Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 September 1949 — Page 19

_ THURSDAY, SEPT. 29, 1840 _

‘Why Do They Want to Put A&P Out of Business?

The answer is to be found in the formal complaint “they” have filed with the court. By “they” we mean, of course, the anti-trust lawyers from Washington who are out

to destroy A&P. They say... and these are the anti-trust lawyers’ own words «++ that we “have regularly undersold competing retailers.” They dry spariiing | od hed Olimenmien | » “ EE To this charge we plead guilty: for 50 Dishwasshings | : We confess that for the past 90 years we have constantly stepped up the efficiency of our operations in order to give our customers more and more good food for their money. Ths American people have seen nothing wrong in this. By their ever-increasing patronage for 90 yeilrs they have shown that they like this low-price policy. Apparently the people still see nothing wrong in this today. All during the past week - since the antitrust lawyers made their charges — we have been deluged with phone calls and letters from men and ‘women in all walks of life who want us to know they are opposed to this effort to put A&E out of An enoPmous number of customers are telling our store managers and clerks that Shey want to continue to enjoy our low prices for quality foods. LES | = Pamites 4 otfier sapiliors ase asking what Hey ean do to preserve this elficient outlet for thelr ® o ¢o products i. IN MEAT Our 110,000 employees are asking us to protect their jobs and pensions. et sure to / . oh Auer Labot leaders are wiring us their opposition to this threat to labor's living standards. u'll like at

If all these people will be hurt, why then do the anti-trust lawyers want to put A&P out of business?

Low Prices Don’t Hurt Auvine Do You Want Higher Prices?

BLES

© 0 © The anti-trust lawyers say because we are able to sell food cheaper As anyone can see, the only purpose that would be served by than other grocers, we make it impossible for those grocers to putting A&P out of business would be to raise food prices. GETABLES ’ compete with us. eal in itself. \ is b with re If this were true, we should have all the food business in the Wie world this Benehit) dink deli United States by this time. We were the first merchants to set the pattern for low-cost, low» Just the opposite is true. In 1933 we had 11.6 per cent of the profit distribution. Our example and our competition has led other nation’s food business. Now, according to the anti-trust lawyers, grocers to keep their prices down. - our share has decreased to 6.4 per cent in 1948. Anyone can see : . wre live notliing even appioaching = monopoly. Remove A&P from the picture and food prices are As a matter of fact, there are about 30,000 more individual - bound to go up. : | A L grocery in business today than there were ten years ago. | Remove A&P from the picture and the way will be ) LS There are about 275 more food chains in business today than cleared for the destruct £ th fici oe 0 0 there were ten years ago. 1 sin] di ib ction of every other efficient 'AVORITES In other words, we have more competitors in the food field and arge- e distributor. ed bet | * do a smaller share of the nation’s food business than before. Is this what the American people want? iis them. . Where is this alleged destruction of other grocers? Where is " : - | there any evidence of their inability to compete with us? ls this in the public interest?

eo | THE GREAT ATLANTIC & QF AW 248 PACIFIC TEA COMPANY

AVORITES and

dds life and ods, or an 5 make f

All-Purpose

=

IN, TEXAS