Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-07-16
SHERMAN,
How The Combining OF the Farmers "a
Trade at Selected stores Aflects
the Trade Of Others.
1t Is Boycott says one, but Not called
Boycott, and is RigidIy "a.
hcred To.
now IT wonKs.

special 10 tho G0zptte
SHERMAN, Tx, July 10 .--"It amounts (
virtually to boycott OF all the rest of the
merchants said one speaker.
"Thaps what 1t ls,n said another,
"though the word boycott is not used
grour Of mer were discussing The
system now in vogue by the Farmers al
lance whereby the members Of that or.
ganization enter into solemn agreement
not TO trade at any store in particular
town than one selected by the allisnce
The plan IL familiar bat may be stated for
the benefit OF those who have never given
the subject any thought. A committee
Invites bids, cay from dry
goods houses, TO ascertain the
lowest per cent. AT which goods viii be
sold Co members Of the alliance. The
same invitations are sent grocery, hard
ware, drug stores, and others. The
houses that send IN the lowest bids are
then settled on, and the alliance men ale
pledged to trade with no others
Here 10 sherman continued the ilrst
speaker lhimseli n merchant), Ga few
stores have got oil the alliance trade
which rs a big thing, for think at least
80 per cent. OF the farmers OF Grayso
county belong to the order.n
ado all Of them adhere TO the pledgef''
was asked.
"There Is hardly an exception. Now
and then some fellow who hasn't any
money goes to an outside merchant and
asks for accommodation because the
trading with the houses chosen
Is conducted on cash basis,
as the small margin OF profit asked for the
goods will not admit Of giving credit.
For Instance, firm sells at an advance Of
only 10 per cent. (and that believe Is as
: high rate of profit as any who get ALI
ancu patronage make now II Is evident
that this precludes ali credit dealings"
"But how can alliance customers be
. sure that they are being charged only II
per cent. proflt2" somebody asked.
n "rhat is what they never can be sure
u OF" responded the other. 81 have nc
reference TO anyone in particular, but Il
n is easy enough to make great deal ovel
y the 10 per cent. without the man from
tue rural strcts ever being any WISER
"Suppose the purchaser asked for
y look ut the inyoiceW somebody sug
/ gested.
"Well, that wouldn't disclose anything
wrong. The jobber could have been pre-
n viously Instructed In whGt way TO bill the
n goods, and little secret arrangement be
tween him and the retail man woult
make it appear that only the legitimate
profit was being asked. Besides, the mar
with hayseed in his hair isn't on to the
fact that lots of goods are bought at list
n price, 30 10 70 per cent OF -
"What is the effect on the other bust
ness housespn
: "Dsas ttous, OF course. In fact, severa
merchants that know of, talk abou
going out of business, and Others
are only waiting to see how
: long it will continue AS be
u fore said, the agreement to trad,
I with only few houses amounts to
!. practical boycott OF the others; and
@ doubt If in the long run the customer
= who enter into this compact derive mucl
/. benefit from 1t. 1t violates the long es
: tablished and sound business maxim tina
! atilrms competition TO be the life o
= trade"
y At meeting OF the couucil tonight Tn,
!, bid OF Mathews & Whitaker of st. Loui
! for the water-worhs bonds was rejected
/ as they offered only ninety-six cents
! while the ordinance prohibits their sal,
: at less than par. Aldermen Stowe, Hal
. and Levy were appointed to execute anC
y negotiate the bonds. special meeting
!. will be had on Saturday night to listen L
a proposals from engineers representing
a different systems OF obtaining a waite
y supply The prepondering sentiment ia
J yors the sinking of wells at or the under
n ground method, though not a few advo
;, cate the surface system.