Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-10
MAKES REJCINDER.
Mr.. Digs Answers Recent Criticism
IF Pe+oij crocerc, nccoc;a+io,


of Retail Grocers' Association.
Charles F. Diggs, attorney for the Re
tail Grocers' Protective Association, in
speaking of an article which appeared
in The SJlr over the signature Of r. W.
Sheckells Thursday. In which that Or
ganizatton is criticised on account Of sug-
gestions made by it to the Commissioners
relating to certain proposed legislation af-
eecting the hucksters. said:
II think the assertion that the wares
of the grocers are inferior TO those Of the
hucksters may we'll be left to the COM
munIty to be judged by the common
standard Of experience. 1t is complained
that the prices charged by the hucksters
are less than those charged by the grocer.
and i'll the same sentence it is stated that
the hucksters sell for cash, while the gro
GERS must demand q higher price on
account of losses resulting from delin-
quent debtors.
In the very next sentence it is charged
that he grocers association maintains
a bl9ckltsting delinquent record and that
II order TO secure credit it is necessary
FOR the prospective credit customer to
produce a certificate from mis- last grocer,
stating that ne is worthy of credit. The
Inconsistency of these two statements
IS 50 clearly shown to only require a
moments consideration. The grocer Is
charged with maintaining high prices on
account Of losses by bad debts, and then
ne IS criticised for attempting to pro-
tect himself and thereby protect the pub
lie hy euGeavo-ing to eliminate the evil
which it Is charged is the cause Of the
hish prices.
IN Justice to TIE association | may
say That no blacklist such as is described
"a this article : maintained by my clients
II IS true they have a collection depart
ment, the records Of whIcl necessarily
show the names of those persons against
whom claims are held by TIE various
members Of the organization bat no at
tempt whatsoever IS made to blacklist
customers, as Mr.. SheckelIs would have
the public believe.
II is charged that the association
compelled the bakers to discontinue sell
| ing to private customers at their homes
thereby giving the grocers d monopoly
Of the bakery business. This action was
/ brought about by L mutual understanding
JetTeen the bakers and the groCers. in
which no coercion was used. The causes
many, and among them was the fact that
Jus bakers had considerable trouble in
. collecting from the Individual, whereas
~ placing their product w4th the grocer
this feature was It once eliminated.
Ind. furthermore, Il was improctiCa-
bic for the bakers to regulate their out
put, and as d result they suffered great
.5ss On account OF the return by the
/ EI-NGfS - ltlt bEtaL WHICH lIItS were I'LL
able 70 dispose or while under the new
arrangement The grocer buys d stated
amount OF bread and If he is not for
tuuatc enough 10 sci! ii TIE loss Is his
own ana nos the bakers.
Nh Sheekel.s is misinformed as to the
price OF bread. as under the old system
/ the customer paid the baker cents a
/ loaf for the best quality OF bread, the
same as he now pays the grocer. 1t is
/ true. as stated by Mr. Sheckells. that
certain bread Was sold by the baker at
/ 4 cents {. loaf. but the same grade Of
! sread may today be bought from the
! grocer for tie same price. There are
/ three grades Of bread, the cheapest of
which may be bought for cents d loaf.
and This from ihe grocer.
/ The assertion made to the effect that
the gocers' organization is comb
nation IA restraint Of trade and organ
/ zed for the purpose OF maintaining high
, prices is absolutely without foundation
( N fact
I If the charge were true it would be
! q reflection upon the government prose
/ force law the provisions of which are
| ample to meet the alleged condition of
i affairs and punish those responsible for
J its existence.
LAS a matter OF fact. not the slightest
att npt has ever been made by my clients
to regulate in any manner The price OF
their ware. but on the contrary indie
pendent action and healthy competition
has always been the motto OF their or
IganiZatioa."