The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-28
A REPLY TO MIR. WILLIAMS.
A Defense of the Turpentine Opera
tors AssooiatiOn

Pitts, Ga, Sept. 25.-Editor Morning
News: I notice one or two statements
in your paper from Mr. j. p. Williams in
regard to the Turpentine Operators AS
ISOLATION which are erroneous and calcu-
lated to damage the progress of the asso-
citation which I would have corrected be-
fore this, but have been waiting in vain
on other more prominent members to do so.
MIR. Williams says: "In regard to the
results which have been accomplished by
the association, he simply refers any
disinterested observer, to the comparative
receipts of Savannah and the prevailing
prices obtained for spirits and rosin dur
ing the last two years, since its organiza-
tion.n
By this statement he creates the erron-
eous impression, that the association had
not only failed to reduce the production,
and receive better prices, but have pro
duced more, and received lower prices. In
this statement he does the association a
very great injustice.
While the association has been in ex-
lstence for nearly two years, the large re-
ceipts and low prices received for naval
stores can in no wise be attributed to
any action Of the association, as it has
never taken any steps during this period to
regulate either price or production the
only steps ever taken were to regulate
the price of labor and the cutting of new
boxes for the last season, both of which
were affectually accomplished within the
membership of the association.
The next step undertaken was to "close
work on all boxes except virgin, on Aug
26, 1893, ;" which has also been adhered to
with few exceptions, therefore his re-
mraks have tendency to create the enron
eOuS impression that the association
has not carried out its object but is going
like the Farmers Alliance" This state
ment, in my opinion, is the most damaging
IN its effects of any of his remarks, and is
the most objectionable and worst sin
against the association, his fellow mem
befs.
What has the association done that
1t should be called the Farmers Ali
ance?" 1 cannot conceive a single in
stance where it could be compared to the
Farmers Alliance" If, however, there
is any it must be, comparatively speaking,
that theraSsOciation is the true and tried
genuine mossback, all wool and yard
wide democracy, and Mr.. Williams de-
feated candidate for carrying his point,
lost his balance in the storm and forgot
where he was at, " and is now the Tom
Watson" of the fourth party.
1t has only been a few weeks since Mr..
Williams Endorsed a circular letter which
was sent out to the operators in the
country which says
"Our association has been organized
something over year, and has fairly sue
ceeded in all its plans which it has under
taken, and is conceded by some Of the
leading houses who are Ia the position 10
know that if it had not been for the ac-
ton of the association the business at
n in
than is now"
Now he turns around and by his COM
parative statements creates the impress
sion that the association has not only
failed to do good, but has already done
harm.
The truth of the matter is the associa-
ton has done lots of good, and can do a
great deal more if the factors and opera
tors will sufficiently combine; they can
easily realize fortune within the next
ten years, as the pine forest which pro-
duces naval stores is almost practically
covered by the factors and producers
who are now in the business, and only
need com bination Of operators and fac
tors to name the price that will insure
the fortune.
The ASSOCIATION of turpen tine producers
is stronger in sentiment to-day than ever
before, and stronger than was ever eX-
pected by its most ardent supporters. It
is an association which deserg the
hearty support and cooperation of Mr.
Williams and all other legitimate factors,
rather than opposition and discourage
ment. 1t is from this class of business
and business that he has acquired
his immense wealth, and should
he or any other factor fail at such times
as these to lend their aid and encourage
ment In helping their customers to rise
from the present state of affairs, they
would be unworthy Of further patronage
of any producer.
Mr.. Williams dissatisfaction with the
association is not caused from its failure
to serve the best interests Of its mem
bers,'' but is the result Of his own action,
by deviating from the rules by which he
should have abided.
The position Mr.. Williams took in the
convention was very much the same as
that of my own and, in my opinion, would
have been better for the industry than
the course which has been adopted; but
a very large majority did not think that
way and voted to the contrary, hence Mr..
Williams, as an honorable Christian gen
tleman, as l have always taken him to be,
should have quietly submitted to the de-
cision of the majority who, in their hon
est opinions, were doing what they
thought best.
will not attempt to comment on Mr..
Williams action in issuing his circular
letter to his customers, advising them to
continue work, nor give my opinion as to
the outcome of his connection with the
association but will leave that matter
with him and the association to settle.
However, from an Individual standpoint,
under the stormy circumstances which
caused him to lose his whereabouts, and
not know where he was at, / would be
willing to forgive him, provided he would
apologize for calling the association the
farmers alliance
l hope at the October meeting there may
be through cooperation Of ia tors and
operators upon such plans and rules as
may be sure TO regulate the production
and prices for the next year, sufficient at
least to make expenses.
! wish to say, that the association is
of sufficient number of con
sentative minded determined business
men, who will never cease in their efforts
until they shall attain success. and the
day is not far distant when they will put
themselves in position where they will
not be placed at the mercy of the buyer
BROKEN OPERATOR.
Mr. Banushuttpr--HAu T 10 understand