Middletown transcript., 1915-02-27
THE MAIL ORDER PLAN


Much has been said of the advantages
of patronizing home trade and likewise
there has been much written adverse
to the ''mail order house" Yet there
is nothing SO convincing next to ex-
penence itself, as the simple, prac-
tical story of one who has had the ex-
perience.
Here is the story written by Hans
Garbus, German farmer of Iowa,
whose revelations are not only inter
esting, but likewiae touch upon the
vital features of the mail order prac-
tice. What do you CLEAN from the
story?
1--WE farmers need awakening to the
fsct that we have Enthusiastically reached
the period where we must think and
plan. l am one of the slow German
farmers that had to be shown, and l
am now giving my experience that
others may profit, for knowledge is
more expensive now than, ten years
ago,
'Twenty-nine years ago began my
farm career l had an old team and
$50. Our furniture was mostly home
made chairs, cupboard and lounge
made from goods boxes, neatly covered
with cretonne by my girl wife. We
rented eighty acres being boy of good
habits l got all needed machinery and
groceries from home merchants on
credit, until fall crops were sold. The
first year was wet season and l did
not make enough to pay creditors. l
went to each one on date promised and
explained condition, paying as much as
possible, and they all carried the bal
ance over another year. They contin-
ued to accommodate me until l was able
to buy forty acre piece of my own.
'As soon as owned the few acres the
mail order house began to send cata-
logues, and gradually l began sending
my loose change to them, letting my
accounts stand in my home town where
had gotten my accommodation when
l needed it.
"We then had one of the thriftiest
little villages in the state good line of
business in all the branches, merchants
who were willing to help an honest fell
loG over bad year, and town full of
people who came twice a week to trade
and visit. Our little country town sup
ported library, high school, ball team
and we had big celebrations every year.
"a farm near a live town soon
doubles in value. sold my forty acres
at big advance and bought an eighty,
gradually adding to it until l had 200
acres of the best land in Iowa. l then
felt no need of asking favors, and found
it easy to patronize the mail order
agents that came almost weekly to our
door. regret to say that l was the
first in the country to make up neigh
borhood bill and send it to mail order
house. Though we got bit every once
in while, we got in the habit of send
ing away for stuff.
Gradually our merchants lessened
| bhCh obOCh VI BOOuS AOI ldCh VI JdITOu'
age. Finally we began to realize that
when we needed bolt quickly for ma
chinery, or clothing, or medicine for
sickness, we had 10 wait and send for
it, which wasn't so pleasant. One by
one our merchants moved to places
where they were appreciated, and men
OF less energy moved in. Gradually our
town has gone down; our business
houses are 'tacky' in appearance, a
number are empty; our schools, church
and walks are going down; we have no
band, no library nor ball team. There
is no business done in the town, and
therefore no taxes to keep things up.
Hotel is closed for lack of btravel. Go
down to the depot when the freight
pulls in and you will see the sequel in
mail order packages.
:'Nine years ago my farm was worth
$195 an acre; today I'd have hard
matter to sell it at $167 an acre. 1t is
too far from a live town-so every
farmer has said that wants to buy. He
wants place near schools and churches
where his children can have advantages.
have awakened to the fact that in
helping to pull the town down, it has
cost me $1,000 in nine years. "-Stras-
burg (Wa,) News