The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-01-07
Subscriptions Cash After 1915.

SUBSCRIPTIONS SdSu AiSCF 1870
Beginning with January 1, 1916, the
Banners subscription rates will be cash
in advance, and the rule once in effect
will be strictly lived mp to. No excep-
tions will be made, and this announce
ment is being made thus far in advance
with view of being fair by all the Ban
ner's old subscribers and friends. Also,
it is perhaps we'll to announce in print
what has driven the management to this
change of policy.
For some years past it has been under
stood that subscriptions to the Banner
must be paid in advance, but instead of
enforcing the rule credit has been grant,
ed Unfortunately. Prior to January
1, 1908, when the Federal Postoffice De-
partment ruled that following that date
no one twelve months in arrears with his
subscription to a weekly newspaper
would be considered bona ,tide sub
scriber, this Office granted credit to its
readers for long terms. AS there are
three parties to the subscription contract
the publisher, the carrier and the
reader-there was nothing else to do
but live up to Uncle Sans new ruling.
We have to use his mails. This clause
of the postal regulations is not even yet
fully understood by the reading public
and that is one of the things that is
forcing this change.
Again, there must be considered the
advanced cost of materials entering into
the making of a newspaper. This must
be Offset at present not by raising the
subscription price, thus placing the
burden on the shoulders of the cash snb-
icriber and letting the other (the man
who never really intended to pay as
heretofore, go scot free, but by enforc-
ing the rule of cash in advance.
Then there is the transcription hog"
the man who, after his subscription has
expired and credit has been granted
writes: 81 only wanted your paper for
one year." Why didn't he say so in his
original order? We never attempt to
thrust the Banner upon any one. Also,
why did he continue to take the paper
out of the postoffice for twelve months,
knowing he was reading it on credit and
then not honor the subscription state
ment from the Office? Any fair-minded
person can answer that query. The
transcription hog" also has another
trick: After he owes the publisher for
a years subscription Gall that can be
granted) he waits while and becomes a
cash subscriber in his wife's name. The
publisher, not knowing who she is, again
grants credit after the cash term of pay
ment has expired. And thus it is shown
how easy it is for an INSCRIPTIONS per-
son to secure one-dollar weekly news
paper that grants credit four gears for
50. And he might even go further and
get the names of his children on the
publishers subscription list.
OF course, there is the man who is
honestly in error as regards his date,
and the other who would pay if he could.
These are not meant to be included with
those referred to in the paragraph above
and nothing said therein is intended for
such subscribers.
olive and let live' is a wholesome
expression, containing something of
sentiment. There is little margin of
profit in subscriptions at one dollar per
year. Any one should know this, and
all, without exception, who are inclined
| to be both fair and honest will we'll re-
ceive this contemplated change in policy
and keep their subscriptions at all times
paid in advance.