The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
Publicity

Know In what manner dSSeSSlh5 e1 SPO- cial tax as requested by some of the merchants would operate to benefit the There were two stocks of goods damag- ed by fire, smoke and water, namely : the stock from the store known as ;. A. Williams, "The House of Truth also the stock known as The Parisian store.
 The salvage from these stores was talk en over by the insurance companies to be sold, of course. It was first claimed that before these stocks could be sold, they must pay SPECIAL LICENSES az gregating several hundred dollars, as near as we understand them, and clalmed under the guise of protecting the pub lie. Now here is where publicity comes in. We want to ask the buyer how they figure that ADDING ALL THIS SPE- CIAL TAX TO THE PRICE OF THE STOCK IS GOING TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC? If this tax were enforced would it not operate to HELP the other mer- chants profits by preventing this stock being sold cheap?
 Each garment would have to sell for little more in order to pay the special li- cense. In fact on 1732 garments about FOG each, or whereabouts.
 Does not the following, clipped from the News and from the Ledger throw some light on the subject. This is an item of news published on January 1S
 FIRE SALE DISCUSSED
 The Birmingham News, Thursday Jan uary 18th, 1917.
 z LAW ON MINUTES MEETS AP-
 PROVALs OF BUSINESS MEN
 The commission was waited upon by delegation of business men Thursday seeking to have a law adopted prohibit ing 'feeding'' fire sales from outside sources
 After discussion, the commission in- formed the delegation there was such law already, and everyone was happy
 Why were these men so happy? Do you think they were thinking of protecting their profits?
 In the Birmingham Ledger, Thursday, January IS, 1917.
 SEEK ENFORCEMENT OF SALE
 ORDINANCE
 MERCHANTS INTERVIEW CITY
 COMMISSION
 The city commission ''received' Thurs day morning. A number of prominent merchants called to ask that an ordi- nance be enacted into law to prevent feeding so-called fire sales, or actual fire sales. It was found, however, that such an ordinance already is on the stat utes of the city and the merchants changed their request to read enforce it.'
 The commission promised to do so when violations were brought to their at tention. The case grew out of the report that fire sale had recently been aug nlsrted hy of Eer- chandse. The merchants made 1t plalif' that they had no objections to bona fide fire sale but asserted they wanted those fled" sales stopped.
 Among the merchants in the delegation were, M. V. Joseph, Louis Pizitz, J. Bur ger, $. A. Williams and several others al1< oIfr fro the News and Ledger of the above date.
 Why were merchants so anxious to make this stock cost more by asses sing a special license against it?
 If 1t was to protect the public, we ask again, '.Who will this prohibitive license protect?" Could 1t be merchants by holding up the price, or the consumer who buys the goods?
 Is 1t not fact that their selfish motive is very evident in that they don't want the stock sold cheap? Is it not then evi- dently their purpose to increase the cost to the buyer and thus make it impossible to sell it cheap?
 And were they not trying to use the city officials to further their ends of seemingly Suppressing competition?
 There is a very good law in this city with reference to advertising. Why not apply that law if merchants are so lanxious about the public and not them selves? That is the law to regulate false advertising.
 Just see that the truth Is told about all stocks, even their own
 We assure them that it is going to be told. The whole truth, too One of the purchasers of these stocks has been a resident of Birmingham for many years and owns real estate and pays taxes and is a bona fide citizen and entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizenship, and not be forced by any set of mer- chants to pay such an enormous license that it prohibits selling at low price.
 There is merchants association here, we are told
 IS IT, WE ASK YOU, a combination in restraint of trade? Trying by these means to charge us more license than they pay.
 No wonder they go away happy when they feel that their profits will be pro- tected by preventing these stocks going to sale cheap.
 We want the public to look into this matter thoroughly.
 We were always ready to pay all reg ular licenses, all taxes, everything that other merchants pay on similar lines. We propose to comply with all laws and reg ulations of advertising and tell the truth exactly. We intend to operate store here the same as we do in Atlanta, Mem phis, Knoxville and Dallas, and we claim the right to do so without interference CT objections from the Merchants Associa- tion, if they do object. Some merchants asked the newspapers not to advertise our sale.
 How about that. Fair Minded People?
 Why don't these merchants want these goods advertised? Do you believe it's be- cause they are thinking of you or the more selfish motive, themselves?
 What right or authority have other merchants to inquire into how or where goods for our stores are purchased?
 They appoint themselves official ''cen- sors' of our buying and decide to make us pay for acquiring goods cheap Is it in order to prevent us selling them cheap?
 At later date number of merchants met with us with the cty commission tc openly protest against the issuing of 8 regular lincense and one man said that we would not expect to make any money on these stocks without feeding them
 He surely had an overahundance of un adulterated gall. to assume to KNOW OUR BUSINESS We make every Transaction stand on its own merits and anyway, we do not expect to spend any E or that ''speaker's'' money. He can, O course run his own business, but no ours
 We claim the right and privilege in ; tree country of buying what, wher' and why we please and sell the sam < way. so long as our customers arr pleased.
 WATSON'S Now Store Now at 1os N 18th Street
 Birmingham.
 4 ckora fo Sell Bargains Acquired in