678 
T5he  RURAL  NEW-YORKER 
PUBLISHER’S  DESK 
Readers  will  be  interested  in  the  record 
of  the  work  of  Publisher’s  Desk  for  the 
year  1915: 
We  have  answered  3,573  inquiries  for 
rating  and  responsibility  of  firms  and  in¬ 
dividuals. 
We  have  written  2S.569  letters  in  con¬ 
nection  with  the  collection  of  claims. 
We  received  1,515  claims  for  collection, 
amounting  to  $21,351.74.  Of  this  num¬ 
ber  382  claims  were  against  transporta¬ 
tion  companies. 
We  collected  921  claims  amounting  to 
$13,021.12.  Miscellaneous  accounts  num¬ 
bered  569  and  totaled  $9,707.45:  352 
claims  were  transportation  claims  and 
amounted  to  $3,313.67. 
Our  record  now  stands : 
1910 — 100  claims  collected....  $9,065.45 
1.911 — 539  claims  collected....  12,110.03 
1912 —  558  claims  collected....  10.926.51 
1913 —  743  claims  collected....  10,112.91 
1914 —  800  claims  collected....  19.065.50 
1915 —  921  claims  collected....  13,021.12 
This  makes  a  total  of  3,961  claims, 
amounting  to  $74,902.12  for  the  past  six 
years. 
We  find  on  checking  lip  that  we  have 
had  upwards  of  248,010  inquiries  and 
claims  during  the  past  eight  years. 
Avoid  sending  poultry  or  shipments  of 
any  kind  to  M.  G.  Green  &  Co.,  329 
Broad  St.,  Lynn,  Mass.  We  have  com¬ 
plaints  from  subscribers  who  sent  poultry 
in  response  to  his  advertisements,  and 
they  have  failed  to  receive  payment. 
The  ITillsdale,  N.  Y.,  local  paper  re¬ 
ports  a  suit  brought  by  D.  B.  Cornell 
Co.,  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  against  a 
property  owner  for  commission  on  the 
sale.  The  property,  it  appears,  had  been 
listed  with  this  real  estate  agency,  and 
afterward  withdrawn,  the  owner  paying 
a  withdrawal  fee.  The  owner  afterward 
sold  the  property  himself,  whereupon 
Cornell  Co.  brought  suit.  The  court 
found  in  favor  of  the  property  owner, 
denying  Cornell  Co.  judgment.  The  only 
way  to  avoid  trouble  with  real  estate 
agents  of  the  Cornell  type  is  to  have  ab¬ 
solutely  nothing  to  do  with  them.  Rep¬ 
utable  real  estate  agents  denounce  the 
Cornell  methods  as  much  as  anyone  else. 
I  am  enclosing  a  little  more  of  the 
Woods  Mohilette  Co.  literature,  Chicago, 
111,,  and  I  am  pleased  to  note  that  so  far 
ns  I  am  concerned,  they  state  they  are  not 
going  to  send  me  any  more  letters,  prob¬ 
ably  have  passed  me  up  as  a  poor  chance 
without  the  required  amount,  of  nerve  to 
invest  in  their  concern.  I  admit  the 
charge.  I  have  many  other  uses  for  $10, 
winch  I  have  had  to  scratch  gravel  for, 
other  than  to  help  along  the  Chicago 
parties.  J.  B.  B. 
Michigan. 
The  woods  are  full  of  automobile  in¬ 
vestment  schemes  nowadays.  The  word 
lias  gone  forth  that  the  farmer  is  rolling 
in  wealth.  Therefore  the  promoter  con¬ 
siders  country  districts  a  fertile  field  in 
which  to  sow  his  sucker  bait.  If  the 
prospect  of  becoming  suddenly  rich 
doesn’t  bring  the  money,  then  this  pro¬ 
moter  taunts  the  prospect  that  he  has  uot 
enough  of  the  gambling  spirit  to  risk  $10. 
And  if  the  get-rich-quick  were  not  ap¬ 
parent  enough  already,  W.  M.  Sheridan 
&  Co.,  Chicago  brokers,  are  quoted  en¬ 
dorsing  and  guaranteeing  the  proposi¬ 
tions  ! 
About  eight  years  ago,  and  before  I  be¬ 
came  a  subscriber  to  The  R.  N.-Y.,  1  pur¬ 
chased  eight  building  lots  located  at  Bay- 
bampton  Park,  Merrick,  L,  I.,  through 
the  Carrol  ton  Realty  Co.,  with  offices  in 
the  World  Building,  New  York  city.  The 
purchase  price  in  1908  was  $(00  each,  at 
which  time  I  paid  $400.  and  have  since 
paid  the  interest  on  $300  and  the  taxes 
up  to  the  present.  I  would  very  much  ap¬ 
preciate  advice  from  you  as  to  any  in¬ 
formation  you  may  have  regarding  the 
value  of  these  lots.  N.  M. 
