The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-13
The Brighter side of rg,nrs.

tive dealings.
The Brighter Side OF Things.
There has been no attempt to mini
mize the possible effects OF these air
turbing factors. If anything, thei
has been rather tendency in tI
other direction. This Is good IN
wholesome in SO far as 1t goeH
check plunging and the disposition {
speculate which usually marks AN
beginning of a war. with its c0l~
comitant of big government contrast
and purchases It is distinctly huV~
full. however. If 1t is used as q m
text to destroy confidence and to pSy
vent a sane and sober recognition r.
the real conditions. And 1t must 6
apparent. even to those inclined E.
look at the worst side OF things. TIL
basic conditions in this, country ~,
sound and that the prospects a
most encouraging. There Is no CT
sation of the marvellous industrial e.
tivity which has brought such pre-
perity in the last two years. nor
there likely to be for at least r.
years more to come. The chanG1
are. in fact, that 1t will be quickeN
and intensified. Then. too. the tn
cations for the crops OF the year G5|
growing brighter with each succe&
ing week. and 1t is already feasonaG
certain that the next government j.
port will be more optimistic even {
to winter wheat. COLLECTIONS co
tinue to be good. and the busin4
failures are getting fewer. Thu1
month of April showed per III
fewer failures than March and
per cent less than April 1915.
these things indicate sound CONF
ton of affairs which should be pre-
against the readjustmentsI that nI
occur in accommodating the counx
to its new position az belligerent
To Stop the Bogus Salca
What used to be much mt
common swindle than it is at DIT
ent were the fiamboyantly couduc1
special sales, usually Of articles
wear. and described as q FIRE. bau
rupt, receivers. or some other "a
OF forced sale. The impression VIII
II was intended to convey to the pt
lie was that great bargains in pr1
were to be had at such sales becS1
Of the immediate need OF money
the part OF the sellers, The re-
why the things are not ~ conn
as they were is because q number
the states have passed laws dec1aff
criminal such attempts to defraG
This state has at present no law On
ering the case. In times gouo
the public OF this and other cit1
OF the state has been treated "a n
spectacle OF alleged receivers ~
bankrupt's sales in which few IL ~
OF the goods offered came from Il
stocks to which they were ascfih1
A 80 Aag A~A ~
ers. for instance. would fail In ~
ness. In due course they would r.
OFF the bulk OF their stock OF 10
A small remainder Of odds ana olI
mostly out-of-date stun, would
gobbled up for q small sum By -
irresponsible dealer who would u
a temporary lease OF the prem,
formerly occupied by the tns01S6
concern. He would put In tn
quantity OF imperfect or second
third rate merchandise, and W0S
advertise 1t as having formed paff
the original stock. thus inducing r.
sons to buy on the strength of q
reputation OF the former house.
bill Is now before the Legislature.
the lines of the laws enacted In ot1
states. which is designed to put
stop to the practices mentioned.
provides for special licenses and a
official supervision to prevent miar@
resentation. It's enactment intu
would help legitimate business.
Rather . Queer Propaganda. ssss
Some people have queer ide96
the fitness Of things. A fortntS
or so ago the American HardW1
Manufacturers association and
Southern Hardware Job6Hry assu<
ton held a joint convention ct He
ton, Tex. One of those who addroM
them was Frank BaackeA vice-H1&
dent and general sales mans8sx
the American Steel and Wire IN
pany. So well was the address
that q committee was Appointed
have 1t printed In quantity xM11
arrange for having II reprints
newspapers over the country. K1
high schools. and sent to educ&11
bodies and ministerial a&ooeiafl
The address. In its ecorQnftc Aac
fairly drips pessimism. ~. h.
insists there must BE- prot1
tarif1 meaning . higher epnA thA1
present. ..Otherwise." ~ anyeg
will be obliged to reduee NAM
ID sure the warning nAttous ~
ever 30 much more eeaciNHf a&fe
ret through nghting. 64t
aAlkb NJ. will - hAvd FGtth
enDeiency, With cur axtfaNk
OUT 1nto1 ~ 4 0 N1
lo1omm m m