The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-04-19
EXISTENCE OF THE
CITRUS EXCHANGE
IS NOW AT STAKE
TIME HERE WHEN 1T IS UP TO
CITRUS GROWERS OF STATE
TO DECLARE THEMSELVES.
MEETING ON APRIL 10
Convention at Tampa VIII Decide
Whether the Florida Citrus Ex-
change Is to Continue.

Whether the Florida Citrus Elk
change Is to Continue.
That the time has come when 1t is
Up to the citrus fruit growers of the
state to determine whether or not the
Florida Citrus Exchange shall con-
tinue in existence and shall continue
In its work for the general improve
ment of the citrus fruit industry of
this state, the opening up of better
and broader market facilities and the
establishment of the industry on a
solid footing, where 1t will fear no
competition from any other section of
the state, Is the statement of R. P.
Burton, sales manager of the Florida
Citrus Exchange, speaking in behalf
of General Manager w. G. Temple,
who has temporarily, If not perma-
nently, withdrawn from the active
management of the Exchange, and is
now at his residence in Winter Park,
Alabama Grove
In an interview granted The Times
Mr.. Burton outlined the situation very
briefly by stating that there has been
growing feeling among the officers
Of the Exchange that the growers of
the state have not been granting the
Florida Citrus Exchange the amount
of support that is necessary for its
continuance, and that the growers
generally have permitted the EX-
change to go ahead with its work
and build up the market and boost
the prices while they have remained
outside and reaped the benefits there
from without selling through the Elk
change. Without the financial sup
port Of the growers of the state the
Exchange cannot continue to exist,
and the time has come when the is
sue must be squarely faced and set
tied. If the Exchange is to continue
in its work, 1t must have the support
of the citrus fruit growers of the
state, if it has not that support, it is
doomed to financial failure and disso-
luton.
Speaking on this matter, Mr.. Bur
ton said: "The past three vars that
the Exchange has been in r,'stence
have demonstrated it's efficie ~ in
handling the citrus situation in Flor
ida. In the face of the net res rs,
however, it appears to have ben
more of a success in the marketing q
fruit and less of a success in getting
growers into the association. Also,
there seems to be feeling on the
part of the majority of the growers
in the state that the Exchange is an
organization composed of a small
number of men with plenty of capital,
who have given their time and money
to the building up of the Exchange
for the general benefit of the growers,
and that the growers are not under
any obligation to sustain it by putting
their fruit into it. There seems to
have been feeling that the Exchange
is a philanthropic enterprise fostered
by these men and that it is only ne
cessary for the growers themselves to
wish it well and avail themselves of
the market conditions brought about
by the Exchange in disposing of their
fruit to the outside operators.
with this view of the case the men
who put their heart, soul and purse
into the fight are getting somewhat
weary of this spirit and somewhat in
clined to feel that the Exchange has
been a success in marketing fruit, but
has been failure in convincing the
outside the Exchange that 1t
is good enough for them to market
through. While do not know what
Temple is going to do, do know that
be has participated in this feeling and
that the convention that has been call
ed for the 18th of April is to give the
of Florida the opportunity to
whether the Florida Citrus
Exchanfie is justified in its existence,
and, IL SO, whether or not they pro-
nose to let 1t live or die. If they pro-
pose to let it live they will manifest Il
by signing up their fruit.
ut is a case where the grower must
cast his lot one way or the other and
upon his decision will depend the flu
ture success or failure OF the citrus
industry of the state. The enterprise
has been carried out to a successful
issue. The record will be presented
at this convention showing a success
full operation of the Exchange and the
will have no apologies to
make in offering this record. 1t will
be so clear and convincing that every
grower who will listen to the record
and read the statements it contains
may arrive at rational conclusion.
1t is a case Of fish, cut bait or go
To men who have followed the OPP
erations of the Florida Citrus EX-
change during the three years of its
existence, there is but one solution of
the situation, and that is the unques-
toned support of all the growers Of
the state and their cooperation with
the Exchange in handling the citrus
fruit industry of Florida and putting
it on a substantial and firm basis.
The expression "in union there is
is expressly illustrated in
the workingAof the Exchange and the
of Exchange results with
the results of the efforts of the indi-
virtual growers each working for him
self and regardless of the other fell