Page 124 - Past Presidents' Club Book 1

First Annual Convention 125

company I represent for the reason that most of the gentlemen
in the machinery business know me, and know our methods.
Any of those we do not do business with, if they want to
get acquainted with me or with the firm, we will be glad at any
time to see them at W orcester and show them how we do busi­
ness.
I thank you for calling on m e; the Association has our best
wishes.
P r e s id e n t S t r o n g : Mr. Coolidge is at the Convention.
I am not certain whether he is in the room or not. If he is we
would like to hear from him.

M r. Coolidge : I am an unsophisticated manufacturer. I
have been in the business such a short while I can hardly give
you any advice or suggestion. At the same time my coming
down here was to meet the supply dealers and jobbers, and I
realize I must look to the manufacturer's end, and the jobber
look to the selling end. I found at the Fitchburg Machine W orks,
in which I am interested, if a man came to them and wanted to
buy a lathe, for five or six years they would go to the factory and
buy the lathe from the shop. It was hard for our people to get
out of that rut. In fact, they would not give an agent exclusive
territory and protect him in that way. If they did, there would
lie two or three dealers quoting on Fitchburg tools ill the same
territory. W e are trying to cut that out, and let the man who does
the buying from the factory do the selling, and we will protect
him just so far as is consistent with the policy of other manu­
facturers. W e raised the price of our tools before the tool dealers
got together and raised prices. I heard no complaint from any
of the dealers, and I am quite sure, from the manufacturers I
have talked with, and from my position, that we will maintain
prices, and it is up to the jobber to keep the percentage on the
selling price of goods which is due him, and which he ought to
have to make his business a success. I thank you. (Applause).
P r e s id e n t S t r o n g : Mr. Hatch, of the Diamond Machine
Company.
M r. H atch : I don't know that 1 can say anything of special
interest to you for the very reason that wc seem to be free of
kicks from the trade.