The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-05-09
RANDOLPH COUNTY ALLIANCE.
The Commercial Committee Make a Re-
port to the Brethren.

49,
| appointed to investigate the CONNER
| cial features of our organization, would
| respectfully submit the following re
port:
1st. We find that our organization
has no national purchasing agency, OF
anv means of national co operation in
| supplying the constantly and ever re
| curing n eds of u membership.
There are two extensive establishments
in Philadelphia that have built up and
maintain a large business by direct
sales to organized consumers; the bust
ness is of national extent and includes
all articles Of general consumption or
family use. We refer to the Alliance
Wholesale Supply House, and Thorn
ton Barnes, wholesale grocer. Your
committee is unable to report definite
ly upon the advantages accruing from
dealing with these; the former seems
to present an opportunity Of securing
many of the necessaries Of life, espe-
cially clothing, with the assurance of
satisfaction, and the advantage of an
unlimited assortment from which to
choose, not otherwise obtained without
additional retailers profits and trading
mems expenses,
%. We find our State Agency thor
oughly equipped and fully prepared to
furnish nearly all articles Of necessity
and many of luxury at lower whole
sale market rates and at decidedly ad-
vantageous terms as compared with
our market.
at the inception of our Agency it
vas found impossible to secure advan-
tageous commercial relations with
prominent, extensive or reliable pro-
ducers or agents, either i'll manufacture
or commerce. We we're unknown,
were outside the commercial circles of
the world, were expected to at once
produce and consume the commercial
values of the world, foster the interests
of the commercial classes by paying
their arbitrary charges for their distri-
button. Any movement having a ten
dency to interrupt this-to them
pleasant and profitable arrangement
was, and is, regarded by them with
great ~displeasure as an u"nwarranted
intrusion upon their vested rights, re-
sented as an insult to their intelligence
and an impeachment of their integrity.
By the indomitable energy, indefa-
tigable perseverance and unRagging
zeal of our State Agent these conditions
have been changed; while a strong
prejudice exists against any and all
efforts at co operation, they have their
origin in personal interests being ex-
allied over general good. Our State
Agent has compelled an attention to
u efforts, an interest in demands
that has opened the doors of the hither-
to exclusive commercial circles, and
to day our patronage is solicited by
manufacturer and importer, they find
ing our State Agency a cheaper and
more practical means Of distribution
than their former method through
travelling statesmen and extensive ad-
vertising. They have become aware
of the fact that they can pay a small
brokerage to our Agency, secure a di
rect cash patronage, increase their dis
tribution and decrease their expenses,
while we secure the ADVANTAGES of !
direct trade with first hands, relieves |
us of all intermediate profits and ex-
and secure manufacturers guar
antee.
These lnestimable advantages have
been secured to US by the action of a
of u organization within the
State jurisdiction in standing firm and
lnflnchingly to the support of the wise
and conservative policy pursued by
State authorities, executed bv the
honest and efficient MANAGEMENT of
he State Agency, which is rendered
supporting by the economic meas
Tres thus introduced.
Sd. We find access to this Agency
'pen to all, none are excluded. but on
he contrary co operation in it's benefits
re made as easy and direct as human
ngenuity can invent and justice and
ecurity will warrant.
The former necessity for a County
Agent has been abolished. Each Sub
rdinate Alliance may have the priv.
eye of participating in these advan-
ages by electing and bonding a Bust
less Agent, then sufficient time-lt
hirty days-can be secured to receive 4,
nd distribute the goods, collect and
the bills. With these advantages {
0cured, we should not be insensible of l
he fact that a great saving can be
ffected by a hearty, full and free srn- I