Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-02

After the conference the secretar-
les listened to a thorough analysis of
that troublesome problem Of the
ipromiscuous solicitor by President
IClarke. Who said in part:
Solieitations-Wise and Unwise
There is prevailing practice in
cities everywhere of taxing mer-
chants through charity taxation in
the guise of advertising for the sup
port of churches, fraternal orders,
labor unions, oranges, and organi-
cations of all types and purposes and
for the support of various charities,
wise and unwise, scientifically man
aged and unscientifcally managed.
that places retail business in such
cities at decided disadvantage
which makes for higher prices, and
q disadvantage in competition with
the firm who refuses to donate and
with the mail order establishments
who do not have to donate TO such
projects.
Maine has its share in this prob
lem and all of us as commercial
seeretaries are called upon time and
again to pass judgment on such soli-
citations or to turn such propositions
over to a committee as the case may
be. It is entirely within the province
of this gathering of commercial Sec
retaries to work out uniform me-
thod of handling these matters SO
that into whatever Maine city or
town such solicitors may 60, they
will have to answer the same ques-
tons, justify their appeal on the
same general grounds, and will re-
ceive identical treatment from the
various organizations through whom
their appeal may be made.
In order to properly analyze our
problem in the course of this paper
/ shall classify the solicitations state
facts regarding their treatment else
| where, and outline q method of meet
ing both the wise and the unWise
cases as experience here and else
where has demonstrated that they
should be met.
The words, Good WILL" are magic
words in the realm Of business and
the appeal of all solicitors, with very
| few exceptions, is to the good will
motive of the firm solicited. you
owe us something in return for the
business we have given to you" 1T
is worth your while to favor these
worthy people, who are, after all,
your customers" Such is the logic
of their appeal and, to many bust
ness men, it is irresistible logic and
| fD &c,
yielding to blackmail, of which this
is mild type, for when once the
merchant has yielded to one set of
customers he must necessarily yield
to all. The individuals case may
amount to very little in dollars and
| cents. the total amount paid out in
the course of the year is astounding.
! It's tragedy lies in the fact that it
has to be added to overhead expense
which in turn has to be added to the
selling price of the goods. 1t is a
form of taxation, which is unfair
to customers as well as to mer-
chants.
Before proceeding to the analysis
of the proposition may l add one
other bit of philosophy. 1t is the
custom of solicitors to play merchant
against merchant and city against
city. Some merchants are guilty of
seeking an advantage by secretly
taking space when they are perfect
ly aware that the proposition has
been turned down by their compe-
titors hoping to gain new customers
or his competitor customers by this
means. AS to the competition among
cities. that gentlemen, is on our
hands. We are the executive off,
GERS through whose hands all such
matters must pass. If we are ready
to practice what we preach, these
comparisons can never be made to
our disadvantage. Hence, I would
recommend the adoption of q code of
principles governing our actions in
these matters code to which all
active secretaries should subscribe
after full consultation with the con-
trolling boards of their organizations,
subject always to amendment by the
originating body combined with ac-
ceptance by the controlling boards.
! There is no desire on the part of
any of us to shut. off the revenue
OF any worthy enterprise, whose work
is vital to the relief of suffering or
poverty, to the upbuildng of society,
or to the promotion of public well
ware. In fact any action that might
be taken by secretaries or by organ
iZations against unworthy benefac-
lions would be the best means of
giving to the worthy the support
they deserve. Any system of en-
forcement that might be agreed upon
would facilitate the raising of funds
Tor those whose purposes, pass the
censorship of intelligent citizens.
xxx
In Maine we have a law which
places responsibility on the, cities in
which some Offices are located. To
solicit outside of those cities ono
must be endorsed by the local Cham
Der OIL commerce as having met GER
tain fundamental requirements. I'm
less such endorsement can be had
no ilcence will be issued at the state
House. In fairness to other conmu-
nities 1t behOoves us to know the
FACTS and to pass judgment only after
the most thorough Investigation upon
charitable enterprises located in our
home cities Xxx
Speaking of Objectionable practices,
secretary Clarke alluded TO a favor
lie trick, and one which. came to
our attention in Augusta recently,
IS to offer to publish town history