The sun., 1912-07-15
PRODUCE MEN WORRIED
over FRUIT SHIPMENTS
Say Prices Will Go Up if Freight
Handlers Strike Lasts
Much Longer.
COMMISSION MEN KICK
Ask President McCrca to Put
stop to Labor Troubles
on 2. II. r. Docks.

Within the last two days. II was
learned yesterday. commission mer-
chants and produce dealers have be-
come anxious about the delivery Of the
perishable goods consigned to them
which come to the docks affected by
the strike of the freight handlers. This
applied especially to fruit which comes
from great distance in some cases
and spois more frequently than meats.
butter or eggs.
Some of the dealers ;aid yesterday
that the prices of fruits will increase
soon II the present condition Of mat.
ters lasts. The Manhattan piers have
refrigerating plants for the temporary
storing of peaches and berries, but these
facilities. II Is said. are not to be found
on the New Jersey side Of the North
River Some of the railroads have re-
fused for the present shipments Of
peaches for New York or further than
Jersey city.
Inspectors Of the Board OF Health
have been detailed to the piers affected
by the strike and some condemnations
of overripe fruit have been made
II. a. Llttlefield of H. a. Littlcfield
g. Co. fruit dealers at 32S Washington
street. said that unless there IL
change in the situation soon fruit will
undoubtedly increase In price.
AT all events he continued. "if
the present state OF affairs continues
fruit Will soon be scarce and dear.
While there have been some condemna-
tons by the officers Of the Health De-
partment. mo I of the condemned fruit
was spoiled before 1t reached here
through long wet spell In Georgia.
where good deal OF fruit comes from
destined for the New York market"
Another dealer sad that the strike
Of the lonsshoremen came at bad
time. as it was in the middle of hot
spell. when fruit spols quickly. This
oppled largely to bananas. of which an
enormous quantity came to New York
Bananas are brought green to this city
and are artificially riaened. but In
hot spell they soon become overripe.
he said. The supply Of fruit was get
ting so short that the price might be
increased any time. though the dealers
were holding back as long as possible
on the question of raising the price.
The prices Of butter and eggs up to
the present had not increased. Julius
u. Mahr Inc.). Of Harrison street. a
produce firm. said: "In spite OF the
strike Of the freight handlers. the prices
OF butter and tsss have not changed.
They are normal II is probable that
there are better facilities for preserv-
ing these than preserving fruit. We
have not learned Of any advance any
where up to now in the price OF butter
and eggs"
1t was learned yesterday that pro-
tests have been sent by commission
merchants and produce dealers to Pres
ident McCrea OF the Pennsylvania Rail-
road against allowing the strikes OF
the freight handlers to continue at piers
81. IS and 20. They have asked him
TO use his best efforts to bring about
settlement.
The strike Of the freight handlers
is ostensibly in sympathy with the
strike Of the seamen and firenen on
the coastwise steamships. but the strik-
ing freight handlers have made demands
Of their own for higher wages.