The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-08
Independent Growers
Meet at Orlando


report of the Orlando meeting. This
paper maintains an attitude Of i'm
Partially towards the Citrus Ex'
change and the Independent Grow.
ers, believing that there are two
sides to the cOntrOversy.-Ed.)
The citrus fruit growers of Flor
ida who reserve the right to pro.
tect themselves. and who feel conf.
dent that they can guard their own
interests best by selling their pro.
duct when, where. to whom, and
for what they think right at the
time; who do not believe in paying
salaries, one Of which is as large as
$8.333.33 annually. with heavy per-
sonal expenses. regardless of wheth-
er their crop Is large or small, the
price high or low: who know that
their fruit does not carry deadly
contagion, though the peel may not
be as yellow as a newly minted gold
piece: who are loyal to their state
and do not think it ought to be sac
rificed to build up California; who
resent Indignantly being called
fools. liars, and scoundrels" be-
cause they will not wear the yoke
made for them; who desire to re-
main Independent and free--these
fruit growers have put themselves
On record.
The meeting was held at Orlando,
Saturday, Nov. I, 1911, at the Arm
Dry. The call clearly stated the OBJ
ject of the gathering and confined
the attendance The call said:
I'm view of the libelOus course
pursued by the Florida citrus En-
change in stigmatizing Florida Or
anges when shipped at this time. as
poisonous. and in view OF the in
jury that the industry is likely to
suffer from the gross misrepresenta-
ton and Measurements that have
been spread throughout the United
States "a convention OF citrus fruit
grOwers> is called to consider the
matter and present true facts"
There were in actual attendance
between forty and fifty representa-
tive growers. And letters were re-
Civcd and read from 2S6 other grow
crs who, on account of distance the
day OF the week on which the con-
vention was held. business. and 9TH
er good reasons, could not attend.
These personally signed letters, gave
addresses, and extent of grove prop
crty owned and controlled by the
signcrs. More than 5000 acres OF
bearing grove property were repre-
sented; estimating 800 packed
boxes per acre. would aggregate two
million four hundred thousand
2.40O.O00 packed boxes of Florida
citrus fruit, agains, about eight hun
dred thousand $500, 1000 boxes mar
kcted last season by the Florids.
Citrus Exchange. Each letter stat
ed that the writer wished to Join in
the protest outlined in the call and
authorized the use of his name in
the action taken.
There were quite as many specta-
tors. including members of the Cit
rus Exchange in the hall as dele
gates. Those who came to take part
under the call for the meeting were
asked to give their names; the 9TH
ers were requested not to occupy
seats on the floor.
The meeting was called to order
by J. {. Chase. secretary of the
Florida Fruit 4 Vegetable Growers
Protective Association. and the call
read:
On motion. J. Dev Hazard, of Eus-
It's was chosen temporary chairman;
Mr.. Vowel. secretary; and i. Meir-
owitz assistant The chairman brief
ly thanked the convention for the
honor conferred.
In compliance with different mo-
tions the chairman announced the
following committees:
Permanent organiza,ion-r FL
Tillinghast, H. II. Pattishall. s ].
Carlton
Resolutions Major Alex. st. Clair
Abrams, NJ S. Moreman. 5. O. Chase.
John Lee. f. A. Thomas.
J. 7. McLain and Fred Fee served
as tellers.
Major Abrams. by invitation of
the chair addressed the meeting for
an hour or more. With great abili-