The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-03-26
fCof. TIE PROGRESSIVE FARMER
TRADE
No 2

TO make On legitimate trade when
transacted within the bounds of open,
free competition, fair profits and hon
est dealing. But when combinations
open or secret are entered into
into by boards of trade or individual
merchants or factors, to lessen or con-
troll competition, either in buying or
selling, then such acts are in violation
of correct and fair trade regulations
and practices and ought to be opposed,
shwar4ed and subverted by every
legitimate and honorable means, by
those who are unjustfy affected thereby.
Now as it is well know that boards
OF trade are sometimes governed by
asages inimical to other interests,
mainly of producers, is it anything but
reasonable, right and proper for those
who are or feel themselves injured, to
unite in solid phalanx to oppose and
correct, if possible, wrongs and abuses
against their industrial interests -?
They de not deserve the name of men,
If they were to act otherwise and
tamely submit to the humiliating ex-
actions of some oppressive trade laws.
3 Warehouse men who sell planters
tobacco and cotton,
SHOULD ACT AS BROKERS AND NOT :
FACTORS.
Webster defines a broker: Zone
who transacts business for another, an
agent" Anda factor: "One who tran
sacts business for another, an agent; q
commission merchant. y * = He
may buy and sell in his own name,
and he is iHtrusted with the possession
and control of the goods, and in these
respects he differs from a broker"
IF patronage was withheld generally
from all who are both buyers and
sellers of the same commodities, ex-
-cept in barter, on the principle taught
by Jesus Christ, who knew human
nature better than any mortal who
ever lived on earth, "Lead us not into
temptation" a wonderful reformation
would be wrought in the interest of
the producer.
But some may say, the warehouse
who sells my tobacco often buys
1t, paying therefor more than any
other offers" To such we reply, and
why may he not, if he chooses, to
manipulate the piles as to place the
worst grades and most inferior bundles
most conspicuously, or by other trick,
purchase the tobacco for less than its
value? Factors invest in tobacco and
cotton on a margin.
And the same S and advice
applies'to the sale of cotton, which for
like reason should be entrusted to a
broker. Buyers of tobacco and cotton
much rather trade with a broker than
n factor; the latter he knows is a COM
Petitor and a take the inside track
If he so chooses.
That / may not be misunderstood,
Twill say just here: The ~warehouset
men, so far as l know, are as homes,
fair and just as any who handle plant
-ers' products; but when their duties
and interests center on making the
highest sales possible on consignments
semitic them out of other buyers, and
to please their customers while adding
to their commissions on the biggest
prices attainable. Such wills lessen
the cause for even suspicloh Of COM
plant and give better satisfaction.
Acting as broker, there can be no con.
Hict of interests, and as the trade of
North Carolina in convention have
asked for this reform, it should be
conceded.
Nothing personal is intended, but if
anybody is hit let him remember:
Full many a ehaft at random sent,
Finds place where archer never meant"
FAIR ROFIT
1T is very reasonable for men in
business to make rules and regulations
through Boards of Trade for their
special benefit in the regulation of
business, and this applies to all Boards
OF Trade. When it is remembered
that the transactions ofssuch boards
are influenced generally by represen-
tadves from any other class, however
largely affected their business and in.
4erests may be, by such regulations, it
As reasonable to suppose that the rights
and interests of the unrepresented are
scarcely fairly regarded and treated.
The remedy with the farmer is plain,
and lies in organization too, and in
meeting Boards of Trade with Boards
OF the Alliance, Grange or other agG-
cultural organization. Tradesmen
should certainly accord to the farmers
the right of organization, when they
set the example; and really the better
class. of the trade already@accord to
the. members of the Alliance and
Grange nor respect and courtesy, ON
the principle that men respect those
who respect themselves.
TOBACCO WAREHOUSE CHARGES.
These are out Of all proportion to
the services rendered.
I'M