The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-29


longer hauls, and you will be treating
us fairly. Then we can live and let
live"
AS we understand it, that is the at
ltitude-and the proper attitude-of the
North Carolina jobbers. The purpose
of the railroads. as is clear, was to
pocket big pile of money by increas
ing rates, and, when criticized, to lay
the blame on the North Carolina job
bers. The North Carolina jobbers do
not propose to bear the blame of SO
heavy a burden arbitrarily placed
upon retail merchants and upon con-
sumers, even if by the increase they
might temporarily do a little more
business. AS far as the State is con-
cerned. the increase in the freight rate
would be a burden upon many por-
ton of it larger than the whole State
tax.
The effort of the railroads now as
is evident, is to precipitate row
between the Wholesale and retail mer-
chants of North Carolina, in which
the retail men will suffer greatly with
no corresponding benefit to the whole
salers. Such warfare would injure
both and do nobody any good except
the railroads, which would be Teaping
extortionate rates without mourning
the united protest and criticism of
North Carolina merchants. The position
of the wholesale men, as stated by Mr.
E. l.. Harris, of Raleigh, is this:
Stated briefly, they (the North
Carolina jobbers) simply ask the rail
roads to give to them on car ship
ments lower rate than is charged
on 100 pound shipments. This de-
mand is not based upon any arbitrary
ruling, but is founded on business prin-
ciples and simple justice. l do not
know a single retail merchant in the
State who does not recognize the equl-
ty of this proposition and is Wiling
to allow these differentials nor do l
know a single jobber in the State who
advocates an increased rate on less
than car shipments or who believes
conditions justify any advances"
Mr.. D. T. Johnson, of Raleigh, first
vice-president of the Retail Merchants
Association, is quoted as saying:
eff this order is carried out it means
a heavy tax to the retailer and the con-
sumner simply to benefit the few rich
merchants of our State. We have some
well to do retailers of course and II
this increase of freight is forced upon
us there will be combines throughout
the State Of retailers, who will club
together and buy in car lots in order to
save the heavy increase of freight
What per cent. of the merchants
would this raise in freight help? l
say not over 10 per cent, and l think
per cent. might cover it, Is 1t right
| to place a burden on 80 per cent. OF
the trade in order to help out the 10
per cent? And you must remember
that every family in North Carolina
will be affected as they Will have TO
pay most of the freight
Both these gentlemen are agreed
that the increase is unjust and not
warranted. Mr.. Johnson thinks it
| might benefit per cent of the mer-
chants to the injury of all others. Mr..
Harris says that the jobbers wish
lower carload rate, but do not advo-
cate increase in rates Mr.. Johnson
is wrong in supposing that even this
5 per cent of merchants would be
per cent. AS soon as the higher rate
on quantities less than a carload was
working smoothly and the jobbers had
acquiesced in it, the railroads would
CORRESPONDENCE increase the rate on
carload lots and the last condition of
the North Carolina jobber would DE
worse than the first. The sugar-coat-
ing on that pill is so thin that the bit
ter quinine can be seen underneath it.
What is the true position of North
Carolina observation-disclosures and re-
tailers? 1t is to stand together upon
two propositions that are essential to
the success of both:
1. Hostility to any increase of
freight rates. If they are first Levied
upon the retailer and consumer, the
jobbers will not long escape CORE
spending increase, and when it comes
they cannot protest if they approve or
wink at the increase upon the retail
ers
Hostility to determinations and in
creased determination to secure for
North Carolina jobbers the same car
load rates that are given to Virginia
cities and towns. In 1903 the mer-
chants asked the Legislature to make
an appropriation to employ an expert
to help merchants and manufacturers
Wholesale and retail-prevent dis
examinations and overcharges. Let
that demand be insisted upon until it
is granted.
If .jobbers and retailers will unite
upon some such programme and keep
everlastingly at it" they will secure
their just rights, put an end to the dis
elimination against North Carolina
towns in carload lots and will ulti-
mately also secure lower rates upon
less than carload lots. But, if they
permit the railroads, which have al
most crushed out the jobbers by dis
elimination against them, to increase
the rate on either, without standing
together against the wrong to them