum-
er The distributive system is bur-
densome, costly and Unnecessarily
elaborate. Producer and consumer
should get nearer to each other.
1T is about time for the consumer
to stop playing the part of man with
o grievance. Nearly all of the griev-
ances that can be corrected at all can
be corrected by himself. He can buy
with greater economy in prices
through cooperative efforts and by
paying cash and also with greater
economy in forms, preparations and
varieties Of things
That's the thing I've been leading up
to. 1T is about time for the consumer
to stop playing the part of a man with
a grievance. Nearly all the grievances
which can be corrected at all can be
corrected by himself"
Amen, Brother!
If the consumer can afford delca-
lessen foods at fancy prices; if he can
afford seashore or mountain outings
If he can afford to attend all sorts Of
shows and frequent all sorts Of
amusements if he can afford a teIe-
phone or an automobile-or an aero
plane and a sea going yacht: if he can
afford to belong to from two to a doz-
en- clubs and other due collecting or
gantzations-if he can afford all or
any of these things, they doubtless add
to his pleasure or his convenience. If
he can afford them, let him pay the
price-and stop whimpering about it.
If he can't afford them, not one is alb
solutely necessary. It's UP to him, ev-
cry time and all the time.
Even the matter of middlemens cost
is up to him. AS things go, many con-
sumers expect the dealers who serve
them to do a large share of the work
and take away a large part of the
trouble they might themselves as
sumo, if they chose. When they do
/ this, they must expect to pay for it.
Fully one-half of the work and the
expense to which middlemen are put,
today, is forced upon them by the de-
mands of their patrons. Their tele-
phones, and their delivery teams, and
their order clerks, and their delivery
clerks, and their charge" accounts,
and their icing plants and a score of
other things that cost money are de-
manded of them by the consumers,
their patrons. OF course, the consum-
ers pay for them, in the end.
It is neither fair nor decent for the
employer to demand work from any
servant and refuse wages for it, when
1T is done. 1t is just as unfair and as
indecent for the consumer to demand
costly service from his dealer and then
snarl at the dealers claim for repay
ment. He may have the service-and
pay for it; or he may help himself and
save the money. It's in his own hands,
to a great extent.
In any case, he will be able to see
the mote in the other fellows eve a
good deal clearer when he has dug the
beam out of his own optical organ.
When he has done his own part in re-
ducing the high cost of living, crit
icism of the producers and the mid
dlemen will come from him with bet
ter grace.
1t is an old saying that those who
seek equity must themselves come into
court with clean hands.
While ! am in the business of quot
| ing, let me quote here what one of the
biggest and best farm papers Of the
west says of a corn growing contest
for farmers boys, TO be managed this
summer in its own bishopric. l refer
to the Kansas City Star:
Given an acre of ground any boy
is ready to put up his fight for the big
prize. In this corn growing game there
Is nothing beyond the understanding
of any boy. All can play at it. All
| can get in with the chance to win
looming big. with the goal in sight
There are no deep secrets about grow
| ing corn The principles which make
for success are well known The mean:
Of learning are on every hand
The contest will be an exhilarating