The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1907-11-18
TINE FOR RETAIL CReCERS 10 ACT

Now ha, Retail Grocer Association has pledged itself
abide by the law The Star has further fault TO find with
that body
The Star is not opposed to organizations any line for
tua benefit long those organizations do nothing which
interieres with the rights of the general public.
Such organizations the Retail GrocerS Association are
beneficial both their members and the general public SO
long as they conform strictly the methods OF business
they adopt and advocate but when they angess laws estab
hed for the protection OF the public, they become menace
rather than benefit
Members az the association informed The Star that the
grocers arc responsible for the present high prices
Of groceries and food products generally that the responsibility
upon the manufacturers who lax the retail prices all
proprietary articles upon the wholesale grocer whose combine
eliminates competition in the Wholesale business and upon the
Western combine which eliminates competition IN the
sale OF produce They claim that the retail grocer IS being
robbed 70 a greater extent than is the general public
Ii this is really the The Star would gladly assist the
tail goce fighting the associations which they charge are
robbing the grocer The laws which make prieeNng
illegal the part Of the retail association apply the whole
sale association and the Western combine and be
just effectively enforced
The manufacturer harder problem deal with because
the Of the country have held that the manufacturer has
the right protect himself by fixing the retail price OF pro-
pnea article This alleged right has been greatly abused
To such has the proprietary dodge been carried in the
grocery business that the manufacturers fix both the manuia
ture and the retail price most Of the goods sold
Gerry With the wholesale houses also fixing their prices the
retailers these goods by agreement the retailer allowed
only the profit which the wholesalers elect give him.
Legislation fixing proper limits TO proprietary rights alone
will afford remedy the retail grocer and the public for the
exorton being praceed under the cloak OF proprietary rights
II the Retail Grocer Association IS sincere IN It's expressed de-
sire 10 protect the public from etoonate prices the gro
Gerry business follow commcndable than
70 seek legislation doing away with the proprietary abuse
The extent 20 which the fixing OF proprietary goods prices is
carried involving, does agreements among the manuiac-
Of proprietary brands OF like quality brings the popc-
ary principle in direct OF the pru
ePle making eonsPaee in restraint Of trade Illegal Not only
do the manufacturers fix their prices their proprietary
goods but they also eliminate competition by agreeing
prices with other manufacturers Of proprietary goods Of like
character and quality
II the Retail Grooers Association will remedy the
abuses from which they suffer the hands OF tho
the Wholesale Groees Association aud the Seattle Pro-
duce Association may upon the sustained support Of
The Star
The business Of the retailer Is at present practically being
by the manufacturer and wholesaler Are the retailers
willing to allow this condition continue when they
woke wclestabIshed principle Of law for their pro-
lection?