The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-11-30
. f. l. A l r, M d.
Friday Morning, - November 80, 1888.
The Proposed Organization of Gamers

The proceedings of the meeting of Gamers
held at Havre de Grace, last Saturday,are given
n another column. There was II general
interchange of views in relation to the pres
rent unremunerative prices of canned goods
and the evils from which the trade is suffering,
and call was issued for the election on
Tuesday next, December 4th, of delegates
to attend Il county convention, to be held in
Bel Air, on Saturday, December 9Th.
Tie object in view seems to be the coop
Grafton of the packers of Baltimore city and
the counties, in adopting measures by which
the market can not be broken by spectators
and prices forced down, as they now are,
below the cost reproduction.
Opinions differ with regard to the cause of
the present low prices. Many wel'intorm-
ed Gamers believe that almost enough cann-
ed goods were left in storage from the i'm
mense pack of 1882 to supply the demand of
1888, and that the pack this year although
short has only increased the difficulty. AT
the same time it is not doubted that the con-
sumption of canned goods has increased, but
not so rapidly as it would if consumers derry.
ed any advantage from the low prices re-
ceived by the packers. 1t is claimed that
they do not On the other hand, it is assert
ed that the low prices are to be attributed to
the fact that many Gamers have been obliged
to sacrifice their products to meet oblig
tions for cans, cases money borrowed 10
pay labor, Nc.
If over. production is the cause, there is no
hope of better prices until the plethora OF
stock on hand is reduced by consumption,
and the rates of supply and demand are
more nearly cqualized If forced sales have
brought prices down, in short time the
market will adjust itself, by the inevitable
laws of trade, and II rise may be expected.
1t is not to he supposed that any co.opera-
ton of Gamers can keep prices up beyond..a
legitimate rate, based upon the supply and
tie demand, but such cooperation, wisely
entered into, and having ut its head men in
whom the entire trade can have full
confidence, may prevent disastrous
fluctuations in prices, by aiding needy
Gamers in tiding over their difficulties and
keeping their goods from being sold below
cost.
One remedy proposed is the warehouse
system, and upon this point n prominent
packer of Hartford county, writing to the
Baltimore Gamer and Grocer, says:
81 would suggest, as you did sometime since,
that Hartford county Warehouse Company be
organized with say half million dollars CAPT
tai md htlil 1Nunp hnt NJ Ill nm
ming centres of the county. The company have
an inspector fully conversant with canned goods
to determine what are standard goods. and when
packer must have funds to meet his obligations
he makes application to the company for loan
on his goods. After the inspector has passed on
them and graded their quality, they be put in
storehouse and warehouse receipt from the
storekeeper be given, which could be taken to
the office OF the company, who would pay the
amount called for on the endorsement of the
warehouse receipt, they giving the packer a
memorandum of same. 1t would then be known
throughout the United States jobbing trade that
the Hartford county packers were not going to
be pressed for the payment Of tin can notes or
squeezed by commission merchants and would
be ready to treat with the packer direct or
through broker for their goods.
The warehouse company could superintend
the shipment of the goods and attach sight
draft to bill of lading just as easy as the com
mission merchant. The packer would not be
compelled to pay from TO 80 per cent. extra
for making out drafts and bills of lading which
any ordinary school boy could perform. Even
further, the warehouse company could purchase
cans if necessary in large quantities at much
cheaper rates and on better terms than an indi.
vidual and when the packer sent his good either
TO warehouse or depot for shipment he could
load up with cans on his return trip. The com
pany would not require to take heavy risks I'M
secured and the packer would have his goods
at q central point for shipment at all times,
and be in position to supply orders with
promptness and dispatch"
A plan somewhat similar to the one sug-
gested above, is we believe pursued by the
Northern Hartford Packing Association. The
experience of that association might serve as
guide.
At any rate it would be well for the can
ners of the State to come together at Bel
Air, on the 9Th of December and consult
on many subjects in which they are
mutually interested.