River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-02-17
MIDDLE MEN.
A Question of Present Interest Dis
eussed by a. Manufactures.


eussed by Manufactures.
A recent number of the Industrial
Age contains communication from a
gentleman who signs himself "A Man
ufacturer," in which thelfollowipg sug-
gestions to the Changers are thrown
out:
This is difficult question, and one
not understood by farmers.
III all farmers wanted the same ma
chine, there would he no trouble in
arranging the matter; but farmers
differ so widely, some preferrlng one
machine, and some another hardly
any two In the same neighborhood
agree as to which is the best. Hence.
1t seems necessary that manufacturers
have some one to represent their III
terest il they expect TO sell TO any ex-
tent. You say, "They should not ask
or receive such large commissions. |
grant there is ground for this com.
plant, partly caused by manufacturers,
but more fully caused by the farmers.
To illustrate, some manufacturers,
being cramped for money to meet their
paper falling due, and having some
customers that purchase of them at
wholesale, offer their goods to these
men at about or very nearly actual
cost, to secure the money to meet their
paper. And here let me say, manufac-
turers' paper must be met at maturity
They cannot say, as too many farmers
do, that "wheat is low, and | can not
and willnot sell at these figures, and they
must wait; they know am good for it."
Grant that the manufacturer knows, as
they say, that the farmer is good this
knowledge will by no means take up
his paper, that must be paid, and he
can make very little calculation on his
customer'spaper, Notwithstanding they
may have run already from one to
three or more years hence the reason
that some are obliged to make these
large discounts, thus, as it were, com
pelling other manufacturers to make
nearly the same. Second, if farmers
would pay cash for their machinery,
and purchase less. it would do much to
correct this evil.
You say, "some farmers pay cash,
and can get but a small discount. y
That is true. Manufacturers cannot
make large discount on the sale of
one machine, as though all paid cash.
II you inquire for q remedy for this
evil, Iwould suggest that the Changers,
instead of their going out of their lie
gitimate business, and undertake to
engage in all others, that they organ
ize some financial system, through
which all farmers who can give the requi-
site security can obtain the money and
purchase all their goods for cash. This
would revolutionize the whole business
of the country, Manufacturers would
hail such change of programme, and
in return would sell for very much
less. Agents or dealers would then
say to Changers. bring me your or
ders for machines without putting me
to any trouble or expense in obtaining
them, and | will only charge small
commission for receiving machines,
paying freight, setting up, and starting
the same
Commissions under such rule
would be so small teat no fault would
be found by reasonable men with the
charges of these middle-men.
And here, by the way, let me say
that these middle-men are necessary
to the farmer and manufacturer.
First the farmer cannot afford to spend
the requisite time to learn ali
he wishes to know about
machines made at distance.
But you say, "we can employ our own
agent" Grant it. He then becomes
a middle.man. The only difference,
you employ an agent to do your bust
ness, instead of the manufacturer en-
ploying one to do his. The farmer
wants to purchase one machine, the
manufacturer has thousands to sell,
and it would seem more reasonable
that he should employ his own agent
All the farmer wants, or should
want, is to purchase his machinery, or
other goods, at fair price; and it
matters not to him who the middle
man is, or who employs him, so long as
the business IS honestly and fairly
done.
Manufacturers have a thousand times
more interest in this matter than a
farmer, hence will look after his agents
much more closely. And will appoint
such are competent 10 do Justice To
his machines, and see that all are we'll
and properly put up and started, which
is of great importance 10 the farmer,
as well as the manufacturer.
The farmer, on the other hand, is
only interested in one machine, and
although he, as a Granger, has en-.
ployed an agent, it is hardly to be
supposed that lie will take the same
interest as the manufacturer hence
manufacturers cannot afford TO dis.
charge their agents and depend on
those of Changers.