The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-21
THE SODA TRUST.
Text of n Circular Issued 10 Travel
Ing salesmcn.

One of the articles of Urine ncces-
sity is soda. 1t is not SO generally used
as formerly, but there is still large con-
sumption Of baking CT bicarbcnate Of
soda.
The Democratic National Committee of
Commercial Travellers, at ST. Louis. has
recently come into possession OF the fol-
lowing Interesting document. known as
Circular No. s. sent out by the Church
d, Dwight Company, the Soda Trust. to
their statesmen. 1t follows:
II is our intention to continue pack
ing Arm and Hammer and Cow soda
without giving any intimation on such
packages that they are packed anything
different than heretofore: that is, John
Dwight & Co.'S name only shall appear
On Gov soda and Church e. Co.'S only
viii appear ON Arm and Hammer soda.
The question arises whether We shall
make cur advertising matter joint adveT-
using matter or whether We shall issue
separate and distinct matter advertising
the separate brands. What. in your opin-
len, would be the effect upon the con-
sumers were they to become aware OF the
fact that the goods were identical?
Would ii. in your opinion, cause them
to lose confidence not only in the goods,
but in their own judgment? For instance,
parties who had been in their minds con-
WINGED that Arm and Hammer or that
Cow was the better of the two, would
they not, in receiving advertising matter
speaking of both brands being alike in
quality, etc. lose confidence in their
own judgment and confidence in the
brands of goods, and Perhaps say to them
selves: We may have been deceived for
wears. perhaDS ot brands unite
as gocd?' And. in this manner. would We
not lose the confidence that we have tried
TO instill into the minds of the consumers
for many years?
Then, again. you know the feeling the
country at large has in reference in
trusts, and would it not occur to the
consumer that there was something in
the nature of a trust existing between
John Dwight & Co. and ourselves? We
should like to have your opinion in ref
erence to this matter, as to just what
you think the effect would be. Please
give us such opinion as you have to
offer on a separate and distinct sheet
from any other matter you may write US
about
The Church & Dwight Company is in
corporated for large sum and has its
Office at 10S-11o Wall Street. New York
City. near the office of J. Pierpont Nor
gan. II is said to be close corporation
and its stock is not listed fer sale. The
combination consists Of John Dwight &
Co., Church e. Co.. and the Wing & E ans
Sol. Process Company. this lest COM
pany of Syracuse. n. Y. The latter
branch at present manufactures all The
brands and grades. the factory Ct John
Dwight e. Co. ct Harlem, N. Y. and the
factory of Church & Co. at Greenpo.nt,
L. l., being closed down.
The former firms of Church & Co. and
Dwight G. Co. employed a large force of
men in promoting the sale and reputation
of their goods. but now their force is
very small. They still have some eem-
petitors who are battling against the
trust. though 1t is said but feebly so,
and are gradually losing ground.
II is stated that in May and June last
the Sofa Trust delivered bicarbonate of
soda IN St. Louis on track at l cent per
pound in order to crush competition and
moropolze the trade OF that mar. ct.