The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-20
FLORIDA'S PHOSPHATES.
THE STATE CONVENTION OF THE
MINERS AT OCALA.

George W. Wilson Elected Chairman.
Forty-four Companies aud six In
dividual Miners representative
Sentiment of the Delegates in Favor
of Combine for Mutual Protection.
OcALA, FLA. Nov I9-The Florida phos-
phate convention was called to order at 3
o'clock this afternoon in the opera house.
George w. Wilson held the gavel and was
made temporary chairman, with John s.
Frazer as temporary secretary.
The committee on credentials, consisting
Of C. C. Bait. NJ. F. Simonds aud W. K.
King, then made their report, showing the
presence of representatives of forty-four
companies and six individual miners.
The temporary organization was made
permanent, when the convention went into
executive session and the spectators were
asked to withdraw, except representatives
Of the press Fully 100 delegates and inter
ested persons in mining phosphate remained
in the hall. DIR. MstcRlf OF Oczla then read
his report, but said the committee on
organization failed to formulate definite
plans.
A COMBINE FAVORED.
He read the substance OF the Charleston
mining companies articles Of agreement as
well as that which regulated the North Car
| dina lumber companies organization, sug-
gestive Of VIII at this body should do, keep
the amount Of rock mined down to the de
mand, which was an assured way to main
! tain prices. Judge Butts of Orlando read
his report OF the output OF Florida phos-
phate as 10000 tons since the discovery.
and not exceeding 10000 tons during the
year just past. He suggested the formation
of syndicate who should hold 81 per cent.
of all the stock and take complete control,
regulate the output. prices, trans
portation, etc, necessary to success
fully and proftably market the product.
He gave the cost of mining Florida rock
phosphates at So per ton; treights to water
transportation, 81 so; ocean freights, 81 Is;
incidentals, dockags, commission, etc.,
81 IA. a total of $40 49, At the present price
of Sl5 per ton there was no money In it.
The cost of mining and getting pebble
phosphate TO water transportation was not
much less He felt confident that a syndi-
cate properly managed could make phos-
phate mining profitable, and in this oonnec-
ton establish fertilizer factories.
ANOTHER TRUST SCHEME.
M. F. Simmons of Istachatta then read his
report Though somewhat differing from
Judge Butts, be practically presented trust
scheme to handle Florida phosphate
W. r. King read his report on statistics.
He said he found it very difficult to get re-
ports from active companies, and no salts
faction by personal solicitation. Circu-
lars stating the objects of this meeting were
sent to 129 companies, Is of which were
| returned marked "no company
found" Thirty.eight only re-
piled. Seventy-six companies ignored
the circulars. Fifteen companies had justor-
ganized and only twenty three we're engaged
| ua q
| phosphate on hand as follows: Hard rock,
$1,000 tons; soft. 10000 tons; gravel, 10000
tons; river pebble, $500 tons; land pebble,
$500 tons.
HISTORY OF THE INDUSTRY.
MIR. Sutton OF the Hamburg company
read very interesting history of phos-
phate, showing the increase in the annual
consumption and with fresh finds a decrease
in prices unless controlled by combinations.
He gave the output from all the counties in
which it is found and the average price
during the last nine years, ranging in price
from Is to 10 pence in 1882 to 10 to 10 pence
to-day for grade IS to IS per cent
The reports having been read IL was
thought best, and so moved by ex-Gov
Sims of the Columbus Miss Citrus Queen
Company, that a committee of seven take
Judge Butts report, and from 1t formulate
| a plan Of action on the part of interested
parties in mining and selling Florida phos-
pilates.
Those on the committee are Judge Butts,
| Nj. +. Simmons. DR.. Metcalf, John +. Dunn,
| W. J. jackson, J. A. G. Jutter, NJ. Thuiler
and Chairman Wilson. The convention at
o'clock adjourned to receive the report of
| the committee at 80 O'Clock tonight, and
| take action on the same.
1t is doubtful il ever a finer body Of men
convened in the state Of Florida than were
in session to-day. The leading minds Of
the convention are confident that they will
reach a satisfactory conclusion.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The convention met for the night session
| with full attendance, when the following
| report was made:
Your committee beg leave to report as fol-
| lows: That syndicate be formed to be known
as the Florida Phosphate Syndicate with suita-
| BILE capital that said syndicate establish a
| bureau of Information and regulate the sale Of
| the output, have exclusive control of the sale
and handling of the rock and all matters incl
| dental thereto, regulate freight and make ar
| rangements with brokers, furnish and advance
money to mines for the purchase and
| facture and sale of commercial fer
TIMERS. The officers OF the syndicate
shall consist of a president, first and second
| vice presidents, secretary and treasurer and
| board of seven directors and such persons as
the directors may see fit to employ, the syndi-
cate to be composed of any persons and COM
| pany IeRlIHHbLcly otuptOyou III ulnlnS nara
rock, and that committee of seven be ap-
pointed by this meeting who shall be fully
authorized.
After considerable discussion the report
was adopted. The question then came up
as to how or on what basis this syndicate
should be formel when the same COM
mittee was ordered to submit report to-
morrow at 10 O'Clock
The convention then adjourned till morn-
ing.