Proceedings at the conference between the deputation from the London Chemists' Association, etc., etc., and Burroughs Wellcome & Co. : held at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, London, June 21st and 28th and August 2nd, 1906.

Date:
[1906?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Proceedings at the conference between the deputation from the London Chemists' Association, etc., etc., and Burroughs Wellcome & Co. : held at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, London, June 21st and 28th and August 2nd, 1906. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    55/64 (page 51)
    [COPY.] LONDON CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 1, Park Street, Glo’ster Gate, H. S. Wellcome, Esq. Regent’s Park, N.W. Dear Sib, 11-7-06. I have much pleasure in forwarding the enclosed statement made by the Chairman (Mr. F. W. Truman) at our meeting to-day, and also the following resolution:— “ That the Association regrets that Mr. Wellcome regards the resolution passed by “ this Association on Jan. 3rd, 1906, as a vote of censure ; that it was, as it purported to “ be, an intimation that the members were not satisfied with the present trade terms of “ Messrs. Burroughs and Wellcome.” Both statement and resolution were unanimously adopted by the meeting. Yours very truly, [COPY.] (Signed) R. B. BETTY, Hon. Sec. Statement made by Mb. F. W. Tbuman (Chaibman) at a Geneeal Meeting of the London Chemists’ Association, held at St. Bkide’s Institute on July 11th, 1906. You will, doubtless, remember that on January 3rd, a resolution was carried unanimously by this Association, and subsequently endorsed by almost all the Chemists’ Associations in this country, to the following effect :— “ This Meeting of the London Chemists’ Association expresses its disapproval of “ Messrs. Burroughs and Wellcome in refusing to join the P. A. T. A., and considers “ their system of protection ineffectual.” As you are aware, a deputation from this Association, assisted by some members of the Eastbourne Association, has, on two occasions lately, met Mr. H. S. Wellcome, by whom they have been most courteously and cordially received, and the question of price maintenance for their articles has been thoroughly discussed from all points of view—including a practical illustration of the evil results of insufficient profit and ineffectual protection in dealing with their goods. I hope that the conference we have had will be productive of some good results, both to the trade and the manufacturers. As chemists we are asking no unreasonable concessions—nor do we attempt to coerce in any shape or form any firm or firms. But I regret to say, that Mr. Wellcome intimated that he regards the resolution wffiich I have read to you as being a vote of censure upon his firm. I am sure that this Association would not presume to pass a vote of censure upon any firm who were conducting their business upon honourable lines, even though that particular firm’s methods did not meet with the approval of the members of the Association. I feel equally sure that Mr. Wellcome cannot mean to object to any body of his customers expressing their views upon conditions applicable to his business—provided those views are expressed without any discourtesy—as I maintain the resolution so does express them. It is for you, gentlemen, to say how and by what means that erroneous impression on the part of Mr. Wellcome is to be removed.