Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-06
NOT FfGHTING TRUST
CIGAR DEALERS WILL DO so ONLY
IN. EMERGENCY.
Local Organization Formed for Benefit
Of ths Members-rhe Of
4eers Chosen.

AT luo AAVASc~Aoh " the S1SdI Oe6leIS
Association OF America, the representative
retail cigar and tobacco dealers of the Dis
trct OF Columbia assembled in the banquet
han OF the New Willard Hotel late yester-
day afternoon for the purpose Of forming a
local branch OF that association. The as
semblage was called to order by Mr.. Case
Of Chicago, Ill.,. secretary Of tho national
body, who explained to those present the
necessity for the retail dealers to organize
for self-protection. Immediately upon tho
conclusion Of the secretary's address Mr.
H. T. Ohterdinger was selected as tenn
porary chairman and Mr.. 8. L. WiIlett tenn
porary secretary. Mr.. Offterdinger an
nounced that he was heartily in favor Of the
movement. and said the local organization
should be formed along lines similar to
those OF the national body Of tobacco deal
ers-in effect, that the mutual benefit to be
derived by each individual retailer by reason
OF organized cooperation and the protec-
ton of trade interests is the object in view
BY this united cooperation" according
to the constitution Of the organization, "leg-
tslauon can be better interested in the needs
or the retail Dealers monopolies and trusts
can be met on more equal footing and
powerful influences at work for the de-
struction OF the middle man can be better
resisted The association stands for indi-
vidua1 enterprise. legitimate competition
and the preservation of local capital"
Agrees With Constitution.
Mr.. Offterdinger declared that the consti-
tuition of the national body expressed his
ideas, and that in organizing the local
branch the dealers should do so as a mat
ter Of self-protection and for the welfare
Of the retail dealers, and with no idea Of
fighting the trusts-for the present at least
The new organization does not purpose
antagonizing the tobacco trust 1t is de-
clared, and will take no action against it
until it is absolutely necessary, and that
will be, 1t Is stated, when it becomes clear
that the interests Of the local retailers are
threatened. Within the past few years, one
dealer stated, the tobacco trust has estab-
lished chain of retail stores in many large
cities, and the natural Inference Is that in
due course Of time it will invade Washing
ton. Should such an attempt be made the
association will do everything in it's power
to prevent the introduction OF trust stores
There are at present no indications Of any
such action, and the matter Of fighting the
tobacco trust is classed among the POSSIBLE
tiles only.
Just prior to the close Of the meeting yes
terday afternoon at the New Willard, and
after an address by Mr.. John Lanstreet,
president of the recently formed Independ-
ent Tobacco Manufacturers Association of
the United States, denouncing the gift sys-
tenn in vogue among certain manufacturers,
officers Of the new retail association were
chosen, as follows: President, H. T. Otter
dinger: vice president, M. McNulty; score
| tary, 8. L. Willett.
Secretary Willett Talks.
| In conversation with representative OF
| The Star today Secretary Willett said:
IAN incorrect impression has been con-
veyed to the residents of the city In ref
| erence to the purposes Of our new organi-
zation. We do not intend to antagonize
| the tobacco trust. We organized for the
mutual protection Of the local dealers,
but If the American Tobacco Company,
better known as the Tobacco Trust.
should attempt to open retail stores and
sell its products to the consumer at lower
| figure than we can buy the same article
| we will. of course form plans to protect
ourselves. If the retailers were not united
| such policy on the part Of the trust
would drive them out of business. The
profit on trust goods and those supplied
by the Independent manufacturers is prac-
| ticaly the same. The profit for the trust
| products Is little the larger only by rea-
| son Of the fact that the manufacturers OF
| trust cigars are conducting gift system