The daily Alaskan., 1913-12-19
HOME PATRONAGE

For years the local merchants i'll the smaller towns and cities of the United States and Canada have been protesting vigorously against the constantly increasing practice of people of the communities in which they do business of sending out money, which should be spent at home to the big mail order houses to purchase goods which could have been supplied by themselves.
 They argue, with truth, that the maiu order houses do nothing for the community in return for the moneys which they receive from it, while they, on the other hand pay taxes, contribute to the institutions of civilization, the charities and orh- CT things that go to make life in their communities better and fuller; are at the forefront in community life. and help to make up the back bone of the country. Further, they devote their capital, time and ener- gies to catering to local people. When trade is plentiful, they add 10 their stocks and employ more pea pile, and keep in their stores goods that are available when needed, and are always open to inspection.
 While the Daily Alaskan is will ing to admit that the merchants have just cause for complaint, we d sire to call the attention of a few of them to lie fact that he evil which they so much depIore in oth- CTS Is being put in daily practice by themselves. 1T job of commer- ciaI printing is to be done the or der for it is sent elsewhere, regard ieas of the fact that there is a local institution well equipped to supply every need.
 In this connection We desire to call attention to but one instance of the many which have come under our observation while in business In Skagway: A bill was presented Cor payment 10 a member of the Daily Alaskan force for goods which had ben purchased at a local mer- chandising establishment. The bill head and the printed matter there on had not been supplied by the Daily Alaskan and as this is the only printing house in town it was evident that they had been procur- ed elsewhere.
 Now this merchant probably did not stop to think when he sent the order for bill heads away to be printed that he was just as repre- hensibIc for so doing as are the people of the community in sending out mail orders.
 It is not in the nrinting business a. lone that this transgression of the principles which stand for the prog ress and prosperity of the home town obtain; it affects every branch of business. A merchant may smoke a certain brand of cigar, or have use for any one of a number of things but instead of patrOnizing the local dealer he will send outside for it and put out of circulation in his own community the money necessar for it's purchase, not stopping to consider that if he had bought what he wanted from his neighbor the neighbor would, when he needed any thing in his line, return the con- plimeut and get it from him.
 It is only by mutual help and concerted action that the evils of the mail order business can be ov- ercome and not until the reform is started at home, and its pernicious influences combatted by those most vitaIly interested, will there be any hope of a better business condition than now exists.
 The Daily Alaskan acknowledges the generous support that has al- ways been accorded it by the bus mess people of Skagway, but be- ueves that it is a support that it has been fully entitled to for its un- swerying loyalty to, and promotion of, the best interests of the town.