The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-12-28
Our Orange Crop.

who furnishes us with the most valua-
BILE of the letters elected by our discus
sion Of the best method of marketing
our special crop. A comparison care
fully made between the letters of Ma ior
Fairbanks and Mr. Greenleaf, both prom
inent members of the Fruit Exchange,
will show that even among themselves
it is not yet conceded that the method of
selling by auction is the best-that even
now, in the majority of cases, the agents
of the Exchange do not sell the fruit
under the hammer. Therefore we will
let Major Fairbanks answer Mr.. Green
leaf, who had severely criticised us for
doubling the advisability Of the auction
plan.
We concede all that either gentleman
could ask as to the motive, honesty or
ability of the officers of the Exchange
In this there can be no issue with the
position assumed by THE News.
Both Mr.. Greenleaf and Major Fair
banks object to our classification of the
Exchange as another "middle man. :"
Both declare that it Islands between"
the grower and the transportation COM
panies; that through it the shipper
is protected from overcharge, delay or
careless treatment of his fruit. If they
will further concede, what is entirely
true, that in the vast ma jority of cases
its agents sell to dealers, not to actual
consumers; that at it's auction sales
commission men are the heaviest buyers
and best customers, then the position
sought to be taken by us is sustained
even if all the officers and members of
the Exchange are growers as well as
middle men," We care not for the
name or the purpose to which the money
is applied. but is not he who charges a
commission on sales properly called g.
commission merchant! At the same
time we apply the name to the Fruit
Exchange with no intention to confound
Its purposes with those of men who
have no connection with orange grow
ing or part in the future of Florida.
The question now vexing us is this: Is
the auction of our fruit the panacaa for
the evils suffered by the grower: Mr..
Greenleaf thinks it is: Major Fairbanks,
like us, is still in doubt We agree with
both in saying that the Exchange should
be supported because of the work it has
done. At the same time let us ask: will
the Exchange and its present methods
suffice for the future, in case it succeeds
in concentrating the crop? What will
become of us when the present crop is
doubled or quadrupled: Does the Ex-
change promise to reach new markets?
Can it bring the consumer nearer the
grower? What does it promise us if we
lay upon it the far greater responsible
ties awaiting success in the future? Will
it continue to rely upon the efforts of the
old commission houses for the distribu-
tion of our crop:
We commend to our readers the views
of the gentlemen who have spoken
through our columns on this important
subject. They are well known, have no
pecuniary interest in the advocacy of
their opinions on this head, and have ev-
identity thought carefully and well.
for laying before tn. I'm the differing
opinions of Mr.. Greenleaf. Senator Nc
Meekin, Major Fairbanks aid others
who will follow. But in citing us to
particular instances these gentlemen
err. We wish to deal with the business
principles underlying the facts to which
they refer. The reports of sales for one
day may be in favor of the Exchange;
a merchant may point the next day to an
instance adverse to the auction plan, and
each would be equally entitled to victory.
He that knows the fact and knows not
the law which produced it, will find
himself always seeking solid ground
withou, finding it. Threats to the flu
ture of the orange interest will not in
crease the business of the Exchange;
even if it succeeded in concentrating the
crop it could not succeed in selling a
heavier crop without finding more nu-
merous customers or lowering the price.
How do they propose to gain new mar
kets: They do not believe the auction
plan Is infallible or they would try it in
variably. How can they sell at the
highest prices if they sell to those who
would sell again?
We believe the Exchange does much
good; we would further its objects as
much as possible; we believe it will be
to the interest of all to discuss doubts
and results fully and squarely. For
this We speak and invite the views of
others, not to discredit the Exchange or
defeat its objects.