The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-11-21

To the Manufacturers of Agri- i
cultural Implements.
GENTLEStEN :71At a meeting of fhe
National Association of Agricultural
Implement Manufacturers, held on
the 18th aud 10th days of October,
1872, at Clevehnd, Ohio, the under
signed Were appointed Committee
to address you on -behaifof the -Asse
eiation, giving you brief outline of
its organization and objects, and ex-
tending to you cordial invitation to
become a member of the same.
1t must be admitted by allthat ma
nyAevils exist IN the present system of
selling implements which should, and
and we think could ba remedieda by
concert of action and better under
standing among Manufacturers them
selves. eas s aexsi
With this. idea in view. numbefsof
Manufacturers from different parts OF
the country, held a meeting in Cleve-
land, Ohio, on the 10th of September,
and after consultation decided TO form
d ASSOC1dI1OAs anu db dIl 1l1-
iourned meeting held September 11th,
a temporary organization was effected,
and call issued through the press
and by circulars for a, Con yention to
meet at the time agreed npon, and
effect a permanent organization by
adopting a Constitution and Bylaws
A large number of Manufacturers
from different States were present,
and the Corresponding Secretary laid
before the Convention over fifty LETT
ters from Manufacturers, who were
unable to attend all expressing q
hearty sympathy with the objects of
the call and a willingness to cooper
ate, le3.5-s ga -. -ts.si. .. ..r.. ,.tl ssi
The utmost harmony and good feel
ing prevailed, and by comparing notes
it was found that most of the evils
complained of were common to all
classes of Agricultural Implement
Manufacturers, such as the practice of
sending out Implements indiscrimin-
ately on COMMAS sion, fgi wing ruinous-
fy long credits, and in some classes of
goods a reckless over production,
necessarily causing cutting in prices
and a departure from well established
business principles. u0Y 9il5 .Hisi5E5
- Now, it is not proposed that this
Association shall fix definite prices
and terms for each class of imple-
ments, as these are matters to be left
to the auxiliary associations of manu-
factnrers, of special Implements, as
provided for by resolution of the
Association. Neither is it their OBJ
ject to adopt any measuresid sidetriment-
al to the best interests of dealers Or
consumers, but it the special aim, of
the Association to promote a friend
ly interchange of views among Mann
facturers that they may become better
acquainted and inspire greater conf
dence. in each other, and adopt such
measures as may be fer their mutual
benefit and protection,. as well as for
the joint interest of dealers and farm
ers. Bis shnosi-9a ,E.ut3a i9T .s
Il The fact is well known that while
every other important, business in
| terest in our country has organized
by the formation of Associations, the
Manufacturers of Agricultural Imple-
ments as class have failed thus far to
do so, until it has become apparent to
all that the trade, owing to, this lack
of concert of action, has becometo g
great extent, demoraiized.1qq 31gan
- Notwithstanding the immense cap.
Iital amounting to about eighty mill.
ions of dollars, invested in the Imple
ment business, with an annual pro
duetion of from fifty to seyentyfiv
millions and a demand for our pro
ducts that is widespread and con
stantly on the increase, we have ont
peculiar feature to contend with tina
is a great drawback to our success.
] Each implement used BY The. .faruei
fhds its particular. seuSon, and can b.
sold at no other time during the year
| Manufacturers must therefore be con
tent to turn our capital but once {;
year, eUe7s ec7te1 tre sell for cash, while
the merchants who supply us witt
Iron, Steel, Lumber, Paints, and 9th
er materials, are able TO make from
four to six turns per anllunI.
Another serious draw back to US j
the, necessity of committing them
selves to the manufacture Of who'll
seasons stock several months before
any sales can be made, and withou
being, able to form a conjecture as t
the, quantity of goods our competitor
in The same articles may be preparin;
to offer in the market, and with th
/ / vi sCiOP co ithi NV
staring US. in the face, and liable t
I curtail and in many cas- es entirely 1
prevent sales after our whole invest
mept has been made ,.l-l,tf.,;l - n
, These, with the additional facts tba
, the farmer always receives cash ol
delivery tor his production, and til
mechanic cash for his labor, lead us Z
the conclusion that all farm machine
} ry should be sold, for cash, and tha
manufacturers should make cemmo
cause for the attainment of this objee
by Joining our National Association
and Immediately agreeing to ap
proach cash basis by selling a.
goods ON shorter time than heretofor
: land Unnecessary to curtail productio
until the supply shall only be equal t
: the cash or short time demand
Many other important matters ma
properly, be discussed andarranged a
the meetings otithe National JAssocia
: ton, to the great advantage OF all tn
!, members : such as the employment g
Ireliable attorneys for the collection, @
claims in the several States; the com
pilation of the Usury, Homestead an
. Collection Laws of each State for dis
tribution to members; the compila
ton of statistics, such as the quaint
ties and values of implements produc
!, ed, sold and consumed from yearst
year, and the .quantiti and values o
farm products grown consumed an
shipped in each State and County q
G the Union. fi2u9 I <Ia;EI ttf4-Ad [ .
n'concIusion we beg to urge upo
fevery Manufacturer of Farm Tmpfe
ments the Importance OF lending hi
, aid and countenance TO the wor
T which q few earnest and determine
individuals have so well begun, re
meInberihg that sin triton there
strength" and that although the sui
> Ejects we have iiamed may not b
|, thought worthy. of discussion befor
the Association, the suggestion ma
: convince YOU that there are eiioug
matters of common Interest that ma
: be discussed TO the mutual advantag
|, poflo, Farm Implement Manufacturer