The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-29
SOME QUESTIONS ASKED
Regarding Production, Manufacture, Trans
porlaton, Etc.
MERCHANTS ARE ASKED TO STUDY THEM
United Action Advocated Loofxins
for More Harmonious and Mu-
tunlIy beneficial Conditions.

| biTlulnBnAul, Ala, August SOL. n. van
Hoos. president OF the Southern Wholesale
Grocers' association. has addressed the
following open letter to the thoughtful
men OF the South regarding general trade
conditions with view to harmonizing IN
terests. especially inviting expression OF
opinions on the trusts and the legislative
powers vested in the general government
and the several States regulating them:
The time has come in this country for
more united action, looking for more har-
monious and mutual beneficial conditions
in the production, manufacture, transport
tation, distribution and consumption of
products.
Upon this association, OF which | have
the honor to be president, seems 10 logical
ly fall large part of the duty in trying
to arrive at some impartial aud mutually
helpful solution of many OF the differ
ences which now separately seem 10 con-
front these various departments. Our ter
ritory embraces the Southern States and
Indian Territory. The firms OF wholesale
grocers alone number nearly 200. Their
employees, men directly under their con-
troll number at least 1000. Their COM
bined influence would be too great 10 safe
ly or modestly attempt its measure. Every
wholesale merchant is Interested in pro-
ductiou, manufacture, transportation.
} banking. insurance, laws and in general
In the whole question OF distribution to the
consumer. 1t has seemed therefore adj
vsable to us to accept this responsibility
and to offer our services in securing the
opinions OF others as well as Ito exert our
own energies in seeking how TO per-
manently better the interests OF all.
Thoughtful men of every calling are
invited to cooperate with us In this gem
eral effort 1t will be our purpose and
endeavor to keep 1t out of the outangle-
, ment OF party lines. and as far as possible
away from tho distraction OF party war
cries. Nevertheless, much scope must be
allowed in expressing Views as TO the
causes which at present seem to disturb
these different spheres OF action and to
raise In the minds of so many people such
strenuous objections to much OF the pres
ent manner OF transportation and dis
| tributing. In order to prevent our move
r ment from becoming vague and lmprac-
teal ! venture to respectfully suggest for
your consideration and earnestly request
your replies and counsel along some such
} lines of inquiry rs the following
: /. Do you concur In the opinion that
production manufacture. transportation
and distribution are departmental, and
should. especially in America, be regarded
as separate spheres of action, the workers
in each sphere cooperating with those in
the others, neither sphere or department
attempting to eliminate or 10 dominate
the other7
g. II this is a sound economic principle.
do you see any marked evidences of It's
disregard or danger or its further oblitera-
, ton? If 80 disregarded, why2
g. Do you believe that the old adage,
!. Competition Is the life of trade" Is
sound7 II so. what would be your
: definition of trader" Can trade" be
: limited oil Competition preserved by
! legal enactments2
. 4. Is there any sound difference be-
, tween trust" and Cooperation 2"
, How can either be prevented from becom-
, ing a monopoly?
5. DO you think that It is advisable and
, practicable for the different States to
, seyerally attempt to prevent by State
legislation a trust" Corporation" tor
cooperation OF capltaD from becoming a
monopoly monopoly in fact II not u
name? II so, how far would you permit
the apparently sound principle of CO.
: operation OF either labor or capital to
, legally operate?
@ G. Do you know of any State whore a
so-called trust" has been successfully
OF product or manner OF distributing? II
o 20. please name the State and product.
II not. what. in your opinion. caused the
failure?
Z. If you think 1t Is impracticabie. as
Judged by actual practice. for the various
States to successfully accomplish in TINS
: manner. which carefully recognizes the
!, rights of all departments and classes. then
" please give your immediate Ideas as To
= what kind of law should be framed OF
y what plan of procedure adopted by the
4 general government in protecting fairly
. and impartially the rights as we'll as adj
t yancing the best interests OF all OF its
citizens.
8. DO you think that any law, state
or Federal, should be passed which would
grant farmer, mechanic, merchant, bank
er. lawyer or doctor the right to organize
and cooperate for mutual help ana pro-
> lection. and then deny the same right u
Il others. perhaps the same men, to organ
lie and cooperate as representatives. oil
corporate interests for the protection and
best interests OF their various corpora
lions
o. Do you think It American, constitu-
tional or advisable to attempt to prevent
q such organization or corporation on the
n part of any or all? How far should such
& step infringe upon our rights, or take
away our right to contract with eact
/. other7
n 10. Do you believe that IL Is economical
ID ly and nationally sound to recognize anc
< permit class legislation among our citi'
10 zens? IL So how fary
IL. How are such conditions and ques'
tions as to the above met and handled II
:. other countries, especially in England anS
y here colonies, and in Frpnce and Switzer'
"a laDdT
~ T. II you think the need exists. you ar,
l., earnestly requested to at least outline
OF your views as to some practicable, WORK
abba plan OF bringing about more har
b. monious and satisfactory co cooperation pc
81 tween these separate departments o
he spheres OF action In our own country.
ne Please numhSF your answers. II TN
an manner or matter suggested does no
~ meet your approval please feel at liz
10 erty to change or critlclse. We are hon
estly seeking counsel from the thoughtful
men in every calling ana occupation
20 record win be kept Of the replies an
lc opinions expressed and in addition
s. thanking esDh OF them this association
ID will carefully consider them in determin
m ing its action for the best interests OF all
ID We will also cheerfully furnish the dat
re collected TO others who may wish II 10