New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-10
New York Firm Seeks to
Act as Supply Agent
to Belligerents.
EMISSARIES NOW IN
EUROPE WITH TERMS
Austin. Nichols & Co. Want to
Make Buying Here Easy to
Warning Nations.

The real mission became known yes
terday Of Louis Stoddard and FRANK =
Butterworth, of New Haven, Conn, VINO
sailed two weeks ago for England ana
refused to divulge the nature OF their
errand. They are representing the
wholesale firm of Austin, Nichols
Co., of this city, and are trying to engl-
neer a gigantic trade scheme.
Since arriving in London Stoddard
and Butterworth have been joined by
Harry Balfe, Thomas F. Mccarthy
Carlos Stoddard and \. {. Addosldes,
all of the same firm. The party also
included w. ID. Breaker, OF l.. II. qua
ley & Co., another prominent New YORK
house.
Louis Stoddard is well known as
polo player and breeder Of polo ponies
Frank Butterworth was formerly "A ale
football star and has been ldentihed
with numerous athletic enterprises.
When the men sailed it was rumored
that they were to sell horses TO the
foreign governments.
The true motive of the trip was eN-
planned TO a reporter for The Tribune
bv Thomas NJ. Mccarthy, treasurer of
Austin, Nichols g. Co. Mr.. Mccarthy
said:
"Since the war broke out we have
learned of many contracts for food and
other supplies which have been placed
here by the European governments
under conditions decidedly unfavorable
to the purchasers. They needed the
goods and had TO take the best terms
they could get.
eve felt that if arrangements could
be made to furnish large quantities OF
various supplies TO the warning coun-
tries it could be done in such way as
TO give them fair deal and also net us
a profit Our idea was that If we did
not take mean advantage of them
now the nucleus of steady trade Tor
years to come could be established
"The firm of Stoddard, Gilbert Co.
in New Haven. which was founded by
the father Of Louis Stoddard, was alb
sorbed some time ago by Austin, Mich
OILS & Co. Carlos Stoddard. a brother
of Louis. has been active in the man
agement of the house since 1T became
a branch of ours.
$50 we sent these men to Europe
with propositions to the various gov
ernments. In substance, we are offer
ing to make contracts for all kinds OF
supplies. selling them to the govern
ments during the war at cost, plus a
moderate commission. Provision rs
made for installing here an auditor
from each country, who will have ac-
cess TO our books and can make sure
that the goods arc sold at the prices
agreed.
"Whie our business consists prlnci-
pally Of foodstuffs. we do not intend
to confne ourselves to that line. Farm
ing implements and machinery OF all
L;nde mav no boupht on the same
terms. or course, it is planned to
carry out the arrangements on NAM
moth scale TO insure low buying prices,
and we believe that the result will be
a substantial boost for American prod
ucts and good business for our whole
salers in years to come
Mr.. Mccarthy could not say how long
/ the party would remain abroad, but
stated that already much business had
been sent in. The main idea, he said,
was to bring order out Of chaos, TO let
the foreign nations know where they
stand in the American market.