The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1907-02-08
PINEAPPLE
ASSOCIATION
Meet in Fort Pierce Wednesday
Afternoon
RATE PROBLEM
Local Organization to Assist State
Protective Association to Secure
Better Rates

A meeting of the Indian River Pine
apple Growers Association was held in
the club building, Fort Pierce, Wednes-
day afternoon, and was attended by
about twenty-five growers.
AT meeting held in Jensen a short
time ago, w. r. Hardee and +. G. Nc
Mullen were appointed to attend a
meeting of the producers of the State
held in Jacksonville, and this meeting
was called to hear their report, and to
consult propositions that might come
up for the betterment of the pineapple
industry.
Both Mr.. Hardee and Mr. McMullen
presented most interesting reports of
the meeting in Jacksonville, when the
"Florda Fruit and Vegetable Shippers
Protective Association" was formed,
and tried to impress upon the growers
the Importance of joining into this
movement for the reduction of freight
rates, quoting that California now en-
joys rate of 80 cents for a three
thousand mile haul to any of the
eastern markets, while Florida shippers
pay rs cents for haul of one thousand
miles to New York, which is their
cheapest market. More than majority
of those present had their names en-
rolled as members of the state organi-
cation, and Mr.. McMullen was APP
pointed a committee of one to see the
growers along the river and solicit
members.
A petition was also prepared to be
circulated among the pineapple growers
seeking aid for the opening of the inlet
at Sewalls Point, each grower pledging
two cents for each crate of pineapples
during the present season. With this
inlet opened 50 that vessels may enter
the Indian River, the supporters of the
measure claim will result in reduction
of freight rates at least 20 per cent
The petition already has the signature
of seventeen growers, representing
~, 600 crates, and non-grower has SUBJ
scribed $50 to the project.
The following address, prepared by
f. G. McMullen, is published for the
benefit of the pineapple growers:
The Indian River Pineapple Growers
League appointed two delegates to at
tend joint convention held at Jack
sonville, January 80, for the purpose of
state organization, and there
by make united effort to obtain re-
dlction in freight rates.
The meeting was attended by So del
egates, representing every product
shipped from the state. The organi-
z alton was perfected with some of the
best business men of the state filling
so ne of the offices, and who are willing
to give their time and money to obtain
a more equitable rate.
The following is part of the constitu-
ii IN adopted: "The name Of this asso-
citation is, The Florida Fruit and Vege-
table Shippers Protective Association.
The purpose of the organization is to
secure equitable rates of transportation
to all markets on all Florida fruits and
vegetables and all material and supplies
PERTAINING thereto and to otherwise
protect the interests of all fruit ana
vegetable growers and shippers in the
State Of Florida"
The officers shall consist of:--Presi-
lent, (F. ID. Warner, elected; Vice
PRESIDENT, 81. II. Preston, eected);
Secretary and Treasurer, 81. Chase.
,lected.) A board of directors Of
wenty members of which five consti-
utes quorum. The duties and obi
,ations of these officers are specified
n five additional articles.
An initiation fee of SIS will be charged
Zach member. This fund will be used
o employ a first class stenographer
md a first class attorney to make
,rief of the data or evidence collected
md present same before the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
The Melon Growers Association made
similar move some time ago and Sc
,ured a reproduction of l6 cents a
(coptipIed m, ,.aue 81