Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, February 15, 1911, Page 16

a | a eee PAGE TEN SAS ARALASL Spf LAS § Some Nuts to Crack ‘On Catalog Houses. a AAD AL ALD arm Sense” ed at Des Moines, lowa, by W. J. of unusual merit and circulat tur d “Merchants Trade Journal” are publications prin- Pinkington. extensively, classes of the west and the latter among retail merchants @m the They are both papers the first among the agricul- country. From the February number of the Trade Journal the following letter to a farmer correspondent by the editor, is reproduced in full. It is about the most sensible argument and forceful arrangement of the cata- log touse traud view that has yet made on the * and Montgomery, Square Deal” Ward Co. Des Moines, lowa, December 17, 1910. Fessler, Alexandria, 8. D. ur Sir:—Your letter of the 1th this morning. Evidently you are ing under a misconception of the purpose of Farm Sense. dealer pays one penny for the Square Deal’ page. That page con- whatever we wish to put in it. If you would read i carefully you would < that we expose more frauds outside First, no re- tail tains of the mail order houses than we do mail order houses. Second, Mr. Fessler, please remember that if we are not telling the truth about mail order houses, then we certain- ly have Jaid ourselves liable to damage suits of ail hinds, “As a business farmer you ought to know this. You ought to incerstand that.wve could not afford and uid not dare say what we have about these houses unless we had proof, On two occasions we have said plain, iy that if we were not telling the truth about these houses, that we invite them to sue us for damages. We are financial ty responsible and they could collect lan s if they could make a suit stick We have said repeatedly that if the ,ouses do business on the square have just as good a right to be in s anyone else. This is nevican privilege, and so long as they do business on the square they have the protection of the law When they do business they cught to be pr publication saying any- m. J hardly see how you can uphold them when one of them is now under indict- ment in the United States supreme : ourt for using the mails for fraudulent | purposes. Surely when the United States government brands a concern as they eir A shonid in every way square d from any thing ¢ ast tl a fraud, there must be some grounds | for it Now, Mr. Fessier, you impress me as being a man who is reasonable and who is willing to lock at both sides of a come to the notice of the Herald-Re- In his intrdductory remarks to the letter the editor says: A few days ago one of our farmer readers objected to statements we page in regard to Sears, The following is our reply to this farmer: had Roebuck & Co., did not show a single trace of white lead. Not only that, but that prac- tically all of it showed a shortage of measure. Dont you see, Mr. Fessler, there is a posibility that we might be fooled in quality and in measure? I am not say- ing that every retail merchant is hon- est, for 1 know they are not, but there might be some things that the patrons of catalog houses do not know. Now, let us go further. You know as well as I do that. if all goods were bought by mail, every bit of it, that you would have no town near your farm at all, and you know what it would do to the prices of land if there were no Places of business in Alexandria, and I ice this is your town. There would be no high schools there; there would be no places of amusement,. and your land and one else’s land around there would deteriorate in price. There is no use of us attempting to separate the interests of one from the rest. We belong together and any question should be considered in the light of the interests of all. Se far as profits are concerned, surely you would not contend but what the mail order houses make enormous pro- fit Think of it! Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Montgomery Ward & Co. have piled up millions upon millions. it has been stated to us that their fam- ilies are the most extravagent ones in the city of Chicago. | Now, there is one other thing that it seems to me ought to be taken into con- sideration. The more we can keep money jat home the better it is for all of us. | Every dollar sent outside of South Da- kota, either by the farmer or by the j; merchant, takes an extraordinary effort jt get it back in South Dakota again. Did you ever stop to think of it, Mr. |Fessler, there are just two ways in every ‘which ‘to get money which’ has left | your community back into it? One is {to borrow it and pay interest on and the other is to produce something thing. I am glad you wrote us and Ijthat someone in the East must have, want to invite you now to continue the | and in that way the money js returned correspondence. Possibly youknow some; you and I and all of us “holler” things we do not know about these que: | our heads off because the Kast, in a tions and we want to learn, and fam financial way, has its hands op our sere you do. |throats all the time. Why it? Just 1 was just that Montg wondering if you knew Ward & Co., in buying manufactur- a split legs mery certain table the tables that h: tables t and split tops, these c of cow , sing filled up with some kind of ma- terial 1 wonder if you know that a certain mail order house buys odds and ends from practically all of the jobbing houses in Chicago. ‘These odds and nds are stuff that’ retail merchants will not buy from these — wholesale houses. ‘ i wonder if you know that a certain mail order concern in Chichgo, on sev- eral occasions