Semi-weekly herald., 1912-03-04
SUGAR BEET CONTRACT AN
NULLED.

The sugar beet contract entered into
with Ward barley was annulled this
morning by Mr.. barley resigning and
relieving the committee from embar-
rassment in connection with the han
ding of the funds subscribed by the
people. The matter was brought about
first through differences arising be-
tween the committee composed of
John w. Wingate, w. C. White and
John l.. Mcneil and Mr.. barley over
the form of contract to be made with
beet growers, and the committee be-
ing unable to come TO any terms re-
ferred the matter to the directors of
the board of trade at specially call
ed meeting last evening, Mr.. barley,
and the above committee, being pres
ent in addition to the directors. The
committee submitted the following re-
port:
Report of Sugar Beet Committee
To the Durango Board of Trade:
We, your committee, beg to report
as being unable, in our judgment,
to accept the terms as proposed by
Mr.. Ward barley in the making Of
contracts with the farmers in the
raising of sugar beets. In theory we
approve of the extreme liberality to-
wards the farmers but feel assured of
its being too experimental, to enlist
capital for the construction of the
factory, by reason, in our judgment,
of antagonizing every individual in
terest among the sugar factories and
refiners to the extent of their op-
posing influences. And, even pro-
vided the financing and completion of
the factory, they might dominate dis
advantageously the disposal of the
manufactured product.
We have offered Mr.. barley COM
promise which we believe would be
acceptable to both the grower and the
sugar interests, viz: That on account
of increased cost of cultivation and
otherwise over other sections where
such plants are now in successful op-
Grafton, an advance of 30 cents pei
ton, flat rate, with the same sliding
scale as adopted by the factories in
other portions of the state.
Regretting the difference of opin.
ion now existing between Mr.. Ward
barley and your committee, we deem
it advisable to refer the matter to
your consideration.
Very respectfully,
JOHN W. WINGATE, Chairman.
w. G. WHITE.
JOHN l.. MCNEIL.
The matter was discussed by all
members of the committee, directors
and Mr.. barley. Mr.. barley was pos
tive in his position and said he could
not change with any heart in the
work. After much discussion mo-
tion was made and seconded that the
report of the committee be accepted
and the committee sustained. Carried
unanimously.
Arrangements were then made be-
tween the committee and Mr.. barley
to meet at 10 o'clock this morning to
see if some compromise plan could
not be agreed upon, but Mr.. barley
remained firm in his decision and his
resignation was accepted.
The Herald being desirous of OBJ
tanning additional facts interviewed
Messrs. Wingate and White this aft
ernoon and they made the following
statement:
"rhe committee deems it only prop
er that the people of Durango and
the farmers of the southwest and sub
scribers to the promotion fund should
know some of the facts leading to
tho termination of the contract. Mr..
Wingate met Mr.. barley in Denver
last September and the matter cf
coming to Durango and promoting a
factory was taken up and later Mr.
Wingate wrote Mr.. Darley to come
and it was on his invitation that Mr.
barley did so. At the preliminary
meetings the question Of building a
factory was discussed and the COM
mittee first appointed firmly believed
that the scheme was practical and
to this end form of contract or
agreement was drawn and presented
to the board of trade which was unan-
imously ratified. The agreement was
published at the time and it contain
ed nothing to lead the committee OF
subscribers to the fund to believe that
any change from the regular plan OF
organizing sugar beet companies and
their contracts with farmers would be
made. Then the committee entered
into contract with Mr. barley. Ev-
erything continued along smoothly un-
til the latter part of Mr.. Darley's
eastern trip when Mr.. Wingate wired
Mr.. barley asking for some details Of
what he was doing, but no specific in
formation was forthcoming.
"Then parties interested and ranch
ers were invited to attend meeting
Monday evening, Feb. 10. We win
gate and White) were not aware that
Mr.. barley was going to present the
form Of contract adopted at that meet
ing. 1t was supposed the meeting was
to discuss the proposition along regu-
lar lines and a flat rate to be paid