The record-union., 1899-12-13
EASTERN AND HOME JOBBERS
AND HOME CONSUMERS.

The Interstate Commerce Commission
Is presently to hold a session in San
Francisco to continue the hearing be-
fore that body of the contention be-
tween the jobbers of the Middle West
and those Of California. The former de-
consumers in this State in less than
carload lots and regardless Of local
terminal advantages. They contend
and they find some support among our
consumers that such an arrangement
would inure to the benefit Of the con-
sumers of the interior The latter could
then order and have delivered a l0o-
pound lot Of goods as cheaply as II
ordered by a local jobber in carload
lots
But this advantage is deceitful. 1t is
to the interest of interior consumers to
foster the points of distribution in this
State for three specific reasons. First
the advantages the jobbers enjoy en-
able them to carry large stocks from
which the consumer can have selection
and speedy delivery. Second, the points
of distribution are also points for the
consumption of the produce of the in
terror Wherever there is a market
center of supply it is also in greater
or less degree a market for the pur-
chase of local production. Thirdly, to
iAh ir,f0rnCfG
would not inure to the benefit Of in
terror consumers. because whatever
tends to the injury Of trade in one di-
rection is felt along all the lines Of
lesser trade related to the interest
harmed.
There are still other reasons why the
with the local points of distribution, a
chief of which is the fact that the con-
sumner could not buy of Eastern jobbers
any cheaper than they do of local job
bers. To open the door commended for
would destroy the home jobbing trade
and work irreparable injury of the
home retailers also, and consequently
be ruinous to the small communities
which are benefited by the existence OF
the retail industry.
Open the door as suggested, and the
great department and Quitting houses
of the middle West would begin to sup
ply California consumers direct, and
thus shut out the local retailer. AS 1t
now stands, the competition is between
Eastern and home jobbers. That is a
legitimate competition, beneficial to all
concerned, and to none more than the
local consumer. But eliminate the re-
taller and the jobber upon whom he
depends, and the consumer suffers by
the destruction Of industries which con-
tribute most largely to home COM
munity upbuilding.
If it is replied that the elimination
of the retailers and local jobbers would
inure to the benefit of the consumers
by so much as the margin of profits
the other classes reap. the answer is
that there can be no assurance that
the consumer will enjoy that benefit.
AS stated, he will have to pay pre-
cisely the price the home jobbers now
charge, and when the local jobbers and
retailers disappear the consumer will
be at the mercy of the Eastern houses.
He will have no stock from which
to select. He cannot buy in small
quantities. He cannot have immediate
delivery. He cannot enjoy the adj
vantages of credit, nor can he make
direct exchange of his products for sup
plies he needs. He will suffer by the
elimination of industries which now
largely contribute to community ana
State support. In short. the PROPOSE
ton of the Eastern jobbers means the
conversion of the home market to the
sole uses and benefit of communities
far distant, and which make no contri-
button whatever to State development
or support
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