has gone to . manufac- turers of different lines and asked them to make them up the cheapest article they could and make it look good. 1 wonder if you know that the whole- houses of Chicago have made the ment that if they had any stuff | would not pass muster, that they ; i find a market for it with the catalog houses. wonder if you know that it is an understood fact that if a wholesale shoe nouse in Chicago has some re out of style and ont of date, that the catalog houses in Chicago will buy them. wonder if you know that The Stickney Mfg. Co., of St. Paul, three or four months ago, was given ‘a judgment for a good many thousand dollars against a catalog house, because this catalog house Stickney people and then, when they Avertised them, quoted higher horsepower than they were. The court gave the Stickney people judgment because it injured the manufacturer te have the catalog houses rate their engines at a higher horsepower than they would develop. wonder if know that the cata- log heuses in Chicago will not sell soods at all to Chicago people. you wonder if you know that a certain nufacturer who makes cream separ- ators for catalog house hires the kind of mechanics. you know that a certain of sewing machines, who Montgomery Ward very cheape: I wonder if manufacturer makes machines for & Co., and also makes machines for re- tail a found that when they tried to make the cheap machines for the catalog houses and the good machines for the dealers, that it did not work at all, and the result was that all their mechanics deteriorated in their ability. So marked was this condition that the manufacturer makes the statement him- self that they found it necessary to} institute a separate department with cheap help to make the catalog house machines. I wonder if you know that the: rail- road companies have more claims against them for mail order house goods pecause of their inferior quality, than they have from any _ other concern coy- ering the same amount of shipments. 3 wonder if you know that the agri- cultural and food department of North Dakota issued a little booklet in which they showed that a lot of catalog house paint had as high as 17 per cent water in it, and that practically all of it shoes that | bought gasoline engines from the } them at aj simply because we jthere. We send it |we send it there for fire insurance; we |send it there for goods of all kinds, in- | stead of keeping our money at home. If you and I would patronize the fire ‘and life insurance companies of our own state, we would take millions of dol- jlars away from the east every year. If We would buy goods at home, both the farmers and merchants, all we could of them, we would build up our own so rapidly that we would aston- {ish ourselves. send our money for life insurance; j You know that the nearer you are ‘to a large market center the more your land is worth, because the more you ‘can get, for what you raise. Suppose ‘that Sioux Falls, Mitchell and other \cities of your own state were a Chi- jcago. It would be worth hundreds of jdollars to you every year. What made Chicago what it is? What made Pitts- {burg wht it is? What made any manu Hfacturing center what it is? Well, the thing that did so was ngople sending | their money there. If the people of |South Dakota, both farmers and mer- chants, would buy in their own state land every other state did the same thing, we would move the market cen- ter fram the East and bring it west, be- cause people of the middle section of the |country have the money to buy with. , This would also move the money cen. ter. | Mr. Fessler, do you know that the4 land in Massachusetts, Connecticut, ‘New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and a Jarge part of Pennsylvania and New ; York and the Virginias, is practically | worthless? For instance, Massachusetts , Wich is covered by factories, has in it [thousands upon thousands of acres that would not raise a stalk of grain in a thousand years. It wont raise anything. And yet you ‘and I, by sending our money ed have made Massachusetts what it is. ‘ Why not turn around and make our }own states and cities instead of build- ing up the East? Why not look . out for our interests at home instead of looking out for someone else? You can bet your boots that the people in the Fast, catalog houses, manufacturers, and all, don't care a hoot for you and me. They are looking out for themselves and we ought to do the same thing. We will suppose that you own a half section of land, and if you and all the farmers of South Dakota, and afl the merchants of South Dakota, and all the octors, lawyers and everyone else would turn their patronage’ into South Dakota and keep it there, you could add, say one dollar an acre every year to the value of your land. See what it would mean. Ané@ let me say to you, Mr. Fessler, that I have investigated conditions in the Easty and if South Dakota would do the thing I have sug- gested, it wold add several dollars to- the price of land. Jt looks to us as though you and I and the rest of us ought to either quit “hollering” about the East getting our money, and the East controlling prices, and the East doing this and that, or else turn around and try to build up our own bgiiclanh ated The big stores, the catalog houses and the manufacturers of the East sit back in their luxury and their ex- travagknce and laugh at us people be- cause they have fooled us into sending them money on which to do business. You see, Mr. Fessler, it is an easy mat- ter fer us to be penny wise and pound foolish. _2he time wili come when you will see things differently than we do now. The saving of a little bit order of groceries, even if it were ¢ ing, and 1 doubt its being a réally 5, is a small matter when it come to being throttled and choked by the eastern money pow For imstance, you want to feed a carioad of steers and you want to borrow the money on which to do it, which can be generaliy done. But the Kast needs that money and they say to your banker and to you and your neighbors, ‘‘We need the money, you send it over here for ma- chinery, shirts, and this and that, and when we get ready to let you have it, you can have it, but until that time you are not going to feed any steers.”’ Don't you see, Mr. Fessler, there are # good many .things to take into consi- deration. You and I, while reading the history of European countries, have well anderstood that one reason farm condi- tions there are so vastly different, and against the farmer, than they are here, 1s because these people have allowed themselves to be mislead. They thought they knew what they wanted and what they ought to do. Time has taught them when it is too late, that they did not understand conditions. This is why 1 said, in the beginning of this ietter, that I would like to have you write again and let us discuss these things. We can learn by doing it. The man that shuts himself up, and calls every man who does not agree with him fool, by that act brands himself as a fool. Let us hear from you again. REMER IS FORGING TO THE FOREFRONT Is the Busiest Town on the New Soo Line and Population Is Fast Increasing. and I If anyone happens to be wondering what has been doing along the new Soo Line, Remer especially, kindly read the following facts and notice | that we have not been asleep. Immediately after the saie of lots, Sept. 8th, 1910, N. B. Patten & Co., moved their store from the south side of the track to their present Yocation. About the same fime the Datebelder Lumber Co., Tresendle Tie & Cedar Co., and! Hotel Remer began excavating. The hotel is a large two story building and the prid of the town. Shortly after Hotel Don Podre changed hands, former owner moving to Federal Dam, end now he admits he left a good thing. About November Ist the postoffice was built, also the building occupied by the Remer Land Co. The livery barn and blacksmith shop were built soon after. While this was being done the Soo people employed about twenty-five carpenters building one of the finest depots on the line and also two section houses. Within the last week the First State bank of Remer was installed and the Rem- er Lumber company is now putting in a stock of retail lumber. Owing to the fact that over 150¢ people are in or near Remer it is very evident that those business places are sure of success. The land around Remer cannot be excelled for farming and dairying purposes, ané will undoubtedly become one of the greatest dairy countries in the west The settlers are also able to get en- ough timber for a full set of build- ings while clearing. The prospect is more than bxight, it is a sure thing that Remer wilh become the main town on the Soo Line between Duluth and Bemidji and it is made up of a class of people who are work ing with that end in view. In short, it is a very pleasant town for @& stranger to alight in, and he is sure te be shown every courtesy. The Reishus-Remer Land Co. is figuring on plotting out forty acres south of Remer into acre lots. Should they decide to do this it will give several people a chance to buy an acre or more where they could hard- ly afforé a town lot, this would be a good thing from an investment standpoint, as well as for people who wish to live close to town, for truck farming, ete. These lots Will be for sale by the Remer Land Co., at Remer, Minn. Daily mail . service seems to be quite a treat to the people of Remer and we hardly know how to appreci- ate its full value. The mai} only ar- rived here once a week heretofore. which meade it very inconvient to carry on business: conruapindonee, Watch Remer grow. REMER NEWS NOTES W. A. Wickland, our busy real estate man, made a business trip to Duluth last week. He was ac- companied by his wife and baby. We are badly in need of a barber. Can’t somebody send us a_ few shaves? H. N. Harding and Chas. A. Graham, president and cashier of the First Bist Boum ot. eae came down from Cass Lake Thursday, February 2nd on business connected with the bank. Mr. Harding returne: Friday, but Mr. Graham will make this place his home. Temporary \ banking quarters have been rented in the spacious lobby cf Hote] Remer arrives ther i | This ba: | has | an Seeopeaisity strong finan yee and is worthy of public s ed eposit re od thing along. and help a g Cc. R. Bell and family left Thuns- day for several days visit in Grand Rapids, Minn. | aah the prosperous Boy River wwerchant, was a Remer vis or between wains Saturday. Foote, Mrs. Qliver Shill an@ 10-year-old daughter arrived Thursday from Wan itchie, Wash., and will make this place their home. The Remer Lumber company has been unloading a car of lumber this week preparatcry to starting a retail lumber yard. The lumber is mostly Purchased from the J. Neils Lumber company of Cass Lake, which point is so handy that special orders can be ROTORS YORI RORORORONE ORCC Curiosity Store On Corner of 3rd Street and Kindred Ave. OPPOSITE BECKFELT'S Is Now Open For Business. l invite old customers as well as new, to come in and look over my Store and :Goods. Lots of new goods received in China and Enamel- ed Weare at prices that will surprise you. Local View Cards, 5 For 5c