Smyrna times., 1883-05-23
The Peach Rasyxet Ouestiou.

The meeting of commission merchants |
and peach growers called by q committee |
of members of the Philadelphia Produce |
Exchange, was held in the room of the Ex- |
change on Wednesday last, at 20 clock and |
was numerously attended by the growers,
commission merchants and dealers. Henry
DOlier was called to preside and explain
the objects of the meeting after which John
j. Mcdonald was requested by the chair
man to express the views entertained by the
commission merchants relative to selling
the basket with the peaches. Other COM
mission merchants also expressed their
views, when it was discovered there was
quite diversity of opinion among them
selves as to whether it was best to sell the
basket with the fruit or return it pro nptly
to the grower. After the arguments of the
merchants had all been heard, communica
tiOns from the most experienced and intelli-
gent peach growers were then read, all of
whom were decidedly opposed to selling
their baskets, one large grower (Dr. II.
Ridgely) asserting they had no right to sell
his baskets, that they bore his initial mark,
they were his property and as commission
merchants they had no right to dispose of
them without authority from him. Among
the growers whose names were signed to
letters opposing the proposition were ii. H.
Appleton, ID. W. Corbit, T. F. Perry, John
G. Corbit G. Watkins and J. NJ. Appleton,
of Odessa, and DR.. II. Ridgely, of Dover.
After all the communications had been
read, r. Ii. Cummins stated that the grow
ers present would like to hear the views of
all the merchants before the growers would
present their side of the question. As there
seemed to be no further arguments on their
side to present r. Ii. Cummins took the
floor and consuming about twenty minutes
time, seemed by his remarks to change the
whole current of thought on the question.
He was followed by Jacob G. Brown, of
Wyoming, who, in his opening remarks
with an exhibition of feeling, said he felt
! good because Delaware was on top and II
man always feels good when he is on top.
He thought the growers had the best of the
argument and it made him always feel good
when he was on the right side" After some
further discussion, Mr.. Mcdonald moved
the question be referred back to the Ex-
change Committee of eleven, when Il. ii.
Cummins moved to amend the motion by
adding five peach growers, which was ac-
cepted and a further motion which was
finally agreed upon to make the committee
consist of five commission merchants, five
peach growers and five dealers The com
mittee appointed by the chairman is as fol
lows: r. II. Cummins, John NJ. VOshel
Smyrna Joseph Mallalieu, MillingtOn
Md. Serick +. Shellcross, MiddletOwn
r. T. Turner, Betterton, Md, to represent
the growers. G. V. Citizen, Robert Dix
A. Thomas, Jr., w 7. Brewer and r
Shetzline, to represent the dealers anC
Messrs. Hendrickson, Wilson. Hobson
Baker and Bowman will act for the genera
committee of the Exchange
The report of the committee, it is expect
ed, will be submitted to an an adjournet
meeting to be called by the chairman. o.
: the following day the committee met in
room at the Exchange to agree on a report
but just what the report will be is nc
known, but it has leaked out that the grow
ers would not agree to the conditions in
sisted on by the commission men and deal
ers, which is to demand Il deposit Of Onl
five cents on every basket as a guarante
for the return of the basket, to be paid
, the one returning it, condition Of the baskC
E not to be considered, if enough remains
designate the mark sold under.
Should this be the report of Il ma ority
+ the committee and adopted by the mectin
} it will show the most dishOnOrable if NJ
{ dishonest intentions on the part of the dea
ers and commission merchants towards til
growers that they could be guilty Of FiN
cents was the price fixed on to sell Il
4 basket for and if that sum be taken for
4 deposit to insure its return, many grocery
: men and dealers will think it worth thu
D price to them and keep it to use for tOm
toes potatoes and other vegetables. IT
, condition of the basket is not to be cOnsiC
! cred when returned. That means if II
u bottom is out or mashed so that it can't
e used second time no matter SO that IL
< mark of the owner is there, five cents wi
+ be paid back for it and returned to Il
e grower. Such methods, if resorted to by
h class of men styling themselves merchant
members of an Exchange, where honorab
! and fair dealing is supposed to be the go
erning rule, they deserve the cOndemnati'
Q of all fruit growers sending their prOduC
" to Philadelphia for a market.