PLAN No. 423. BOOSTING HOME INDUSTRIES
A special writer in a northwestern daily introduced a novel feature for the paper, upon which he was working on a commission basis, by conducting a manufacturers’ page, to appear on a certain day each week.
He had a zinc etching made, showing a large manufacturing plant, with heavy, black smoke pouring from several tall chimneys, and with every indication of great activity about the place. Under this cut, in heavy, black type, were the words: “Buy Home Manufactured Goods.” Below this appeared write-ups and small display ads. of the various manufacturing enterprises in the city, and in the center a strong argument favoring the patronizing of home industries, in order to encourage the growth of those already established, induce others to come, and thus keep the money of the home people at home, where everyone would have a chance to get some of it back through the increased prosperity that would ensue as a result of this commendable course.
Each manufacturer was asked, and generally consented, to run a certain number of lines or inches of space in this department, and it was not long before the manufacturers’ page was one of the most prominent features of the paper. Not only that, but the commissions of the young man who started and conducted this department amounted to more than the salary of the highest-paid man on the paper.