Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-11-26
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/ SIS, delivered postpaid?
Ever since first came to Honolulu
| / have been struck by the prevalence
Of the theory that every resident Of
honolulu Is wealthy II has seemed
to be solecism TO speak OF economy
or to consider questions Of cost or
value. although on the mainland these
matters are recognized to be OF vital
Importance and have profoundly In
Ifluenced national movements and pO-
litical parties.
Al great deal has been said recently
about local high prices coming back
to the consumer in the shape Of high
salaries, dividends, etc. Personally, |
do not derive either salary or diyi-
bends from Honolulu, so this afgu-
ment does not appeal to me. In any
case, It IS not the amount Of the salary
but the relation between income and
outgo that determines the real pros
pefity of q family, and ultimately OF
q city or country. have even heard
the argument advanced that we should
be willing to help the local merchants
to large profits because they are 50
public spirited and give 80 freely to
charities
Now, as come to know the city
better see good many men whose
salaries cannot be- more than from
$50 to $3.50 q month These men
have families to bring up and educate
and q social position to maintain.
Surely they must need to consider.
carefully the cost OF living! And e
must be that they, sometimes, III their
own proper person and not through
their grocer or haberdasher, would
like to contribute to charity or to pub
lie service.
The Advertiser tells us that We
should make up lists of orr require
.ments and submit them to the local
merchants for prices before sending
our orders away. When first came
to Honolulu frequently did this. or
would quote prices at which could
obtain the same goods on the main
land. ! recall one instance In which
the usual argument about expense Of
transportation, delivery. etc, was
brought up. / said could take into
account every such item Of expense
and still save 10 per cent. The answer
was q barely concealed sneer and the
words, "0h, 10 per cent? That doesn't
amount to much!" That episode I
consider typical Of the attitude Of the
Honolulu merchant, and Il scarcely
needs amplification.
There is another aspect to this mat
ter. While It may be possible, In
some stores, by quoting mainland
prices, by haggling, by Offering to pay
cash, to obtain reduction from the
prices first quoted, this Is hardly 81
satisfactory manner Of trading to any
self-respecting purchaser, least Of all
to one who has been accustomed to-
the system inaugurated by John
Wanamaker and now almost uniyer
sal In the eastern states, where one
price exists for every purchaser,
large or small, cash or credit, local or
foreign.
Before close / should like to say
q little about the price Of meat ia|
Honolulu. This, unhappily, Is not an
article that lends itself to mail order
purchasing or the markets In Homo
lulu might suffer seriously. This city
Is now enjoying the benefit Of the ex.
cellent meat imported from New
ana ana ,ss taa =, - - ho,sa. 49,
th,.aa vsars So. ~ S ,,,ss,,,ss s thst
the nr;cs - ,,s.t -. 3 ...s,
rislfy since Thar ,i Inn, .. THE 8 net lss
- ,,,,tton ~, the ,,,ortat c,,,,d ths,
- h,,,s,,t :. st.;I ~, -, - $, S 1890
ro,,ng r. transi i..t.. ~ irtc ,,, ,.ss
money! The cnicast +. snri me- lsmb
der Of mlftton was nriced ST q cents.