The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-10-23
The difference Between the Lime Burn-

The Difference Between the Lime Burn
ers and Deelers.-Having heretofore publish
ed the statements of both sides with reference to
the trouble between the lime burners of Texas, in
justice to all we give place to the following com
munication addressed to the editor of the Balti-
more American
"Under date of 23d uto you publish in your
paper communication from one who signs him
sell zone of the Combination" Will you please
publish the analysis of that important document
as we have, so far, tried to avoid any public dis
cussion of our troubles with the Texas ring. We
simply wish to make plain statement OF our
grievances and place ourselves squarely before
the public, especially those who interested in
building, and let them judge for themselves.
"About the 9Th of August, 1885, the lime burn
ers held a meeting, without giving any notice to
either dealers consumers and advanced the
price of lime from IA to % cents per bushel, the
consequence of which was that all Of us who had
contracts to furnish buildings at stipulated figure
we're compelled to carry on business at loss dur
ing the balance of the season. On the first of the
present year another advance of three cents per
bushe was made. WheL the combination was
formed Il son of one of the principal burners was
appointed agent, to both measure and sell, and
there not the slightest allowance for inferior
quality; in other words, we had to take the worst
trash that was sent from the kilns, and pay the
same price as if it good article. You
will readily perceive that there was no induce
ment to manufacture good article when inferior
stuff would bring as good price; and mere let us
remark that the greater portion of the lime man.
ufactured in Texas during the interval between
August l. 1885, and August l, 1886, was execra-
BILE. When we complained to the agent, he would
inform US that he was not responsible, and that he
had told them they ought to burn better lime, &C.,
&C.; but still we were compelled to pay for good
article. After being harassed with complaints
from builders and master mechanics, some OF US
tried to better ourselves by introducing lime from
Frederick county, and also from Virginia. On
the 22d day of June last latter Mrs. Sch@fer had
commenced to build her kilnsl we all received
notice, of which the following is copy
"""BALTIMoRE, June %, 1886.
SAMUEL J. DIGGs, EsQ.-Dear Sir II am in
structed by the Board of Control to notify the
dealers in Texas alum lime, chat il they buy lime
from through any other source than their agent,
he shall cease to supply them, Bottom lime excep-
ted. Respectfully, H. B. SHIpLEY, Agent
"Now, if that is not threat to "boycott," we
do not know what it is. As to mixing other lime
with the Texas article, if it done, it must
have been done by those parties whom they now
style as their friends, as of US have done
anything of the kind, although willing to
acknowledge that great deal of it would have
been benefited by doing. Again, although
they did not issue an order prohibiting us from
purchasing Mrs. Schefers lime, the agent Mr.
dersigued, that should we do so, we would be cut
off from any supply from the combination, and it
would be a step to be regretted in the near future
"And we might consider this as a threat, friend
ly admontion, or, as would learn, practical
fact, and now they seek public sympathy as re-
CARDS the cutting Of prices. We have nothing to
do with that, as they have done all the cutting
themselves. As, for instance at the very com
mencement of Mrs. Sch@fer's going into business,
we agreed to pay her whatever were the cCmbina-
ton prices, except the prices would go SO low that
she could not manufacture except at a loss and in
such an event we agreed to pay her a little more
Now, who has done the cutting, and put down the
price of laborers wages? We believe that it is the
rule in the mercantile world for the seller to get
as much as he can for his goods, and the pur-
chaser to buy as low as he can. But it is not the
rule among honorable business men to undertake
to make customer take second or third-class
goods at first class prices. This is fair state
ment Of the matter as it formerly stood, any all
of which we can prove without any trouble. And
we now satisfied to let the public judge for it
self, without any controversy.
Very respectfully,
THos. TRoTToN & Sons,
JAMES MCALLIsTER,
SAMUEL j. DIGGs,
III. w. CLASSEN Co."