The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1910-06-18
T-.,.s e-oxysr., Association Organised

7 Truck growers representing lLIJ1S= kbdIl
/ 500 acres of land in this locality adapted
to truck farming met at the courthouse at
10 O'Clock Thursday forenoon to attend
the meeting called by the DonaLdsonyllle
Progressive Union for the purpose OF
organizing truck growers association.
The meeting was presided over by Alex.
Bloomenstlel, president of the Progressive
Union. and G. D. Bentley acted as secre-
tary. Interesting addresses were de-
livered by w. S. Keaghey, manager of the
Ponchatoula Farmers Association, which
has been in existence fifteen years; e. l..
Tiebout, horticultural of the state expert
ment station at Baton Rouge; L. Scala,
managing editor of L 'Italo-Americano, an
Italian newspaper of New Orleans; Mayor
Charles Maurin, and W. B. Thompson,
contracting manager of the National Pro
duce Distributing Company OF Cincinnati,
O., with headquarters at Opelousas.
The objects and purposes of the pro-
posed association were explained in de-
tail by the various speakers and the bene-
fits to be derived from an amalgamation
Of interests clearly pointed out, and many
points of interest and value were brought
up and discussed. All of the addresses
were of most interesting and instructive
nature, and were well received by the
large audience.
T. S. Mahoney, assistant superintendent
of the first district Of the T. and P. Rail-
road, was present and submitted tele-
gram from w F. Braggins, general agent
of the road in Louisiana, stating that the
same freight rates would be allowed on
truck shipped from this point to northern
markets as are effective out of New Or
leans, and that the farmers of this section
would be afforded every facility by the T.
and P. Railroad to enable them to compete
with any other producing section in
the state.
Messrs. R. n. Sims, D. D. Dalferes and
B. Mistretta were appointed committee
on nominations, and after retiring to an
ante-room and celebrating for a short
while, they returned to the meeting room
and submitted the following ticket, which
was duly ratified and elected:
President. s. H. St. Martin.
First vice president, B. Mistretta.
Second vice president, Sam. Fontano.
Secretary and treasurer, R. R. Marshall.
Executive committee, Emile LeBoeuf,
L. c. Duhon and Tony Latina
The executive committee was en-
powered to cooperate with the officers in
drawing up a constitution and bylaws for
the association, and it was decided to
hold another meeting on Friday, July /. for
the purpose of perfecting the organiza-
ton and instituting an active campaign
for the growing and shipping of large
quantities of truck from this point next
fall and spring
Arthur Love Isnresenting the Louisi-
ana Trucker and Farmer. a monthly mag
azine devoted to the interests of the truck
farming industry which is published in
New Orleans under the auspices of the
Iberia Truck Farmers Association, was
present and distributed copies of his pub
LEGATION among the farmers present.
Copies Of the Cincinnati Packer and
other periodicals of a like nature which
had been provided by Mr.. Tiebout were
also distributed, and much valuable in
formation was given the members of the
association by Mr.. Tebout and Mr..
keaghey concerning the variety and
quality of the seed to be planted, the
method of cultivating and harvesting var
ious truck crops, the best manner of pack
ing and shipping, and other important
points connected with the profitable con-
duct of the trucking industry. Mr.. Scala's
address was delivered in Italian for the
benefit of the large number of his coun-
trynen who were in attendance, and was
gem of oratory, eloquence and concise
ness.
The association begins its career under
the most favorable auspices, and with the
capable management which may be ex-
pected of the efficient corps of officers
elected for the ensuing year there is
every reason to believe that the organiza-
ton will expand and prosper and soon
develop into one of the most important
and valuable enterprises ever inaugurated
in this community. The Italian members
Of the body alone-meaning only those
who were present at the initial meeting
last Thursday-represent more than All
acres of cultivable land, and when the
benefits accruing from the organization
are demonstrated beyond the measure of
4 doubt, as they are almost sure to be, it
S believed that accessions to the mem