The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27
Meeting OF CIGAR MEN
HOWEVER, NO EFFORT WAS MADE
TO FORM AN ORGANIZATION.
Another Meeting Called for Next
Tuesday Night, When IN Larger At
tendance Is Expected.

A number of local tobacconists met in
the assembly room of the Commercial Club
last night TO discuss the probable agrees
sions of the United Stores Cigar Company
in the retail field here. A number who had
intended to be present telephoned that they
could not be present, and the meeting be-
came merely an informal discussion of the
situation. Paul G. Gall presided.
Those present discussed the trade condi-
tons and discovered that, without the
United Company rampant in the local field,
they have a rate-cutting war in progress
that has seriously damaged the retail bust
ness. Some time ago a druggist offered
popular brands of cigars at cut rates. He
was followed by another dealer. who went
him one better. Then a third dealer began
cutting rates to advertise a new location.
The retail trade has felt this cutting, and
the tobacconists thought an effort should
be made to end 1t. 1t was represented that
the cut-rate places were not making profits
of cigar trade and would be found ready to
desist mutually. Accordingly, Chairman
Gall was authorized to select a committee
TO take up this with the cut-rate dealers.
No attempt was made to form a perma-
nent organization. In fact, that had not
been the purpose of the call. Many deal
ers could not be present because they were
in charge of the business in the evening.
1t was decided to hold another meeting
Tuesday night of next week at the Com
mercial Club. and all retailers are invited
TO attend and take part in the discussion.
Many retailers recognize that there is
more involved in the present situation Inan
a mere antitrust fight. Ii is pointed out
thai one Of the antitrust firms. which does
an enormous business in Indiana, is as
robust an Institution as the trust itself.
There is no disposition to let il slip in and
grind its axe through an organization.
Many retailers believe that an ~organiZa-
ton is needed TO protect local trade from
internal revolutions, as well as from for
eign invasion. These circumstances, how
ever. 90 not blind them TO the fact that
the United Stores COMPANY is an imminent
danger.
One dealer reported at the meeting last
night that the cigar manager for one of
the distributors of trust goods has said
that the American Cigar Company had
made up it's mind If the indianapolis retail
and give them a run for their money"
This was regarded as an arms length bluff.
The New York retailers organization
Friday night reported "a total of 5l3 MEM
bers, an increase of los in one night. The
retailers adopted bylaws providing for dis
trict organizations and the concentration
of control in a committee of twenty with
power TO suspend members The most i'm
portant provision was the Incorporation of
the organization as a stock company. OBJ
lection has been made that this would per-
nit antagonistic interests 10 acquire stock
and outvote the majority. 1t was stated
that the stock would be non-negotiable
and limited TO actual members The or
ganization also decided 10 recognize its
| membership only by admission cards which
ing.