The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-04

doing a legitimate wholesale or retail busi- ness all of the rights and privileges which belong to each firm in these respective spheres, protecting as far as we legally can the weaker equally with the stronger
 Another of our main objects and pur- poses is to encourage and maintain among manufacturers the same sensible and fair competition. We do not believe in the elimination of the weaker manufacturer by the stronger. As far as we properly and legally can, we see that each manu- facturer has a fair, square show for bus mess on the merits of his respective prod ucts. Naturally we are opposed to the concentration of all of the powers of manufacture, transportation and distribu- ton in the hands of any one corporation or set of men.
 I will especially appreciate your read ing the inclosed, marked a." (Note- This is an address delivered by me at Richmond, Va. october 16 1902, by special invitation before the Virginia Retail Grocers' association. in which I severely arraigned the Standard Oil company and all siniilar concerns. This address at trdcted widespread attention throughout Amerca) You will see therein stated no uncertain opinion as to whether such com binations, in the opinion of the southern wholesale grocers, are injurious to the best interests of America, especially as il- lustrated by the action of the Standard Oil company. Personally, I would appre- cate your noting the fact that these opin- ions were expressed by me long prior to the present agitation against this would be monopoly.
 The portions of the United States iden- tified with this association are contained in tine book marked e." in addition West Virginia has recently indicated that they would like to become identified with this organization. having watched Its fair open and legal attitude in protecting the best interests of all legitimately con- cerned, both manufacturers, wholesaler re- taller and consumer Only about 60 per cent of the wholesale grocers in the If states mentioned are members of the Gs- sociation. There are no special advan- tages of membership in it. Hence the large percentage of wholesale grocers who do not contribute a cent to its sup port, since they can receive all the bene- fits without having to pay for same.
 The names entered on the book marked "C," which is our official directory. are entered on such book without any refer ence to membership in this association. If after investigation of the character and ownership of business done by party who applies to any manufacturer for the privilege of buying direct as a wholesale grocer from that manufacturer, it devel- ops that his business is buying on his own account, and substantially all done with merchants, or with recognized commits saries to sell again, his name is entered on this directory. and notice is sent to all manufacturers who ask this office to ascertain for them information along the lines above mentioned At our convention all firms whose names appear on this ma to ferences, and are allowed all the priv ileges of the floor, in regard to all mat ters of the association with the single exception that they are not expected to vote for officers. (Note-The meetings are all open to the public, and any interes ted person can get copy of the proceed fngs.) There are no consequences to other wholesale grocers if they do not wish to gain or retain membership in this association.
 This association has no direct connec- ton or association with vendors of the goods or commodities which wholesalers handle in the way of purchases and sup plies except in the cases of three (now only two) manufacturers. Each of these has system of retaining, at the request of their individual customers made known to each in writing, every customer acting for himself, and without any agreement Wlln any OtfeT custoIncI, d pOItiol Ol Iiit profit on only one each of their respective articles (Octagon soap and Ariosa coffec), and paying same over to me individually, and not as president of this association. I In turn as their duly authorized agent, acting for each. pay over to each of their individual customers according to the list furnished me by each, the extra and gratuitous amount due each customer, provided each of said customers has fol- lowed the wishes of each of the individual manufacturers above mentioned in the sale of the individual manufacturer's product
 If any customer objects to this and de- cides to withdraw his instructions to each of the above parties he does so at any time it suits him. and either return the money to the company which sent 1t to me for this individual customer, or Tor ward it to the customer as the company may direct. There are no associations or combinations among the independent manufacturers from whom wholesale srocers generally purchase goods. as far