The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-21
GROCERS HEAR SPEECH
J. A. VAN HooSE ADDRESSED
 MERCHANTs' MEETING.
Grocerymen Entertained by Groceymen Entertained. by President of National As sociation and Organized
 a Branch.

About fifty Montgomery grocers, a few wholesalers. the majority retailers, as- sembled in the rooms of the Commercial and Industrial Association last night at s:3O o'clock and listened to an earnest ad- dress by J. A. Van Hoose of Birming- ham. President of the National Associa- ton of Wholesale Grocers.
 This was the second meeting toward the organization of Montgomery branch of the National Association of Retail Gro- cers. The movement was originated by George J. Williams. organizer of the Ma tional Association at a meeting Thursday night. It had been announced that A. w.. Farlinger of Atlanta, Vice-President of the Retail Grocers' Association, and John Bladden. editor of The Southern Mer- chant of Atlanta, would also be present and make speeches but they were not present.
 The meeting was called to order at S:3o o'clock and MT. Van Hoose was imme- diately introduced by President Thomas Howe of the local Association.
 MT Van Hoose said in opening his ad- dress:
 "I congratulate you on your zeal ana energy. You, by your common sense, are here to see what things can be done here, what has been done elsewhere and whether you can do what has been done elsewhere in regard to taking care Of your own business, family relations and customers"
 Continuing MT. Van Hoose said that the retail merchants ought to determine whether they can transact business with out long hours, toll, etc., and at the same time giving the customers good goods.
 Any such movement" declared MT Van Hoose 'is right movement ana should meet the approval of the entire world"
 MT. Van Hoose said that the wholesale and retail grocers should work together and that wholesale dealers should not be allowed to sell to any others but recog- nized retailers; that the retailer should not sell against wholesalers. He referred to wholesale dealers as ''salt sellers"
 He spoke of the ofice he held and said that he was the hired man of the associa- l ton and felt proud of it because so many good men were back of ham. This organization of he two classes of dealers could not, he said, be perfected until the retailers were gotten on straight | lines.
 He spoke of "the little town of New Orleans" saying that 1t would not at | first recognize the Retail Grocers Asso- | ciation But when the people saw the merit of the organization they readily ap- pointed committees to work for its per lection and now 1t Is one of the largest branches in the association. Mir. Van Hoose said that some of the Chattanooga wholesalers once decided to sell to boarding houses. but that the re- | tailers at once agreed to take their bust- ness from them which, of course, baffled | the wholesalers. He said he considered the retail grocers' organization in Chat | tanooRa the best in the world. He said | that the wholesalers now refuse to sell goods to any but acknowledged retail | merchants.
 You should get under the control ot the association" declared MT. Van Hoose speaking to the retailers. '''It helps you and 1t helps the wholesalers.
 Gentlemen there is in the air. he con- tinued, "a movement which bodes no good for either class of merchants"
 This reference was to the combines ant he mentioned as an example the Stand ard oil Company. He said that If tht manufacturers were allowed to sell tc the consumers the retailers would bt crow led out of existence and that the only remedy to guard against this condi. ton was organization of both the retail CTS and wholesalers, which would effect harmony among the two classes. working to guard discriminatory against the man. ufacturer.
 In reference to the protection of the re- | tailers on credit lines, he said that the organization would encourage retailers to investigate the condition and character of men and outside customers which would be done through the Secretary of | of ha
 He spoke of the existance of greatly reduced rates effected by retailers to break down competition and to control trsiness. This, h. declared. would not do.
 MT. VanHoose's address was applauded at the end. He Is forceful speaker and his words were of much interest to the l Montgomery grocers.
 l After his speech, he was engaged for sometime in replying to questions asked by number of grocerymen present.
 Several were enrolled as members and at the adjournment thirty-four members were on the list.
 President Howe announced the appoint ment of the following as members of committees
 Arbitration Committee-Frank Dove, Julius Gabriel H. J. Morris.
 Committee on Constitution and By Laws-C. T. Cook, J. H. Higgins, W. NJ Hin3on.
 Committee on Membership-R. L. Sears, | C. B. Groom. J. D. Baker.
 Committee on Hall-W. B. Howurd, w, H. Clanton, w. H Landgraff.
 The question of applying for member ship in the National Association was dis cussed, but 1t was decided not to make this movement until a larger membership was enlisted.
 President Howe said that meetings would be called regularly and that the roll of membership was open at all times.
 The meeting ad1nnrned ahnnt II n,clncL