The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-04-25

The annual Fruit and Produce
Travellers Association met in this city
yesterday afternoon, it being the
seventh annual session of the asSocia-
ton and is composed of q large
nu;dher of produce men representing
the leading commission houses in all
Ct the northern and some of the
western cities. Many of the produce
mcn arrived in the city Friday but the
majority of them arrived Yesterday
morning.
The business meeting was held yes
1erday afternoon and convened at 2
O'Clock. with Mr.. H. 3. Gerrish in the
chair. Mr.. Gerrish. president of the
association, mad his annual report
matters of considerable importance
were taken up n of the most im-
Dortant being in regard to the use Of
standard packages in shipping pro-
luce. At the present. time produce
is shipped in all iii of packages
making it harder for the tranSDOrta-
ton companies to handle and also
-S3h liz liz iihNIN >'i
siderable trouble. With the standard
package tbs commission merchant
would know lust the marine in which
3c was going to receive the
and consequently could better make
his ARRANGEMENTS for storing the
SAM and with a standard ackaE
the PROBABILITIES are that the trans
EortatiOn cOmranies WOuld be willing
to make a cheaper rate than, where
n IrO1IIDn &c hInnn N ali 11T
Her of packages. The association de
cidCd to take the matter before the
legislatures of all the truck growing
states and ~endeavor to get laws pass
ed as to standard packages.
y resolution was adopted urging all
the members to purchase no produce
from shippers and producers VINO
did not place their name upon
the package. The produce men con-
tend. and it a be easily seen that
per will not place his name uDon the
Package. it looks like there Is SOME
ching wrong with the package. either
rot packed in the right manner or
come reason why he don't want the
commission houses to see n the
berries came from. The members
Svcre especially urged to observe this
rule.
the dSSoCldllOll WENT Ill fecOIu DIS
to their intention of assisting the ma
tionaI league of produce merchants i n
the fSht against rebates in refrigera-
tor car service.
The meeting came to a close by the
election of the following officers for
the ensuing wear:
PRESIDENT. c.. Thompson. Of
Ph~hiladelphia.
Vice President-H. w. Pratt, ~
Boston.
Franklin. of Baltimore.
Secretary and Treasurer. j. X
Observation-Disclosures F. Snreve.
of Washington. D. G.
Mr.. J. G. Thompson was also elected
to represent the association at the
next annual meeting of the National
Lcagte of Commission Merchants.
Mr.. D. a. Goddess, of Boston. was
elected alternate.
Of the above officials. Mr.. J. r.
Franklin has been secretary and
treasurer of the association ince It
was formed sever years ago and he
has seen the trucking business in this
section grow from insignificance to
one of the most important money
predicting crops in the Old North
state.
Yesterday afternoon the produce
men were carried to the sound on d
special car of the Consolidated Com
pany where they enjoyed an oyster
roast at the Light House. They
also went over to the Beach.
BANQUET LAST NIGHT.
The truckers banquet is also a fea-
ture of the meeting of the produce mel
and the banquet last night was attend
ed by a larger number than ever be
fore. there being Seventy-five present
the majority of them being produce
uen, although there were some of the
leading business of Wilmington ant
also Congressman G. B.. Patterson
Congressman Thomas was expected
but he could not come. Several large
truck growers were present.
The banquet was held in the largl
dining hall of The Orion II cume III
to the usual high standard of that wei
known hostelry. Mr.. Il. w. White
head, editor of the Carolina Fruit an
Truck Growers Journal. presided a
the banquet and acted as toastmastel
Mr.. Whitehead expressed himself a
being delighted to welcome the produc
men to Wilmington again, but said b
wished to introduce a man who wa
for better able to welcome them. NJ
J. Allen Taylor, president Of h Wi
Emingten Chamber of Commerce.
Mr.. Taylor said he was ~exceedingl
glad to welcome the members of th
American Fruit and Produce Grower
Association to the solidest city in til
South. He said he extended a we
come as general as our climate is gel