The Comrade. (Winnfield, La.) 1890-1914, 1910-09-02
WORRIES OF TRUCK SHIPPERS
Necessary to Life of Produce Business
That Great Care Be Given Goods
En- Route.

In view Of recent agitation on the
subject Of transportation for carload
shippers of perishable produce, per-
sonal observations may be Of interest.
| writes A. A. Allison, in Ranch and
! Range. In 1903 this county (Lime'
stone) was devastated by boil worms
and boil weevils, and farmers were so
demoralized that they doubted the ef-
fcacy of attempting cotton again,
hence, in 1904, they decreased the
acreage in cotton, and planted cor
respondingly Increased acreage in
sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, melons,
etc.
The season was fine for potatoes OF
both kinds, and the yield was heavy,
and of superior quality.
Then the question Of marketing
these crops became important. Pota-
toes were In heavy demand through
out the north and east, and prices
we're good. Several produce men IN
this county bought few cars OF
Irish potatoes at prices that should
have allowed a profit, but the stun
was delayed in transit, cars OF stun
we're side-tracked between strings OF
trains on each side, causing the prod
uct to get overheated, the result be-
ing that not only had the market de-
clined, but half Of the goods were re-
ported ruined on arrival. IN some
instances drafts were drawn by con-
signees to reimburse them for part OF
the freight. On the whole, buyers
lost at least rs per cent. OF the pur'
chase price Of the produce, besides
their trouble, and, therefore, refused
to buy these products any more, ana
the farmer quit planting them.
Not only does perishable stuff suf-
fer inattention at the hands of rail-
roads, in delay, overheating, rains
and winds, but very many instances
can be found of gross misconduct on
the part of brokers to whom produce is
consigned. shipped three cars OF
Irish potatoes to as many points,
under a bona f1de sale In one
instance, and In each instance l
lost money. No doubt the goods
were injured en- route, as they
arrived at destination late, but ]
have always thought that proper In
terest was not given by consignees.
I shipped car Of very fine sweet
potatoes to Des Moines, Ia, on
sale to a produce firm there. Drew
draft to cover, and on Its arrival
there, was wired to release draft, as
the goods were ruined. started for
Des Moines, was delayed en- route in
wreck, got there after the potatoes
had been there for more than week,
and there had been a freeze, took
charge of the goods and found that
the consignee had never examined
them, but had wired for release OF
draft for the purpose Of getting the
potatoes given him. If had sent
some one with the car, IS per cent. of
the potatoes would have been mer
charitable, even with the nine days
travel and delay en- route. He could
have gone to work to dispose of them,
for the market there needed the
goods, and buyers have asked me to
ship them potatoes again. AS 1t was.
l sold rs per cent. of the potatoes that
had not persisted, at handsome prices
also learned that 1t means the sal.
walton of the produce shipper to 60
with produce, watch it on its way, and
| be ready to sell 1t himself upon ar.
rival.
The question Of including transpor
tation of man with each car of pro-
duce, in the cost Of freight, was
brought before the commission some
years ago. It could be easily seen
that the railroads opposed It on the
sole ground that they did not want
the owner to have the evidence Of
delay against them that would result
from having man with the ship
ment; as also their overt negligence
Of the goods en- route. Attorneys for
the railroads would not admit this to
be the reason for their antagonism
but claimed that the rate was not
enough to cover the extra cost. Blu,
shippers would rather bear an extra
outlay Of freight, and be permitted to
care for the stuff in transit. Is not
4 the cost Of transportation of stockmen
included in the freight rate? Is not
the cost Of carriage of a man with
poultry car included in the rate Of
: freight? Then, raise the rate Of
freight on produce to cover transpor
tation Of man with potatoes, fruit,
etc. The rate is now high, but it is
necessary to the life of the produce
business that great care be given to
goods while en- route, and the farmer
win abandon growing produce Of this
!. class If some arrangement is not made
to care for same.
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