La Grande evening observer., February 11, 1914, Image 4

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1914
PAGE FOUR
LA GRANDE EVENING OBSERVER
THE OBSERVER
BBUCE DENNIS, Editor and Owner.
Katered b tht pwt-ffic at La
Grande, Oregon, as aecond das
Butter. '
Advertising rates on application. All
copy for display advertising must
reach -toe office the day before the
ad appears.
Address all communications to
THE OBSERVER, 1710 Sixth Street
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Daily, per week ....15c
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Daily, per aix months in ad-'
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' Bb7, pet year la adraee tUM
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vance 4.00
Weekly Obsirver, per year in
advance .$1.50
THE SALESMAN'S SALARY.
Business men, commercial travelers
and (students of salesmanship will be
interested in an article "How I Get
My Salesmen to Give Me Their Best,"
written for Advertising and Selling
by C. C. Cobb. The writer, who is
sales manager and secretary of a con
cern dealing in fountain pens, believes
he has worked out a plan for auto
matically rewarding these who . in
crease their efficiency.
Under his system what the Bales
man earns is strictly up to the saies
man. His salary for the. year is
fixed on a basis of his selling a cer
tain minimum of goods. If he dis
poses of more he gets a five percent,
commission on the increase. Then,
when it comes time for adjusting his
remuneration for the next year, it is
fixed at whut he has earned the pre
vious year in Balary plus what he has
earned jn commission. The mini
mum expected is correspondingly ad
justed, going up to what he actually
sold in the twelve months before. If
he can beat his own record the next
year he boosts his own income by
just that much. His future depends
therefore, on his own efforts.
"On this basis," writes Mr. Cobb,
"the entire matter of compensation
. and working arrangements is thrash
ed out when the salesman is first em
ployed and saves the difficult problem
which confronts every employer of
salesmen in determining the amount
of compensation they are entitled .to
and which they think they should
have for each succeeding year."
Those who are studying salesman
ship .in local schools which offer cour
ses in it should realize in advance
that it is an occupation which gives
back just about what a man puts into
it. If the new mnn on the road can
not rench the minimum fixed he had
better get out of tho business and try
something elite. If he can more than
reach it he is entitled to consider
that he has the makings of what
some one has called a "commercial
ambassador."
MORE TROUBLE FOR UNCLE
SAM.
, There is a move to have the United
States government take charge of all
marriages and divorces. A constitu
tional amendment has been prepared
which wilt be submitted soon, making
this provision.
This looks like an attempt to drive
poor old Uncle Sam into nervous
prostration. Just as if he didn't
have enough troubles now with the
income tax, tariff, the Mexican situa
tion and the Japanese land owner
ship. It takes a brave man to interfere
in a matrimonial tangle. Uncle Sam
is by no means a coward, but if he
should attempt anything of this kind,
ho would have no time for anything
else and thorcr would be a revolution
in thin rmmtrv that would make the
U.u l.an off fit BMm lib A B-amA Of
ii.VA ivutj nut... dwv...
ping pong at a church social.
It would be a good idea now to
leave the poor old man alone to figure
out his salvation, if he can. . There is
trouble popping out from every point
in the compass. If he attempts to
dictate who shall be married and who
shall be divorced, all other problems
will have to be dropped and he will
have a row in his family that will
never be settled. Affairs of the heart
must settle themselves.
A Michigan girl dislodged a pin
from her throat by singing ragtime.
This is the only practical use for
ragtime that has ever been discov
ered. ..
"fye hesitation skirt will be exhib
ited at trie women's garment show in
Chicago this week. Other recent
skirts make it difficult to Imagine
where it will hesitate.
George Ade may become a candi
date for the United States senate,
but he can't make the senate any
funnier than has J. Ham Leis.
It is a noticeable fact that young
fathers who have a son that look like
them, prefer the perambulator .with
out a top.
Although men's overcoats flare
around the bottom in a very pronounc
ed way, it is not yet customary to
keep them extended with hoops.
InOWN AS "BIDDY" M'REEt
By MAURICE 8MILEY.
About the 'only reason for calling
htm "Biddy" was that he was such a
"mother boy," as most of the folks
in the neighborhood called him.
Not thnt they looked down on him
for being so devoted to his mother.
That is, those whose opinion really
amounted to anything. Of course
some of the light-heads made fun of
a man of twenty-five still "tied to
his mother's apron Btrlngs," as they
rang the changes on the old cheap
witticism. Tom didn't care for that.
Perhaps, however, he really did car
after Millie Iee took the district
school. He didn't wont her to make
fun' of him.
After Tom's father had worn him
self out on the old place and bad
been gathered to his fathers, Tom's
two brothers and sisters had "married
off" one by one. But he stayed on,
wringing by unremitting industry a
scanty living from the rocky soli.
If Tom had ever given any thought
to setting up a home of bis own, he
had resolutely banished It.