New  York. 
Having  no  personal  knowledge  of  the 
value  of  the  lots,  ourselves,  we  wrote  to 
a  real  estate  friend  in  the  vicinity  who 
is  very  familiar  with  real  estate  values. 
He  writes  us  with  reference  to  the  lots 
purchased  by  N.  M.  as  follows: 
The  value  of  the  lots  is  not  more  than 
$100  per  lot,  or  in  other  words,  $400  for 
the  four  lots.  This  is  a  very  good  value 
and  we  doubt  if  the  owner  can  get  over 
$50  per  lot  at  the  present  time,  as  there  is 
no  call  for  lot  property  at  any  juice.  The 
day  for  lot  property  has  gone  by  and 
there  are  thousands  of  lots  for  sale,  and 
the  parties  that  have  bought  would  be 
very  glad  to  get  one-third  of  what  has 
been  paid  for  them. 
The  above  mentioned  lots  are  uot  in  a 
very  good  location,  as  they  are  too  uear 
the  Brooklyn  water  works  and  none  of 
their  property  is  ever  improved.  The  only 
thing  it  is  used  for  is  pipe  mains  leading 
into  the  city,  and  no  building  can  ever 
be  erecte.d  on  the  city  property  except 
gate  houses,  etc.  We  have  answered  you 
to  the  very  best  of  our  judgment  in  re¬ 
gard  to  the  property  and  we.  would  not 
care  to  pay  8290  for  the  lots.  In  fact 
we  do  not  want  them  at  any  price,  at  the 
present. 
From  the  above  it  appears  that,  the  lots 
which  N.  M.  purchased  in  1908  at.  $700 
each,  and  on  which  be  has  already  paid 
$400  with  interest  and  taxes  in  the  mean¬ 
time,  are  now  only  actually  worth  $100 
each  and  little  or  no  market  for  them  at 
that  price.  This  is  a  fair  sample  of  the 
Long  Island  real  estate  promotion 
schemes  that  we  have  been  warning  our 
jteople  to  avoid  for  a  dozen  years  past.  In 
fact  it  is  a  fair  sample  of  the  land  pro¬ 
motion  schemes,  whether  ou  Long  Island, 
New  Jersey,  Florida,  or  anywhere  else. 
You  have  started  a  good  thing  in  the 
Anti-Fake  Club.  Now  why  not  another? 
Why  not  start  a  move  that  all  readers 
of  Tiie  R.  N.-Y.  who  are  landowners  or 
in  control  of  land  forever  refuse  to  allow 
their  land  to  lie  used  for  bill  or  signboard 
locations,  their  buildings  to  be  painted 
with  signs  or  the  fences  places  for  posters 
or  other  signs?  This  will  work  no  hard¬ 
ship  on  the  advertisers  or  the  reading 
public,  for  the  magazines  and  newspapers 
of  this  country  offer  a  far  cheaper  and 
more  efficient  form  of  advertising  than 
the  outdoor  boards.  If  the  readers  of 
Tiie  R.  N.-Y.  were  to  take  this  up  in 
earnest  it.  would  be  but  a  short  time  until 
others  would  follow,  and  America  would 
once  again  begin  to  look  clean.  Many  an 
otherwise  beautiful  home  is  made  unat¬ 
tractive  by  one  or  a  number  of  signs  or 
billboards  around  the  buildings.  We  own 
two  places  here  in  Delaware,  and  neither 
one  is  or  can  be  used  as  a  location  for 
advertising  by  billboards,  etc.  What 
think  you  of  the  idea?  a.  p.  d. 
We  believe  there  are  organizations  iu 
many  cities  for  the  purpose  of  preventing 
these  hideous  obstructions  to  the  land¬ 
scape.  Every  reader  would  do  well  to 
consider  himself,  or  herself,  a  committee 
of  one  and  refuse  to  allow  any  sign  on 
their  own  property  and  discourage  others 
from  permitting  it  as  far  as  possible. 
About  a  year  ago  I  sent  you  a  collec¬ 
tion  against  the  American  Express,  and 
you  returned  same,  being  unable  to  in¬ 
fluence  them  to  pay  it.  I  recently 
brought  suit  and  secured  judgment.  They 
gave  notice  of  appeal  to  the  higher  court, 
but  afterwards  paid  the  full  amount, 
after  trying  to  compromise.  G.  E.  P. 
Pennsylvania. 
