The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-12-04

er ones, in his own sphere. There
is to my mind a definite influence
produced on the minds of another
by. the sight of yellow backs of
large denominations. Hence, when
Mr.. Dealer pushed the bill and
bananas toward me with the re-
mark I'll make you present, :"
followed by the inquiry: What
will barrel of good hams cost me?"
l knew the psychological moment
had arrived and / lost no time in
convincing him that Swift & Co.'S,
products were superior to any other
company's and that it was for his
best interest to deal exclusively
with a concern whose representa-
tive would guarantee him low
prices, courteous attention and
prompt delivery always of goods
ordered. Needless to say, Mr..
Dealer gave me good sized order
and continued to favor me there
after with the bulk of his meat
business.
The exclusive" side of the road
salesman's selling experience is one
that he seeks to encourage by every
art and trick in his power-and
when you inquire of your own
meat dealer for Swift's premium
bacon and are told in a most con-
vincing manner that some other
brand is better as Re sells it ex-
clusively. Then remember that
some artful salesman has another
convert who is faithfully obeying
| orders.
For the strenuous life on the road
the rewards are meagre-during six
days it is continuous hustle from
railroad trains to meat shops and
hotels. One-half of the seventh day
is taken by duties at the home
Office, the balance is yours to enjoy
for all of this the compensation
to start is SIS a week salary, Sl4
expense allowance and a mileage
book. On account of the hard,
grinding service demanded, sales
men OF the Car Route department
seek to enter the speciality depart
ments, such as the Soap, Gelatine
and Glue or Butterine, where sala-
ries are higher. life easier and ones
thoughts and movements uncon-
trolled by telegraph wire.
At the end of a seasons siren
uous work the Car Route manager,
after complimenting me on the in
creased tonnage shipped to my ter
ritory, politely told me he intended
to transfer me to other routes where
sales were falling off, or as he terse-
ly expressed It, business was shot
to pieces and where my energy
could be used to build up a good
business. At the suggestion on my
part that increased compensation
would be expected, he admitted and
conceded that | was entitled to it,
but owing to the comparative short
time covered by my services his
superior officers would not sanction
an increase.
My purpose in abiding to this
personal side of my work Is to call
your attention to serious defect in
the relation that a large corpora
ton bears toward it's employees.
The fact daily impressed upon each
one that he is simply polished
piece of machinery designed to &C
complished a specified amount of
work, and when deficient remorse-
lessly cast aside. 1t would be an
act of presumption bordering on in
sanity for any employee to seek an
interview with the President of
Swift q Co. as we'll try to interview
the Sun.
Napoleon, at the height of his i'm
perial power was not more unap-
proachable. 1t is this lmpersonal
attitude that takes the heart out of
ones work and is responsible for the
saying: Corporations have no
souls" In the words of Horace
Greedy 1 can say: IT'S true. tits
pity, pity it's true"