PllOCEKDlNGS OF THK SIJMMKII MKKTINd 57 



known of scores dropping out by tlio way, who liave lost from five to 

 ten thousand dolhirs that they put into the business, because it does not 

 take a great while to eat up the capital. Now, I have stated these facts 

 brielly, but I have tried to do it so clearly that there can be no mistake 

 about it. I am speaking only of the honest commission man, I am only 

 speaking of those who do their duty. It is only by the vast amount of 

 business done, and, as Mv. Thayer so aptly stated, by looking after the 

 fractions, that the profit is made. I have the honor of being at the head 

 of a pretty large concern, but the amount we receive from our business 

 is so small, the percentage is so small, that you have to do an immense 

 business to make anything. For years our net profit, out of which had to 

 come the sustenance of my brother and myself, was less than two per 

 cent, of the amount of business we did; consequently we can hardly be 

 accused in a wholesale way of being so great at "gouging" — I know no 

 other word to put in. I was over at a factory today — and that brings up 

 two or three remarks that were made. Mr. Kellogg says you must not 

 make an extra motion, and Mr. Thayer has broached the same idea. We 

 must keep step with time or we will be left. Chicago is in a great hurry — 

 and why? It is rush and hurry with the crowd or you will be run over 

 and crippled; and if you are crippled you are no good. I was over in this 

 factory today, and I brought away with me a card. I stood by a machine, 

 and a young man, scarcely twenty I should suppose, put on this edge at 

 the rate of four thousand per day. I stood by another machine that cut 

 it out square, without this beveling, and he makes over four thousand 

 covers per day. I asked the proprietor how many he could do by hand, 

 and he said a hundred per day would be a good day's work, but here is a 

 young man who turns out four thousand per day. What is the lesson? 

 It must be that in fruit-raising, in fruit-handling, in every department of 

 business, we must keep step with the spirit of the age or fall behind. Lret 

 me now pay my respects to the dishonest commission men — they exist. 

 They are dishonest, w^e know it, but I would not undertake to prove it. 

 I would get a libel suit on my hands right lively if I should say "John 

 Brown was dishonest and swindled", unless I had it in black and white 

 to prove it. Who is going to prove it? The National League of commis- 

 sion merchants say, "We will lend you our help." While I was president 

 of that organization I sat in my office and listened to charges made by one 

 of the best attorneys in the city of Chicago against a firm whose name, 

 for obvious reasons, I do not mention. The secretary, however knows it. 



The Secretary: Have you any objection to my stating it? 



Mr. Barnett: They are out of business; I do not wish to mention it 

 unless it is necessary. That attorney was at his wits' ends. Said he, 

 "Here, it is plain enough. But how are you going to prove it?" I detailed 

 a man whom I was paying $2,000 per year (and he was earning his money), 

 told him what to do, where to go, and he gathered the evidence. Shippers 

 came in and said, "Mr. Barnett, you are a member of the National 

 League?" "Yes, sir." "Well, so and so robbed me out of |t500"— in one 

 case $1,500. "Well," I said, "I am sorry for you." "Well, but I want to 

 get my money back." "Who is your attorney?" "Do you have to hire an 

 attorney?" "Yes, I can not appear in court." I said, "Gather your evi- 

 dence, be sure you are right." He stated his case, and those cases were 

 worked mi. One man received back through the agency of the National 

 League of commission merchants, backed up by Barnett Brothers, or 

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