The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-02-12

even at an advanced price. And yet
Notwithstanding this increased cost or
every class Of materials. the Carolina
Fruit Package Company has estab-
lished the price of their best standard
crates for the season at the low prcs
only so. but they are guaranteeing to
maintain this low price to their "a
irons throughout the whole season
This should be a sufficient answer to
~unthinking individuals who have dis
covere a mares nest and are seeking
to ~pejudice the ignorant. Truckers
understand the Importance Of an as
sured supply OF crates at their stations
and they should also know that man
ufacturers must receive a small prof.
or go out of business. Their welfare Is
bound up together and they must PROF.
per together or not at all. This low
price is only possible On account Of the
most economical management AMI
methods I'm both manufacture and iis-
tribution n any policy adopted by
berry owe which should cripple or
inture the crate manufacturers and
bring about q famine in crates during
the shipping season would be most dis
astrous to this great and growing in
terest-
CAROLINA FRUIT PACKAGE CO."
THE committee asked the manufac-
turers. for a reduction of n cent oa
both standard and No. 2 crates, max
ing them % and "a cents respectively,
less s per cent This was refused. The
committee then asked that all crates
be made Is cents, less 5 per n
This was refused. The committee
then asked. that parties ordering 5000
crates be allowed 5 per cent off. 10000
or more crates, 8 per cent OFF. THIS
was refused.
Mr.. Pierce explained their refusal
to entertain these reductions asked for
from the facts laid down IN his state
ment just read. Mr.. Pierce was asked
If a grower at any point ordering il
rect from the factory and getting 5
per cent OF Inc their agent at the
same point to whom they gave 8 per
cent of on his orders, got 8 per cent on
h purchases Of said grower. This
was denied most emphatically and only
where the agent endorses the notes o.
said grower does he get the 3 per cent.
The 3 per ent not allowed the growc-
goes to the company.
The committee asked if several
growers at any point combined n or
ordered a a load or more crates tone
Of the growers Of good financial stand
ing becoming responsible for the order)
could they get them without passing
through the hands of their agent. The
committee were informed hat 70 pro-
tect their agents this could not be
done. The committee inquired If tho
farmers in the Chadbourn section
buying crates from the factory located
at that point were paying the same
prices and getting the same discounts.
1.-THE committee was assured that all
sections were on the same basis. Your
committee from reliable information IN
hand stated hat the factory at Chad
III ,-nE ill., ls-o4+ - IT,
ers at rs and % cents. less s per cent.
and 2 per cent additional for cash.
Whereas the other factories only al
lowed the grower 5 per cent off in lots
of 5000 or more and then a grower
could not purchase more than he need
ed for himself and tenants. This Ger
tainly showed a discrepancy In the
method of doing BUSINESS in the two
sections which the committee could not
reconcile with the above statements.
By way of explanation. which did not
explain, the general manager of the
company stated that each manufac-
turer was an agent and If he $50 de-
sired could give away his commissions
The conference adjourned at 2:3o
D. M"
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. Pierce assured the committee
they were not aware of the arrangement
referred to above existing at Chadbourn
After considerable discussion on this
question. the crate representatives re-
tired to consult and on their return
made the following proposition to tho
committee:
10 sell any grower or number of
growers with approved security. lots Of
5000 crates at 26 and 25 cents, less 3
per cent and in lots Of 1000 or more Sc
and rs cents less 8 per cent. with 2 per
cent additional for cash. No restric-
ton placed on grower as to number
or crates he may want on these terms.
THAT a load receivers ordering
through agents can arrange with said
agent as to discount they will receive
That the Carolina Package Com
pany will not tolerate any agent using
his position to force growers procuring
crates through him. to ship their berries
to commission houses represented by
wv have endeavored TO the best of
DIR ability to correct some of the OBJ
tionable features as they existed
ind secure h best possible terms Tor
beople. We think we have sue
In promoting a better under
,tandinAr between the growers and the
Carolina Fruit Package Company and
S hat our report be re-
and accepted.
(Signed) w. l.. HILL. Chin
w. E. SPRINGER
+. A. WESTBROON,
W. E. THIGPEN,
:. s. WESTBROOE,
II. T. BAUMAN.
COMMITTEES.
Mr.. J.. H. oor move that the re
port be received and adopted. seconded
D. w. russell. Hhere there was
considerable discussion In. which all
the members participated. Dr. Porter
said he could not vote for the accept
ance of the report as he did not think
the committee had obtained any relief
the small grower.
He offered the following resolution
a substitute for the committees re-
port:
Whereas, The crate combine is not
willing to concede any thing to the
small growers but leaves them in tha
hands of local agents,
Therefore, Resolved that we do no
approve of the term soffered-
Resolved that the thanks OF this
board is rendered to the committee for