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Show WRITER URGES RETRENCHING (By Albert Herman) The net income of a small co-op store was $100 a month, the manager had a fixed salary of $200 a month, and the only clerk a permanent salary of $100 a month. This unbalanced condition caused a great alarm in the minds of the directors, and incidentally, also in the minds of the stockholders. It was evident that something was wrong and if not remedied the institution was doomed to inevitable in-evitable destruction. The beneficiaries bene-ficiaries of the concern met in their various capacities again, and again, and discussed the problem pro and con, from every angle. A suggestion was made that the selling price on the merchandise be raised; the net profits increased, and by this means the balancing of the budget would be an easy matter. mat-ter. Other wise acres, however, gave the warning that if prices were raised the store would yield no revenue at all, for the people would buy where they can buy the cheapest. Apparently the officers of the firm were in a helpless dilemma, they could not see their way out of it. And the wolves of bankruptcy began to be heard howling around their doors, and their faces were marred by despondent de-spondent looks. Finally, the news spread throughout the community, and was discussed everywhere and by everybody. One Sunday morning, the store manager, feeling quite humble, betook himself to the Sunday school. The teacher, much flattered by the visit of so high a dignitary, and to show respect, re-spect, called upon him to address ad-dress the class. And quite naturally, na-turally, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speak-eth." speak-eth." Not posted on religious matters, to make it interesting, his talk centered on the fe-ficit fe-ficit of the store, and of the aanger oi uie town losing tneir only store, unless the people were willing to pay more for the goods they bought, that the budget of the store might be balanced. After he had exhausted exhaust-ed his talk, he asked, as if calling call-ing for help "what shall we do? Suddenly there jumped up a scrubby looking, freckle faced urchin in the corner of the farther far-ther end of the room who piped pip-ed out at the top of his voice; "cut your salary in two; discharge dis-charge the clerk; and do more work yourself." Some snickered, snicker-ed, some giggled, some chuckled, chuckl-ed, some laughed out loud, but a frown of disdain clowded the face of the Sunday school guest. Not because of the senselessness senseless-ness of the thnig, but because be-cause that it came uninvited from such a detestable urchin. Dear reader, don't you think that some of national questions which seem so difficult and complicated to solve by our high-priced officials, could be solved instantly by our unsophisticated unso-phisticated common school boys? For the simple reason that the child's mind is free and clean from corrupt practices; political politi-cal obligations, aspirations, and pre-election rirnmisps tviq tmn, shines irresistible brightness through it. In other words, the tender issues of the child's mind are not calloused and seared I over with a hot political iron, as later in life it may become. We have read abundant suggestions sug-gestions how the great volume banks could be n ed : ! scattered throughout ry. President Hoover 000,000, called "New JrM nance corporation" is a, its way to save furthl''' i; failures. Not a word k l' "tax failures." Seaa,or : (I hope he may be elects "i: dent) is the only ner P:-'' dares to mention ,n a 20 per cent from the of federal officials cent would be better) t:: Think of this. The' ,, receives a yearly Mla traveling expenses of s,":,r-and s,":,r-and everything furnish !' furnishings will amount t other $100,000 and 0ve a: a single year. At 25c a h !'! for wheat, the Idaho J " had to sell last fall, H have taken over SOo'ooo h"'' els of wheat to feed one for one year. Is it any that many others have to hungry? Congressmen rpJ $10,000. Heads of a $15,000. Justices of u court $20,000. President of f'" relief board $75,000 a year all things furnished. ' ' "'' |