Smyrna times., 1877-07-18
Peach Growers in Council.


On Friday afternoon, Convention of
the Peach Growers Association of Delaware
was held in the Town Hall at Middletown.
$. G. Biggs presided, and j. B. Naudain
acted as Secretary.
Samuel Towsend, by way of introduction,
gave u sketch of the peach trade, and the
troubles of the growers in getting their.
fruit marketed. He adverted to the
management of the p. w. & B. II. Il. rs
far rs the arrangements Of that company
for the transportation of peaches are con-
cerned. After relating the injustice that
he conceived the peach growers had suf-
fered at the hands of the p. w. & b. Rail-
road Company, he stated that it was not
proposed at present to take any definite
action. but it was contemplated to take the
subject OF the transportation of peaches
into the courts, and try to get there re-
dress of the grievances the peach growers
were now suffering.
Mr. Townsend then read the report of
the committee of peach growers, who were
appointed to visit New York and ascertain
what arrangements could be made with the
commission merchants and carriers of that
city, with regard to the transportation of
peaches on satisfactory terms to all parties.
The report stated that the commission mer-
chants and carriers named had said that
they could not reduce the rates of carriage
under four cents per basket and six cents
for crates, which are the old rates. After
which a communication was read from E.
Blanchard, of Jersey City, who offered to
do all the carting for p cents per basket,
but he made no estimate in regard to crates
After some discussion it was moved and
agreed to that the committee be continued
Hon. B. T. Biggs wanted to know who
pn MI, fhar bo
responsible and had facilities for carting
100 car loads of peaches daily.
committee of two carriers of New York
were present, and one of them, Mr. Hau-
ford, spoke to the meeting favoring the
old sum of 4 cents per basket. He said
that it would be complete loss for cart
men to reduce to cents. He knew of
some men who did that last year, but they
were sold out by the sheriff. The commits
sion men who were in favor of 3 cents last
year are in favor of this year.
Mr.. Townsend was making a reply to
the New York gentleman when he was
called to order, and Mr.. Green moved the
reading of the report of committee to
draft an open letter to Mr.. Hinckley.
Adopted.
Mr.. Green then had read the recently
published correspondence between the
committee and President Hinckley, and
made reference to holding the railroad by
law bound to make no discriminate or op-
pressive freight charges on peaches.
Mr.. Biggs said he thought it was in bad
taste to address a letter to President
Hinckley, complaining of rates on other
roads. He had never dealt with Il more
honorable gentleman than Mr.. lIinckley.
Mr.. Biggs then criticised the letter in the
Philadelphia Times, and Mr.. Green ac-
knowledged to have given the general in
formation III the letter. Here an extended
discussion followed, during which Mr..
Biggs stated that President IIinckley was
no dictator" but works to the interests of
the grower. He had favored reduction of
33 per cent when the subject was first
brought to his notice, but obtained only
%; he went again to the officers of other
roads and through hard work obtained 80
per cent. And yet you call him "dicta-
tor"
Mr.. Green wanted to know how it was
that President Hinclley favored shippers
on the water courses. He carried peaches
from Still Pond to Philadelphia for cents
per basket while he charged IL cents from
Mddletown, 80 miles closer to the city
No reply was made.
Robert II. Cummins offered resolution
to continue the committee on carriage, and
growers could not pay over cents for
carriage between Jersey City and New
York. Adopted.
Hon. b. T. Biggs offered set of resolu.
tiOns, as follows:
RcSOlued, That we, as shippers and
patrons of the railroad, recognize the many
advantages extended to us both for trave
and for the transportation of our products
especially our fruits, and regarding such
efforts from a strictly business stand point
we believe our interests and those of the
transportation lines entirely mutual, anC
are each dependent upon the other, anC
being convinced of the truth of this view
we do condemn and deprecate any attemp
upon the part of any unauthorized person
or persons to represent US as having feel
ings antagonistic to the said companies.
Resotoed, That we invite all transporta
ton companies to consider the value of ou
products, and to cooperate with us in in
creasing our facilities, assuring them of oul
desire to perpetuate the present amicablt
relations, and believing such a course will
realize the most satisfactory results to con
sumers, transportation companies and our
selves.
Mr.. Biggs and a number of Others
earnestly recommended the passage of thu
resolutions, but the meeting refused t.
even consider them, and they were un
tremendously tabled by a vote of 19 to 3
On the other hand a resolution was pre-
sented and adopted to make an appeal t.
the Supreme Court of the United State
and to the Legislature of Delaware t.
establish rates for the transportation o
peaches.
The meeting after further talk adjourned
sine de-