New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-02
I NV IIII
RAILROADS AND THE MERCHANTS.
A TALK WITH PRESIDENT KING. OF THE NEW
YORK ASSOCIATION.

A TALK WITH PRESIDENT KING. OF THE NEW
YORK ASSOCIATION.
Concerning the railroad situation in the applica-
lions which have been made by the Merchants
Association OF NewYork for a reduced rate for It's
nonresident members, and the criticisms which
have been made on this subject William F. King.
the president OF the Merchants Association, says:
There to be Misrepresentation In the
minds OF many OF the railway associations through
out the country concerning the aim and scope OF
the Merchants Association. One of its chief aims
is TO build up the home trade In all the towns and
villages throughout the country. That has been
one OF its notices. The words Keep your home
trade have been printed In bold type in every cir
cular sent out to merchants throughout the United
States These words mean just what they say.
There is better way for the country merchant TO
build up his home trade than by being put in touch
with the commercial centres OF the country. The
Merchants Association believes. OF course. that
New-York Is the best place for out-of-town
merchant to come. 1t has not hesitated to say so
in the literature which Is scattered broadcast
throughout the country. 1t believes. however that
a visit on the part of any one TO any commercial
centre is good thing and the officers OF this
citation feel glad that one OF the results OF It's
labor has been to stimulate activity the part
of merchants in other cities toward obtaining FOR
themselves share OF this out-of-town busi-
ness; Evidence of this activity is accumulating
seems to have had a revivfyng effect in every city
OF any Importance in every part OF the United
States.
The home. or country. merchant is one of the
best patrons that railroad has The railroad
must thrive If it thrives at all. from the business
In the cities and towns in the territory through
which It runs. The towns themselves must thrive
If only those within them thrive. The merchant
IS the mercantile centre OF the community in which
lie lives II the people whom he serves thrive he
thrives II he thriyes the merchant in the larger
city fourishes, and the railroad which carries him
to the point where he makes his purchases and
back and which carries his purchases I'm the way
OF freight. adds to It's earning capacity.
In the totae, on the line OF anv one road. the
merchants form vast body OF men whose bust
ness helps the railroad practically every day Of
the year. This is the man to whom concessions
ought TO be made. He is more entitled TO a re-
duced rate OF fare when he travels for his legiti-
mate business than is the member OF some ordinary
excursion or convention. theatrical party
whose business may be obtained one year by one
road, another year by another and ultimately may
be lost altogether. Many of the associations con-
trolling the different railroad routes OF the country
do not seem 10 have considered this matter I'm its
broad and proper light. The Merchants Association
however, intends that they shall so see n Tbiss
association intends to continue TO lay before the
railroads arguments and facts in support OF This
Idea, which It believes to be the correct one In
time the railroads will see It, Some of them al
ready have seen It, proof OF which is shown in the
concessions granted by the Joint Trafic and Tr,ni.
Line associations" '''