The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-03-20
MISMANAGEMENT SOMEWHERE.
Gloomy Outlook for the Members

The stockholders of the Northern Hartford
Packing Association held meeting, at Delta,
last Saturday, for the purpose of ascertaining
the exact condition of its affairs, in view of the
many rumors which have been flying around
since the sale of all the canned goods Of the as
ISOLATION to Messrs. Smith u Wicks, of Balti-
more. Nearly all of the 80 members were pre-
sent.
Mr.. VIM. r. Gabreath was called to the chair
and DR.. George Andrew was appointed Secre
tary.
Mr.. w. F. McSparren, who was appointed
everal weeks ago by the directors, ut the re-
quest OF the stockholders, to examine the books
of the concern, reported that for want of suffi-
cent data he was unable to make definite or
satisfactory statement, Some of the Gamers
he also said, had shipped all of their pack, upon
the orders of the board of directors, while others
yet have portion of their goods GU hand. Some
OF the latter, 1t was understood, were disposed
to sell their goods on their own account, but
Mr. McSparren insisted that every member who
had goods on hand should be required to give
bond, with security that he would turn them
in to the accociation, for the mutual benefit of
the members, the association beng8 Joint stock
concern, all the members being liable for its
debts and entitled to an equitable pro rata
share of its profits.
Mr. w. Scott Whteford, President of the As.
ISOLATION, gave a detailed statement of the
number Of cans purchased from Smith q Wicks,
can makers, of baltimore, and of the amount Of
goods packed by the several mem bers, as shown
by their returns to the inspector of canneres
and BY him reported to the directors. The two
statements correspondent very nearly. Messrs
Smith u Wicks, upon their estimate of cans
furnished, say that if the cans were filled, after
deducting the legitimate expenses for ware
houses charges, insurance, interest on loans,
&c, and allowing IS, 900 for incidental expenses
there should remain to the association from $50 =
900 to 500, 600.
On the other hand, it is stated that if all the
goods in sight, in warehouses or known to be
in the hands of members, come into the poses
sion of Smith d Wicks, under the terms of their
purchase from the association, there will still
be large deficiency, estimated at SOS 600, in the
amount due the firm by the association for cans
DC.
The directors, some time ago, requested their
Treasurer, Mr.. Andrew Boyle who was in ill
health would soon enable him to give due at
tention to the associations affairs, at the re-
quest of friends withheld his resignation until
things could be placed in better shape. The
other directors, al the meeting on SATURDAY.
asked the stockholders to endorse their action
with regard to Mr.. Boyle's resignation. The
directors were accordingly endorsed 1t is pro-
per TO state that no charges are brought against
Mr.. BOYLE touching his honest management of
the funds of the association.
The meeting adjourned to the 2Sth instant
In the meantime Mr.. McSparren will endeayor
to ascertain the exact condition of affairs; what
goods have been sold, to whom, and W THAT has be-
come of the money, if the purchasers have paid
for them.
The Northern Hartford Packing Association is
composed OF number of large Gamers In the
upper part of Hartford and the adjacent section
of York county. 1t was incorporated in 1888,
for the mutual protection of its members, and
for the purpose of selling their goods under
common brand, known as the cred Seal" 1t
was expected that by exercising competent su-
,,ia,,,. tIn -
goods of uniform and of the best quality would
be put up, and the reputation of the Red Seal
brand would be established in the markets.
The officers of the association are as follows
President, W. Scott Whteford; Treasurer,
Andrew Boyle; Secretary, DR.. McCurdy.
constitute the board of directors.
These officers appear to have had the unlimit
ed confidence of the members and the difficulty
seems 10 have arisen chiefly from woful lack
of business management in conducting the ex-
tensive and complicated affairs of the associa
ton.
1t is to be hoped that things are not as bad
as the members fear, and that when the &C
counts are Strengthened out, and outstanding
collections made the losses will be equtably
distributed among the members, so that they
may readily be borne. At any rate nothing can
be gained by panic or hasty, i'll advised ac-
ton on the part of individual members. No
step should be taken without mature considera-
ton.
Besides the members, number of farmers,
who have grown tomatoes and corn for them,
are yet unpaid, the members expecting to liqui-
date these debts when the goods were sold.-
Some of the stores, too, have cashed the can
ners' checks, which the latter are now unable
to redeem.
The uncertainty regarding the affairs of the
association has brought trouble to many
hearthstone in upper Hartford, and the most
hopeful hardly expect to escape without great
loss.