The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-27
BREAK IN GRocERS' UNION.
PRICE WAR LIKELY TO FOLLOW
WITHDRAWAL OF DRAYTON co.


Manager Van Horne Advertised the
Prices of His Goods Against the
Union Compact, and Was Called
DOwn-He at Once Withdrew From
the Union and "a Fight Threatened.
Union Groccrs VIII submit the
| Matter 10 the Executive Committee
for Action.
| 1t looks as If the people of Savannah are
to get their groceries cheaper than they
have been getting them for the last eigh-
teen months. Indications point that way,
and it seems there will be nothing to pre-
vent a little price cutting.
The c. A. Drayton Grocery Company has
resigned from the Grocers' Union Man
ager George Van Horne gave the presi
dent of the union, Mr.. c. w. West, verbal
notice yesterday of the intention of the
company to withdraw and a written no
tice was later sent in by the secretary of
the company. Things are rather stirred up
as a result, but 1t is said the present stir
IS not a circumstance to that which may
follow in a short time.
Mr.. Van Horn became manager of the
Drayton Grocery Company a few days
ago. Since his retirement from the Co
operative Company, some eighteen months
ago, he has had nothing to do with retail
trade. His return to the business is taken
as an indication that the methods pur-
sued in the interim by the other grocers
in the city are to be cut into
When he was in the retail business with
the Cooperative Company Mr.. Van Horne
N ms III
was out for business and did not wait for
| it to come to him. He went for it, and his
| favorite plan of letting the people know
| what he had to sell and what ne wanted
| for 1t was by advertising. This advertise
| ing was distasteful 10 other merchants,
and they were glad 10 see the manager
| of the Cooperative Company out of the
| way. 1t is presumed they were just as
sorry to see him come back again, for they
| know the methods he followed before. If
| the merchants had any such fear, 1t is
| well grounded for the event has shown
| that Mr. Van Horne still believes he must
| get his business before the public. He
| advertised for the first time In yesterdays
| Morning News, and precipitated trouble.
The Grocers' Union is an organization
formed for the mutual benefit of all who
| are admitted as members. This member
! ship consists of about all the leading re-
| tail grocers with many of those on the
| outskirts of the city. 1t was organized
several years ago, it's object being to cut
down the expenses of operating stores by
not advertising and to keep up the receipts
In the business by preserving stability in
! prices
When Mr.. Van Horne was with the Co.
| operative Company he advertised. Ad-
vertisng Is not under the ban with the
union so long as the advertiser does not
give prices. The organization denies no
member the right to advertise; that is all
right; 1t does not interfere with the bust
ness of the rest If he does not say anything
| about his prices. Several have adVertis-
ed in this way from time to time, but that
has not been what those who do daily
shopping want. The important matter is
how much the goods are going to cost
them. A lady will skip the advertisement
| that does not mention prices and turn to
| that which does.
1t is said the grocers are all to be brought
into direct competition by the withdrawal
of the Drayton Company from the union.
| Mr.. H. j. Sutcliffe, manager of the Estate
| of S. w. Branch was asked what effect
| the withdrawal would have upon the bus
mess. The matter will be laid before the
executive board of the union, he said, and
decided there. This board consists of
four of the leading members of the union.
| Mr. Sutcliffe thinks the rest of the grocers
VIII have to meet the cuts advertised by
| the Drayton Grocery Company and maybe
go it one better by selling at even lower
prices The rest of the union will be bet
ter able to sell at reduced prices, he said
than the Drayton Company. 1t is his idea
that they can drive the new manager out
of the business.
Mr.. Van Horne was also seen. MY plan
| Is and has always been to advertise" he
| said. when assumed charge of this bus
mess l told the stockholders how / meant
to get the business and told some Of the
| members of the union that 1 intended to
advertise. My first advertisement appeared
| to-day and has caused the trouble. They
| have been around to have the thing stop
| ped, but it won't stop. They say they can
make me sick of advertising prices as
did to-day, but we shall see. 1 can keep it
up as long as any of them"
Mr. Van Horne was asked If the effect
| of the competition would be to bring prices
down appreciaby. He replied that il
would; that staple articles will be consid-
erably reduced. 1t is on these staples that
the members of the union are under agree
ment to keep the prices up. They have
done so very well during the last eighteen
| months, Mr.. Sutcliffe said, but they must
now see what they can do in the way of
meeting the new Richmond who has APP
| peared in the field
-S-o-S-
SEWER PIPE AND POLITICS.