"It's a shame, Tom," said his moth
er, wistfully, "that you should be tied
down here on this old plaeo to an old
woman, When you ought to be sotting
Up a home of your own."
"All right, tlion," he replied, with a
smile, "I'll bundle you off to tho poor
house and strike out for the city." "
Then lie. caught his mother up in
his arms and said, tenderly:
"Never you mind, mother, I'm not
worrying about it and why need you?"
But all the same Tom did a good
deal of worrying. For one thing, Mil
lie Lee, while she seemed to like him
more than any of' the other young
men In the neighborhood, was yet a
little too fond, apparently, of Bud
Brighton to preserve Tom's entire
peace of mind.
Then there was the matter of that
black streak down In the pasture.
Tom hardly dared to hope that there
was coal down there. Secretly he
Was sinking a rude shaft, though he
told his mother he was only digging a
well to increase the supply of water
for the stock.
Then came the day when he "struck
If ' He could hardly realize all that
It meant when his drill hit the hard,
black substance which proved to be
an excellent quality of coal.
When he went homo that night two
surprises awaited him. His mother
was seriously ill and Millie Lee was
waiting on her".
For reasons of his own, he did not
say anything about finding coal in
paying quantities. He would stake
his chance with Millie on the merits
of the case and if she cared for him
at all, she would accept0 a hard-working,
poor man.
He watched her as she prepared
the evening meal and a suddon re
solve took possession of him.
"H looks awful homelike .to lee yon
R
First Showing of Spring
In Our Exclusive
New Suits, Coats and Dresses that portray the
most attractive models for the spring season.
As usual we are first with the new styles.
Come and see them.
-In Our Mens Department-
Our first shipment of the new Benjamin Wash
ington Clothing has arrived. These new gar
ments are the product of the consolidated
firms of Alfred Benjamin & Co. and the Wash
ington Clothing Co. and are the equaS of the
best custom work. Prices $20.00 to $27.50.
New Gordon
$3.00
around tne old place, Millie,'" he said.
"I've got something on my mind that
I have had there for a long time."
She paused in the act of taking the
biscuits from the oven and possibly
the heat from the stove made her
face flush.
"I know I aint good enough for
you," be went on, bluntly. "I haven't
had any education. I'vo Just been
taking care of mother ever since I
was a boy and I balnt bad the chance
that lots of young men have had.
You know what the old place is.
There ain't much to be made out of it.
It wouldn't support three people very
well, specially when one of 'em has
been used to better things."
Millie was nervously Betting the,
table by this time. She nodded as hq
paused, but neither of them noticed
the disheveled figure peering In tho
doorway, the eyes wild with' fever.
"I don't mind telling you, Tom, that
I would marry you If it was not for
your mother. There Isn't enough for
us all. You will have to do something
about her."
Perhaps Bhe put the test badly, for
Tom thought she really meant that he
must give up his mother and let her
shift for herself. The thmight cut
him like a knife and he stared out
into the night too pained to say any
thing for a time.
"I can't .do that, Millie," he snld
slowly. "I can't leave my old mother
not even for you. I.dldu't think you
was that kind. I thought you was dif
ferent" ' Before she could explain Tom had
passed Into the bedroom, to give a
cry of alarm a moment later and
.rush out Into tho darkness.
He found her wandering aimlessly
along the road to the town, babbling
incoherently In her delirium about
"getting out of tho way."
Strong and tender arms bore ljor
back to her home and besldo the bed
where Tom was kneeling Millie Lee
put her hands on his shoulder and
Bald:
"I didn't mean it the way you
thought, dear. I was only trying you.
I only meant that I "
"That you love me too much to be
a burden to me?" asked Tom in a
whisper ,of fierce Joy as his mother
dropped off Into a calm sleep.
Millie nodded as she put her bead
where her hands had been.
The Circus Ho Had Eaten.
Little Freddie had Just made his
first acquaintance with animal crack
ers. After eating quite an assortment
of them Freddie became very thought
ful. "What makes you so pensive, dear?"
asked his mother.
"Oh, I was Just thinking what a cir
cus was going on inside of me."
A CHRISTMAS 80NO.
Oh. Christmas Is a Jolly time,
c Whan forests hang with snow,
And other loroita bend with toys.
And lovely Yule-loo glow I
And Christina la a aolemn tune
Because, beneath tho Btar,
the flrat rrt Christmas gift wm gtvaa
To all men, near and far. ,
But not alone at Christmas time
Corns holiday and cheer,
For one who loves a little child
Hath Christmas all the year.
Mora Evelyn Pratt.
I i."U."" .
' . NOW ON DISPLAY IN
Ready-to-Wear Dept
Hats
Water Haul.
I "Good-morning, ma-am. May I ask
1 If your husband is at home?"
I "He isn't" i
"Perhaps you can tell me what I
want to know. Is he carrying any life
insurance?
"Is his life Insured? Is that what
j you mean?" .
