Smyrna times., 1877-06-27
Peach Meeting No. 3.

Peach Meeting No. 3.
The Peach Growers held their third |
meeting at Middlctown last Friday, and q |
fussy time they had of it. We copy from |
the Gazette, as follows
Mr. Charles Beasten was elected chair. |
man. When the minutes of the last meet |
ing were read the chairman called for the |
report of the committee which were ap |
pointed at the previous meeting to 90 to
MIR. lllncklcy and make final arrangements |
in regard to a reduction of freight rates,
&c.
Mr.. B. r. Biggs, chairman of the COM
mittee, stated that the committee had met
Mr.. lIincklcy and representatives Of the
other large railroads. Mr.. lIinckley told
them that the former system of procuring
cars 7could be done a,coy ac;M as it worked to
the disadvantage Of the railroad greatly;
but he also gave them a guarantee that
another plan would be introduced far
superior to the old one. In regard to re-
ductiOn of freight the committee had sue
ceeded in getting 80 per cent off western
rates, and reduction of s. per car to
Jersey City and Boston. These final ar
rangements were made and the committee
asked for the conclusion in writing, when
the following letter was sent them:
Hon. B. T. Biggs, Chairman Committee Peach
|
DEAR sIR:-I desire to withdraw my letter to you
dated 9th inst and to substitute the following modified
rates to apply to the peach traffic for the current
Rates to Jersey City and Boston to be reduced five
dollars 5) per from those Of 1879. Empty baskets
to be returned at cent each from Jersey City On
western shipments to points reached by the Pcnnsyl
OF and including Plttsburg and Wheeling reduction
of 80 per cent from the rates i'll force 1875 be
made, and rates to be named to all principal points.
Empty baskets to be returned as follows: In a dis
tance less than 100 miles cent per basket; for dis
tancc of 100 to l99 miles cents per basket; for dis
tlncc of 200 to 499 miles cents per basket for dis
| tance of 500 to GO0 miles, cents per basket.
1t is understood that the chartered car system
heretofore Ill force Will be abandoned and the basis
of calculations will be for carloads of 5000 pounds.
Yours very respectfully,
CIIAS. X. IDE,
Master Of Transportation.
Shortly after the letter was explained an
attack was made upon President Hinckley
by two OF the committee and others.
Mr.. George Cummins discountenanced
the withdrawal of the old system and
wanted growers to ship and hold the rail
road as common carriers. He would in
fiucncc growers to ship by water; anything
in preference to submitting to the rail
roads dictation. He was opposed to the
sale Of the baskets with the fruit.
Mr.. Robert Cummns said Mr.. Ide's letter
was an edict, q mandate, but no PROPOSE
ton. These railroads had long before con-
|
f getting cars and the committees visit was
useless. He was strongly in favor of allow
ing the peaches to remain on the trees
, until the railroad came to terms. The
rates on the return of empty baskets were
infamous.
Speeches were limited to ten minutes.
Mr.. Townsend arose, boiling over witt
r Indignation and said the terms were un
manly and outrageous. The railroads at
S tempted to buy Delaware but she was no
, for sale yet. lie spoke in favor of resortins
to and compelling the railroads to act Al
: common carriers.
f Mr.. Biggs said there was no cause for al
these criticisms. The action of the com
: mittee was final as was also Mr.. IIincklcy'
!, in reference to cars These gentleman
o officials had acted fairly toward the com
t mittee and he was opposed to seeing then
T rdculcd in such way. The object of tn
railroad companies III charging for return
e of baskets was to do away with the prac
o tice.
e During the discussion Robert Cummin
If intimated that Mr.. Biggs had conceale,
from the committee Mr.. Ide's letter. Nj
~ Biggs said if the gentleman said he di,
y that, he stated that which he had no righ
~ to do. The Major was insulted. Gov
= Cochran limited that Mr.. Biggs was in cor
. cert with other railroad officials in er
- forcing the conclusions given in the letteI
" Mr.. Biggs denied it,
?. Mr.. j. G. Brown said the letter was fni
- and he and all shippers would be governe
i by its terms. Mr.. Hinckley had been gel
u tlemanly in all his actions, and he hope
= Mr. lde's letter would not be rejected.
y Mr.. Green offered q resolution agans
: the acceptance of the final terms as il
!, cluded in the letter, but discharging I'll
II committee. After two or three su6stitut,
NJ were defeated, the resolution was passe,
~ This will necessitate the forcing of til
;. terms upon n majority of shippers.
of A committee was appointed to go
nc New York and seek a reduction in IL
n, rates of carriage of peaches from JersC
y City, and TO look to other matters relati,
ar to the interests of shippers to Jersey City.
When the meeting had dwindled dow
: to a few u committee was appointed
:, write an open letter TO President Ilincklc
is taking exceptions to his action.
n. Adjourned to meet July 18th.