The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-14
1T HAS GROWN RAPIDLY
HOW THE COMMISSION BUSINESS IN
INDIANAPOLIS HAS DEVELOPED.
Rise of the Parry COmpa ny-PIant
Working Overfime-Heavy Ship
ments Made in May.

Said one of the oldest commission mer-
chants on Saturday:
Investigation will show that in but few
lines of business has there been so remark
able a growth as in that of the commits
sion business. From one commission firm
in 1860 there has come to be thirty-siX COM
mission houses in Indianapolis. and the
sales of some of the houses reach $500, 900
year, a number at $150,0O0 year, and
none probably under $50, 600 a year. In the
sixties and seventies the commission houses
handled little except poultry, eggs and but
ter, and in the eli ghties extended their bust
ness to handling large quantities of fruits
and vegetables, the business growing with
the increase in facilities for shipping fruits
and vegetables long distances. until time
has been reached when in but few, if any,
weeks in the year fruits and vegetables of
all kinds cannot be purchased at some
price, this change having been brought
about largely by the extension of rail-
ways and the improved methods of hand
ling fruits and vegetables
THE tomatoes that the citizens of Indian
apolis are now eating are shipped here from
Mississippi and in so short a time and I'M
der such methods of preserving them that
when opened at Indianapolis they are as
fresh and inviting as when packed into
little baskets. Each year is showing i'm
provements for the better shipping of
perishable articles long distances"
A walk down South Delaware street and
on East Maryland street will give one some
idea of the extent of the commission bust
ness. The last year or two there has been
some change in the methods with the COM
mission men who have capital. For instance
they arrange to take all the peaches in GER
tain territory and If necessary to secure
them advance money. buying them out
right in many cases Then the commission
man takes much more risk than when the
goods are shipped in here to be sold on
commission This, in some measure, ac-
counts for the better quality of fruit offered
than in former years. In the last two years
the commission men have arranged to bet
ter control prices on this market by selling
the berries fruits etc; raised near t by IN
the retail grocer r1the private residences.
Parry COmpany's Growth.
1t is now eleven years since the Parry
Manufac curing Company was organized,
commencing in small frame building on
Henry street, employing thirty men. The
men interested commenced building only
small two-whee4 carts selling them at low
prices and creating such demand for them
that with each month they were obliged to
ASA~0
After selling these two-wheeled carts for
three years the firm concluded to begin
building four wheeled vehicles, light bug
gies and light family wagons for farmers,
selling them at figures which created
great demand At the same time they en-
larged their buildings and increased their
force. Two years ago the company COM
menced building a better class of work,
such as phaetons and two-seated car
riages, and the demand for them soon ex-
ceeded the firms ability to fill the orders,
and more room was required. Two more
large buildings We're erected. To-day the
floor room occupied by the Parry Manufac-
turing Company is seventeen acres, and
still the proprietors are cramped for room
and are figuring now on the erection of
another large building. The pay roll of the
company is now little over $4,000 week.
The pay roll for May was $3S,26O. There
was a time when more men were. worked In
some departments than now, but with the
Improvement in machinery and in the We
hicles they manufacture more skilled men
have been employed. Consequently the pay
roll at the present time is the largest in the
history of the concern, and many orders
are now coming in. One of the firm says
he doubts if they will take their usual shut
down to take account of stock and make
repairs through July