Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-24
EXPERTS HUNT REASON
OF HIGH PRICES in CITY
DESPITE HUGE CROPS
Producers, Consumers and Mid
dlemen in Byberry Confer
ence Would Learn Who
Gets Big Profits
FRUIT RIOTS ON TREES

Hundreds Of agricultural experts, coll
| lege representatives, farmers, commission
men, retailers bankers and consumers
met at an economic conference at the
| Byberry city Farms Somerton, Pa, to-
day to find out why the consumer is pay
ing high prices for fruits and vegetables
though crops are so large that farmers
are facing ruin, because the prices offered
by wholesalers will not warrant the gath
ering of their products. The conference,
held under the auspices Of the Philadel-
phia Vegetable Growers Association, will
continue tomorrow.
Three-fourths of the hog cholera in the
United States the farmers we're told, was
due to carelessness i'm feeding Superin-
tendent Bowman, of the Byberry Farms,
made this statement. He lectured on
hogs on the big lawn of the farms Two
prize hog specimens were examined there
by those attending the conference.
Professor Tomhade Urged farmers to
be sure to boil all food given hogs, and
held that exercise for hogs is just as es-
sential as for other live stock. He also
said hogs should be fed regularly three
times a day. The price of hogs paid by
the farmer will increase this winter, in
demand for byproducts.
To-Day was devoted to open discussion.
Prominent delegates outlined the situation
and asked for suggestions for the solu-
ton of the problems confronting the
farmer and consumer. The great question
to be answered and the one which is en-
gagng the attention of the delegates is
why fruits and vegetables are allowed to
rot on the ground In many parts of Penn
sylVania and New Jersey while Philadel-
phia consumers are paying high prices
for produce. Representatives of all
classes of persons interested in farming
gave their views and discussed the phases
of the situation with which they are
familiar. The subject was discussed ana
lytically, with every one who handles
fruit and vegetables from the time they
leave the orchard or garden until the time
they reach the dining room taking his
part. A record of the discussions was
kept.
PROTECTION WANTED.
The farmers said that they were seek
ing the means Of protection by which
they can get reasonable price for their
goods. The consumers were mostly OF
the opinion that the middleman is to
blame. Some of the radical delegates
favored eliminating the middleman alto
gether, while others contended that he
is necessary to perform certain indis-
pensable duties, and that he must con-
tinue. The status of the middleman
promises to be the storm center of the
conference.
Howard W. Selby, secretary of the
Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Asso-
citation. is scheduled to present TO the
conference today the plan of forming CO.
operative societies by produce growers in
each district. In this way they can de-
mand fair price from the commission
merchant, or II necessary, place their
goods on the market themselves.
PHILADELPHIANs THERE
Among the Philadelphians who were ex-
pected to attend are Ralph B. Clayberger,
president of the Philadelphia branch OF
the National League of Commission
Merchants; Thomas Martindale, Walter
Borton, owner OF chain OF produce
stores In West Philadelphia; and Lloyd A.
MoCray, proprietor of similar stores In
Tioga and Germantown Oficials in
charge OF regulation of the produce and
vegetable trade In behalf Of the city were
expected 10 be represented by William
Ball. chief Of the Bureau Of City Property
and Charles w. Baldwin. clerk OF markets,
Mrs. Frank Derr-Butler was expected
to represent the National Housewives
League, and William II. Dorr the trade
journals OF the vegetable raisers and
packers.
Among the Philadelphia bankers in
vited to attend are Charles s. Caldwell,
president Of the Corn Exchange National
Bank Lardner Howell, OF the Girard
dent OF the Sixth National Bank.