Are We To Have Half-Pennies?

1900

Department Stores Want Them to Make Exact Chance With

A movement is on foot to put a one-half cent coin in general use in the United States. Several suggestions have been made to the government, and last week a document was presented, signed by the heads of the big department stores of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh showing the need for this money in making change where articles are sold at 3½, 7½, 12½¢ and at similar prices.

The half-cent coin has been in use in Chicago for the last two years, and last week one of the New York stores ordered 500,000 one-half cent coins. These coins are to be made of copper, size one-half inch in diameter, or just two-thirds of the size of the regular one-cent piece. Stamped in heavy raised figures and letters on one side will be "½ cent," and on the reverse side will appear the name and address of the firm issuing the coins.

Besides, being a convenient change maker, this new coin is considered an advantage from an advertising standpoint, as it carries the name and address of the merchant and would be carried in the purse sometimes for weeks, until the customer receiving it returns to the store where it can be used in making purchases. So far the United States government has nothing to do with issuing this new money. It is put out by individual firms and is only recognized at the store from which it is issued. The proprietors of the big stores are anxious, however, to have the government make and recognize the half-cent coin. — New York Herald.

Return to Ancient Method of Bartering Possible

1918

War Gradually Forcing Countries to Go Back to the Primitive Custom of Barter

Predictions by some economists that the time may come if the war lasts much longer that money would cease to have any value, are gradually coming true, they contend. They point out that shipping deals being made by both belligerents are virtually a return to the old system of bartering goods. As an illustration, the case is cited of the United States dickering with the Japanese for tonnage to transport and maintain the 1,500,000 troops Secretary Baker expects to have in Europe by the end of this year. Ship plates for the Japanese have been held up in this country for several months by withholding export licenses. If the United States can obtain the tonnage the Japanese may get the plates on the basis of about two tons of shipping for one ton of ship plates.

In Germany the idea has been forced to a greater extent. In Erfurt and elsewhere it has long been the practice of doctors, dentists and other professional men to insist on payment in kind.


Sweet Are the Uses of Perversity

Abstractedly, I disapprove of fishing; hunting I think barbarous; "he who wantonly treads on a worm is no friend of mine"; and yet I fish. I do not merely carry rod and reel; I use them. I suppose it is like smoking; that seems to me a feeble-minded habit and yet I smoke. Working, too, seems sometimes as foolish, and yet I work. Some pessimists have convinced themselves that living is a waste of time, and yet, so far as I have observed, they continue to live. Sweet are the uses of perversity. — Robert M. Gay, in the Atlantic.