The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, April 20, 1916, Page 9

1 L4 Y | “Pickups” and Tips Editor Nonpartisan Leader: : I once knew of an ex-preacher who was convicted of using the United States mails to defraud. He had built up one of the nicest little swindling games you ever saw and was doing well until the postal inspectors gathered him in. A friend attempted to explain the psychology of the affair to me. He said: “Some preachers have the habit of attributing all kinds of evil practices to other men. They say and get to believe that men not bound by the traditions of the ministry and the obligations of being a re- ligious model, habitually engage in low vices. They think that in business it is always a case of dog eat dog without -conscience or scruple. When one of these pessimists forsakes the pulpit he is very likely to plunge in to get his share of the naughty pleasures and ill-gotten gains. “Of course, men like this seldom get into the ministry and when they do they usually get out again. Most ministers are canscientious,, far above the average of men and do not claim all virtues for themselves.” : I was reminded of this, Mr. Editor, when I read a choice paragraph from the Fargo morning paper the other day. Referring to one of the speakers at the Nonpartisan League massmeet- ings the editor said: “In paying his respects to the Courier-News the brother - (N. B.—Clerical slang; nothing brotherly about this) forgot to men- tion handing that $5.00 bill to a reporter during the grain growers’ convention for rendering a little publicity service. Reporters on the Courier-News take all such pickups—and then write their stories as they think is correct; this with the knowledge of the management.” This seems to me an interesting revelation of the standards of honor in one newspaper office in North Dakota. Does the editor also take his “pickups”. from all who have them to offer? If so, does he then write his editorials and other articles “as he thinks is correct,” or is his writing influenced by the prospects of further “pickups?” I can understand that in the case of the Pullman car company, the em- ploye takes his “pickups” with the knowledge of the management—it was so testified in a hearing recently—but the technical name for this kind of earn- ings among car porters i§ “tips.”. There is another difference,-too. There is no fraud about the porter’s tip. It is for service rendered and the boy’s grate- ful smile and chuckle is often worth the price. He gets a small salary and is expected to eke it out with these “tips” or “pick- ups.” 1 had never heard that the same practice prevailed on newspapers. I wonder if the genius who imported this device for helping to meet the payroll on a daily publication ever tried it out in the ministry. What a fruitful field that would open up. Pastor Guile, for instance, a minister of the rare and exceptional sort, meets Brother Pillar, the emin- ent: clothing merchant, at the door, and as the good brother passes.in with a bland smile he slips a folded bill into the warm outstretched hand. During the reverend brother’s discourse he- introduces an illustration in this fashion: “As I was down on Front street the other day pur- chasing a suit of clothes from the excellent stoeck - . which Brother . Pillar carries at such. moderate- prices,. I saw: , ete.” Or, if he does not think it “correct” to humor Brother Pillar on this occasion he passes Him by and so teaches a stern moral lesson, at the same time retaining the five—or the one, as the case may be—and the next time. the good brother can gage his gift accordingly. ; The _thing has endless possibilities. -The pastor could.have lain awake far into the night with a toothache—illustrating sermon relating to trials and temptations—and it -could be men- tioned casually that in the morning he hurried to consult Brother Blank, the able dental surgeon. T knew of a man once who offered a real newspaper reporter a bribe to write .a story to suit him and got his nose punched besides hearing language that did damage to his self-esteem; but perhaps this reporter had not had the adyvantage of contact with the higher standards of amateur journalism and editorial honor. He was only a plain man who had always worked for his living and petty larceny didn’t look like anything but petty larceny to him. —JULIUS SHOEMAKER. “A Pickup” “The Glad Hand” THE LEADER certainly is the right organ for the farmer. Wishing you success.—S. J. NAGEL. Will ‘'you buy of a firm that carries the best goods -made in this country or do you prefer to buy where the goods are not standard. makes, and are unknown brands? This store guar- antees each article sold, no matter how low the price, as the best for the money in the market. The Leader alone is worth $6. We never knew how rotten our state was until the Leader exposed things. We SON. MR. FARMER! Do not throw away your old double disc Monitor Drill on account of the-discs spreading or coming apart. Order a sel of my patent disc attachment. This keeps the discs together and at the same time We are agents for the 3 b2 ¥ k th cl They are fuiiy guaran- - following “well known teed to do the work. Price $5.00 for 20} makes: v $8.80 for 22; discount for cash, or half down with order. S JOHN A. SWANSON, 'HART SCHAFFNER & et MARX CLOTHING HANAN & SON AND PACKARD: SHOES _KNOX, GORDON AND . .STETSON HATS © " “The Best Only is Our B Motto” o THE NONPARTISAN LEADER oooooooooooo}o&ooooooooqoooooo are proud to be a member of the” League—0O. O. THOMPSON AND ‘Q'O.‘.‘...O.....................i..l Freight Prépaid—30 Days’ Free Trial : . u ght'upand take notice on the -mmsmmy?‘murgg up %FM NINE A. J. OSHEA : ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER FARGO. NORTH DAKOTA “Pride of Dakota” Flour | Made to Please---not to Compete 00000000000 0000000000 WE SOLICIT NEW TRADE on the ground of qlfality; uniformity, service and treatment FARGO MILL COMPANY, Fargo, N. D. We are always looking for First Mortgage Farm Loans | Our system and service for the past ten years is more practical than any : Government System of Rural Credits yet proposed by anyone. 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