Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-31
Stop, Look and Listen!


now running in The Star the danger
of needless investing in securities
offered by irresponsible and actually
unknown vendors is being set forth,
with explicit examples of such trans
actions that have caused great dis
stress and serious loss. It would seem
to be needless in these times of ex-
'tensive public knowledge Of the
principles Of business to give such
warnings. Yet, unhappily there are
many people who buy without in
CURRY, only to repent later their inn
.pulsive enterprise.
-. Those engaged in the sale of
worthless stocks are deliberately
rpreying upon the credulity of people
and the desire which is prevalent In
all classes of society to get rich
quick" They are good statesmen.
They can make the most shady
proposition look attractive to people
who are ordinarily shrewd in their
buying of material goods, the neces-
stiles OF life and even the luxuries.
People who will go from shop to
shop looking for the lowest possible
prices for the best possible goods.
testing qualities and comparing rates
with keen business 'acumen, will buy
some intangible thing in the form of
a stock certificate on the bare word
of promoter or an agent without
amy question regarding the price and
only the slightest inquiry as to real
or prospective value. They do not
xfafnk 1t necessary to take the advice
OF some experienced person in buy
Ing meat or clothing because they
sbelieve themselves to be good judges.
Yet. apparently, they never think Of
Aeeking advice on the subject Of
buying something about which they
know nothing. costing hundreds of
dollars.
Before you invest investigated"
That is very sound advice. 1t
should be needed by every person
who Is approached by a security
salesman. Take nothing for granted.
ACCEPT no assurances from the vender
regarding the worth of the stock that
he offers. He is selling on a COM
mission, unless he is the promoter
himself. He has no interest what
ever in the welfare of his; custom
ers. He can answer glibly any
question that is put. give any kind
Of assurance Of certain prosperity for
the concern in which stock Is being
Offered. II 1t Is an oil well he can
tell the number Of thousands Of
gallons day that 1t Is sure to yield.
pressively the percentages Of precious
metal and the production In tons.
He can always adjust his answer to
the intelligence Of his prospect" He
Sc an adept, a past master in the
art Of playing on the cupidity of
the customer. showing him the i'm
portance Of immediate action and
the danger OF delay. He is, In short,
the poorest possible guide to safe
Investment.
sedt may be set down as positively
assured that not one investment
Opportunity out of q million must
be taken instantly to make the most
money out Of 1t. II these alluring
schemes are so certain to yield
large and immediate profits. II the
stocks that are offered are sure to
3D. up tomorrow" why should they
be peddled about from house to
house and ONCE to ofice? Why
should not the promoters thereof
take them all themselves and make
all the profits that are to come?
BE yourself" In a current phrase
that means q good deal in this con-
Hection. stop, look and listen" ap-
plies to the would-be investor as
well al the user of the highway.
Stop to think; look at the PROPOSE
ton from a business point of view
and then listen to the advice of
somebody who has no interest In
The game and who has knowledge Of
business laws and experience In secu-
rity buying.
q II that rule were followed by
everybody who is approached by the
fake stock salesman, immense sums
of money would be saved from loss
IN worthless ventures and would be
available for real investment in SUBJ
stantial though modestly yielding
securities.
So. stop. look and listen before you
buy and you will be happier and
richer.