The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-26
TALE OF A TRUST.
Banana Growers Revolt at Unjust
Treatment Received

New York, Nov. 25.-The Journal Of
Commerce says:
A conference has been held between
the committee representing independent
banana growers of Nicaragua and J.l.a-
Motto Morgan and others, to discuss
plans for relief from alleged unjust
The committee consists of S. w. Seton
and Frank Turner, of Rama, BlueheldS
river Nicaragua. Mr- Morgan, formerly
of Birmingham, Ala, but now OF this
city was identified with the sale to the
company of Nicaraguan interests at the
time it was formed. He is at present
interested in a movement, which may
result in the establishment OF direct
steamship line from Nicaragua inde-
pendent of the company The attendance
at the meeting was small, and western
iohbers who were expected were not
present. No definite and dnal action was
taken at the meeting.
The complaints made against the Uni
ted Fruit company, or its distributor the
Fruit Despatch company, are, among
others:
That the company has gradually in
creased prices until they are from so to
rs per cent higher than when the com
pany secured practical control OF the
trade; that prices are so high that job
bers cannot handle the fruit without
loss; that dealers are obliged to sign
contracts which, while binding on them
are not binding on the company; that
jobbers seldom know the price OF the
fruit until they get the bills; that the
company has reduced importations un-
til the supply is not sufficient to meet
the demand.
one of those present at the meeting
said that the committee had been ap-
preached by New York representatives
of financial interests in London to es-
tablish a direct steamship service inde-
pendent of the United Fruit company,
from Nicaragua to this or other Ameri-
can ports. No definite decision has been
arrived at however, it is said, since the
fol lists of n Wi
suit their London house.
A rather interesting feature in con-
nection with the. conference is that al
though the Nicaraguan committee came
ostensi1bly to consult with the Western
Banana Jobbers association, no mem
bers of that association were present,
and this part of the committees pro-
gramme seems to have been dropped.The
New York jobbers are not organized as
are the western jobbers, and seemingly
are not in very great sympathy with
this movement against the company.
The western jobbers are among the chief
complainantS against the United Fruit
company, and its adjunct, the Fruit
Despatch company and have already ta-
ken steps to establish a steamship SER
vice whereby they can import their own
fruit independently. Western jobbers
are, perhaps, more dependent upon the
company and its distributors than are
the local jobbers, which may account
for the comparative Indifference of the
latter in this movement. There is some
competition in the banana import trade
here.
It is rumored that the Arbuclxles have
established some sort of q connection
with the United Fruit company at New
Orleans affecting their sugar interests,
and that the American Sugar Refining
company may become interested in the
new independent steamship enterprise,
with the object of competing with the
Arbuckles and thus becoming a forni-
dable rival to the United Fruit COM
pany.