Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-10
CHEAP SPUDS
NOT WANTED
COLORADO SURPLUS MAY BE
DUMPED HERE
lmportations Would Prove Hurtful to
Trade-Eggs Aetive-Demand
for Butter Takes Supplies.
Fruits Steady

Los Angeles produce dealers are
aroused over the possibility OF a flood
of cheap Colorado potatoes being
thrown upon this market. Reports
from Colorado are to the effect that
there are about 5000 carloads of pota-
toes in sight that are a surplus from
the enormous crop of 1904 At present
the rate from Colorado points to Los
Angeles by rail Is 80 cents a hundred
but shippers of the Centennial state
are bringing influence to bear on the
Santa Fee to reduce this rate to go cents
a hundred. Should this be done the
lay down cost here would be from 10
cents to $1.10 hundred, as these sur
plus potatoes can be purchased from
80 to 80 cents hundred.
While the stock of potatoes In Call
forna is not excessive, still ware
housemen and dealers generally say
that the amount m sight Is sufficient
for the needs of the state, and that II
no disturbance comes the market will
clean up in good shape, and that prices
will not be too high.
Taking this view of the potato mar
ket. the Los Angeles dealers assert
that nothing should be allowed in the
way of rates that could damage local
existing conditions. In fact the case rs
cited that Southern California has
surplus of oranges. but that fact does
not give this part of California
special rate to market the crop and the
surplus must take it's chances. Based
on this principle. the granting of
special rate TO Colorado growers for
marketing potatoes would be stretch
ing the commercial blanket to the
point of splitting. Nothing is said
against the quality of the Colorado
potatoes, but the conditions do not
seem to warrant a change in railroad
| nc tac would hn in nnnOsitiOn tO
all we'll known railroad rules and TO
business comfy.
The local potato market is firm in
tone on fancy and shipments are
active and prices rule steady. as grow
ers and shippers think the prevailing
outlook shows one of the largest
crops of potatoes in sight ever har-
vested in Southern California.
BUTTER IS ACTIVE.-Demand for
butter has been active for many weeks,
but yesterday proved the banner day.
as the poorest coast creamery sold
50G55c square and tho stock was
soon exhausted. After delay of three
days the butter steamer Coos Bay ar
rived with only 100 cases from coast
POINTS. The creamery from valley
points also was cleaned up quick,
while cooking butter went to 20d22
cents. In fact a shortage exists, as
Arizona. Nevada and New Mexican
points. reached from Los Angeles
are drawing heavily upon this market,
as the eastern centers are taking all
surplus beyond the Rockies. Even
butter board people are short of stocks
and the independents are dividing sup.
| plies. Whether this condition Will
cause an advance in prices is NOT
known, but some butter dealers say
should the shortage at coast points
| continue an advance must follow.
Et-y11 nd
The surplus is rapidly taken and re-
ceipts are about even with the daily
demand that is increasing on shipping
account.
EGGS ARE FIRM.-Receipts of
local eggs we're again below the mark
and the egg quotation committee OF
the produce exchange yesterday liked
the selling price once more at too,, =, Gen.i; ai
AT this price the demand TOOK ali
offerings, leaving the market in an
open condition. Outside points are
drawing on this market for eggs.
The opinion, however, prevails that re-
ceipts will be larger as soon as the
cool weather and cloudy days have
departed.
reaching SO .25 a hundred. One carload
came in from far northern points ami
these found ready market.
FISH AND GAME.-Some rock coi
and halibut came in yesterday, the
first of the week. Small were scarce
and the demand absorbed all offerings
Grabs were in large supply, but lob
sters were scarce.
Peas have reached 21a@3 cents
pound, being plentiful; string beans,
7@9c; cabbage, 90c@$1.OO; tomatoes,
81 GOAL 80 a box and caulifiower, 300
35c a dozen.
Oranges are drag; strawberries
plentiful from Sc to lie box, and new
guavas &c pound.
Top prices were reached for rabbits,
as they were scarce.
Ducks were in scant supply and
geese found ready buyers. In fact all
game is wanted.
Live poultry is so scarce that all
kinds will bring the highest prices of
the season.
Receipts of Produce