every would-be borrower a chill when he even thought ofapproaching his banker fora loan.The thousands of bank failures during the depressionhad the effect of removing the mahogany doors behind whichbankers formerly barricaded themselves. They now sit atdesks in the open, where they maybe seen and approachedat will by any depositor, or by anyone who wishes to seethem, and the whole atmosphere of the bank is one ofcourtesy and understanding.It used to be customary for customers to have to standand wait at the corner grocery until the clerks were throughpassing the time of day with friends, and the proprietor hadfinished making up his bank deposit, before being waitedupon. Chain stores, managed by COURTEOUS MEN who doeverything in the way of service, short of shining thecustomer’s shoes, have PUSHED THE OLD-TIMEMERCHANTS INTO THE BACKGROUND. TIMEMARCHES ON!10
privilege of serving. Hill had originally written here:
We can all remember the time when the gas-meterreader pounded on the door hard enough to break thepanels. When the door was opened, he pushed his way in,uninvited, with a scowl on his face which plainly said,“what-the-hell-did-you-keep-me-waiting-for?” All that hasundergone a change. The meter-man now conducts himselfas a gentleman who is “delighted-to-be-at-your-service-sir.”Before the gas companies learned that their scowling meter-men were accumulating liabilities never to be cleared away,the polite salesmen of oil burners came along and did a landoffice business.11
and city taxes! The original manuscript included this curious statement about taxes and politicians: