The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1912-07-05
D. |. THORNTON REPLIES
President of Southern Miceiesn Fruit
Assn Answers Article in Last
Weeks Issue.

In reply to Mr.. Buskirk's wrteup in
The True Northerner as to why the
organizations refuse to cooperate | wish
to say few words. IL part OF the truth
is all right more Of it certainly ought to
be.
Mr.. Buskirk knows that We entered
into the agreement of cooperation In
the matter Of fixing prices providing a
way could be found that it could be
done under the Sherman Anti trust law.
To this end a committee was appointed
to take legal advice upon the matter
and it was taken up with attorneys 10
this county and other parts of the state,
with as good lawyers as the state affords.
In every instance we were informed that
it was an impractical thing to do.
Mr.. Buskirk instead of combining him
self to facts, has to make ridiculous
abuse of Mr. DUnham and the directors
Of the Southern Michigan Association.
Ii he feels that way, | am very glad that
he has done this, because it gives to the
o ublic without our having to do so,
sample of what we had to take from
some Ct the members of the other asso-
Citations during the meetings.
No matter how much any of US have
differed with Mr.. Durham, those who
have been acquainted with him during
his lifetime know that he has always
been an honest, law abiding citizen, no
coward, and always ready to stick to a
principle through thick and thin.
Mr.. Buskirk is not, and has never
been a member of any association and
by his remarks conclude that he does
not intend to be this year. He has
always received benefits that come by
reason of associations but prefers to stay
on the outside and not assume any of
its responsibilities, but hands out to us
a standard of religion he docs not care
to practice himself.
The theory of Mr.. Buskirk and those
OR whom be acts as spokesman seems |
to be Try something law or no DO law"
They seem to forget that those very |
conditions for which they plead were |
prevailing before the time of the Sher-
man Antitrust law, while T. r. Smith |
was manager and too while there was
cooperation between the different |
managers, but nothing came Of it except |
dissatisfaction among the growers. Why
we're not prices then maintainedY |
Suppose we could have, not only few
martyrs thrust into prison, as Mr.. |
Buskirk suggests, but a continual stream
of them, would that change the law, or
keep the price up permanently? The
man or company of men who advocate
violating laws are not, as a rule, those
to whom people desire to entrust their
business. Laws are made for a purpose
and are TO he obeyed The custom laws
t-e Productive Of u great amount of
inconvenience and hardships to the
innocent traveller, but they are to be
obeyed Just the same.
The Southern Michigan Association
has always bsen a law abiding organiza-
tion and it is TO be hoped that it always
will be.
Simply because We cannot cooperate
as TO maintaining prices according TO
their idea of cooperation regardless of
law they refuse to cooperate 10 points
more vital toward the maintaining Of
prices. namely-uniform pack and
general inspection. When we propose
a com promise in this one point at issue,
so that the managers can be brought
together with more friendly feeling.
They throw the whole thing down and
walk cot saying It's all oil. Th |
shows for itself now sincere they are in
, the matter of co operation and how
determined they are to either rule or
ruin
If the growers wish cooperation they
coul very easily have it by all organic
iug in one association, eliminate
cutting of price 10y home people, and |
thus solve the problem in very prac.
tical way.
However, even then this section could |
not establish the price for we represent
only small portion of the grape grow
Jog industry.
To the growers Of the different organi-
cations. Let Us go into the years work !
with the determination to cooperate in
the things We can do. Whatever asso-
citation may be our choice let US do the
very best We can to make it everything
1T should be and may each do his part !
to improve the pack and regain the |
reputation that is justly ours for the
earning. Should we have to lose may
we be good honest losers, and should we
win may il be through merit
ID. l. THORNTON,
Pres S. Mich. Fruit Assn