National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-25
fHEO7srH WAR

Opinions Of the 9enfiictinx -Klsments'-Gsp-
tairi. aidalsmsn and Rsstaursnt Kssr-
ers, 80 b
It Il not generally known, but the recent sctipn
of the captains of the OYSTER boats plying on the
Potomac in the formation of q protective associa-
tion has assumed such proportions as for the time
being, at least, to make marked change in the
oyster trade in this District. They complained OF
being upJustly dealt with by the dealers or mid
dlemen, and, as they claim, as q matter OF self
protection organized an association, the main fear
ture Of which was the election OF an agent 60
whom all the oysters which they brought tothis
market would be consigned, and to whom they
agreed to pay commission of i've per cent. on
all sold, thus entirely ignoring the dealers with
whom they had been trading for years. They
made direct appeal to the restaurant keepers
and other consumers for their immediate custom.
The dealers at once made up their minds to fight.
part not to purchase any oysters from the cap.
tains belon ging to the association. They at once
made vigorous canvass Of their customers, and
assured them that they would be prepared to
furnish them with choice oysters at regular rates,
and this they have done, getting their supplies
club and from Norfolk, Baltimore and Annapolis.
The night is Q nice one as tt stands, and for the
purpose of ascertaining the temper Of the con-
REPUBLICAN, devoted several hours yesterday to,
q serles Of interviews with such persons as could
throw the most light on the suD1ect.
THE ASSOCIATION CAPTAINS
were FIRST sought and found at the Eleventh.
street wharf, where there are now SEINE twenty
boats lying. Among those OF this class spoken to
were Messrs. Leishear, the general agent; Cap
being theipresident OF the sssocst!en) Mr. FIeury,
the vice president; Capt johnson, for forty years
an oysterman, and several others. They stated
been running on the river dealing In oysters, but
during all that time have been completely at
they now term them. The result Of this vas that
they were paid the very lowest possible prices for
their stock, compelled 70 wait for their money for
sumers were made to pay exorbitant prices for
the oysters. In citing some Of the cases the cap
tain said he had on one occasion sold MS load for
dealer q commission and that the oysters were
sold out by the middle man at seventy.hve cents
we're common, and that as an absolute matter Of
eelfdefense they were compelled to form the or
Eanization. They express themselves so far as
perfectly satisfied with the arrangement, and as
sert thar while they obtain o higher price for
their oysters the consumer gets them at q lower
ngUre than under the old rule. They deny that
they had any idea Of creating monopoly for the
purpose OF raising the prices or controlling the
market, and say that now as always heretofore
always after consultation with the agent. There
are at present sixty six captains In the associa-
ton, which Is a very large majority OF the trade.
confidently OF being able Co beat thedealers.
As an evidence that there was no combination
that oysters were selling on the wharf, At rom 20
cents to 81 20 per bushel, an exceedingly low
price. The for this is, however, explained
below by the dealers
NoN.AssocIATIoS CAPTAIN.
Captain John DeAtley and Captain Bethel,
the only two non. association captains then at the
wharf, were talked with on the subject. They
cerned the Captains had good ground Of complaint,
but they do not think that the sweeping change
made will be at all conducive to the interests Of
as power, and lear that II they persist in their
determination not to purchase OF Leishear they
will completely destroy the trade In Potomac
out Of the association because It was
their interest to do so, and they have cause of
complaint against the other gentlemen for their
action.
Among the dealers called on were Messrs. VII
liam Steuart, Mr.. Turner Of the firm Of De Alley
& Turner; Mr.. ]. J. Hogan and Messrs. Turner 6
TSey state that for years they have BEEN follow.
ing the buiness, and Of necessity there was con-
siderable competition between them, not only for
This they insist answers the charge of exoroitant
profits or starvation prices. They say that the |
combination was made by lew OF the leading
the market, and that they Will not |
purchase Of any man who is q member Of the |
They deny that the csptains regulate the prices
of ALL and assert that Il is done by the associa-
ton. In proof of this they allege that on last |
price Of their oysters at sixty cents per bushel,
and yesterday the same oysters were being offered
on the wharf at twenty cents without takers that
market, and that before they can ind sale for |
them the oysters will be spoiled and dead loss.
They state than they have made ample arrange:
their customers with oysters during the entire |
season, and they are satisfied they win stick to
artIes It may be mentioned that yesterday some
Of the dealers had Q lot Of oysters, which had |
been brought from Baltimore BY rail, on the
captains) to the "hawkers'' at q very low figure.
The dealers claim to have always done q legit-
and a, proof Of hs
restaurant men for their views.
BACKsLIDER.
Among others at the wharf was Cant. Giyens,
but Who has declared Si%seif out. 4. states that
on Monday, by order Of the association, he liked
the price Of his cargo higher than be would have
until yesterday, when he sold at 20 cents sustain
ing great loss, which he, ofeourse, attributes
70 his being member Of the society. He states
but as yet none have publicly given notice Of
their withdrawal, but they will soon get tired
Of It.
THE RESTAURANT KEErERs.
IL Gdss sss 1S q Of
subject. They state that for years they have
been supplied by certain dealers, and are per-
fectly satisfied with their treatment. These
dealers arc always at the wharf IN season, and
get the best oysters and sell them at reasonable
rates, making, of course, q commission TO pay
them for their trouble. Besides, when the river
is frozen and oysters scarce, they have agents
and facilities for getting them other points.
They (the restaurant men) do not want the an
noyanee OF going from wharf to wharf, losing
time in searching for oysters, and have conse-
quentiy dealt with the middle men, and propose
50 to continue One OF them suggested that he did
not know whether 1t would so result, but it was
probable that II the captains succeeded In con-
trolling the market they might create Q monopoly
as expensive 70 purchasers ss the middle men
are alleged TO bare done.
Thus far the consumers have little the best
of it. for Il has bsen some time since fair oysters
were sold in this market for % cents per buSheI,
as they are now being sold ct the wharf.