The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-06-27
Telephone No. GO.
CHRONIC BULLS.

For some time we have watched with
much interest the course of certain price
lists that come to us from brokers and
operators in canned goods and invariably
have been struck with the undercurrent
OF bull sentiment pervadlng these publi-
cations. We refer to them not because
of desire to undervalue their import
arce nor because we have lost confidence
In the gentlemen and firms who publish
them. At the head of one or two OF these
lists are men of national reputation for
good, sound business sense and for good
moral character and veraclty. These
publications are sent out to the whole
sale grocers OF the land not for the pur-
pose simply OF diffusng valuable infor-
nation, but to influence orders to the
publishers. These gentlemen are in bus
mess not for health or pleasure. but for
the money there may be In 1t. 1t could
scarcely be expected Of them to be
hearish In their views and to advocate
at any time an abstinence of purchases.
No matter what the prospects might be
we could scarcely expect broker trying
to do large business with wholesale gro
GERS, to send them circular or price
list gratis and then advise them not to
buy. He would scarcely be looked upon
With favor by packers nor would the or
dinary business man understand why
any one should deliberately advise against
his own interests. Thus we see that OF
necessity and in the very nature OF these
publications. they must have in them
more or less of the chronic bull. They
can only make money for their publishers
by influencing orders, hence they must of
necessity be more or less one-sided and
lean at all times more or less to the bull
side Of the market. A close study of
these publications will reveal this ten
dency and confirm our Judgment.
No one can deny the value Of a market
report furnished by honorable and reliable
brokers. We have the highest respect
and appreciation OF some Of the broker
princes Of the land. They have gained
fame and fortune and have reveled In
success while grocers were passing
through periods OF depression and under
going heavy losses. They are entitled to
consideration because they are Of mate
rial assistance to grocers when making
purchases but we do think their influence
would be greater and more widely felt
II they would give people occasionally
the benefit OF discussing the situation
when It favors tho bear sldo of the mar
ket. This chronic bull sentiment reminds
us very much OF the old fable OF the
wolves. The boys when appraised of the
approach Of wolves ran away several
times. only to find that they had been
fooled. When the wolves at last did |
come the boys did not run and were |
devoured. SO 1t is with the cry of bull"
The wholesale grocers have run several |
times when the alarm was sounded OF |
an impending advance. They have found
they were mistaken; the bulls advance,
like the wolves, did not come. They
have then stopped needing the cray; lost
confidence in the advice OF their friends
and when the alarm was genuine, when II
vas based on facts they stu refused to
believe. When the wolves did come. when
the advance did materlallze. they have
all been found mapping and short of
goods.
The chronic bull is OF no benefit to the
wholesale grocer. That class wants not
only the truth, but the whole truth. Then
and then only win brokers' circulars be
Of that benefit which the standing of the
fraternity, their good. sound judgment
and Intelligence and their high character
would otherwise Justify.