Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-18
Condemned, But Not Yet Abolished,

Condemned, But Not Yet Abolished
There appears to be lull in the fight
that has been going on in this market
against "hOrning'' for the last week or
two. The Board of Trade has taken hold
of the matter with an evident determine
ton to put an end to a practice that is,
doubtless, extremely damaging TO the
naval stores trade. If the board fails 10
/ provide an effective remedy for the evil
which is the source Of so much complaint
it is probable that the fight VIII be re-
newed with increased yigor.
1t is a matter of wonder that ''horning''
was allowed to 90 on so long without a
protest. 1t has been practiced, it seems,
to a greater or less extent for years. 1t
would be interesting to know why no at
tempt was made to stop it until lately.
Did those who were engaged in it find out
that it was becoming so general that it
ceased to be profitable, or did those who
were engaged in doing a strictly legiti-
mate business, finding that they were no
longer able TO compete with those who
practiced "horning," resolve to put an
end to the pernicious practice? There
must have been some special reason for
the attack on a practice that had been
tolerated so long without any signs of
dissent.
The practice cannot, of course, be de-
Tended, and no one, as far as we know,
has attempted TO defend it. 1t has been
excused, but the excuses offered We're not
such as a square-dealing, self-Tespecting
merchant would lind pleasure in offering
to customers.
1t is, perhaps, agreed that New York
dealers are to blame for the existence of
the practice in this market. Having
made ''horning'' impossible IN New York,
they insisted that it should be done here.
If their orders had not been complied
with their agents would have lost their
business. The burden Of whatever con-
demntion attaches to the "horning' rests
upon them. They had not the courage to
do what they insisted should be done in
their interest: and that is not the worst
phase of their conduct. They joined in
condemnIng a practice for which they
were primarily responsible, and they per
mitted their agents to be condemned
without Offering to bear a share of the
condemnation.
We have not published all the COM
muuications which we have received from
producers. We may find room for them,
however, if the Board of Trade fails to
meet the issue satisfactorily. The pro.
ducers feel that in some way they are
robbed by the practice of ''horning," and,
very naturally, they are indignant. 1t is
evident, however, that they are not in
iured in the way they think they are, if at
all. All parties in interest agree here that
the inspectors and factors have nothing
whatever to do with "hOrning," and are
IN no respect benefited by it. The state
ment made by the inspectors in the MORN
ING News yesterday is correct. A very
| thorough inquiry among representatives
of all branches of the trade failed to elicit
the least suspicion against the inspectors.
| There does not appear to be any way in
which they could make themselves useful
to the buyers.
! The parties who are hurt are the con.
sumers. They are deceived with respect
to the grades. They pay for a better
grade than they get.
There is one way, perhaps, that the pro.
ducers may be damaged. The 'horning'
practice may have the effect of reducing
| the average of prices. Only those who
have a very comprehensive knowledge OF
the naval stores business can explain
this phase Of 'horning'' satisfactorily.
1t is evident that unless "horning7 is
stopped the naval stores business will be.
come thoroughly disorganized. Suspicion
Will take the place of confidence. The
dealers who do a legitimate business will
have to 90 out of the trade or engage il
''horning." That is hardly "A condition Of
affairs that it is desirable to bring about