The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-14

constant danger to the trade. Such houses
receiving a fixed commission for each ton, ire.
spective Of the selling price. are in an alt1'
gether different position from the selling agents
Of other companies, who, under a stated sal.
ary, have every incentive to keep the market
on a stable basis in order to make a good
showing for their departments. The commits
sion houses. on the other hand are principally
interested in handling a large tonnage and, il
the market should be upset by +har efforts,
they have opportunity 10 further profit. In
deed, it is a noteworthy fact that the aver
age prices returned by these commission houses
is almost invariably below thJ5c secured by the
companies which have their own selling DEPART
mcnts.
In the case of one particular commission
house not only does the above h)id true, but
there might be interesting facts Grough1 to
light by careful study of the accounts of the
associated transporting company III the matter
Of advances to its comm ssIOn agents AMI, POS.
sibly, subdivisions of various receipts from
commissions or other sources. In this instance
there has been such a sudden pldnae into wealth
on the part OF the members OF the commission
house. or at least the appearance OF its pos
session. that the stockho les of the raircsd
might be interested to learn ITS source.
In these and other matters, the association
has an active interest. 1t has endcayored TO
convince the transportcrs in the past, and ss-
sures them again, that no plan for the all
juStment Of the trade can ever slcccod without
its assent and cooperation. The attempts 10
ignore the standing of t!s large tonnage, oTcr
80 per cent OF the cnic output. resulted N
firmly cementing the individual interests and
strengthening their resistance to the course
which the transporting companies have hereto
fore been able to follow.
THEY BROKE FAITH.
Had these companies displayed spirit of
fairness in their relations 10 each other and 10
the operators, there would nave becn a willing
consent the part Of the Latter tn any well
Judged plan Tor the bettc.ilCnt Of the trade.
But, tho transportcrs broke faith among them
selves, quarreled over petty matters, and, ig-
noring the broad principle which should be the
primary guide in all questions concerning an
industry Of such great extent, haggled over
details Of trihing importance unwilling to con
Cede to the operators or to each other thos"
things which a spirit of equity alone should
have dictated.
| Consequently, the operators were compelled to
recognize the instability of any proposition or
suggestion from these sources, and sought to
provide themselves securely against further daru.
| age to their interests. In this they have as
| sumed a position where the transportcrs are
| compelled to regard them as body and not as
| individuals.
Ii the transporting companies only hal that
gift which Burns voiced in verse, aad would
| retire for few moments solitary intro 3ppction
| they would discover that tho little pointed cap
| of carly school days fitting them with time
| worn ease viii they continue to wear it, ~
| will this factor in the industry, an indie.
| pendent railroad, stir them to some dccrcc
| thought and more fair and consistent ton
| than has yet been shown?
| The time is ripe for such considerations. but
| like the summer apple, if the farmer leaves
| the tempting fruit too long upon the tree OF