The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-24

organize and used Is beyond all doubt.
there are proofs enough of that First.
by the influence of certain great assoc
Citations of consumers upon dealers
and manufacturers and even upon the
state. l shall only name one of these
associations OF consumers, because
1t has never done anything but good
because it has done much good. the
f'rench Touring Club. The position
of the French traveller has been COM
from the modest cylist, who has been
granted the right of having his wheel
registered as baggage uncrated and
at the risk of the railroad companies,
to the rich automobilist, who has been
| liberated from the tyranny of the Gus
toms OFFICERS.
| But recent examples are still moro
striking, illustrating as they do the
| social history of to-day. You all know
the Homeric struggle now being
fought by the American consumers
against the so-cailed beef barons. They
have suddenly become vegetarians.
| Another memorable eSample--the
beer strike in Germany. We all res
member the falling out of the brewers
and the workingmen in Germany. The
brewers tried to use the increased tax
alton of beer to enforce q rise in price.
not only equal to the new tax, but
large enough to increase their profits
materially. The irritated consumers
then decided upon the most heroic Of
all sacrifices in the eyes of a German
they decided to give up drinking beer.
When one remembers that beer drink
ing n Is the principal enjoyment of every
German, one gets an idea of their hes
roism But their heroism was reward
ed. In the canteens of the Kr,pp fac
tories the consumption OF beer fell in
one day from 1000 bottles to forty
four. and the terrified brewers gave in.
Also In France we have recently seen
similar examples which are no less
encouraging. The humble association
of housewives at Besancon forced the
milk dealers to reduce the price of milk
TO the old amount of twenty centifiies al
liter. after the dealers had endeavored{
to make them pay twenty-fve JUL
vissy Is still celebrating the victory OF
companies, which had been too greedy.
All means had been tried to make the 4
companies reduce their excessive prices
but without success. Then one day all
certain hour. turned off the gas at the
meters, after having taken solemn
oath not 10 open the cocks again until
the price had been reduced. and thafiI
happened before very long.
The purchasing power is therefore anil
absolutely Irresistible weapon. It de-lI
Ponds under all circumstances upon|
the consumers whether the price of
the sellers alone or by committees con-l|
sisting of buyers and sellers, Who'll
adopt scale which both parties must
respect, This scale Will form Ihsfl
peace agreement between the two, anda|
strikes either OF consumers or produc-I
ers Will be the exceptional means. asl
is war among nations. II
There is hardly any purpose, moraII
or hygienic. to which a strong unionI
of consumers may not be put. no abusaI
of power which 1t may not abolish, andI
| hope TO see unions of that ktndI
formed everywhere. | believe we onlyI
need leaders and organizers to be suc-I
cessful, and those who, tempted by snchI
a part, try to take up the task andI
know how TO do it. are sure of soouI
being able to exert an enviable influ-l
ence upon their time ard country, an
influence which is as Important as n
is beneficial
DO you, know that in France the|
president of the Touring Club IS ID
sort of king His field of action Is notl
broad the interests he protects arel
limited. but in his sphere he is all poW5|
erful.