The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-04
COAL MERCHANTS MEET
FOUR HUNDRED DEALERS OF IN
DIANA AND MICHIGAN.
Associations Object Outlined I'm q
Declaration of PrincipIes-No At
temp to Fix Prices.

The ninth annual convention or the MICH
igan and Indiana Retail Coal Dealers As
ISOLATION began a two days session in the
assembly room of the Claypool Hotel yes
terday morning. There are about four hum
dred members of the association present,
including operators of Michigan and In
diana, and the dealers will be entertained
by the operators to relieve the monotony
Of the business sessions.
The object of this association is to bring
the retail dealers of hard and soft coal
into closer relationship. with the object OF
establishing line of demarkation between
the wholesale and retail trade, and to i'm
prove and elevate the retail coal trade. The
declaration of principles sets forth the fol-
lowing:
I'VE believe that the retail dealer in coal
Is convenient and necessary factor In the
distribution of coal from the producer 10
the consumer, and we desire to discourage
and oppose. by lawful and honorable means,
the sale of coal direct to consumers by
producers or their wholesale agents and
shippers.
I'VE contend that the retail dealer is en-
titled 70 protection against competition with
those from whom he must buy his sup
plies, and that, therefore, wholesale agents
should not sell or quote prices to consum-
ers, or to those who distribute coal with
out reasonable retail profit"
NO ATTEMPT TO FIX SCALE.
Officers of the association declare that no
attempt will be made at this meeting to
fix a scale of coal prices. but it is prob
able the bylaws will be amended so as to
better protect the retailers against the
wholesalers and shippers. 1t was pointed
out at the meeting yesterday that the in
terests Of the Michigan and Indiana deal
ers are the same and they should work for
mutual benefit. The question of retailer,
selling coal to school trustees for school
purposes came up. and 1t was decided that
such business should be handled by the re-
taller, even IL he sells coal to schools at
less tha n the retail market price.
While the association fixes no prices, Sec
rotary Eaman, of Detroit, said ii is Gus
tomary for the association TO try and set
tie differences existing in cities where deal
ers 90 into the cutting rate" business.
Such settlements are made by an officer
of the association visiting the city and con-
ferring with the various dealers, pointing
out TO them where they inJure their own
business by indulging in price cutting. He
said local associations often fix retail prices,
but this is not compulsory.
WELCOMED BY MAYOR.
Michael Steinhauer. of the Indianapolis
Exchange, opened the morning session and
spoke word of welcome to the visitors
He introduced Mayor Bookwalter, who well
coined the dealers on behalf of the city. 81
am surprised, after what read in the pub
lie prints, that you are still at liberty"
said he Despite the fact that you repre-
sent the industry you do we welcome you
because gas is about to be cut Off"
The mayor recalled that he went to De-
troit last winter as a member Of the get
coap' convention, but he was willing, he
said, to forgive and forget.
Robert Lake, of Jackson, Mich, president
OF the association, responded TO the words
of welcome, and then delivered bis annual
address. He recalled that the year had been
one of hardships for dealers and consumers
alike because of the inability to get coal.
He expressed the hope that such a condition
of affairs would never exist again. He said
nothing was accomplished by the harsh
talk. But we ought to be thankful" he
said, that the situation was no worse. We
all hope that municipal coal yards and
grand jury Investigations are things of the
past.
President Lake showed the net gain in
the membership of the association during
the past year was 49, The association, he
said, had been subjected to much unjust
criticism because of the popular impression
that IL was combination. He said the
association had never tried to fix the price
| at which coal shall be sold. But the MEM
ibers of the association, he said, were not
entirely opposed to combinations. They
| often do much good" said he. I'VE have
| combination called the United States OF
| bination on earth" AS the president con-
| cluded a large flag was unfurled behind
| the speakers stand. The sight of the flag
made such a hit that the delegates stood
up and sang America" with vim.
f. A. HOBBS'S ADDRESS.
The principal address of the afternoon
| was delivered by F. A. Hobbs of Benton
/ Harbor, Mich, on THE Advantages of a
| Fixed Price to Both Wholesaler and Re-
| taller" T. w. Davis, commissioner fol
Michigan coal operators. was on the pro.
/ gramme for an address, but was unable tC
| be present. Mr.. Penny, Indiana commits
| sioner, made a short address on the "Ad.
| vantages of Association" Deloss Hull, OF
/ Chicago, president of the National Goa
| Dealers Association, also made a short ad
/ dress. in which he pointed out the advan
tages OF association.
The delegates and operators were giver
/ trolley ride last evening, visiting Fair
| view Park and stopping at Fair Bank fol
| refreshments.
| There will be a business session thi:
morning. at which the reports of commit
| tees will be received and officers will b,
| elected. This afternoon the visitors will b,
| taken around the Belt Railroad, visitinl
/ the manufacturing industries, the stock
! yards and Atlas works. This evening they
| will he entertained with a vaudeville mar