The daily sentinel., 1913-04-24
NEW LAW MAY
DAMAGE FRUIT
MEN OF STATE

a law passed in haste and re-
pented at leisure seems to be about
the size of the new law to regulate
commission merchants of the state.
II was designed to BE- of benefit to
the farmer who raises the products
handled by the commission men. In
stead it appears that 1t is to do the
farmer n great deal OF harm-in two
ways. says the Denver Times.
First, in depriving he farmer of
local state market for perishable pro-
duce. AS about seven cars of fruit
of this character come into Denver
every day in the growing season it is
seen what serious phase of the new
law this matter Is.
Second, in the inclusion of fruit
growers associations under onerous
conditions that were intended for
commission men only. one of these
conditions is such tax on operation
that unless some way is found to es-
cape the provision the weaker asso-
Citations Will be at loss how to con-
tinue in business There is now a
great stir in all the state fruit dis
tricts as to the effects of the law.
One way by which 1t has been pro-
posed that growers associations get
around the law is that their shippers
shall by individual contract waive
their rights under the law.
A Burdensome Provision.
The most burdensome condition of
the law is regarded to be that requir-
ing the commission house to make
out three bills for each sale, one of
which is to be forwarded to the grow
er on the day of the sale.
G. l.. Arnett of the Arnett-Godley
Commission company on Market
street today regarding this section of
the law:
ITO carry out this provision of
bills in trplicate would require us
to add / 3 persons to our clerical staff.
1 think that in general it would re-
quire commission houses to triple
their office forces. ! should say ii
would increase our expenses about 80
per cent"
On account of this condition espe-
cially commission houses in Denver
are preparing TO keep without this
part of the law by not accepting con-
signment from anywhere in Colora-
do. Such course Will have two ef-
fects. it is stated; first. that it will
open market in Denver for fruits
en- consignment from neighboring
states, such as Utah; second, Colora-
do growers. in what they consign, will
have to ship outside of Colorado
Much of the fruit that is shipped to
Denver and other large cities of the
state during the fruit season could
not be sold elsewhere. as 1t is of a
perishable character that would not
carry'a long distance. This law. it is
claimed, will practically Gut out the
market for such stuff, except what
commission merchants buy outright
and naturally they do not care to
take much risk on produce likely to
spoil on their hands. Some dealers
on Market street are now preparing
to handle Utah peaches; heretofore
they have dealt in Colorado
peaches.
May BE Exempt.
Some contend that growers associ-
ations cannot be included in the pro-
visions of the law, as they handle pro-
duce on commission and. at least
most of them, are incorporated with
dividend-paying stock, the consensus
of legal opinion seems to be that they
are bound by the new law.
On account of the situation there
has been some talk of referring the
law to popular vote. 1t was gotten
up to protect the grower from ire
sppDsihla and diShpnast rom m iSsion I