The  above  letter  refers  to  a  shipment 
of  75  baskets  of  prunes  by  the  Ameri¬ 
can  Express  Co.  to  a  customer  at  War¬ 
ren,  Pa.,  about  50  miles  distant.  The 
shipment  arrived  at  destination  on 
Thursday  afternoon.  The  consignee  was 
advised  of  the  arrival  of  the  shipment  by 
mail,  but  for  some  unexplainable  reason 
did  not  call  for  the  prunes  until  Satur¬ 
day  morning.  The  express  company  had 
disjiosed  of  the  prunes  for  transportation 
charges  just  previous  to  the  arrival  of 
the  consignee.  The  shipper  made  claim 
for  the  value  of  the  prunes  against  the 
American  Express  Co.,  but  the  company 
declined  to  settle  for  the  prunes  except 
to  turn  over  to  the  shipper  the  amount 
received  for  them,  which  was  about  one- 
tliird  of  their  value.  The  claim  was 
then  p laded  in  our  hands,  and  we  ex¬ 
hausted  our  efforts  to  show  the  Ameri¬ 
can  Express  Co.  their  responsibility  to 
the  shipper  for  the  value  of  the  prunes 
under  the  circumstances.  The  prunes 
were  not  left  in  the  express  company’s 
possession  for  an  unusual  length  of  t  ine. 
They  would  have  kept  in  good  condit'on 
for  a  week  or  10  days  at  least,  so  that 
there  was  no  necessity  for  disposing  of 
them  hastily.  The  express  company, 
however,  arbitrarily  refused  to  eousider 
the  justice  of  the  claim,  so  that  the  sub¬ 
scriber  was  eventually  obliged  to  bring 
suit  to  recover  the  value  of  the  prunes, 
as  stated  in  the  above  letter. 
In  handling  the  many  claims  which 
we  do,  we  have  found  the  American  Ex¬ 
press  Co.  the  most  unreasonable  and  ar¬ 
bitrary  of  any  that  we  are  called  upon 
to  collect  claims  against.  The  other  ex¬ 
press  companies  show,  a  morp  reasonable 
disposition  towards  claims — this  is  es¬ 
pecially  true  of  the  Adams  Express  Com¬ 
pany  under  the  management  of  the  pres¬ 
ent  head  of  the  Claim  Department.  When 
shippers  are  so  located  that  they  have 
the  choice  of  express  companies,  the  pre¬ 
ference  should  be  given  to  the  concern 
that  shows  the  proper  consideration  for 
the  shipper’s  rights  when  the  goods  have 
been  lost. 
April  22,  1916. 
The  Lauson  Idea  of 
Quality  Embodied 
in  a  1|  H.  P.  General 
Purpose  Engine 
Here  is  the  very  engine  you  dairy  farmers  have  always 
wanted — a  thoroughly  dependable  “little"  engine.  The  Frost 
King  Junior  is  worthy  of  your  utmost  confidence.  You  knonu  that 
the  name  guarantees  service.  The  Frost  King  Junior  is  a  "little  brother" 
of  the  famous  big  “Frost  King"  engines — the  ideal  engine  for  pumping, 
running  cream  separator,  washing  machine,  and  any  kind  of  light  ma¬ 
chinery.  It's  a  high-grade  engine  at  a  medium  price.  Accurately  ground 
cylinder  and  piston.  No  batteries — built-ia  gear- 
driven  magneto — regular  Lauson  equipment. 
KEGOSENC  ANP  CA5QUH£ 
FAn/H  J£WG//\fJES 
Known  the  world  over  for  their  easy  starling,  smooth- 
runniner  qualities  aad  thnroueh  dependability.  Lauson  and  Frost 
King  engines  put  out  fifteen  and  twenty  years  ago  are  still  giving 
splendid  service.  That's  quality  for  you  I  Portable,  semi-portable 
and  stationary  types  in  all  sizes  from  iJ4  to  ioo  h.  p. — operate 
on  kerosene  or  gasoline. 
Write  for  Catalog 
showingentire  line  of  Lauson  and  “Frost  King"  Farm 
Engines  If  you’re  particularly  interested  in 
“Frost  King"  J  r.,  ask  for  special  folder  on  the 
Jun4»r.  Upon  request,  wc’H  srml  you  name  of 
nearest  dealer  who  will  be  pM&scd  to  demon¬ 
strate  our  engines  for  you.  Write  today* 
JOHN  LAUSON  MFC.  CO. 
218  N.  W.  Street 
New  Holstein,  Wis. 
LAUSON 
TRACTORS 
If  ill  the  tnarketfor 
a  tractor  write  for  de¬ 
tails  of  the  new  Law- 
son  Tractors. They’re 
right — in  design,  in. 
construction,  »n  piice. 
Prjicp  diI  because  they  afc| 
the  rcsuUtif  20  years  suc¬ 
cessful  eas  engine  bulk* 
it*?.  Write  (or  Special 
Tractor  Bulletin. 
