The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-12-14
Is +, l. A | II, NJ d.
Friday Morning, December IA, 1888.
The Gamers Convention.


that prices ofcanned goods are below the cost
of production, no one could suggest a feast
BILE remedy for raising the prices this year
There was difference of opinion, too, as to
the cause of the depression in the trade
Some attributed it to oyer-production, others
to decreased consumption, the result ofpack-
ing inferior goods, and others again to the
forcing OF large quantities Of goods upon the
market, in excess ofthe legitimate demands
of the trade. Probably all of these causes
have operated in greater or less degree to
bring about the present low prices.
The insurance question, the warehouse
system, n formation of a syndicate to buy all
goods which would otherwise be thrown
them, the co operation of city and country
packers and national convention ofpackers
were the subjects which came before the
meeting.
The first point discussed was the important
one Of canning house insurance, Il committee
being appointed to take the matter into con-
sideratien and report at the next meeting. In
view OF the increasing difficulty Of obtaining
ACCESSIBILITY of organizing a mutual insurance
company for Gamers was suggested.
The action of the Executive Committee of
the Hartford company, in giving notice that
risks on canning houses would not be renew
ed after the Isl of next January was com
mented on with perhaps more severity than
justice. The rates charged by the company
have been only about one.tifth of those charg-
ed by the stock companies, and this class fin
surance, it is claimed, did not bear its equal
share of the expenses ofthc mutual company.
The action of the Executive Committee was
therefore only taken in order to place the
company in Il position to adjust the rates of
canning house insurance equitably, if posi-
BILE so that our Gamers will not be driven to
seek insurance outside Of the county
With II proper discrimination as to the
character and location of the canning house
buildings it would seem that there ought to
be little difficulty in solving the problem
The greatest danger from fire, il is acknow-
lodged, is for the few weeks the canning sea
son lasts. Canned goods are not inhamma-
BILE nor liable to be destroyed by spontaneous
combustion. A building containing them, if
not endangered from without, would seem to
ne one of the safest risks n company could
take 1t was therefore argued at the meet
ing that rate of insurance which would be
proper while canning was in progress should
be reduced when the boiler fires were extin-
guished, the gasoline removed and the build
ing converted into storage room for non.
combustible canned goods.
The next subject discussed was the ware
house system. A committee was also APP.
pointed to consider this matter and report
at subsequent meeting. The plan suggest
ed is the organization of joint stock com
pany with capital sufficient to build ware
houses at points convenient to the canning
centres. These warehouses to be open to all
Gamers, upon payment of fixed rates of
storage. When goods are stored the COM
pany to give receipt for them, guaranteeing
their safe-keeplng, except from fire. These
receipts, it was claimed, could be used as Sc
curity for loans, or sold, at the option of the
Gamer, as storage receipts for cotton or for
grain in the elevators are used. 1t is not pro.
posed, as in the Northern Hartford Packing
Association, to have uniform label, but that
every packers goods shall stand upon their
own merits.
Snurpctpl at
companies might be induced to build these
warehouses and lease them to the warehouse
company. 1t is not expected that the ware.
house company should BECOME dealers in
canned goods, but if capital sufficient could
be raised the company might make advances
upon goods, and thereby aid in preventing
the market from being broken by forced sales.
Some discussion took place on the subject
of cooperation of the Baltimore city and
the country packers. Their interests are
identical in one respect. If large quantities
of goods are thrown upon the market by
forced sales, it is evident that the entire trade
must suffer Any movement, therefore, that
will obviate this state of things must be of
mutual advantage to city and country pack
ers.
The formation of a strong syndicate to buy
outright all the weak goods, rs they are
called, and thereby control the market, is
hardly feasible. The canned goods business
has assumed proportions too large TO be con-
trolled by any amount of capital available
Besides, unless the market were entirely I'M
der the control of the syndicate, outsiders,
would derive as much benefit as thesyndicate
from any advance, without corresponding
risk of capital.
The simplest way to bring about higher
prices would no doubt be to pack fewer
goods. This, undoubtedly, is beyond the con-
troll of the packers as body. There are,
however, several points which individual
packers could observe with benefit to them
selves and the business generally These are
1st. BY reducing the cost of packing to
the lowest cent, by the strictest economy in
labor and the introduction of the most APP
proved labor saving appliances.
I'd. BY packing only the best articles of
each kind, in an attractive, palatable and
wholesome manner. This would certainly
tend to increase largely the consumption of
canned goods.
Sd. The warehouse system, which would
place the business on sound commercial
basis, and aid in protecting the trade from
ruinous fluctuations in prices from forced
sales.
4th. A proper grading of goods as first,
second or third-class, with prices to cores
pond.
The next convention will meet in Bel Air on
Saturday, January 18th, 1884, at 10 M. 1t is