The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-08
HIGH PRICES HARD ON THE ROCKINGHAM Frisco Employees Say Prices
 Must Come Down CITIZENS DISCUSS ISSUE Former Grocer Says Cooperative Store Could Buy Goods For Cash Any
 Time-others Approve the
 Cooperative Scheme.

So high have prices on the necessities of life become that the problem of existence is especially difficult for the worlkingman. The following petition. addressed to The Age-Herald under date of March ?, is significant:
 'We the undersigned employees of the Frisco ra4iroad. referring to your article ir, yesterdays Age-Herald, beg to agreo with you In every respect, and further more say to continue to be citizens of Birmingham the cost of living will have to come down."
 The petition is undersigned by 57 em- ployes of the Frisco road It has refer ence to the proposed cooperative grocery company suggested by Ned Brace in last Sundays Age-Herald, and to the necessity of a reduction of prices on com modities.
 kettig Discusses High Prices. w. H. Kettig of the Crane company when asked yesterday what he thought of the existing prices and of the proposed cooperative grocery company, replied: Prices on the necessities of life in Bir- rningham have always been too high since ! came here, but such has been especially the case during the last four or five years. The problem has never been moro serious than 1t is at the present and something should be done immediately to reduce the cost of living to moderate figure. The working man is being driven almost to desperation by high prices and no doubt many have left Birmingham on this account.
 Med Braces proposal of the establish ment of a cooperative grocery company, I believe, Is perhaps the best remedy TOT the sting of high prices. It looks entirely practicable and would no doubt be suc- cess"
 Former Grocer on Subject. Alonzo Green, man formerly engaged iii the grocery business writes an inter esting letter to The Age-Herald MT. Green states that he has had 15 years ex- perience in the grocery business. He urges the immediate organization or cooperative grocery company, pointing out several reasons why the present is the proper time for the formation or such S company. He calls attention to the fact that the agitation of the ques- tion of high prices will no doubt bring down prices, but expresses his doubt that they will remain at a moderate hgure after the discussion has blown over, and therefore states his belief that now IS the time to act. He foresees no trouble ir securing any line of goods if cash IS paid for the goods bought, and believes the cost of living would be reduced 10 |. ,foatf ion of a nn-0n ative company.
 MT. Greens letter follows: "A great deal has been said lately with reference to the cooperative mercantile business in Birmingham. This should not only be talked about but should be put in operation witho 1t further delay for the simple reason hat the canning sea son is near at haraa and it would, there fore, be wise and good business pol icy to get in full operation in due time for this season.
 q have learned from my 15 years in the fancy grocery and general mercan- tile business that when you need good assortment of fresh canned or other goods at reasonable figures you must necessarl- ly be ready to make your purchases early in the season. By so doing you suc- ceed in getting what you want and usual ly at the lowest prices obtainable ThE is not only true of canned goods, but other goods as we'll The early bird gen. orally gets the best worms. For many reasons early buying is preferable, so if the cooperative store Is to be established, let us get busy anu open its doors.
 "No doubt what has been said and what may be said will be the means Of bringing about lower prices here in our market but the question Is whether or not prices will continue in moderation after the cooperative discussion has blown over. I venture to say that such will not be the case. It has been sev- eral years since I have been actively engaged in the grocery business, and had , the profits been as large then as they are now it would have been a great in ducement to have continued Tn the pusl- ness.
 "Grocers used to be satisfied with a profit of 20 or 25 per cent.
 Can Buy Any Time For Cash.
 "I note that MT. IIigdon has his doubts as to whether or not the cooperative n1an is the true solution of the prob lem. for the reason that trouble would no doubt be encountered in securing cer- tain lines of goods from some Of the large manufacturers who maintain prices, naming the Arbuckles coffee and Bell milk concerns. Experience has taught me that when you have the cash you can buy what you want and no questions asked.
 ..I venture to say that if a cooperative store is put in operation in Birmingham, and is properly managed, that the cost of our living will be reduced at least 10 per cent, and at the same time the stock holders will be paid good dividends. My opinion is that several hundred families in Rirmineham can be induced to cooper ata in this movement. Our people are now waiting for a call to meet
 STARRING MATCH.
 p:.,.I, NltI Spar aflX M C. A.