New Britain herald., 1926-01-16
THE OBSER VER-
 Makes Random Observations | On the City and Its People

train which leaves Hartford near
 midnight and arrives here shortly
 after. As the car approached tha tracks there was no warning Of any
 kind to let tho driver know that tho train to Bristol had already pulled out of the local station. No whistle
 was blown by the engineer. The rumbling of the engine could not be
 heard above the motor and the party
 proceeded on to the crossing. Sud. denly an unknown man stepped out from the sidewalk and shouted to stop, at the same time pointing to the oncomlng train. The road is slippery Iat this point and tho driver had diff ficulty in bringing the car 10 halt.
 A taxi driver bringing up in the l. r just missed striking the first car
 and so quickly did he stop that he
 stalled his engine.
 Needless to say the members of the party were frightened. The thought of what might have hap
 pened, had not tho pedestrian come along. would send shudder through the bravest. If crossings arc not to be protected at the late hours of the
 night, surely it would not be asking too much to have the engineer give a warning whistle as he approaches them a couple of blasts would be sufficient. Otherwise it will become necessary for motorists 10 carry copies of railroad timetables and stop 10 consult them every time they come to n crossing.
 In the news items of the week was the surprising announcement from
 the office of purchasing agent in large manufacturing company that
 he would no longer shake hands with salesmen calling upon him. In order to impress his new policy upon visit
 ors he has had a large sign placed in q conspicuous position. It reads: No handshaking."
 It is the belief of this purchasing agent that handshaking is waste of time. Ho calls 1t "all bosh" or words
 10 that effect. He also declares that he and salesmen engage in battle
 of wits, each trying to get the better
 of the bargain in whatever safes are consummated.
 The purchasing agent is wrong
 and will wake up soon to q realiZa-
 ton that handshaking plays a big part in life. It is q custom which has been practiced for so long that its origin is lost in the dim past. With few exceptions, it is a token of a willingness to be friendly. man
 to man clasp that passes as pledge of fair dealing. No doubt a great deal of time is passed in handshak- ing, but is 1t time wasted? Folks come to the house to visit and are received with a handshake, indicat- ing welcome. Friends meet on the street and shake hands because they are glad to sec each other. Many lasting business friendships are in troduced with a handshake. It Is q glorious custom; long may it sur
 vive.
 In another particular the purchas- ing agent is wrong. He expresses tho conviction that every salesman who crosses his threshold is sharper bent on getting the better of the bargain. The truth is that the sales
 man is a bearer of good will besides
 products of his factory. He is ser
 vice man anxious 10 help. He has goods to sell, goods which have been
 honestly made and which are priced
 so that the buyer can use them in his business and still make profit on his own product. Salesmen do not sit up nights matching plots to outwit buyers. The experienced sales man knows that the products he Is selling must be of use to someone
 or he will soon be out of job. Unfortunately for business, there are too many purchasing agents who adopt an attitude resented by sales men. They are carried away with
 the idea of their own importance
 and drive to distraction salesmen
 who are honestly trying to make a living. We have never tapped on the
 door of purchasing agent for the purpose of making a sale so this cannot be in, erproted as a resentfui
 statement based on hurt feelings. But
 we have seen the type of purchasing
 agent whom 1t would dearly please
 us 10 hit square between the eyes. | There are times when the purchas-
 Ing agent is pleased to make friend