The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-24
THE FERTILIZER COMBINE.


The letter which We published on sun
day from one o. the incorporators Of the
combination recently made by certain
manufacturers and vendors of fertilizers
gives perfectly sound reasons why that
combination should have been made.
Competition and the course of trade have
made it necessary that these merchants
shall reduce the cost of their business
in every way possible. Eight firms can,
Of couse, b. their business with Far great
er economy If the business Of the eight
firms is done with something like the
corps Of agents required for the business
OF one when operating by itself, and it is
both natural and sensible. therefore. that
the eight firms should bring their af-
fairs into hotchpot. and' save as much as
possible in the conduct of the business.
When the writer of the letter referred TO
presented this idea. he said all that was
necessary TO show the wisdom. pru-
dence and propriety Of the organiza-
tion that has been effected. That is the
law of business as conducted under mod
ern conditions Of quick transportation
for freight and Intelligence together with
the expansion Of credits. All businesses
are tending in that direction. and it is
simply prepostercus and absurd to at
tempt to check the operation Of this law
by either acts Of the Legislature or false
appeals TO public sentiment based on the
cry Of anti-monopoly. Business is al
ways going TO avail itself OF actual con-
ditions. whatever they may be. to de-
crease the cost OF conducting il, and 10
increase the profits as much as possible.
and clamor against it. whether by leeis-
lative declarations or newspaper rawlings,
are efforts thrown away. and efforts that
properly come 10 naught.
The cheapening Of processes and the
best profit attainable from business. are
the conditions out Of which progress and
development for all grow Having said
this much in unconditional appreciation
Of tho letter referred to. we must add
that it then treats an idea which we
think 1t had just as well have omitted.
II argues TO the farmer that I'm being
enabled by reducing its force 90 save mon
ey from expenses. il VIII thereby be en-
ablod to sell him his fertilizers cheaper.
This IS undoubtedly true, and we have
no doubt that the combine Will sell fer
tilizers as chcaply as possible consist
Ont with a reasonable profit 10 itself. and
while it is also true that the interest Of
the farmer and of the fertilizer manu-
facturer are so in;erwOven that II is to the
interest OF the maQufacturer that the farm
or should prcsper-the more he prospers,
the more fertilizers ne will buy-yet tins
combination IS not made az the
farmer would suppose from this letter,
only on; OF regard Tor him. but for the
reason we have stated above and
because money making comes from large
sales w!ah small profits, rather than
from small sales with large profits. The
fertilizer combine is. therefore, going TO
foll the farmer his fertilizer Just as
cheaply as IL can TO make reasonable
profit. But the way in which the case
is put by our lctterwrttor. makes Il
organization that has been effected. This
Is the view Of the case that we object
10. We insist that the fertilizer men
have right 10 pool their issues. and do
their business jointly and IN common.
II they find ii more to their interest TO do
It. and that they owe no apologies to
farmers or any other people when they
choose to make their combination.
There was no necessity. perhaps. In
the present case for any remark upon
this side Of the question, but We look on
the Populistic war. SO fashionable now.
upon all combinations OF capital as the
very worst and most dangerous enemy
that progress has. and we can never fail