The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-12-21
Another View Of the Matter


OF contract in detail, and then adds:
The miners, in appointing the AS.
ISOLATED Phosphate company as thei,
agent. with absolute power to sell al
any and all prices, terms and condi.
lions, make this company their mas
ter; in other words, they sell their
mines, plants, stock, tools and finally
themselves to the Associated Phos.
phate Company, and give up all their
rights to decide about their own affairs
and propery, but simply go to dig
phosphate, even at losing prices, if the
Associated Phosphate company wants
them do SO. Aud with ali this they
must be satisfied, and bear all respon-
sibility themselves for the quality-as
1t may turn out in Europe, where it is
out OF their reach and control-for the
output weights, accept every settle
ment, etc. Besides that they have to
pay all expenses, any and all rates OF
ocean freight which may be accepted
by the Associated Phosphate company
or their agents in Europe, and in adj
dition the commission of twenty-five
cents per ton.
The expense for separating the phos-
phate in the vessels is often rather
heavy, and, of course, charged to the
miner, to give him the full advantage
of bearing the responsibility for the
quality and weight. There are many
doubtful qualities mined in Florida,
but the broker used to bear the re-
sponsibility for the output analysis in
Europe, and in order to diminish his
risk he mixed the doubtful rock with
the best qualities, bought at high
prices, to run up the grade, because
the price at the mines of. say S. per
| ton, cannot bear such heavy deduc-
tions as can be made in Europe after
about 81 is paid for transr ortation, and
the value being there about ST. per
| ton.
The miners option to ship his rock
over the nearest port is not always adj
vantageous to the shipper, because the
different ports offer different advan-
tages, and the shipper knows best
(which port will suit for certain phos-
| pilates.
Article binds the miner to accept
European analysis and weights, be-
cause European fertilizer men do not
buy on American terms. Florida
miners had their experience in former
years with output weights and analy-
sis, loss through handling, etc, SO that
they wanted to sell only f. o. b. cars at
the mines with American weights and
analysis; however, they may have
changed their MUD about 1t.
How much kicking will be on the
side of the mineragainsts settlement of
lots under guarantee, when they per-
haps do not get cent for their phos-
phate at the mines, because the Euro
pean buyer asked an allowance Of s.
on the So, as it has happened.
Formerly the miner allowed the
buyer TO charge lis expences or paid
him commission of twenty-five
cents; he expected that the buyer pay
his own heavy expenses and try to
make profit enough to pay for the
handling and the great risk incurred
IN buying on American terms and
selling on European terms.
The d-established firms in this
trade always tried TO hold the prices
against the competition of other phos-
pilates, and if these prices did not sue
ceed the miner will be certainly mis-
taken in his belief that firm APP
pointed as agent for the Associed
Phosphate company in France-which
handled an inconsiderable quantity,
but good quality, and which has GUS
toners only for which quantities-will
be able to place large quantity, and
at the same time partly doubtful ma
terial, and after all raise the market
price. If the miners, according to ar
ticle 13, are anxious to reduce their
output or to shut down their mines,
they can do SO just as well after their
own decision without having to be
asked by their masters-the Associated
Phosphate company.
The conditions under which the
miners are digging their phosphates
are various, and u price which profita-
BILE to one miner is ruinous to the
other.
! Buyers never submitted such iron
clad contracts as the above to the min
ers when purchasing phosphate, and
all miners would have laughed al
them at proposition like the above.
Why, then. do they take the PROPOSE
ton from the Assoeted Phosphate
company 50 serious? The money for
the advance of go per cent. of value
will come from Europe, and the par
ties in Europe will certainly secure fol
themselves the right TO sell on the
basis of above contract, viz: At any
and all prices, terms and conditions,
etc. Miners say the board of directors
of the Associated Phosphate company
will dictate the prices in their (the
minersl interest. But would any bus.
mess man in Europe advance several
hundred thousand dollars and risk an
uphill work to raise the price, withou,
an equivalent for it; that is, to sell OIL
basis of above contract?
The miners joining the Associated
Phosphate company, in signing Tho
above contract, evidently show q
blind confidence in the ability and in
tegrity Of the board Of directors and
their European agents.
Considering all this, would like t
ask you what has been brought abou