The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1914-06-20
WANT RICE MILL REOPENED.

Chamber Of Commerce Seeking to Sc
cure Resumption of Operations at
Local PIant-Better Facilities
for Handling Rice Desired.
As one of the numerous phases OF
its activity in behalf Of Donaldson
vile and surrounding country, the
| Chamber of Commerce has interested
itself in the matter of securing a
resumption of operations by the Don
aldsonville rice mill, which is the
city's largest industrial enterprise and
valuable adjunct to the commercial
resources of the community. A let
ter was addressed by the organiza-
ton to the Louisiana State Rice
Milling Company, owners Of the local
plant, to the following effect: ="We
have noticed with great concern the
continued idleness of your mill at
| Donaldsonville, and beg that you
| kindly inform us whether there is
any hope of an early resumption OF
operations In this connection, per-
nit us to offer you our cooperation
in any way you may suggest we can
serve you"
A reply was received under date
of June 10, reading as follows:
"Mr. R. S. Vickers, Secretary Cham
Der of Commerce, Donaldsonville,
Dear Sir:-This is to acknowledge
your letter of June 8.
'"The Donaldsonville mill is, we
consider, one of our best plants. and
we more than any other individual
or body regret that circumstances
Eforce us to keep same idle most of
the time.
There are numerous factors that
preclude the operation of this mill,
chief among which we might men
ton that Notwithstanding the fact
| that Donaldsonville is located on the
Mississippi river, one of the worlds
greatest waterways, the mill at Don
aldsonville is practically deprived of
all benefit of water facilities.
I'm shipping rice to that point, in
tho first place, there il no wharf
| to unload same on, and there being
no warehouse wharfage, the rice is
exposed to the elements on the bat
ture;, besides, tribute of one cent per
hundred pounds wharfage must be
paid. to say nothing of the heavy
drayage cost up the batture over the
leveas to the mill, and this, as above
stated, practically deprives the mill
of water facilities.
''Fhere are other factors, but were
| the one specifically mentioned over
come to the extent that we could
economically, safely and convenient
1 jxY 1sarr IF
rice to the mill from the river, it
would be an incentive for all con-
cerned to go ahead and overcome the
| other lesser drawbacks The COM
munication bore the signature of L.
M. Simon, of the rough rice depart
ment of the company.
Upon receipt of this letter a meet
ing Of the executive committee of the
Chamber of Commerce was called to
consider the matter, It was pointed
out that the construction Of a new
wharf by the municipality provides
ample storage facilities for the rough
rice shipped to this point for milling,
thus removing one of the factors cited
by the Louisiana State Company in
explanation OF the closing down of the
local mill. With reference to wharf
and drayage fees. there is no reason
why a satisfactory schedule of
charges can not be agreed upon, and
to further adjust the cost of delivery
of rice to the mill, it was decided to
appeal to the Louisiana Railroad Com
mission for a better river rate on
shipments of rough rice to this city.
Accordingly, a letter was directed to
Shelby Taylor, of Crowley, member
of the railroad commission from this
district, inviting him to visit Don
aldsonville at his earliest convent
ence with view to assisting the
Chamber of Commerce in the matter
of securing just freight rate for the
local mill
It is hoped some agreement may
be arrived at that will result in the
plant being placed in operation, and
as the rice acreage in this section
has been materially enlarged this
year and an abundant yield is prom
ised, there is every reason to be-
lieve sufficient quantity of the
cereal can be supplied to keep the
big establishment in continuous oper-
alton for several months