The Washington times., 1902-05-12
Organize for Their Mutual
Protection and Advance
ment of Interests.
CREDIT SYSTEM IN FAVOR
Police Regulations in Many Ways Held
to Be Unjust-Rope to Secure Amend
ment of Those Most Obnoxious-Asso-
citation Already incorporated.

| The retail grocers OF the District OF
Columbia are combining for mutual pro-
lection and general advancement of their
interests. The organization they have
formed is known as the Retail Gro
GERS Protective Association" All per-
sons engaged in the business will be ask
ed to give It their support, and an inyi-
tation setting forth its objects and re-
questing membership has been issued to
them.
The prime purpose OF the organization
Will be an effort to do away with some
Of the police regulations regarding the
sale Of groceries and provisions that now
surround retailers which are held to h.
unjust. Regulations that are deemed par
ticularly obnoxious are those relating tn
the sale of milk below the required stan
dard. containing less than 31s per cent
OF butter fat. and the ones governing
the sale OF compound lard and table oils.
Much to Criticise.
The recent numerous prosecutions in the
Police Court of persons accused OF deal
ing In SKINNED or adulterated milk. the
result of determined effort on the part
of the Health Office to prohibit their
sale as the pure product, has met with
much criticism from grocers, who claim
that the dairymen who impose spurious
stuff on them should be the sufferers.
There have been something like one
hundred fines imposed in cases OF this
kind within the past three months Not
one person in twenty who have been
trhf int
charge has escaped. notwithstanding not
one OF the retailers has failed to put up
the plea that he sold milk as he got ii.
and that ii 1t was not equal to the re-
luirements of the law .t was because il
had been tampered with before it came
INTO his hands.
One Maryland cairyman, however, who
was arrested while he was delivering milk
within the confines OF the District, ad-
nitted that he used formaldehyde to pre-
serve and sweeten his product. and was
ined S25.
The grocers contend that such prosecu-
ions as this are entirely proper and that
! few more OF them would prove whole
ome, and they will bend their efforts to
lave the law amended SO that it will re-
ieve them and place the responsibility
where they claim it Justly belongs.
Another unfair condition surrounds
hem, the grocers hold. in the sale of lard.
he law requires that while compound may
g sold for what it really is, it is a Unable
nense for anyone to give compound when
ure lard is asked for. 1t Is argued that
number OF retailers have been punished
ateiy because purchasers failed to clearly
ct forth what they wanted. simply nam
ng the price per pound they would pay.
hey will try for a remedy for this.
They will also struggle to secure an
mendment OF the regulation governing
he sale of dressing oils. About forty
ROGERS who have little stores in various
actions Of the city have been fined within
ne past three months for selling an ar
Gle that 1t Is said was represented as
eing olive oil. but which in truth never
ad any relation to the olive berry Nearly
II Of the victims of this accusation in
sted in court that they simply dealt
ut the stun In accordance with the price
lie buyer said he wanted to pay. and in
w IL any instances was it admitted that
le article was sold as pure olive oil In
ie latter cases the grocer stated that
, purchased the oil as pure, and ig
'rantly and innocently sold it as such.
To Establish Credit System.
Some of the other objects of the asso-
alton will be the establishment and
aintenance of system for credit pro-
ction and collection; to protect indi-
dual members OF the association from
,ckless and irresponsible debtors aud to
wise and conduct thorough system Of
llecting accounts: to restrict the retail
ocery trade in all its branches to retail
'alers. and to create spirit OF fra
Tnfty among the members of the trade.
The association has been incorporated
ider the laws of the District of Column
4, and Is authorized to issue stock at
e par value of 81 a share. Each person
coming a member will be required TO
~ one share