Retail Prices Too High

Blocking the Movement

The investigations of our Association in New York City in conjunction with the Housewives' League, and by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, also instituted by our members, has emphatically confirmed the opinion long held, that RETAIL PRICES SUBSTANTIALLY PROHIBITED A LARGE APPLE MOVEMENT

It is probably true that there are too many retail stores, all under heavy expense of rent, plate glass, linen coats and deliveries to cater to the exactions of the public. It is also true that such commodities as Sugar, Quaker Oats, Gold Dust, etc., are sold almost at cost and as a result higher gross profits have to be exacted from other merchandise to prevent bankruptcy.

However, this thing must be looked at from another standpoint. How about the grower of apples and the man who handles the fruit from the orchard? There is an investment on the producing end to be protected if prosperity is to be maintained. It is absolutely wrong in principle to make one commodity pay the profit on itself and a profit and expense account for some other commodity. Sugar, Quaker Oats, Gold Dust, etc.. must pay their own way, and if linen coats, plate glass and the over-exactions of the public are in the way of a fair price on apples, then they should be made to get out of the way. We must protect ourselves.

Now no apple crop of any size can be moved at a retail price of $14.40 per barrel, or anywhere near that figure. The complaint is made with much justice in many cases that owing to wretched packing not more than 65 quarts of merchantable apples can be taken from a barrel by the retailer. Very well. Accept that as a basis and what do we find? Sixtyfive quarts at 15 cents per quart is $9.75 per bbl. Just a modest profit of $7.50, or the wholesale purchase price of OVER THREE BARRELS OF APPLES.

Put them down to five cents a quart and even then, at 65 quarts to the barrel, they bring back $3.25, or 33 1-3% gross profit. Ninety-six quarts at five cents per quart means $4.80 per bbl., or a gross profit of $2.55. So, anyway you can figure it, Five Cents a Quart at Retail Is Ample. One man wrote that the retailers in his city were selling at Sixty Cents Per Peck and thought that was reasonable. Sixty Cents a peck is $7.20 per bbl, or a gross profit of $4.95 per bbl. Did somebody say reasonable?

The more you look into this question, the more justified our position appears. These questions will have to be fought out. There is nothing to be gained by fear or by letting it alone. The thing is Absolutely Wrong. and we can be dead sure that if we don't fight our own battles, no one else will.

AND, BY THE WAY, THE REMEDY FOR MEASURING ONLY 65 QUARTS OF MERCHANTABLE APPLES FROM A BARREL HOLDING 96 QUARTS IS THE SULZER BILL. CONDITIONS NEVER WILL BE RIGHT UNTIL ALL OF US USE THE SULZER BILL.

OVERTON KENT, V PRESIDENT

CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK, MERCANTILE AGENCIES, PRODUCE REPORTER CO

Baltimore, January, 1913

If you have anything to ship or to SELL, com

The Publicity Campaign Grows

Eight Big Cities In Line-What Are You Doing

More has been accomplished along lines of publicity this year than in all the previous years put together. Nearly all the large cities have been able to do at least something and in many the public press has given extensive space to the apple.

As an example of what has been and can be done, we mention a special article prepared by the Association early in December which was sent to one of our members in each of the large cities with the request that publication be procured in such form as would meet the needs of that specific market. This article covered the size of the crop, the utility and healthfulness of the apple, its low price, advised purchases in wholesale quantities by the consumer and told him how to keep them until consumed.

Starting with this suggestion our members, changing and elaborating as circumstances d'emanded, were able to get valuable interviews in the papers of at least Eight Big Cities, viz., the Minneapolis Tribune, the Minneapolis Journal, Detroit News Tribune, Detroit Free Press, Kansas City Times, Louisville Courier-Journal, Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph, Cincinnati Times Star, Philadelphia North American. The New York Times, Sun, Post, Globe and Mail.

The entire trade, as well as the producer and consumer, is indebted for this service to the energy and interest of R. T. Ungerer, of the Gamble-Robinson Commission Co., Minneapolis, D. O. Wiley of Detroit, R. H. Jones of Kansas City, John H. Hile of Louisville, Chester Franzell of Pittsburgh, H. M. Weil of Cincinnati, E. T. Butterworth of Philadelphia, and President Loomis of New York.

No doubt other cities were equally alert and fortunate, but these places forwarded copies of the papers. In addition to the above we would specially mention the article in the Presbyterian Banner of Pittsburgh, which is reproduced in this issue. We do not know its author, but are greatly indebted to L. S. Town of North Rose, N. Y., for sending the clipping. It is beautifully expressed, as full of poetry as the apple itself. shows the artistic possibilities of this fruit and is most excellent from a publicity standpoint.

Minneapolis is also to be specifically congratulated on having adopted a definite local advertising campaign. The services of Mr. R. T. Ungerer, of the Gamble-Robinson Commission Co., have been placed at the disposal of the Minneapolis Trade and definite and specific advertising is being done in the daily press of that city. Pittsburgh has not only been a pioneer along this line but has kept in the forefront ever since. Their latest move was to investigate retail prices through the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, with results fully as startling as those in New York.

A great deal more has been accomplished along these lines in these and many other cities throughout the country. The field is limitless with unbounded opportunities. MAKE USE OF THE SUGGESTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS. In this issue of The Spy many valuable hints and possibilities are reveale'. Seize them and use them. It is urged that you correspond with members already engaged in the work. ALSO BEAR IN MIND THAT THE PRESIDENT, MR. LOOMIS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVERTISING COMMITTEE, MR. BORDER, AND THE SECRETARY WILL ASSIST IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. Let us have copies of your daily papers containing publicity features.