The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-27
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A Lower Freight Rate to the
East via the Gulf Ports
- -.
CALIFORNIA VERSUS ITALY
To Meet New Conditions Nerve Is
Requisite
The Correction of an Erroneous Idea Is
Helping Sales in Buffalo-A Voice
From the Exchange

The report that found its way into the
columns of an evening and u morning pa
per regarding lower freight rate to New
York and other eastern points, was a lit
tie premature. The interstate commits
sion has given the roads permission to
accept s3 1-3 cents per 100 pounds, via
gulf ports. and this offer was accepted by
the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe
railroads only yesterday. This rate
which is equivalent to about go cents per
box, will go into effect on May LIST, and
is for Seeding oranges only.
The competition on the Atlantic sea-
board between California and Italy will
be watched with much interest, not only
pv Cahfornians. but by the heavy i'm
porters of New York, Boston, Philadei-
phia and Baltimore. Heretofore, the
crop OF Southern California has been con-
sumed in territory from Buffalo west.
The financial conditions prevailing in the
middle and western states makes it ne
cessary to find wider distribution, and
in this distribution cheap labor is met
with.
1t remains to be seen whether or not the
California grower has the requisite nerve
to lessen his profits by showing the east
ern trade what we can do when the life OF
our chief industry is threatened.
A representative of the exchanges was
present at sale of Messina oranges at
Baltimore OH the 18th inst, and Phila
dephia on the 10th. He reports the stock
as being no better than second grade Cali
fornia seedlings, but he places particular
emphasis upon the manner ct Messina
packing. Colored wrappers for top layers,
tin foil. chromos, and IN fact almost
everything is done and made use of in
order to appeal to the eye. California
packers may make use OF the idea
Orders are coming in freely. The ask
ing price yesterday for Messina fruit was
about 81 loaded OH steamer. The receipts
from date to the end of the season will Of
necessity be light.
For long time misconception ex-
listed in the East as to the purposes of
that modern institution, the California
Fruit Exchange. By many it was looked
upon as trust" to hold up prices
whether warranted or not by circum-
stances 1t is pleasurable to note the cor
recton of the erroneous impression. A
large Buffalo house. writing to parties in
this city. among other things says:
I'VE can see q marked increase in the
sale OF your fruit in this market in COM
parison with last year. The wholesalers
ana retailers now realize that the eX-
changes honestly pack their fruit, that
not the dictators they thought you were. ;"
This paper is in receipt of commune
cation accompanied with request for
publication. A copy is as follows:
Editor Herald; Dear Strive have on
file in our office circular issued by
Chicago. ILL.,, dated April 10th. We give
you the following extracts regarding
Seeding oranges which applies. of
course to fruit repacked in Chicago.
The drop in seedlings is caused by
the necessity to move them quickly, as no
longer can thew be ShipDed from CalifOr-
MIA and arrive in good condition, as sea-
son is well advanced on this variety, and
they should have been mostly consumed
We believe you will realize that it is now
unsafe to buy seedlings in car lots, and
with prices so low from Chicago you
will place your order here, and thus get
sound fruit, as we repack every box that
shows any weakness.
ANY one conversent with the Seeding
trade knows that the months of April and
May are the acknowledged Seeding
months. With over thousand cars of
seedlings in Southern California ut this
present time, the growers who read this
article can appreciate the benefit which
they will derive from the same. The cir
cular in question not only does an in
justice to Southern California in the way
of disparagem emu to our products, but in
vites reflections on the slightest preteXts
at the other end of the line.
AS regards the keeping quality of our
stock. bofh navels and seedlings, we have
to say that all of our exchange shipments
are extremely satisfactory, and we make
no more allowances at the present time
than is made through ordinary business
transactions in the fruit line. Our only
opinion in regard to the circular in ques-
ton is that the firm issuing the same
have no holdings of either seedlings or
navels, and want to turn the inquiry to
Mediterranean sweets. Yours truly,