The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-14
GROCERS In COUNCIL.
Cracker Bakers Charged With
Selling Short Weight.
MOVE TO DRIVE OUT PEooLERs.
Proposal Co Demand High License and
Cut Prices-Retailing by the
Commission Men.

Al "a meeting of the Retail Grocers' Associa-
ton last evening a communication was received
which charges the Queen City Cracker Company
with selling goods at short weight and giving
as its reason for so doing that it is at the
quest fthe West street tobbers. The letter II
as follows:
SEATTLE, Wash, Jan. s, 1892.
WISE 70 inform you OF q custom praeticed by
the queen City Cracker Company, which has
occurred 10 me several times, They marx taeir
ssa pfI ~ SS s so many pounds ana wnsn
Dox. had this case investigated, and whatwss
the result? The company said il was done at
request of West street iohbers. Please let US
Know what advantages is gained by giving short
weight and what has the West street jcbbers TO
do with il. MRS E RHoApEs.
The communication was placed on file with
out action
~ +. Smith reported that the committee on
west street affairs had visited the commission
dealers and brokers on West street, and found
AL willing to sign an agreement with the Gro
GERS Association concerning retailing. with the
exception OF Cooper & Levy, Frank Jobst, who
SAID that he could run his own business with
out outside help, and one other firm which said
II preferred TO wait until the agreement was
drawn up. He requested A. c. Fry, who was
present, to speak for the West street merchants
MI. Fry said that he was willing to sign any
agreement which was fair, but on the question
OF poultry said 1t was perishable goods, and the
dealer who got rid of his stock was doing well,
and he would except that line He called special
attention to the peddling question and desired
70 know the opinion of the meeting in regard to
presenting petition for an ordinance prohibit
ing hawkers peddling on the streets. He pointed
TO the danger now present from the Importation
OF diseased fruit, especially oranges, aud urged
that the people be acquainted with the danger
OF .buying inferior goods
Many members were of the opinion that ped
aA1flA ~
otherwise than By imposing high license.
letter was read from J. NJ. Hixon which said
that the hawkers were flooding the city with
inferior goods, especially oranges, and destroy
Ing the trade for legitimate dealers. He sug-
aested that, as he represented growers in Cali
FORMS, oranges of fair grade should be i'm
ported and sold at price such as would drive
the hawkers out OF the market The committee
on West street affairs was instructed to cooper
ate with Mr.. Fry aud have petition drawn
up to be signed and presented to council.
The question OF retailing and delivering by
the commission dealers and brokers on West
street was brought up, and resulted in very
plain talk, in which Messrs. Pearson, Fry and
Conner were the participants.
Mr.. Pearson opened the ball by stating that
accusations were openly made that the commits
sion men were selling at retail, and desired Mr..
Fry to speak concerning the matter
Mr.. Fry said that the delivery question had
Deen discussed anu committee appointed 70
confer with Tacoma merchants Concerning
the idea there was difference of opinion, aud
no conclusion had been reached to his knowl-
edge. He continued:
/ admit that we did some retailing; every
other house did, but would say it was a linn
tied amount Ny instructions have always been
not TO solicit retail trade. When asked If de-
liver answer invariably "no" Poultry Is one
OF our largest departments, and the matter OF
selling perishseIe goods is important. Loss
on poultry, If any, is large, and the
man who gets rid of his stock before
1t spoils deserves credit. Our bread and
butter depends upon our consignments, and
ours are increasing. We depend on the retailers
to help US out, and will say to you, | said to
Mr.. Smith, | do not care for the consumers
trade, and will join you in anything asonable
Mr.. Pearson said that the former agreement
was not stringent, and proved a failure. He
would like to see something behind their auto
graph, and favored an agreement backed by q
bond.
The meeting went into executive session on
the -four question, and non-members retired.