Truth of the Stock Tape

In addressing you on the subject of investing your surplusfunds, I might state that there is no other subject which Icould select that so closely concerns your welfare and regardingwhich you might receive valuable assistance from my instructions.In the United States a stupendous sum, reaching intomillions of dollars, is wasted annually in foolish speculationsand unwise investments. This senseless waste can be tracedto one and only one source, namely, lack of knowledge. Menand women who would not attempt to treat the slightestailment, or even adjust so common a thing as a kitchen faucet,but would hand each difficulty over to its respective specialist,the doctor or the plumber, will on the spur of the momentand without the slightest preparation, undertake the investmentof thousands of dollars in enterprises about which theyunderstand absolutely nothing. Is it any wonder then thatthey lose?I offer you suggestions and advice in the science of speculationand investment in the same spirit as the physician. Hewould not think of guaranteeing you perpetual life or insuringyou against the common ills to which the flesh is heir.But in your difficulties he brings to your aid the accumulatedexperience of his profession, and a skill and knowledge whichrequired years to accumulate and is ready for your instantuse. I do not offer you a beautiful theory which will notwork in practice, but give you invaluable advice, which iffollowed, will insure success in practical everyday Wall Streetspeculations and other fields of investment.It has been well said that a writer who writes first forremuneration and secondly because he believes what hewrites, will never achieve enduring fame, and that the salesmanwho does not believe in his goods will never make asuccess. I believe in the theory and rules that I have laiddown in this book for you to follow, because I have testedand proved them.It is my object in this work to facilitate and focalize theessential principles for practical use. My knowledge comesfrom over twenty years' experience, in which I have traversedthe rough and rugged road that the inexperienced trader'sfoot must press before he reaches the goal. Hence my objectin writing this book is to give to the public something newand practical, not theory alone which would fail in practice.Read this book carefully several times; study each chartand subject thoroughly, and a new light and knowledge willcome to you every time you read it.If I succeed in teaching only a few to leave wild gamblingalone and follow the path of conservative speculation andinvestment, my work will not have been in vain and I willhave been amply repaid for my efforts.

W.D. GANN.