New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-26
CAMERA TRUST FIGHT.
Dealer Asks That Other Side Have a
Hearing.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: a reader OF your valued paper for more
than twenty years l noticed under date OF Decen-
Der o. an article headed ITO Fight Camera Trust"
and as I am interested in this matter the same
gave food for thought. AS know your tendency
of always being fair and OF giving the other side
OF case hearing, hope you will print the
following:
I am for over twenty years connected with the
Photographic supply business and therefore know
the conditions before the so-caled Camera Trust
formed very WELL and while am, as free
American naturally against any combination. in
any shape or form. confess that IL the old
saying 'the end justifes the means ever fitted a
case It is in this particular instance.
About fifteen years ago dealer in Photographic
materials had 10 keep large stock on hand. and
as we live in the age OF inventions. photography
made such rapid progress that in short time
the larger part OF his stock became Anticipated and
had be sold below cost. To make up for this
loss the dealer had to charge greater proht on
goods In general but not supported by the
manufacturer importer wholesale dealer at that
time. These same manufacturers. who are now
clamoring so strongly against the so-caed Trust,
the who sold their goods at retail. direct
" to the consumer, at almost the same price as TO
their jobhers and retail dealers. The amateur. on
the other hand could go to his corner druggist who
at that time did not keep Photographic goods, but
who Obliged his customers. and got from some
wholesale house any Photographic goods he wanted
regular dealers prices and sold them. to Oblige
his customer, at cost, not running any TiSh con-
nected with carrying q large stock The result was
that the business went into the hands Of mex
perienced and irresponsible people. goods of more
than doubtful character came into the market. and
the interest in photography stagnated
With the entrance OF this so-called Trust into
the market the situation changed entirely. BY
broadcast advertising new interest was aroused
advertisements Never before were SO many i'm
proyemeIts made cameras, ETC., as from the
time this so-cRlled Trust" took the business into
its hands and never before first class goods
sold az so low price. Is It not astonishing that
to-day first class working camera can be bought
the world over for 81? All the materials pertaining
TO photography from 25 10 50 per cent cheaper
than they were formerly. Neither the dealers nor
the public In general the losers by the method
II possible for the dealer TO make fair, but by
no means excessive. proht, the consumer gets nrSt
over. BY no means does this so-called Trust con-
trotthe entire output OF cameras or materials: IN
pettors who try TO secure the help OF an innocent
public by crying Trust" soon as they see that
Trusts goods In free and open market Who
can find any fault II they appoint agents 10 handle
their GOODS and only t6Sir goods C Can YOU blame
goods. giving you special Inducements and sup
porting you In every way by advertising. ETC., In
sist that If you wish, or your own free Will. to
he their agent you must IN return devote all your
time and energy 10 the sale OF their goods. which
you obviously cannot do II you also keep the goods
But the principal questions that this new league
shd goods better rh fSE a q the
the goods of the same quality cheaper when bought
from the so-cal!ed Trust? Both these questions
members OF the American Photographic League
In conclusion it is not to be forgotten that while
ure INDUCED in only by people Of large means
through the efforts of this socalled Trust IL Is
within the reach of the savings Of the average
New-York. Dec. o. 1904