From Now Until Feb. 15th Hoping to see as many as possible at the New Stand, I am yours truly, A. H. WICK, Prop. et a filled on very short notice. Chas. A. Graham is the manager of the company and can be found at the First State bank. All eyes are turned toward Remer. A masquerade bal) wili be given in the dining room of Hotel Remer on Saturday the 18th your oe guise ready. Get Ole Halvorson was called to the southern part of the state Friday py the serious iliness of his sister. Soo Tie Inspector Berger was herc last weck with his blue p2int brush. A party of our young people en- joyed a very pleasant sleigh-ride jast Saturday night. They made J. T. Watson’s home their stoping Wace and although the Watson family had retired they were easily pursuaded to get up and all enjoyed a pleasant evening. The first car of cedar posts was | shipped out of Remer today by the. Duluth Log Co. Mr. Green says that there will be something doing from now @m. Mrs. F. L. Sanborn visited in Be- midji Monday and Tuesday. The inhabitants of Remer are rejoic- ing over the establishement of daily mail service on the Soo. The first car went through Mondey bringing mail that had been piling up for a week. Our postmaster certainly earne his salary that day. Formerly mail had been received put once a week and then it was brought in by stage from Grand Rapids. The Clifton Remedy Co. gave an enjoyable entertainment pica evening to a krowded house. stage was fixed up in the large tai [ JOINT SERVICE BELL TELEPHONE AND WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH EVERY BELL TELEPHONE A TELEGRAPH STATION + EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 1911 Subscribers’ Stations: If you are a subscriber to the Bell Telephone System and wish to send a Telegram,a Night Letter or a Cable- gram, use your Telephone. Say “Telegram” to the operator and you will be con- nected with a Western Union office from which your mes- sage will be sent by telegraph and charged account. in your monthly At night, on Sunday or holidays, when the local tele- graph office may be closed, you will be connected with an open Western Union office without additional charge. Public Stations: You may also send Telegrams und Cablegrams from our Public Pay Stations. The arrangements vary at differ- ent classes of stations, but as rapidly as possible we shail equip them with full directions. MESABA TELEPHONE Co. ok hh ty GD COOOL OPEPL IEEE EE TEED EOE DETEE LODE POEDP DEL DDD DOLE LODE LI DDD EL DOLE DOLL OLD OED E TODO of Hotel Remer which answered the | purpose very nicely. Our friend F. E. Egan was made the butt o/ their jokes and they spared him not. F. Shook was in Bemidji Satur- day visiting his wife who is sick in the hospital. z George Wagner, of Pine River, has | ¥ opened up a blacksmith shop north of the Soo depot and is ready to do blacksmithing of all kinds. Rev. Wm. H. Reed, of Waukenabo, held services Saturday evening and Sunday in the hall of Hotel Remer.: Sunday afternoon services; were held t in the Remer school house. Come } again, Mr. Reed. 3 x Operator and Station Agent Bgan i: | the busiest man in town and with ou: | & growing population and business we a feel that he ought to have an assist- ant. We hope that the Soo) officials will be able to see it as we do. George Glandon returned Monday from Wabedo where he has been on business connected with his farm at that place. Miss Myrtle Thomas,’ of Nebraska, returned with him and will make this place her home. He Doeteedeietetnneens eee ttecenieteonteespeleceteeaietecnteteedeteteetete PIONEER STORE | Seeded deeestontoatectonte cient A “Challeng. Sale of Values and Low Pica. SP ebestooeaiotentecionteterioety 5 PEM Squestion of profit or loss is allowed tostandin % the way of disposal of our season’s surplus of ¢ Ladies’ and Children’s Coats and Furs. To those not acquainted with our Goods we would call attention to the most exceptional quality of our Goods. We stand behind them with the same guar- anty that we give when prices are normal. Don’t allow indifference to deprive you of your just share of these bargains. JOHN BECKFELT ee Pe Sretotedredesseodtontecorontoetostonseeteain was also accompanied by Mrs. Jake Whitted, of Wabedo, who will visit here for a few days. Frank Troope made a trip to Feder- al Dam Tuesday afternoon and re turned Wednesday. Patton’s baby has one Keep it up. Wed- Maurice tooth stagted. Good! Sheriff Delury was in town nesday and Thursday. Theo. M. Klement, the owner of | Hotei Remer, is here on business | for a few days. | Ei The Herald-Review is the place to have your Job work done when you need it and want it in a hurry. ————_—————— UTILITY STRAIN, S.C. WHITE ORPHINGTONS | Egg Producers and Prize Winners Mrs. H. E. Abell, Stevenson, Minn. Eggs For Hatching First Pen $3.00 for 15; Second Pen ‘THE DULUTH HERALD BEATS THE CENSUS THREE TO ONE During eo past ten years the pepetation of Dulath increased 48 per cent.., St, Paul 32 par cemt., and Mianeapolis 49 per cont. tn the Same Period the Cireatation of The Duluth Herald INCREASED 150 PER CENT. This marvelous expansion—so much greater than that of the surrounding territory—is' due: solely to the merits of The Herald The Herald has never used any kind of premium, contest, _ or price reduction to ees but prints each day the very best NEWSPAP' in the Northwest. Its editorial page baa thoroughly iting ot and its news columns cover every jeature of the world’s daily history Send for sample copy and get The Herald habit THREE MONTHS FOR $1.00. -Mailed Daily. “ADDRESS HERALD romgaaee ees see LULUTH, MINN,