60c 
PER 
Gallon 
ORDER  DIRECT  FROM  FACTORY 
We  will  send  you  as  many  gallons  as  you 
wani/  of  the  bust  quality  real  or  brown 
BARN  PAINT 
upon  receiptor  remittance.  We  are  paint  special¬ 
ists  and  cult  supply  ton  with  patpl  fur  any  pur¬ 
pose.  Tell  tin  yuur  omit-,  anil  let  u*  quote  you 
low  prices.  We  cun  -.aveyoii  money  liy  shipping 
direct  1  rum  ourfitetury.batisfacUoiiGiiarauieed. 
All  paint  shipped  F.  0.  B.  Jersey  City 
AMALGAMATED  PAINT  CO. 
Factory :  371  WAYNE  ST.,  JERSEY  CITY,  N.  J. 
You  get  it  without  argument  titide^ 
rour  guarantee  if  rusting  out  occurs  iu  air' 
AMERICAN  INCOT  IRON  ROOF 
Rust-resietinfs  Pure  Iron-Not  Steel 
O'i r  bond  protect*  you.  Lifetime 
Jwrviee.  low  cost. 
i  /  H'r/'f*  Ma-ufor  Free  Itnofna  Cataloo. 
(*•  yntl.  i»l»o  route  l\>ro  trill,,  Stork  Tanks,  Wire 
r'rnri...  Crib  A  Tank,  01  Kenee  Cuming  I’rer. 
\o\  ,’£/  The  American  Iron  Roofing  Co. 
\(v  /  Station  til  MtDPl.I  TOIVX.  Ollll) 
rr 
vfcaSSSSS 
Gasolene 
>■. , .... 
lVato  16  H.  P. 
Start  easily,  run  smoothly 
overload  capacity.  All  purls 
Spark-timing  lever  prevents 
alor  in  starting.  Speed 
vice  alters  speed  while 
Write  for 
free  cat¬ 
alog  and 
new  low 
prices, 
.stating 
size  de¬ 
sired. 
$29.85  up. 
and  have  great 
Interehamreable. 
injury  tooper- 
■  changing  de¬ 
running. 
JACOBSON 
MACHINE  MFC.  CO. 
Dept.  D,  Warren,  Pa.,  V.  S 
and  Terracing 
Made  Easy- Bigger 
crops— better  farms  with 
Ik?  Farm  Ditcher 
&  Road  Grader 
Grader  roads. 
Reversible 
Jtrtal. 
Money- sack  _ 
guarantee.  Vy  Cuts  ditch  to i  rt. 
All  Steel — Practical  —  Adjustable — - - 
Cleans  ditches,  cuts  itful  woi'I.h  out  dirt  at  same  time. 
Docs  work  Of  big  miudilnru.  Soon  pays  for  itself. 
Write  tor  free  booklet  and  introductory  proposition. 
Qwen8horo0ltch«r &GradcfCu.tnc.Boz  846, ,  Owentboro.Ky. 
More  for  Your  Money 
r 
International 
Harvester 
Wagons  — 
Weber  and 
Columbus 
YOU  can  be  sure  of  one  thing  when  you  buy  a 
Weber  or  Columbus  wagon — You  get  more 
service  for  your  money.  The  good  service  they  give 
is  one  of  the  strongest  features  of  Weber  and  Columbus 
wagons.  This  service  is  the  result  of  careful  design  and  con* 
struction,  such  as  is  shown  in  the  International  fifth  wheel. 
Look  between  the  front  axle  and  bolster,  where  the  king  bolt 
goes  through.  There  you  will  find  the  fifth  wheel  (an  exclusive 
feature).  Note  the  wide  circular  wearing  surface  of  the  two 
substantial  fifth  wheel  plates.  Those  plates  relieve  the  owner  of 
a  lot  of  trouble.  They  prevent  breaking  or  bending  of  circle 
irons.  They  prevent  the  pitching  of  the  bolster  that  breaks  or 
bends  king  bolts.  They  take  strain  off  the  reach  and  keep  the 
lower  part  of  the  front  axle  from  sagging. 
This  one  feature  adds  years  to  the  iife  of  the  wagon,  but,  bet¬ 
ter  even  than  that,  it  indicates  the  care  andthought  that  havebeea 
given  to  every  Columbus  and  Weber  feature,  and  they  are  many. 
Look  bver  the  Weber  or  Columbus  wagon  carefully,  either  at 
the  local  dealer’s  place  or  iu  the  illustrated  wagon  folders  we  will 
send  you  on  request.  Then  you  will  see  why,  if  you  want  more 
for  your  money,  your  next  wagon  should  be  a  Weber  or  Columbus. 
International  Harvester  Company  of  America 
(Incorporated) 
CHICAGO  USA 
Champion  Deering  McCormick  Milwaukee  Osborne  Plano 
WON 
HIGHEST 
AWARD 
PANAWA-PA6IFIG 
INTERNATIONAL 
EXPOSITION 
SAN  FRANCISCO 
1915 
DDaMMENT  OF  AGRIU/J.TUU 
