Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-12
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE..

DISCUSSION OF FLOUR INsPECTION-RE s-
ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE EN-
SUING YEAR.
&C, AC-, &C.
The annual meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce, Thursday night, was largely at
tended and-judging from The tue general
participation in the debates by members
who took more active interest in the pro
ceedings than is usual. The Chamber is
evidently getting better understood ard
more appreciated. In the absence of the
President, Mr.. g. E. Haines presided.
THE MOVEMENT ELSEWHERE FOR THE
ABOLITION OF THE INSPECTION
OF FLOUR.
A report from special committee on
the subject of the abolition of -four in
spection, a move now being made in Rich
mond, Lynchburg, Norfolk, and other
cities was read. The report favored the
abolition of the inspection. 1t was ex-
planned that the inspection to be abolished
was not that of -four OF homemade and
use. but that which was imported into the
State or exported from it. 1t did not af-
feet the stanton inspection OF fl 'ur.
Maj Hart said, the report being up for
discussion, that one large milling firm
here, Witt & Holt, favored the abolition.
Their flour they sid stood on it's own
merits without the aid of the inspectors
brand. II it didn't turn out we'll when
they sold it. they made it good to the pur-
chaser.
Mr.. W. H. H. Lynn thought inspection
was valuable as throwing guards around
our home interests. Buyers did not know
what they were buying, without it, and
needed the help Of the inspector. All
country mills did not use the patent pro-
cess as did Witt & Holt and Andrew
30 wing.
Mr.. 2. B. Sublett agreed that the law
should not be amended to suit two or
three high grade mills.
Mr.. j FL. Wayt said that on a subject
so gener in its eff ct. the Chamber ought
to be fully informed. and as no opportuni-
ty had been yet given it to obtain that in
formation, be thought it best to postpone
action until next meeting.
Mr.. Sublett said that Stanton, With
the exception of Harrisonburg, is the only
market in Virginia that exports -four.
Petersburg, Lynchburg, Danville, and the
rest are importers. The effect of the re-
peal of the inspection laws would be to
benefit dealers in Western fl ,ur by taking
the inspection charges off.
Mr.. Lynn.-That is just it 1t is hard
enough for our home producers to COM
pete with Western produce now, land shall
oppose any movement looking tu enabling
Western flour to compete with greater ease
with our home -four. The Western article
already has too much advantage in its re-
duced railroad rates.
Mr.. j. W. Splitter thought there was
danger to be apprehended from the COM
petition of Western flour. His fl m, and
Couch, Hoge s. Co. had engaged from
drummer, two Carloads of Western -four,
but when it was made condition that
the -four Should stand the Staunton ipspec-
sion, the drummer didn't come to time.
Mr.. II. G. Gooch said it was hard to say
what the milers, as body, wanted about
inspection. One would want one thing,
and oae would want another. The dealers
also were divided on the subject. The
abolition of inspection would certainly
benefit those who shippea out Of the State
and those who imported from other states.
II Inspection were done away with, Gin
cinnati would come in with her low
grades. The Western man who had made
the offer of -four to STACK, Splitter e 20.
and his own frm. was Is csnGs below
the market rates. The firms of Andrew
Bowling. Wiz 81 Holt, and A. PaSGer
son. all makers Of nigh -grade II 'ur, would
b. the only mllers in favor OF the aDoil-
ton of inspection. They would favor it
because their was -four we'll known ev cry
where and their names were as good as
any inspection brand. But the Staunton
inspection WAS necessary to the retaile
and consumer. alike. What do We Know
of the minute differences between 6ne,
super6ue, extra, aud so forth, except VI hal
the Inspection brand Tells us ?
Mr.. G. W. Hunter wanted our own
the resolution favuiing abolition Of i'll
spection.
Mr.. Lynn said there was no law of
Virginia that made inspection of home
made -four compulsory. 1t could bs In
spected or not as the maker pleased; but 1t
was to the -four made outside of TIE State
that compulsory inspection applied. The
abolition Of inspection tnsn. meant sim
sply putting the Western four on the same
footing as home flour, and he should oppose
at.
Mr.. G. L. Weller moved that the report
of the committee favoring 40 ,ition Of
inspection be rejected, which motion mas
adopted.
Mr.. Lynn then moved that our repre-
sentatives in the legislature be requested
to resist all efforts TO change or repeal the
present inspection laws, which motion
was adoI ted.
CHEAP PASSENGER RATES FOR
STANTON.
4 letter was received from Fl. W. Fuller,
Esq. the General PASSENGER Agent Of the
G. q o. railroad, in response to the ap-
plication by the committee of the Chamber
for such moditicatio of local passenger
rates to this town, as might create a lar.
ger passenger traffic and aid our trade -
Mr.. Fuller expressed a hearty willingness
to aid Staunton. but said it could not be
done without general reduction. as
every station would soon apply for the
same rates Such general reelection was
not in the power of the company. Il
already issued pass books at the low rate
of two cents per mile. and a lower rate
SUAuld M ha Foo