The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-11-18

uy big-hearted lot of fellows,
always willing 10 lend helping
hand and il only requires Al oc-
sional smile and a word of appre-
lation on your part TO keep us
hustling in the distribution OF your
products.
While we are enjoying this ban
quet as your guests, II hardly seems
like the proper time TO complain.
so you will pardon me if should
transgress somewhat. Sometimes
we feel that the compensation In
the distribution ~ proprietary
goods is too small we are
tempted to make a protest; then
one of your representatives will call
and extend the glad hand and con
vince us that the profit allowed is
all that We can stand and that too
much would not be good for us.
But in a great many instances
the jobbers' profits could be mater
tally increased. II your products
were packed In half-cases, at a
slightly advanced figure for the
| half-case. this would give us a uni
form listed price. which is much
easier to get: for roo many jobbers
fail to charge for the time, trouble
and expense of breaking cases.
believe manufacturers should. to the
very limit OF their power. see 10
IL that the Jobbers sell their goods
at list prices. ! know that we, as
business men and good citizens, are
opposed to trusts, but personally
mems agreements when honestly
made for the prevention OF ruinous
prices. do not understand. how
ever. that trusts are things OF the
past. for ! am told that the National
Can Co. and the Ford Automobile
people have agreed on a schedule
of prices on tin boxes for the com
ing season.
Il believe the time is not far dis
tant when the manufacturer will be
supported by statute in making and
maintaining the prices at which his
product will be sold, not only to
the jobber and the retailer. but 10
the consumer. and thus prevent the
destruction of that great asset OF
the manufacturer, the demand
which many times has cost millions
OF dollars 10 create. How many
times we have seen the sale OF a
nationally advertised article com
pletely destroyed In some commun-
tiles by the cutting OF prices that
robs all distributors Of compensa-
ton for handling. ! must confess
that the foolish price-cutters are
not all in the manufacturing and
retailing ends OF the business. but
some OF them are known "a Job
bers' These fellows need the as
sistance OF the manufacturer 20
maintain price that will properly
compensate tho iobber for his ser
vices In the distribution.
I'm other words. We ask you 10
help us TO protect ourselves against
ourselves The wholesale grocers
employ larger amount OF capital
and engage larger number OF PEG
pie than any jobbins business that
know Of We are not always able
20 secure schooled salesmen. and
often men are employed as sales.
men who can only induce mer.
chants 70 give thom orders on tho
cut price basis. This leads 10 the
fall Of other statesmen and the loss
OF proht; not only 10 his house but
to others covering the same terri.
tory. In asking you manufacturers
20 help the real merchant 10 enjoy.
az least. the small profit usually
allowed, we also ask yop 10 insist
upon your own salesmen getting
tho nst prices and not work one
iobber against tho other. or course.
this IL not done in Michigan, but
| have been told II has been done
in other states.
"The American Speciality Manu-.
faeturers' association 10 one Of the
great factors IN the present spien.
did feeling NJ harmony existing be.
tween manufacturer and jobber,
The progressive spirit OF the time
- dominant In both, and through