The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-04-16

TyHERE time not very long ago, when the bust
ness men of Montana, class enjoyed an enviable
reputation for probty, uprightness, honesty and
worthy citizenship. When a said he business
man, he said it with justifiable pride.
Most of them had built up their business by means of
square dealing, honest methods, and close margins Of
profits made necessary by pressing competition
They had been giving the highest possible amount of per-
sona service to their customers and with the growth of
their business there had also grown up close friendship
between them and the public This friendship was the
outgrowth of weplaced confidence in the merchant
result of his honest dealing during long period of
years.
Then came of unprecedented initiation and prices
commenced to rise They steadily and nexoraby The
consumer Immediately jumped to the conclusion that the merc
responsible and the confidence which had remained
mistaken for many wavered result of popular
outcry which branded all business "profeers."
Followed the hue and cry which sought apprehend the
merchant and bring him book Few sought the real of
high prices few realized that the real proee although
ponsble for high prices the legitimate merchant but
the stock obber who takes his toll without rendering useful
service the public Few realized that if the merchant
disposed to protee he would only add small
prevailing high prices which have resulted from unpecedent
ed initiation. #s
The merchant helpless this rising tide in
dgnaton against him he the tide of rising prices
to his customers but he the last link long chain from
the producer to the and he the victim of
dtion for which he was in no way responsible.
AS always the when public cao arises against any
legae away the evil Half baked laws made their appearance
of them proposed by law makers anxious popular
ze themselves in the eyes the public than remedy conditions
Montana for her share of this of legislation
House Bill No. IA passed by the legislature placing the
regulation the retail business of Montana the hands the
trade Out of this law logical sequence
famous Order No A. which required the business mark
his invoice plain figures upon all goods exposed for SALE
The majority of people have finally realize the fact
that the invoice cost the actual and that consider
able margin exists between the To the invoice the bust
add freight drayag rent clerk expense delivery
the cost carrying charge and host of other
which incurred order possible for him render
adequate service to the consuming public
But the injustice and impractical of Order No
the only Indictment the against House
Bill No H. What made such legislation appear ptialy flu
tile in the eyes of the thoughtful individual the fact that it
attempted remedy worldwide condition by placing burden
upon the last the long line reaching from the producer
to the consumee who powerless to control prices
The retailers margin of profit variable his price
factor which he has CONTROL competition the
other hand, controls his selling price large degree
So House Bill No. IA flashed in the pan" and died. it has
been buried the legislative poer field alongside of other
freak legislation passed this and other states by opporunsts
is sample of the hafbaked legislation which always hand
ed the public by Legislators who although they have their
continually the ground yet lack the judgment interpret
Alright the voice of the people when they hear it Well
meaning they be- they poweress to remedy by es
lation economic condition which they do not understand
passed with the best of intentions have gone wide of
the mark The only thing they accomplished the
accusing eyes of the public toward the merchant while the
dons which really responsible for rising prices continued
o exist.