The daily gazette., 1877-06-09
Peach Growers in Coun Gil,

a Large Attendance and Much, Dic,ls-
sion-Nothing Done ,oith the Princi-
pal Question. lice
MIDDLETowN, Del, June 8,
AS the morning trains came into Mid.
dletown to-day, it was remarked that a
large number of prominent peach
growers would stop to attend the second
peach convention held in 1877. At the
Town Hall, very large number assem-
fed at 2:30 o'clock, included among them
being representatives of the philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore, PhIiadel-
phia and Reading, Baltimore and Ohio,
and Delaware railroads Among the
growers were Gov. Cochran, DIR. Ridg-
ley, Samuel Townsend. Ii. A. Willets.
and many other very prominent men.
The question of chartering cars has bee n
made such an important one by those
who ship that the only great interest was
taken in it. A severe discussion took
placs, the opposition to doing away with
the present system being sus tanned; a
hint has since been made that the reason
the large growers wish the old system
continued is that it gives to them an in
crease in freight rates and 3 cents COM
ihiSoiOu "Hcu oLndh BrOWcIS lake part Oh
car for their consignments. However
that may be was not decided, but more
animated discussion in which nothing
was done has not been known to peach
dealers.
DIR. Ridgley ,on being chosen president,
called the meeting to order, and gave
ten minutes to Mr.. Robinson. of Phil
adelphia to allow the latter to describe a
new system of keeping peaches in a re-
frigerator. This had the effect to remind
growers Of the failure made here in 1875,
but Mr.. Ridgley, claimed that his ma
chine was a success.
The president called for the report of
the committee Of fifteen who were ap-
pointed to seek q reduction of freight
rates from Mr.. Hinckley. 49,
Hon. B. Il. Bggs said the committee
had met at the office of Mr.. Hinckley in
May. Owing to a diversity of opinion
and to the fact that consultation was ne
cessary to be had with other railroads be-
fore any action could be guaranteed, the
committee decided to meet again in tt Q
same place on June 9TH. AT that time
many representatives of the grand trunk
lines leading to the west and northeast
were present and conference of five
hours took place between them and
Subcommittee of five growers. The
points were not gained by the growers,
although they had been promised all the
advantages that could be given by the
railroads. After the committee had re-
turned home Mr.. Chas. X. Ide, Master of
transportation of the z. w. u b. Il. R.,
was instru ted by Mr.. Hinckley 10 send
the following letter of propositions. 1t
is discerned by the tone of the letter that
the railroad company wishes to do away
with the present system of chartering
cars and this accomplished, empty
baskets would be returned no longer.
PHILADELPHIA, june 6, 1877.
Hon. b, I. Biggs, Chairman, &c.
Dear Sir:-After consultation with tee
officials of the Penna. K. Il. Company, the
following rates on shipments of peaches,
10 apply the current season, have been
agreed upon:
The rates to all western points to be re-
, duced 25 per cent. from those in force in
| 1875; and rates to be named to all princi-
pal points on the line OF the Pennsylya-
MIA II. R., its branches and connections,
based on the same reduction.
Empty baskets returned as follows: For
| a distance of 100 miles or less, / cent per
| basket; for distance of 100 to 1879 miles 9
cents; for distance of 200 to 499 mi les, 8
cents; for a distance of 500 to 1000, q cents.
1 Rates to Jersey City and Boston to be
reduced 81 per carload from those in
force in 1875.
! Empty baskets returned at cents each
| from Jersey City. 1t is understood in
this connection that the chartered car
system. heretofore in force, will be aband-
oned, and that the basis of calculation
|, will be for carloads of 16, 900 pounds,
| CHAs. X. IDE,
| Master of Transportation.
This was the result of the committees
labor, and it caused an explosion. Gov
Cochran moved that the propositions be
rejected, which motion was seconded nv
MIR. Townsend who spoke of them being
onerous, and said the committee hae
been shamefully treated by the railroad
oihcials and If the present system wa.
abandoned ofchartering cars the peache;
would rot on the trees before cars
could be procured to ship them. He wa
not in favor of doing away with the re-
turn of empties.
Mr.. r. S. Griffith did not wish Mr.
, Hinckley's proposition rejected unit
1t was thoroughly discussed He coult
see the object of the proposition to dis
courage the return of empties, and VIII,
shall that not lbe done now; it will b
f done before long. Noother fruit SO larg
was sold without the box or basket. ii,
was IN favor of not returning emnt
9 baskets, which could be procured for
i cents each, though inferior.
n Mr.. Townsend said that if the proposi
uoh was adopted, baskets already mad
would rise from to Is cents.
O Then followed a very lengthy discus
i sion of Gov. Cochran's motion, and tn
a speakers entered it with SO much hast
a they would invariably get to anothe
question. Messrs, Mills, Townsend, Bigps
:, Hof, Cummins, Smith and others SPOKE
= After the discussion had lasted tilf nea
: = SIX O'Clock, Gov. Cochran Withdrew hi
: motion. 40
a s. S. Hoff then offered a resolutio
n which was adopted continuing the CON
mittee with instructions to seek furthe
requctlons OF freight, and to receive an
other concession the railroad comnania
| would make.
!. dletown. ~ "A