The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-01-04
DRAINING SMALL
TOWNS OF Cash.
One Farmer Quick 10 Remedy.
Wrong.
SPENDS MONEY at HOME.

SrEhpos MuMl III HUME
Local s.orsk.spers Not Altogether
Blameless For Growth Of Mail Order
Rusinsss-Pe.ty Diekerins Should
Cease, and They Should Trade With
One Another.
tcopyrighted. 1914. by Thomas ]. sulllvan.I
Seeing the errors Of others, a wise
man corrects his own. Men are apt to
prefer a prosperous error to an afflicted
truth. 1t is only an error OF judgment
to make mistake. but it argues an
infirmity of character to adhere to It
when discovered. The Chinese say:
"The glory Is not In never falling,
but inirisng every time you fall"
Errors Influence Upon Man.
In Its influence upon man error has
been compared to magnet concealed
near the ships compass.
As in the latter case, the more IA
yorable the winds and the greater the
diligence and skill In working the ship
the more rapidly will 1t be speeded on
In a wrong course. And SO in the for
mer-the greater the struggle for safe
ty the more speedy the progress OF
ruin.
This Is the position in which farm.
er with whom the writer recently talk.
ed found himself.
This farmer, who lives but a short
distance from town, has prospered and
accumulated a considerable quantity OF
worldly goods and has always scrIb-
bled many errors on the white pages of
life.
Takes Pride In Town.
When asked his opinion OF his town
as market place he replied, Its the
best in this section Of the country"
do you sell all of your products
here?' he was asked.
"oh, yes he answered.
and buy all Of your necessaries and
supplies here, too. don't.youT'
"oh, no: I'm too wise for that" re-
piled the farmer. "Those fellows here
are too high. can buy cheaper from
the mail order houses
There he stood, a big, awkward, In.
telligent countryman, who for years
had been committing the objectionable
error Of robbing the treasury OF his
own town and aiding the upbuildlng Of
the mightlest trust on earth-in some
distant center Of population.
!. p
As the injustice OF his practice was
explained to him his honest eyes light
ed with intelligence as into his,
weather beaten face there appeared a
look OF determination, and as his lips
parted these words came firm and
clear:
From this day on will be true
citizen Of the township in which l
live The money that earn here and
receive for my produce I will spend
here. l will ,retrace my steps and cor
rect as many Of my past errors as lies
within my power"
And the honest farmer will make
good bis promise.
Drains Town Of Dollars.
How many farmers and consumers
are doing the same identical thing as
was this DEMONSTRATING the town
Of Its dollars, receiving, but not giving,
aiding the large cities and crippling
their own little town. which is striving
and struggling to maintain q command
ing position on board the good ship
Earth?
There was never better illustra-
ton than the retail mail order house
itself Of what may be expected Of
consumers who fail to see the signs"
and neglect to ct themselves to the
times" The price of existence Is
measured both by demand and accom-
plishment.
DO Not psmolish, but Build.
The man who wishes to exert use
full influence must practice what he
breaches. He must not demolish, but
build. He must raise temples In which
mankind will come to worship.
There are hundreds of thousands Of
farmers-yes, millions-who thorough
~ realize the necessity Of expansion
Of trade, the protection Of their home
markets, which is naturally brought
about through the development and
prosperity Of their town.
70 IA = D..