The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-04
BONDS
BIRD AND BEAST TRUST
DEALERS In CANARIES, PARROTS
AND OTHER PETS TO COMBINE.
American Importers Striving to Cur
tail Expenses and Control the
Feathered Songster Trade.

CHICAGO, Jan. 3.-All the parrots, can
aries, monkeys and other Gagged birds and
animals sold in America are henceforth to
be handled by trust. The wholesale deal
ers and importers of feathered songsters
and four-legged howlers in New York, Chi
cago, Philadelphia, St. Louis and San
Francisco-and they are the only ones in
the country-have arranged to meet in New
York Jan. IA and perfect a combination
with 100000 capital to control the trade.
Through them all the smaller dealers and
fanciers of the country will be supplied.
The primary object OF the combination
will be to centralize the efforts of the va
rious importers and eurtail expenses. In
addition TO this il is the purpose of the
dealers TO make it uncomfortable for the
agents in Europe. who have a monopoly in
the sale of monkeys, parrots, canaries and
bullhnches. In this country they will prob
ably refuse 10 patronize the combination
which controls the sale of glassware or to
handle any of its products.
I'VE have been victimized by these agents
so long that we have grown tired of it."
said Nathan Slotkin, of the Atlantic and
Pacific Bird Company. 217 Madison street.
Now we are going to have something to
say about the price we shall pay for birds
and animals ourselves instead OF cutting
each others threats in the European mar
ket-
In the development Of the business GER
tain dealers have obtained a monopoly in
Europe. One has control of the supply of
monkeys, and We cannot purchase a ship
ment without having TO pay enormous
prices for IL, as each importer enters the
field and bids against the others. In
canaries and parrots IL is the same way.
a London importer has control of the
NJ hull ffrnl
inches. We are at his mercy and must
pay all he asks. In this country a New
York man has monopoly in the sale OF
birds or animals from Mexico they have to
come TO me. So we constantly are bid
ding against each other.
There are only six steamers crossing
the ocean which will accept shipments of
birds and animals. When L have a cargo
coming over L must figure sending it by
certain boat III some other importer
books his shipment ahead OF me / must
wait until the next boat before / can get
mine Then have TO pay the expenses
OF the agent VINO Will accompany il through
To its destination. He could just as well
look after everything shipped on that boat
and the expense of transportation thus
would be minimiZed. :
Then supposing / require zoo canaries
with which 10 I'LL out an order Ny agent
approaches the representative OF another
firm and informs him of the fact The
competing agent holds up my representa-
tive, making him pay whatever price he
wishes TO. He has no choice. The consign-
ment must be completed = combination
Will do away with this extortion.
Another difficulty we are compelled to
face is the distribution of canaries. We are
compelled to take 3,0o0 in December and
80 In January. In February and March
We get 600 in each month. As the spring
months approach, when there is heavy
demand for the birds, we are unable TO get
any. and the most prosperous months in
the year are permitted TO pass without our
having SUFFICIENT supply on hand TO meet
the demand.
I'VE used To be able 10 purchase our
glassware for our customers AT a reason
able price. bought in Marion. Ind. and nv
short haul. in which the freight was only
- cents hundred, was able to save nv
patrons some money. Since the combination
OF the glass plants must buy in Pittsburg
Pa, and pay 80 cents a hundred freight
Prices or the goods also have been adj
vanced- Orders must be large. so small
dealers practically find 1t impossible to
purchase glass globes for goldfish and the
business has fallen of materially.
Unless the combination is formed shall
go out OF business
Mr.. Slotkin said IL was not n question NJ
money with which tc form the Combination
with any of the FIRMS. They are able he
said. 70 combine their interests centralfze
the purchasing force and minimize the cost
OF shipments. He viii leave for New York
Jan 10 10 attend the meeting OF the i'm
porters, when IL Is expected TO perfect the
combination.
After the five firms In the cities given
have joined issues IL Is believed the new
company will be in a position TO dictate TO
the various agents who now have them at
equitable distribution 81 the supply without
raising the price 10 fne patron. When this
f. done the talking ,,f the parrots win be
snder the direction OF the combination.