The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-06-05
ARD PATRICK TAKES
THE BRITISH DERBY

lar order, and a low gTowl ieyeled
against the Drivers Association was
heard. because certain grocers thought
the drivers attempted to influence and
antagonize them in the matter Of de-
livery Of bread. While this feeling
formed a strong undercurrent, no spe-
cifc charges we're brought out during
he meeting.
The purposes for which the Grocers'
Association was organized are many. II
is declared. in the first place. that Il
large majority CT local gr0cors want to
close their stores On Sunday; that they
are hampered in so doing by the fact
that the few who do keep open on the
Sabbath break no trade conditions CT
the week. and to such an extent that
they lose considerable by the opera
ton.
So it is the scheme of the new asso-
citation in the moi distant future 20 Sc
cure Legislation which will force the
closing of stores CT the Sabbath. Gro
Gerry stores will be given precedence in
the efforts to this end.
IL the second place. the Groeers' As
sociation has already collection
agency. which forms Q part of it in
point Of fact, and which has as its aim
the collection of bad or doubtful ac-
counts OF members of the organization
with their customers. This is no minor
feature CT the new association. lis other
objects and aims are given in a circu-
lar prepared and published by the as
sociaticn, to this effect:
Objects of Association.
THE conditions which at present az
feet the business Of the retail grocer in
the District of Columbia render It nee
essary tLat the individuals and firms
engaged therein combine in general
organization to advance the welfare ri
the trade and protect it against the
serious abuses and injustices which have
cncruached upon it. These latter are
SO numerous that specific enumeration
of them is almost impossible. They
range from the arbitrary exactionS OF
the great monopOlies which produce
goods to the imposition of uDjus: and
unreasonable health regulation of the
sale of them. and include between the
too many minor abuses which act TO
the detriment of the trade. AL of which
in their cumulative effect tend TO make
the grocery business an undesirable
field of effort.
I'm the formation Of the association
Ii is proposed to use the combined in
fuence of all it's members. acting
through the proper representatives. OF
the association, to sweep away the pre-
vailing abuses and provide means to
prevent their recurrence, 10 promote the
general welfare of the trade. to obtain
for all g-ccers equal opportunity to
make a irst and fair profit on their
labor and capital, and 20 elevate the
moral tone OF The trade b. the creation
OF spirit of fraternity in all matters
in which there exist Z common interest.
Just and proper measures viii be
taken 20 Use the influence OF the asso-
ciaticn to restrict the retail grocery
trade in all its branches to retail deal
ers. TO bring about mere just and fair
Interpretation of the regulations of the
District affecting Srocers. to accomplish
the repeal of obnoxious laws and regu-
Iations aud promote the enactment Of
fair ones. 10 protect the Individual mem
bers of the association from reckless
and irresponsible debtors. and to estab
lish and maintain a system of collecting
accounts mere thorough and efficient
than any heretofore proposed Legal
counsel will be employed permanently
in furtherance of the plans of the asso-
citation whose services VIII be available
to members under conditions prescribed
by the board of trustees. Tne rights of
the association and it's members in the
conduct of business will be yigilantly
and faithfully protected"