The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1899-10-21
OYSTER DRBDqERS ANGRY
Local Vessel Owners Complain
Against Wholesale Dealers.
They AlIege That Water-sonled
Shucked BivaIves Are Brought
Here From Baltimore and Annnp
oils and Sold ns Fresh Ones-Heayy
Losses at Eleventh Street wharf.

The local oyster dredgers whose boats
ply between Washington and the Dire lying
ground of Chesapeake Bay and the lover
Potomac, and whose market is on the Elev-
enth Street wharf, are greatly exercised
over what they claim to be the injustice
OF the wholesale oyster dealers of the city
For some time past considerable i'll
feeling has existed among the oystermen,
on account of the dealers transferring
their patronage from Washington to Bal
timore and Annapolis. 1t is claimed by
outside of the city do not equal those
brought here by them, for the reason that
before shipping, the Baltimore and Ans
napolis oysters are shucked and packed
in ice, which, it is said, destroys thei%
flavor.
There are between sixty and seventy
Washington schooners engaged in bring
ing oysters to this city, and it is claimed
that if all the oysters used here during
the season were purchased from local
dredgers the supply would equal the de-
mand.
The price of oysters on the wharf last
week was 20 per cent less than that OF
the week before, and even at that figure
over 1900 bushels remained unsold, which
spoiled on the hands of the captains.
prominent oyster dealer when seen
today admitted that there was some diff
Guilty existing at the present time between
the wholesale dealers and the dredgers
He. however, claimed that the trouble was
due to the attitude OF the men who bring
the oysters from the Bay and the lower
Potomac. He stated that they have been
in the habit of demanding an exorbitant
price for the bivalves Whenever they have
found shortage in the local market. This
practice. he claimed has been carried OIL
for the last two or three years, but 1t has
only been within the past few months that
the dealers have decided TO make extensive
purchases elsewhere.
The conditions recently, he said, have
been such that the dealers have been COM
PEELED TO adopt severe measures whereby
II is hoped to bring the local oyster men
to terms.
The constantly varying prices, ii is said,
imposed by the local dredgers, have beer
source of much annoyance and inconveni-
ence 10 the wholesale dealers. In looking
about TO better these conditions the whole
salers found that by going to Baltimore OF
Annapolis, oysters could be secured at
uniform price, and IL is for this reason and
no other. that they have partially boycotted
the Washington market
AS opposed to the claim made by the
wholesalers. the dredgers contend that the
prices which they have demanded have
been no more than fair; and have been in
fiuenced by conditions in the market.
The dredgers contend vigorously that
whenever there has been a rise in the price
OF oysters 1t has been the result OF a gen.
eral scarcity. During such times the diff
IN a1rac hoe
that the advanced price demanded by the
dredgers has been justified.
The dredgers also point out that the oy-
sters delivered to the wharfs here in Wash
ington by them come in the she'll and do
not have to be shucked packed, and ship
ped long distances. Consequently they are
of better favor and worth more than
those purchased in Baltimore or Annap-
oils, they claim. This fact alone, they say,
must necessarily appeal to the consumer
The local dredgers further claim that
what they term the arbitrary action Of the
merchants in securing their products out
side Of the local market has imposed
great hardship upon them, making Ii rec
essary for them in many cases to seek new
fields and remove their homes and families
to other localities.
In many instances It is said. the dredg-
ers have been thrown out of employment
and have thus far failed to secure other
work. 1t is thought that an organized eff
fort will be made in the immediate future
TO adjust the matter.
Nearly 1000 bushels Of oysters spoiled
at the wharf week before last, and last
week the dredgers lost l 500 bushels In
place OF these, the dredgers say, the con-
sumers have had shucked oysters. that
have been soaked in water to make them
look fat palmed off on them in place OF
fresh and fine favored oysters.