Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-22
STORY OF TWO MARKETS
The Oyster Trade in Baltimore and Wash.
ington Compared.
Good Prices Maintained Here and
Steady Demand-Law Against Sale
of UnculIed Stock.

Oystermen who know about the condition
of trade in Baltimore and Washington are
largely interested in the present condition
OF the two markets. In Baltimore there is
said to be almost a complete demoraliza-
ton because of a glut of supplies. while in
this city, 1T is said, the market commands
better prices than usual at this time of the
year. Local dealers anticipate a possible
giut here in few days, unless there is u
revival in prices in Baltimore.
In Maryland the oyster Industry is OF
considerable commercial Importance to the
people, as it affects SO many other pursuits.
The present chaotic condition of the Mary
land market has not OILY resulted in de-
creased prices to those who own boats and
handle the bivalveS, but il seriously affects
the thousands of people who are engaged
IN business OF longing and dredging as well
as the packers and commission men This
CONDITION OF the market is largely due to
the warm weather since the ooenine of tho
season as we'll as the failure of the pack
ing houses 10 begin operations on a large
scale as early as usual;
II Is stated that many of the packing
houses are now engaged in the work of
canning tomatoes. Because of the dry sea-
son during the summer months the tomato
crop was late, and it appears that the
p"ckers are unwilling to give up this in
uustIs 10 take advantage of the present de-
iidnu Tor oysters Then again it is said
.hat the failure to enforce the cullinr law
mas some effect on the market for des1,i.e
the presence of this provision OH the stat
ute DOCKS. thousands of bushels of the nm
uei si-cu piVaiVeS are constantly reaching
the wharves.
Come From Southern Nnrxlapd
Most of these uncuIled oysters If is
stated. are shipped from southern Marv-
land So far as the Potomac is concerned
it is classed disputed waters. which
renders the enforcement of the law against
its oystermen almost impossible. The pres
ence of so many of the small oysters on the
Baltimore market helps to decrease the
prices. and makes the business to the cam
nerS more profitable
Inc Baltimore harbor is under the sur-
ve1liance of five inspectors and dealers
think they should prevent the entrance of
iHeSai cargoes of oysters. 1t is the inten-
tlon OF the dealers there to engage an Off
cial inspector for duty in the vicinity of
some of the oyster beds in order to nrcvent
the small bivalves from being handled so
freely. The operators have already issued
orders to boats under their direction to
have no more carSoes hurried to the city
hoping this will relieve the market before
the appearance OF real cold weather.
Conditions Good.
Local dealers have not the same COM
plant to make about the condition of the
they say that all the oysters arriving here
have met with ready sales at prices in ad-
vance of former years at this time of the
season.
Not for many years have the prices kept
up as they have this year." said w. NJ.
Moreland, a local dealer, to Star reporter,
and he expressed surprise that there should
be Siut of oysters in the Baltimore
market.
This season, he said, wholesale dealers
have been paying 10 and ~ cents for what
they have frequently bought for % and -
cents. There has been many as fifteen
or twenty boats at the wharf at one time
he said, and all sold out at fair prices. No
FISHERMAN who has been coming here this
season. he says. is sorry that he made an
early start, for every one of them has dis
posed of his stock at prices above those of
most previous years.
There is no law here against selling the
smallest oyster caught, but dealers hope
that such a law will be enacted in the near
future. Its enforcement, they say, will
protect the beds in the river and will make
this q better oyster market.
III You Want the Rest,
Take the Pennsylvania railroad. To Balti-
more and return Sunday next, October "a
81 90 for the round trip.-Adyt,