The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-06-10
HE REPLIES.
Mr.. SutliG' States Some Plain Facts to
Abbott g. Jones.k

Sllilt1'
This is the first time in my life that l
have been called upon through tho puo-
lie press to reply to a trumped up mess
Of miSStatements and falsehoOds as pub
Iished in last weeks Enterprise over the
signature of Abbott & Jones.
Now, in regard to the enormous drop"
in prices since the new firm" started, |
will say, first, that there has been no
drop or shrinkage whatever in prices Of
hard cCal by the ton in the village Of
Wellington since the arrival of the new
firm" until the usual shrinkage of
prices for the summer season. On the
arrival of this new firm" hard coal
was retailing at $3.50 per ton.
Secondly. The new firm had not been
in business one week before Mr.. Jones
came into my Office to see if l would not
put the price of hard coal up to $5.75 or
$500 per ton. Ireplied to him as there
was no advance in the wholesale prices
OF coal, | saw no reason whereby the re-
tail prices should be advanced. COnse-
quently the price of $3.50 per ton re-
mained in force all winter.
Thirdly. Ipaid for my June hard coal
for 1885, 1921 per ton on car in yelling
ton. | did not receive in June. 1895,
any hard coal at $3.50 per ton, nor at
any other time during the season of
1888, consequently this price of $3.50
is false as false can be. You will plain.
ly see by comparing the cost price will
the selling price, that the profit of 95t
per ton is only sic, and the cost of de
llyering comes out Of that; whereas til,
conceded profits OF the new firm owe
their own signature, is G0c. This show
ing what advantage was being taken o
the citizens Of Wellington when thi
great mOnOpolist was in the field alone
Fourthly. am quoted as payin
S0.13 per ton for hard coal on the ca
here in June, 1895. The facts in III
case are these: When this statemen
was made, | had not bought or receive
a pound Of hard coal either in May 0
June. Had bought, | would not hay
had to pay 'S5.13" per ton, neithe
would l have had to pay $500 per ton o.
, car in Wellington, as have this wee
offered to sell Abbott & Jones the bes
hard coal on track in Wellington by tn
car at $3.50 to $500; even this pric
leaving me fair profit.
Fifthly. In regard to the competition
now in the field. The good, coal cOnsun
ing citizens of Wellington, who paid m
D last year S4.75 per ton, are now asked b
, Abbott & Jones, over their signature
. pay 1915 per ton, which is an advanc
= of one dollar per ton over last year. A
, for myself, am thankful there did bu
, one new firm" start in the coal busi
, ness, for had there been two, for what
, know, the public would have been aske
=, to pay twO-dOllar advance instead G
. one.
SiXthly. In regard to "hustling fC
8 business" l have felt no strange senst
tiOns." For more than three month
y past I have been sick and confined to III
: house the most Of the time, not bein
: able to look after old or new business
@ June 1, 1896, gave my bOOkkee ,,er, Nj
s Peirce, prices that he might sell coal
{ for the present month, which were So. {
}. to 1925 per ton, cash. Not knowing
the time that there were any other pric,
established by Abbott & Jones, or an
body else; consequently, | am entire
. innocent of attempting to underbid
y any way, shape, or manner any 9th,
. dealers. On the contrary, l was infOrmC
. . that Abbott Il Jones had no prices esta
% lished.
n Seventhly. Inregard to anyOf the goC
"a citizens of Wellington begging for coal
q In conversation with Mr.. Jones yesterd;
# | asked him if he eyer knew or heard
9 any one coming to my Office and beggir
a for coal or going away without obtainiI
N the same? His reply was, mo, ha
= not" Now in conclusion, good citze
! Of Wellington, wish to thank you
a your very liberal patronage Of the pas
N and wish to assure you that in t
n. future, as in the past, my best effoI
will be put forth to secure for you Il
best coal at the lowest prices. As Il
health will not permit me to come a
= =. see you, your orders left at my Off
nd with Mr.. Peirce, or at my house, W
Of receive prompt attention.
n- YOuri vorv rncnaaffnllu