The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-04-18
CITRUS FatIT GROWERS
IN THE GULF CITY,
Ask That TarIa On Oranges and Green
Fruit Law be Let Alone
- Times. 80


Preliminary action for the organiza-
ton OF a Florida Citrus Growers Pro-
tec1ive Association was taken this
morning al the mass meeting OF the
Florida growers held at tae Casino
At that same meeting the growers by
a rising vote declared themselves as
being against any cut in the tariff on
citrus fruits as is proposed b. Con-
gress, and appointed a committee 10
send kilograms 10 FLORIDA representa-
tives in Congress acquainting them of
their action
This committee vii also send teIe-
grams to the members of the state
legislature and viii ask the legislature
to memoria1ize Congress to let the tar
III on citrus fruits. with the exception
of lemons. remain as ii is at present
The committee having this matter in
charge was appointed BY Chairman
Prof. H. H. Hume Of Glen ST Mary,
and IS composed of Messrs. J. c. Chase,
s H. GaitskilI, Gillette. SaddIer and
DR. ". c. Richardson.
Citrus Industry is big One
When the meeting opened this morn
ing report was read of the opera
tions of the Citrus Protective League
since its organization in March of
1906 This organization is voluntary
one and is directed by an executive
committee of nine, which is appointed
by thirty of the principal growers and
shippers who act as a governing COM
mittee.
The report stated that the citrus in
dustry Of the state represented from
$150,000.000 to $500, 900, 900 capital in
vested, that there are 10000 growers
and that 100000 people are depended
upon il for a livelihood. Nearly 10000
carloads are expected to be shipped
from the state this session. The funds
of the association for it's general sup
port are raised by a general assess
ment on the number of ears shipped
Sixty eight thousand six hundred and
ffty-four dollars and eighty ght
cents has been paid into the associa-
ton by this means and approximately
$4,000 expended in the five years of
the associations organization.
The report dealt with the reduction
of freight rates secured by the asso-
citation which have saved to the ship
pers from SIS TO $50 a car. the gain to
the industry by this reduction being
$3175,000 since February %, 1907. A
change in the refrigerating tariff has
also been brought, saving TO the ship
pers approximately SIS. 900 to date. The
report also dwe1t upon legislative en-
actments in the interest of the fruit
grower which have been brought
about
Vegetable Growers Report
The report of the Florida Fruit and
Vegetable Shippers Protective Assoc
citation. also voluntary organiza ton,
was also read The report covered the
period since the organization on jan
uary 80, 1907. The receipts were
$8.618.22 and the disbursements So
617.22. The present indebtedness is
$1,191.69. The report of the financial
standing of the association was fol-
lowed by a statement of what has been
accomplished by it which includes the
establishments and settlement of
number Of claims against transporta-
ton companies regarding excess rate
charges which have brought about
considerable reduction on the rates for
shipment of fruit and vegetables,
Discussions were had at this morn
ing's session on the tariff question.
also on the question of adopting
standardized boxes and also ca reduc-
ton to growers of the cost of packing
fruit
The discussion on the tariff result |
ed in rising vote condenHing any
change in the present tariff. in WHICH /
All but few participated. On the
question of stardardizing boxes Cen |
eral Sales Manager Burton Of the
Florida Citrus Exchange. was heard /
He said that the question was not
he size of boxes but that Of the size
If the fruit and gave the growers pres
mt some Illustrations. He said Flor
da growers were not interested in the
question of what size boxes are used
n California, but how best to send
heir own fruit to market. mentioning I
hat the sale of fruit was governed by Il
luetten and the auction sale not by II
he size OF the box but by the size of
he fruit
Leave Green Fruit Law Alone
From the casino building this aft
rnoon a telegram was sent to the
florida legislature stating that the
florida fruit growers assembled pass
d an almost unanimous vote that it
vas the sense of the meeting that the
legislature should allow the present.
or green fruit" law to
tand on the statutes without change.
This decision was arrived at this af-
ernoon after a brief discussion. Mr.
ANS had offered a resolution MAX
1g an amendment to this law. but was
to hear the report of State
'hemist Rose before he asked for a |
ote on it. Following the reading of |
his report and that of Pure Food
hemist Henry, Mr.. Sans Withdrew /
his amendment
General Manager W. C. Temple then III
lade the motion that. the telegram as 1
utlined should be prepared by the II
ommittee appointed at the morning \
ession to prepare other kilograms.
nd be sent Immediately to the legis-
lture in session at Tallahassee. 1t
as put TO the meeting by Chairman 4
ume and carried almost unanimously.
lere being but a scattering negative III
ote. I'LL
For the committee appointed at the II
orning session TO prepare plans for II
lie organization of a statewide fruit II
roWers and shippers association. NJ. iii
GiHet made a report in which he III
commended that the organfza ton be U
loWn as the Florida Fruit Growers HI
Id Shippers League. The purpose of HI
e organization as outlined in the re- HI
'rt is to obtain reasonable rates for III
tipping fruit, secure proper reguia- III
on regarding the fruit industry of III
nd RI I'LL