Page 39 - Past Chair Book-Pre 2020

First Annual Convention 43

second hand business— that there is more money in selling a
second hand tool than the new tool.
If the manufacturer would accord us a profit on a new tool
we would rather sell it, but if we can make twenty or thirty per
cent by selling a second hand lathe, we are all looking for second
hand goods because we can make a profit on second hand tools
when there is nothing in the sale of the new business.
Mr. J. W. W r i g h t : Is not it true that they would be will­
ing to give us twelve and a half or fifteen per cent if we can sell
the stuff? If they wait until the business is gone, then we get
nothing. I am in favor of doing it right now.
M r. B rion : I move that a committee be appointed to draw
a resolution to be presented tomorrow morning.
M r. B r a d le y : There is one phase I do not understand, and
I would like to have it explained by some of these gentlemen who
comprehend the whole situation.
As I understand, the desire of Mr. Marshall and some of the
other gentlemen is to go to some of the manufacturers and in­
dicate that the dealers want an increased gross profit of fifteen
per cent, and it is proposed to make this demand in rather vigor­
ous terms.
I want to inquire what the alternative will be. Suppose the
manufacturers decline it, what position will the Association be
in ? Have we any alternative, or will we be in a ridiculous posi­
tion ?
M r. M a r s h a l l : This is something that they have practically
promised us.
M r. B r a d l e y : Suppose they continue to hold out; what
will be the position of our Association?
M r. M a r s h a l l : This is not a new subject. Lots of times
the manufacturer says “If you want fifteen per cent to sell my
goods, T will sell them myself,” and it costs him thirty per cent.
He will come back and put them back in the dealer's hands. I
think thev arc pretty wise on that point. I think the fact that
they drew up that proposition in the first place indicates it. They

are holding us off. T think if we ask them to sign it that they
will do it. I would not put it in such vigorous terms as "You
must do it.”