Telegram-herald., 1886-09-22
OUR BUSINESS MEN
First Meeting Of the Michigan
State Association.
IMPORTANT MATTERS C0ASI0RE0
Able ard interesting Papsrs Read and
Timely Topics Discusseo-Ofticers
Eleeted-The BanqUet-A Sue
cssstul Meeting

Yesterday morning the Business Men 5
Association commenced its first annual
meeting ia Wet T. ball on Pearl-sf.,
with Frank Hamilton. OF Traverse City. IN
the chair. aud Z. A. Stowe, Of this city. at
the secretary desk. There were about fifty
delegates present. representing q large num-
Der Of towns and cities. After prayer by
Rev A r Merriaui aud an address of vel
come by the Mayor, which latter was re-
spOnded 10 ny ~ b. Blain, OF Lowell, 4.
j herrick, President OF the city organiZa.
lion, talked for few moments Oh the benz
ehts which accrue from organization gem
orally and particularly from this society OF
business men. Remarks of similar purpOrt
were also made by gentlemen resident in
different parts of the State. Following are
the committees appointed:
ON Permanent OrganizatiOn-B. f..
Emery, city; Henry 5. Church, Sturgis;
Paul Morgan, Monroe.
On Order of Business-T. r. Bentley,
Traverse City; Walter Webster, Nashville;
" II. Beebe, Big Rapids.
On Constitution and By-laws-E A.
Stowe, city; Smith Barnes, Traverse City;
" H. Blain. Lowell.
On Resolutions-Julius Shuster, Kala-
mazOo; VIM. Peer, Muskegon; c. 4. Co
burn, Piefson.
An interesting paper was read by Robert
NJ. Floyd, of Chicago, treating OF the estab-
lishment of retsil grocery associations. He
said that in 1879 the retail grocery trade Of
Boston became much exercised over a series
of cuttings in the prices of sugar and other
commodities, which were generally sold at
a very close margin of.proht. This state of
affairs led 10 the question, "Why should
OF t0fa nrfqs ha ~ no for -
TO render them profitable as well as other
commodities?' The Ne,e England Grocer
led the van in this movement and advo-
Gated the establishment of grocery assOcia-
tions of retail dealers for the purpose of
bringing about the desired end. In 1881
such an organization was perfected. Soon,
naturally enough, the association turned its
mind to other vital matters. and found
itself righting shortages in weights and
measures, freight Determinations. and de-
yising methods for dealing with the incOr-
rigible dead beat. The establishment of so
desirable society became known in other
states, and soon like organizations sprans
into existence over New England generally,
in Minneapolis, st. Paul, and here in this
representative city of this most progressive
State. Michigan" The system of outwlt-
ting dead beats is especially worthy of
notice When dealer has upon his books
The name of a dead beat. regular
incorrigible, he reports the name to
a central party. who collecting them
all makes list, which is distributed to all
dealers within a certain limit. Thus all
are advised of deadbeats, and no credit Is
given TO any of them. Competition has a
tendency TO even prices and this encourages
adulteration." The past years OF active
competition" he said, and the cut
ting of values have so stimulated the en-
ergy ofthe unscrupulous and the ingenious
that today although it is not impossible TO
obtain pure article. it is far easier TO OBJ
tain its counterfeit We have jellie. made
from glue, buttons from paper, coffee from
beans butter from lard and candies from
glucose and the adulteratiOn of spices.
sugar, medicines, syrups, wilkes, ligvors and
buckwheat, is beyond the comprehension
of the unfortunate consumer. The bees and
the hens have lost their occupation. for
honey and the hOneycomb are made
without the assistance of ,es, and eggs
without the hen" Mr.. FLOYD continued
condeming in no uncertain words all
adulterators and their harmful productions.
In closing he said: The hour has come
for the retail grocer and your associations 10
take an active stand againsi the outrageous
adulteratiOns in food, and they should raise
their voices 10 cry down such practices as
are being carried on. and insist that they
shall receive honest goods, go that they in
turn will not take unlawful advantage of
their customers and satrons. The demand
for pure and honest goods must come from
you, the retail grocer TO tie joober and
manufacturer. To ensure this, you must
first ask not how cheap an article Is, but 1!
it * pure. and II pure. how cheaply ii can be
bought