Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-01
SEEKING LOWER RATES.
TRUCK GROWERS DISCUSS THE
FREIGHT QUESTION.

Committee Appointed to Corner
with the Ocean Steamship Company
Dlrecters-The Advantage Charleston
shippers Have over Ssvannah-Wha at
New York Commission Merchant
Says About the FTuck Interests.
The truck growers met at the Marshall
House last night 70 discuss the question
Of transportation with a view to securing,
if possible, lower rates to the coastwlse
markets. A meeting Of the Chatham
County Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Association was called, bat owing
to the ab'ance Of quorum
a truck growers meeting was organized.
DR.. A. Oemler was made Chairman and
John Williamson. Jr., Secretary.
DR.. Oemler stated briefly the object
of the meeting. 1t was the purpose. he
said, Of the fruit and vegetable growers
to take some action as an association IN
regard TO the matter, but owing to
the a0sence Of q quorum and the conse-
quent inability Of the association to act as
body, it had been deemed advisable TO
invite the vegetable growers who were
interested IN securing lower rates to com
slider the question as truck gro ers,
irrespective Of any ORGANIZATION. lie
stated the matter plainly to the meeting,
and said that he had taken pains TO in
vestigate as fully as possible the dat
ference in rates between savannah and
Charleston. He read a schedule OF rates
on shipments from Charleston TO snow
the adYanta which shippers there have
over Savannah shippers.
The difference is claimed to be about %
per cent. on all classes Of vegetab bic
freight in favor Of Charleston. The differ
ence IN distance between savannah and
Charleston to the Northern markets is
so miles. The difference in rates, it is
claimed. is not warranted by the dis
tance. The matter Was freely discussed
10y number OF leading shippers. 1t was
finally determined TO bring it before the
President and directors Of the Ocean
Steamship Company and committee con-
sisting Of Capt. Paul Haskell, John Schley,
John Williamson, Jr., f. A. EXley, and
Mai. G. NJ. Ryals was appointed for that
purpose. A conference with the direc-
tors will be had at as early aday as posi-
bic, and a petition will be submitted ask
Ing for such a reduction IN rates as Will
enable shippers here TO place their truck
in the New York and Philadelphia
markets in competition with Charleston
and other vegetable shipping points,
which they cannot do under the present
rates. 1t is understood t0at change in
the sailing schedule Of the New York
steamers VIII be made the latter
part of the month. This the steam
ship company claims to do at
considerable additional expense, and the
agents are not disposed 10 consider favor
ably any movement looking to reduction
in rates.
After the transportation question had
been disposed OF, Mr. G.. Palmer, a promi-
nent New York commission merchant,
a
sion followed in regard to the general cut
look of the truck interests.
Mr.. Palmer said that the development
of the truck interests in the South had
created a demand tor green vegeta bles in
the Northern markets that was tar in eX-
cess Of the supply. The demand, he said,
Is increasing every ear and to such an
extent that in a short time it will assume
vast proportions. He expressed himself
heartily in sympathy with the movement
! looking to lower rates of transportation.
He was surprised at the eX-
/ tent of the crop about
/ savannah, and, as far as his observation
/ had extended, it here had suffered less
/ from the long winter and frOsls than the
/ crops anywhere along the coast. At Nor
/ folk the early vegetables We're killed and
! the late crop was badly damaged. He
/ believed Savannah TO lie remarkably for.
4 tlmate IN escaping the effects of the
winter, ana saw no reason why, if salts.
/ factory rates could be secured, the season
1 should not be profitable one.