The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-08
CAUSES CONCERN.
EMPLOYEES FEAR 1T WOULD COST
THEM THEIR POSITIONS.

saws His Producers Are Directing
,o a COmbinatiOn-Specu as
"a whom Messrs. Garnett and
Rarber Represent-Business Man,
largely Interested in Pine Lands,
-, the CONFERENCE.-The 1t
trust and Deals with Trusts in
c.neroI-Doesn't See That Inter-
.sts of Producers VIII BE Con-
served.
Great concern is manifested by many of
,,s enployes of the several naval stores
rotor concerns over the report of the
.o,bire. Clerks bookkeepers and cashiers
oil seem TO fear that there will be but
srabt chance of their retaining their po-
si-ions if it comes to a consolidation of all
me factorage interests in Savannah. 1t
,s 7npreciated that one Office force, en-
srged of course, beyond any now exist
inc in the city, will be adequate for the
clerical work of the great concern if it
,s organized, and they do not know what
few of the many now employed might be
retained for the positions. Hence the I'M
easiness.
the idea of a trust taking charge of the
naval stores business of the port says he
has been approached by a number of the
PRODUCERS with whom his firm deals since
the report got out of the contemplated
smalgamatlon, and all have signified their
most strenuous objection to the factors
selling out to associated capitalists or
ma ha of
movement.
Speculation continues as to whom Mr.. ].
Garnett and Mir. Barber, the Boston
attorney, are representing in their efforts
n secure options on the business of the
savannah factors. A gentleman largely
Interested in the naval stores business was
asked yesterday for his opinion He did
nat desire TO have his name mentioned in
connection with what he might say, a de-
sire that seems to be shared by nearly all
who talk upon the matter, but declared IL
his belief that there is no organized COM
pany behind the gentlemen who have APP
uoached the factors. 1t is his belief that
Mr.. Garrett and Mr.. Barber are simply
trying to secure these options on the bus
mess, which, being accomplished, would
result in their submitting a plan TO North
ern and Eastern capitalists wi h a view Of
interesting them in the matter and having
them lake hold as a combination for the
direction of all the naval stores business
in America
gentleman who is a large general mer-
chant and extensively interested in pine
lands and therefore thoroughly intimate
with all naval stores interests, said:
II have all along considered the whole
idea too ridiculous to be given any con-
sideratlon. 1 see that the newspapers have
been frank enough to call the combination
trust, although that, later on, is dis
claimed by Mr.. J. p. Williams. If I have
any proper idea of the definition of trust
n these days, 1t is a combination of cor
porations and individuals to control an in
dustry. That seems to be fully compre-
hended in Mr.. Garnetts project. l I'M
derstand the combination has even pro-
crossed so far as to be baptized the Amer
lean Naval Stores Trust. This is a cam
did admission, and is, in my opinion. the
only fairly candid thing 1 have seen in
connection with the enterprise, except the
clearly defined admission that one of the
objects Is to eliminate open competition In
buying as 1t now exists.
IF Mr.. ]. p. Williams Is correctly re-
ported in Mondays Morning News def
mite object of the trust is to eliminate the
exporter and the trust is to be the sole
buyer and distributor of its own receipts
In other words, it appears to dispute the
Biblical saying that One cannot serve
God and mammon.'
1T Is a very generous thing upon the
part of this combination of phifanthropic
factors TO give the producers in this way
the benefits which have heretofore gone
TO the exporter for his expense and trou-
Die in distributing these products. have
never heard Of any naval stores exporter
becoming fabulously rich, but 1 do know
that they have had TO buy turpentine and
rosln In the open market in competition
with each other and that wha ever profits
they have made in their business, has of
course, had to come out Of the consumer,
and not the producer. / assume that when
the American Naval Stores Trust becomes
the sole and only exporter and distribu-
Tor, they intend to do this for nothing.
since the producers are to have all the
benefits of their work
On the other hand these factors or
commission. merchants are known to
De wealthy and to have made money
faster during the past twenty years than
any other Grass of merchants in SaVan-
nan. Their money has been made out of
commissions and charges made to the
producer and now that this feeling
OF generosity has come upon them, it
might be worked out better by their re-
naming in business at reduced charges to |
me producer; and it could also be suggest
Ell mat some restitution of their wealth |
could be properly made to the producer
1t is not possible that any of these sell |
ing OUT factors think for a moment that |
tHey can guarantee to the American Ma |
va! stores Trust the future patronage Of |
tner producers who have favored them
win their accounts for many years, as |
tney know full well they cannot force |
producers to ship to the trust unwilling |
~ The Georgia farmer, and especially |
.ne Georgia turpentine farmer, is, accord |
lug TO my experience about the last man |
~ me world who can be sold out to any |
1ouy' and hardly to a trust whose object |
- 10 control the business. There are plen- |
~ OF other concerns with ample capital |
%IHo may have something to say about |
r rDrs' and it may transpire that large |
nteIoehtage of desirable accounts, that is |
r - who can change, will find other |
t I mods and other concerns who can sell |
i a. product; not by taking it to account
ON phllanthropic way, but by placing it |
VI ., an open and competitive market.
h. w men these half a dozen exporters who |
- peen buying these products in a COM
1--we way are eliminated and the trust |
q cpla fefv