ORDER BLANK
Fig. 2. Telegraphic Buying and Selling Orders
19. The first form of importance in connection with the accounting department of a brokerage firm is the order of the customer. This must invariably be in written form with the signature of the customer and the order must be expressed in the plainest terms so that there is no possibility of misconstruction. As these orders are frequently received by wire, or often dispatched by wire to New York or other branch office for execution, blanks for the purpose, as shown in Fig. 2, are furnished to customers, those used for buying orders being printed in black and those used for selling orders being printed in red. These orders are made out by the purchaser or his authorized agent and should not only show the date of the order but also the time of the day it was given, which is frequently of great importance in an active market. Whatever margin is required by the broker upon the deal must be deposited by the client at the time the order is given, as without this protection, the broker will not proceed to execute the order. It is sometimes the custom for brokers to accept collateral covering a certain amount of margin, in which case the broker gives the customer a receipt in due form, holding the collateral as trustee until settlement of account. All orders are executed at the earliest possible moment after their receipt. Legitimate brokers are members of the board of trade often in various cities and have their representatives on the floor, during the business hours of the board, to buy or sell as ordered.
Fig. 3. Credit Slip Given to Customer by Broker