Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-11-30
DOLLARS AND DUTY

Do your shopping early;
Buy in Bridgeton.
There is not much new to offer in
support of these two propositions.
Little can be said this year that has
not been said in years gone by, ex-
cept that each year adds to the ur-
gency and the Importance of favoring
home industries.
Ten years ago the wise business
men of Bridgeton were begging
Bridgeton people to buy their goods
in Bridgeton markets. Every year the
appeal has been reiterated. The rec
ord of the past ten years shows that
no wiser business policy was ever
proposed in this town.
Bridgeton is bigger and better in
every respect today, mainly because
its people are better satisfied with
their home town and what it offers.
and are more determined to aid it's
progress by their own patronage and
example. -
men of Bridgeton were arguing that
every dollar spent in Bridgeton helps
to enrich the town, while every dol
lar spent outside of Bridgeton helps
to impoverish the town. The same is
true today.
Ten years ago we were told that by
keeping our dollars at home we had a
chance of getting them back again,
while practically every dollar spent
in distant city is gone beyond our
reach forever. The same is. true to-
day.
Ten years ago we were told that
the best way to get better stores and
better shopping facilities in Bridge
ton is to patronize home merchants.
The same is true today.
Ten years ago we were told that by
keeping our dollars in our home town
we were providing more work and
wages for ourselves and our friends.
That assertion was never more truth
full than it is today.
1t isn't an easy matter to impress
the general public with the impor-
tance of buying in Bridgeton.
Suppose that, beginning today, ev-
cry Bridgeton shopper were to do his
or her buying outside of Bridgeton.
Within six months Bridgeton would
be a deserted village"-worse than
that, it would be a DISGRACED viii
1age.
But suppose, on the other hand, ev-
cry Bridgeton shopper would patron
ize only home stores. Within six
months wages and salaries would be
increased, money would be more
plentiful, bank accounts would be
bigger, and everybody would be hap
pier and more prosperous. The eff
feet of either of these conditions
would become apparent Immediately,
and the lesson would be so impress
sive that it would never be forgotten.
Today, possibly, some shopper will
slip away to Philadelphia and spend
a few dollars for Christmas goods
and winter wear with the idea that
Bridgeton will never miss it. She
forgets that she may be one of hun
dred who are doing the same thing,
and this hundred are spending
thousand or more dollars that prop
erly belong to Bridgeton; also, that
the same thing is happening hun
dred days in every year. Just figure
what that drainage of dollars means
to Bridgeton in the course of a twelve
month!
If prices were better and bargains
more plentiful outside of Bridgeton
than in Bridgeton there might be
some excuse for neglecting the home
stores, but when you talk to those
who habitually buy outside of Bridge
ton, you will scarcely find one that
does not shamefacedly confess to be-
ing "stung" almost every time she
buys away from home.
Your Bridgeton merchant can sup
ply your every need. He is anxious
to please and to give you satisfactory
service and prices, because his busi-
ness and his prosperity depend upon
your continued patronage
AS to shopping early-that is mere
ly matter of humanity. Courtesy,
good breeding, kindliness of heart
and the spirit of Christianity all de-
cree that we shall not burden those
whose duty it is to wait upon our
pleasure and convenience by leaving
-