The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-09-07
Is THE LIFE OF
TRADE-DO NOT TAMPER
WITH ITOR DESTROY 1T.

WITH IT OR DESTROY IT.
Fo The Commonwealth:
believe every agreement or combl-
nation organized to do anything con-
trary to law is illegal, regardless OF Its
size or the form OF its construction. l
think if an agreement or combination
is formed for the purpose OF controlling
prices or competition it fs illegal. The
object of all laws and decisions against
agreements and combinations to con-
troll prices or competition, is to protect
the community against the malnten-
ance of prices higher than they would
be if competition were unrestricted
and prices uncontrolled. The main
interest of the public is in the price it
has to pay for any article, and the pop
ular outcry against combinations and
agreements of this kind are based en-
tlrely upon the assumption that they
compel the public to pay higher prices
for whatever is controlled.
OF course l do not like the idea OF
so much price cutting, but some OF it
has been a custom as old as the bills,
especially on the necessaries OF life
1t would be fair thing if it would
work. But I do not see how it can OBJ
tain with any degree OF harmony be-
tween customer ana merchant. To
have an ironclad rule or an agreement
to regulate prices and control competi-
ton, as is done by the Scotland Neck
Merchants Association, seems to arouse
the prejudice and stir up strife and
discord among many OF the buyers. ]
do not see how any good can come out
of thss system. l believe the mer-
chants should do everything in their
power which is right and legitimate to
build up and draw trade to town, offer
any inducement possible to draw custo-
mers. hold them and work in harmony
with the consumers. The price regu-
lating system does not do this, for 1t
seems 10 be a very unpopular thing
with many of the buyers. If it were a
popular thing and all Of the mere 1ants
would agree to TX one legitimate price
and ilye up to their agreement, it
would be fair thing. But all Of the
merchants viii not agree to this system
and not all of those who do agree to it
will live up to it.
This rule does not offer any induce
ment or draw trade to town but it has
tendency to build up country stores
and drive trade to other towns which
we are entitled to and should get.
Every man is not under a mortgage
and does not have to come to Scotland
Neck to do his trading.
/ believe the Merchants Association
ls good thing If properly carried out,
but I think we should be slow to start
80 many new things which are not
popular with the people. Do other
towns have such rule or system of reg
ulating prices and controlling competl-
ton? If so, what towns and where
are they?
I find that the Merchants Journal,
which l thought was and should be
our guide as to the best plans and
methods to draw trade and hold it and
work in harmony with the customers
and consumers, says that Merchants
Associations are purely commercial
organizations having for their para
mount issue the elimination of the
dead BEATS" They do not desire to reg.
ulate prices, but to secure hearty CO.
operation between the merchant and
customer. Now, does this iron clad
rule or system Of regulating prices and
controlling competition on anything,
and especially the necessaries of life, do
this? IT 80, say so; it not do away
with it and follow the advice of our
guide, The Journal.
As l haye said before, l do not like
so much price cutting, and try to do as
little OF 1t as / we'll can, but when cir
cumstances and the situation demand
it to compete with our local competl.
tors or the sharp competition of the
country stores and neighboring towns,
what else can we do? Shall we sit still
and hold up prices and let the other
fellow sell the goods by making little
cuts on some leading articles? l be.
lieve such system ana such rules are
inexpedient, unwlse and against the
best business interest of the town.
]. d. RAY.
Rheumatism, govt, backache, acid
poison, are results of kidney trouble.
II III