The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-10-06
A statement of Public Policy
BY The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company
a. The Interests of the Farmer

q. The Interests of the Farmer
Eight million farm families engaged in producing the
food by the American people All Of the farm homes
America therefore, comprising Of all Of the Poppy
of distribution by which the products of their labor and OF the
soil marketed
approximately 3o of their production marketed through
the chain food stores about 1919 through individual
Their vegetables and other foodsus sold through the
cheaper
at which they sold by many gocers If the farmer sells
given product to both at the same price, individual
charge the public to take OF his higher costs
Thus 800 of the farmers products reach the public at low
prices 1919 reach the public at higher prices
If the public given crop OF apples Poa'
berries other product at the prices at which hey
surplus accumuates and the farmer finds that he either
sell the balance of his must sell at substantial
loss Only often situation arises when Is literally cheaper
for the farmer let his apples his peaches rot on the ground
than to expend labor pack and ship them
Every farm economist knows that surplus does
0 less the farmer but often more than LoO less
g. i.. -
In other words the farmers problem to sell hi. products
At the cost Of production pus fair profit and get them the
public with as few intermediate and profits possible
sheefoe obviously unfair the farmer to propose
which would single blow wipe out 3o OF his
machn.y-and that 800 the part which maintains the price
to farmer yet public because of
nomal distribution 1t would be unfair to the farmer To-
putting Of business all of the individual OF
the country who distribute 1919 of his produce Both chain food
stores and individual perform distrbuve function
vital the interests Of the farmer either failed to function
the farmer would be faced with tremendous surpuses and
hearbreakng losses. -
For years the he, dealt with the farmers both pro-
ducers and We feel that have definite obisa-
ton and duty to oppose any legislative attack their best
interests.
S. The Interests of Labor
Every business in this country has vital interest in the
chasing labor When labor has high wages and great
purchasing power prosperous When labos pur
chasing power curaed all business suffers and the Amer
can standard Of living impaired For years has been
and the purchasing powe. of the workers dollar Combinations
or raise prices thus reducing real wages have
been declared illegal. ..~... f,..a
de,troy group of businesses for the frankly admitted
that they furnish the necessities of life to the and
his family at low prices There approximately 9OOOUo
workers directly employed in the chain store industry What
course open but oppose the action OF man who at
time when more than 900 900 wage already out
Of work and 900 600 families relief proposes bill that
would add almost another million to the roll OF unemployed
wipe 3o Of the machinery Of all Of the farmers
of the United States and the cost OF living OF the wage
earners of the United States. ..
We believe that has rendered great
service to the American people and that is a result
of that that have prospered we consulted
it would be easy to stop and enjoy
upon US except our fellow workers. However after the
fullest of all interests have arrived at
decision that would be doing less than our full duty if
posed by the III Honor Honorable Wight Patmsn
As have said Mr.. Patman is an able politician, an
able lobbyist and an able In that field he is
expert We are experts only in the grocery business:
We believe the chain have right to present their
case to the people We will not 60 into 'e
60.
of attempting influence he of member OF the
Congress We expect only full and fair opportunity to
the for the chain stores as great service
organization for the American people.
the task have set before one involving the
widest dissemination of complete information to all OF
the American people, and since this is profession in
which not expert, have engaged Carl Byoir &
Associates public relations counsel to do this work We
realize that seldom We know there.
FORE that must be prepared spend substantial sum
of money telling story to all of the American people
We declare now that this money will be spent the dis
.erination of information through paid advertising and
medium available to and in cooperating in the
farmers and workers. which provide open forums for
discussion of all measures affecting the cost of living
We believe that when the American people have all OF
che facts they will make their decision known to their
representatives in Congress- A. Americans will be
content with that decision. n
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