The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-12
THE FLORISTS ARE AROUSED
THEY WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO
PROHIBIT SALES BY STAPE
e CONSERvATeRIES
State Associa ton 1WiII Present a
Bill Seeking to Remove a Source
of Competition Which They Say
Is Ruinous to- the Trade.

The Society of Minnesota Florists pro-
poses to act aggressively I'M the matter
of getting a law passed against the
sale, of cut flowers to private parties
and firms by state institutions. The
society holds that such action deprives
florists OF a legitimate trade and is
against the spirit of the law permit
ting such Institutions to grow flowers
for their own use The society held a
meeting last night at the Ryan hotel
| IN this city, and several members ex-
pressed their sentiments regarding the
practice. sr eT'
The question: was introduced by a
discussion Of the law, which has just
been drafted and is awaiting introduce
| ton in the house Of representatives.
The law as proposed reads:
mo institution supported I'M whole
or in part by legislative appropriations
shall sell any cut flowers or plants to
any private person, firm or corporation
within the state Of Minnesota"
1t was announced that the following
circular had BEEN sent to each member
of the legislature in the hope that it
would influence them all to consider
the bill favcrably when 1t comes before
them for passage:
Within the next few days there will be
introduced in the legislature bill "regu-
lating the sale of cut flowers and plants by
state Institutions and we look to you for
your support and corporation, feeling as
sured that the justice Of the bill will appeal
to your sense of fairness and secure for us
your support and cooperation in having the
bill become law.
Conditions with reference to the florists
business in this state have undergone a
radical change within the past few years.
| A few years ago probably 60 per cent Of the
flowers sold here were grown outside OF this
state while today 1t can safely be said that
fully many flowers are shipped out OF the
state as are shipped into It, and there is
invested in floral establishments in this state
the enormous sum of nearly $1,000, ,000 giving
employment to a large number Of men and
Welding a considerable revenue to the state
in the shape of taxes, and the large sums Of
money which formerly were spent out Of
the state to purchase flowers are kept here.
Our florists have built up these establish
ments in the face Of strong competition by
concerns located in neighboring states, where
there is large demand for greenhouse
products and where the climate does not re-
ouire artificial heat for eight or nine months
in the year, a part of which time the ther-
n,ometer goes down to 80 degrees below
zero, thus requiring large quantities of fuel
lone of the main items of expense, as fuel
here costs almost double what 1t does in
the competing stateS).
Our florists in the past have and in the
future will continue to meet all honest an ana
legitimate competition, it Is not right or prop
er for our own state (probably the only one
in the Union to do SOD to attack us In the
rear and not in fair, open competition, but
by selling to department stores at prices that
have no regard for the market value OF the
cost of productioa 1t will readily be seen
that no business can successfully compete
with rival that pays no taxes, practically
no labor. and does not take into considera-
ton the cost of production or market value
and which figures gross receipts as net
profits Should the state institutions con-
tinue and increase along the lines they are
at present pursuing in this matter the future
success of our florists is very problematical
as the large growers. must meet the unrea-
sonabIy low prices set by state institutions
| though the lattersmay sell but small guam
tity as compared swiths the bulk sold.
G. A. Will, of Minneapolis, said the
state was doing the foristsa a great in
justice. The Institutions which offend
| in the manner complained Of say they
are only selling their surplus flowers,
but, as matter of fact. they are
competing directly with florists While
there was undoubtedly strong feeling
in the legislature against the proposed
bill he thought it would stand fair
| chance of success IL introduced at the
right time under favorable auspices.
| The ST Cloud and Red Wing institu-
| tions, he said, were fighting the bill
mcst aegressively.
President Nagel said.t should be