The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-08-28
MAY ELIMINATE THE
COMMISSION MEN
CONTINUED from Fifth Page

arrange to do it. if the growers
thought It the best plan.
Much discussion followed as 20
carload shipments by express and if
there was a chance for lower rates
If carload shipments could be divert
ed and if local shipments could. The
information came out that carload
shipments could but local shipments
could not on account of being load
ed with many other shipments 10 diff
ferent points.
Discussion came up as to rates for
the coming season. Mr.. Halle said
that he could give no definite fnfor-
nation on that score but could safe
ly say that the shippers would be
nightly pleased when they saw the
new rates. These rates have been
submitted to the Interstate Com
merce Commission and to the state
railroad commission, and would be
released on Sept. LIST, after which
they would be given publicity. He
said that the rates on most or all of
the stuff shipped by Marion county
growers in any quantity had been
lowered, that in general the rates
had been lowered, and in some few
cases raised. The classifications were
more equitable and just and dis
a II <I,s
past. This, after all, was the best
of the reforms.
Discussion brought out that Plant
City, one of the heaviest shipping
points in the state and the most i'm
portant agency, almost sells 95 per
cent of it's produce on the spot for
cash. Many commission men go
there and buy, also brokers, but they
and the farmer returns home with
the cash for his stuff. What brought
this satisfactory condition about?
Organization years ago of a few
commission men were cut out, hence
they came here to see what was the
matter and brought their cash with
them and had continued to do so
Plant City gets the very best results.
top of the market prices and loses
Almost nothing through dishonest
houses.
Mr.. Light gave an example OF the
q, t.
est commission men and extortionate
freights. HIS crop was in round
numbers worth $4,000 this year. He
received net returns. after deducting
all expenses, s116.1s. Not hardly
fair, he thought, as a reward for his
labor. Mr.. Meffert gave account
saaes of carload shipments of pro-
duce that practically brought moth
charges Mr.. Stuckey said he had
documentary evidence in his pocket
that would send several commission
men to jail if the state attorney
would handle it. In passing the Star
will state that Mr. Stuckey wanted
and was perfectly willing to make
this charge and back it up, in the
spring when the commission men
were hanging around Ocala like
Grant around Richmond.
The Marion county meeting is ex-
Pected to develop into statewide
organization, and in this is the sal
walton of the shippers, for when the
world sees that the farmers are de-
termined to help themselves, that
help will be forthcoming.
Mr.. Halle and his associates re-
peatedly stated that his company
stood ready to back up the shippers
and aid and assist them in every way
possible. His company did not want
the responsibility of handling the
entire crops as it was not its bust
ness, as it was not in the commits
sion business, but there were many
ways it could aid and he felt thar
it would.
He wanted it understood that
while the commission men were be
ling cussed so earnestly that they
were patrons of the express company
and entitled to fair deal and just
consideration from the company
that their business was enormous
and they would have to be reckoned
with. Also, that his company had to
serve the entire people ami not one
section.
Mr.. Halle stated that if, after the
organization was perfected, the pro-
duce growers would place an agent
at each large center to look after
their interests, the company would
place man there to assist and CO.
operate with him and the two work
ing together should certainly be able