The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1915-11-19

copyrighted. 1914, by Thomas ]. Sullivan.i
A couple of years ago noticed while
passing through manufacturing sub
urb of Milwaukee that hundreds of
large, expensive catalogues were being
distributed.
was amazed at such an outlay, as
it did not seem possible that they could
get returns from a town which was
situated at the side door of large.
prosperous city.
The big mail order houses have
found it necessary in order to win the
confidence of their patrons to offer bar
gain baits and therefore scatter here
and there through their catalogues a
list of certain goods. with which the
public is familiar, with prices attached
that will serve to convince the pro
spective purchaser that the bargains
are real and not fictitious.
Without license to do so they seem
to be able to prove to their prospec
tive patron that they are advertising
items in their catalogues that are of
fered at prices the local dealer, who
sells the same goods cannot duplicate,
and the chances are the patron will be
convinced that every article advertised
in the book is sold at bargain.
Catalogue Houses Alert.
But the mail order house knows its
business. 1t bet on the weakness of
human nature and won. as a personal
investigation of the town a few weeks
later revealed.
checked up the money sending ia
cilities of the town and was surprised
and amazed to learn that In the few
days that had elapsed since the cata-
logues were distributed no less than
218 money orders had been issued in
favor Of the catalogue house, aggregat-
ing total Of several thousand dollars.
Why City Does Not Prosper.
Can any one imagine anything so
ridiculous-a manufacturing city where
all residents are wage earners, who
live modestly and without luxury,
where cash sales with the home mer-
chant are the exception. not the rule.
sending 218 money orders to an out
side concern for household and person
al necessities which could be bought as
cheaply and delivered more promptly |
right at home?
And those same people wonder why
their city does not thrive and prosper
One woman with whom had talked
bought shoes for her children. She
said that she had to pay only $1.45
pair, while they would have cost her
S1.60 at home
Yes; she always bought on credit at
home. but usually paid in two OF
Three months. No; she had never asked
the retail mail order house for credit.
She Was Not a Taxpayer.
No; she was not Il taxpayer, but she
sent her children to school They have
good schools too. Yes: they have sew ,
ars. water and street lights. and the
city is patroled and protected by an
ample police force. f;
Who pays for it all: Why. the busi
ness men and taxpayers. Of course.
No: the Chicago mail order houses do |
not pay anything toward the educa
tiOn of her children or the comfort Of
her family.
Sure. she was church member, and
the church often gave fairs and so.
cables and things No; the Chicago
mail order house never bought any
tickets but the home business men
did and paid cash for them too.
Yes: her husband was employed In
the suburb. and his employer depend
ed upon and must have local business
in order to provide work and money |
for his help
Admitted She Did Wrong.
Yes. she now. for the first time, real
zed that she was doing herself. her
her husband and. above all.
the home merchant grave wrong
BY sending her husbands earnings to
an ont OF town competitor but she
would never do 1t again.
The world IL full of Just such wo
men as described above. They do not
think or understand. but when they
10 no power on earth will swerve them
from their sense Of right and duty.
Then let US change all this and get
together. 1t Is only right and honora-
BILE and just to ourselves and high time
to reform-to adopt the buying at home
system of everything we need.
y
Even II some Of the neighbors have
not yet learned that they owe duty
to their town 1t cannot be said that
their case Is hopeless. for we can set
them a good example.
We can show by action that we will
never be party to putting the local
merchant out Of business through lack
Of patronage.
Do you know Of one single mail or
der house that has ever spent dollar
In your community
GOOD THINGS TO EAT AT GISH'S