"Yes, ma'am." ;
"It is, sir. But don't make' the mis
take of thinking he's doing the carry
ing of the Bame. I'm doing that my
self. And I'm carrying all he's worth.
Good-morning, sir.'.'
' Missed the Boat.
i "Your ancestors ' did not come over
In the Mayflower!" snapped the tall,
spare, thln-llppsd Miss HcBter Plyn
rock; J
"No," and Alias Ananias rubbed
his chubby bands together, while an
oily smirk spread over bis fullmoon
phis. "You see, it was this a-way.
The old man forgot to wind up the
j alarm clock and so missed the boat.''
Judge. i
On the Tree.
"I've learned one thing about fruit,"
remarked the summer boarder.
"What's that?" j
"It looke good to eat a mighty long
time before it is." j
' Quite Appropriate.
"There Is one adornment I see the
decorator forgot in finishing this new
police office." j
"What's thatr !
ABriU."
KILLS' EIK; FINED
Cove Man Pleads Guilty By Attorney
to Having Elk Beef In Possession.
Although not arrested, but never
theless plending guilty by attorney,"
Herman Hacffer of Cove, has been
fined $27? for hnvipg elk beef in his
possession.. The warrant for his ar
rest was issued some time ago but
the defendant was not in the state,
it was said. However, appearing by
attorney, he pleaded guilty and Daid
the penalty and costs. Justice of
the Fcaee Williams heard the plea
of guilty.
i&TT TWTMW it
UlUMNU
EVERY DEPARTMENT
n i Our Exclusive Dry Goads Dept.
New Wool Dress Fabrics, Crepes, Silks, Ra
tines, Eponge and Wash Fabrics of every pop
ular weave and shade.
-In Our Shoe Department-
Two of America's best Shoe Lines are repre
sented and the most popluar leather and lasts
are now shown for spring wear. Agents for
".Uta & Dunn" and Pingree footwear for both
Ladies and Misses.
AS OTHERS SEE US.
.$$$sj.$'$f.$3'ssejfs
(From Grants Pass Courier.) j
La Grahde has been operating un-,
der the commission form of govern-.
bent with a city manager but for a
short time, though already the sys-1
tern shows its advantages over the i
complicated and unsatisfactory mayor, j
and council method. Geo. E. Good, '
a former mayor of Grants Pass, and
a student of municipal government'
now a resident of La Grande, says
that the new form of city control
j gives promise of the greatest satis
faction. The city manager, he says,
I is the boss of the job, and is held i
t responsible by the commission for
the business management of the city.
I He is unhampered by political con
siderations, and his only thought is
(to give La Grande its money's worth
in everv department. If a. nnlinemnn
- i .
fails to give good service there is
t-i-i ii. - '
no squuuuie in me council over tne
matter." but the citv mnnaver wnllrc
o-- - ,
j -1 1 - . . i i i i - 1
u(j aim tens liiu uuimquent mat ne is
"fired," and puts another man on the
job. Of course it takes a prcttybig
man to be manager of a city like La
Grande or like Grants Pass, corpo
rations capitalized at four or five mil
lions of dollars. He has to be. a big
ger man, in fact, than the average
patriot who warms the seat of the
oldermanic chair, and his salary is
La Grande National Bank
Organised
DKSIflXATED DKPOSITOOT OP TJJflTED STATES GOYERSMHT.
UHITED STATES POSTAL 8AYI5GS DEPOSIT0M. I
Capital I.... 1100.000.00
Surplus .$140,000.00
Total Resources $1,000,000.60
For twenty-she years, hi all kinds of financial weather, we nave
successfully catered to the monetary wanta of the people of La
Grande and the Grande Ronde Valley. " J
We respectfully solicit your
La Grande National Bank
La Grande, Oregon
Styles
New Stetson Hats
$4.00-$5.00
paid according to the demands tof the
job. La Grande has a limit of $3600
to the salary and is paying J2400
at the start. A city wastes many
times fthe amount f this salary
every year if public improvements
arid municipal management are at
tempted by business men out of hours-.
Few men who are competent to man
age big affairs have the time to give
to the duties of the management of a
city free of charge. Municipal man
agement is a science. The city man
ager plan is the first sttep toward re
ducing it to a science. It is also the
first step toward the elimination of
graft in municipal government.
PANIC TO BE INVESTIGATED
Tragedy On Christmas Eve at Calu-
. met to Be Screened For Cause.
t
Hancock, Mich., Feb. 11. Chairman
Taylor of the congressional investi
gating committee, announced that
there would be a rigid investigation
of the story that a man wearincr a
Citizens' Alliance badge had been re
sponsible by shouting "fire" for the
panic that resulted in the1 death of
75 persons in the Calumet holocaust
on Christmas eve. Most of the vic
tims of the rush were women and
children. j
The blame was immediately placed
upon the Alliance committee, because
at the time this committee was in
open hostility to the striking miners.
in 1887.
business.' .