Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-17
AR0OST00k HAVING
STILL MORE TROUBLE
over HER POTATOES

There Is considerable excitement in
Aroostook county in regard to the sew
eral indictments rendered against some
or Aroostook countys most, prominent
business men, who are members of
the Aroostook Potato Shippers Asso-
cation, on complaint Of a Boston DO
tato broker. In an interview with one
OF the prominent members Of the as
soclatlon at Houlton, the following
Facts We're given out:
Inc ArooStook County Potato Shin
pers' Association was formed for the
purpose of protecting the shippers
from dishonest and INSCRIPTIONS COM
mission dealers throughout the coun-
Try. This association was reorganized
this season and over 80 per cent Of
the Shippers became members. Carl G.
hihs OF Caribou was elected president
OF the association with j. NJ. Hoyev
OF Easton, secretary and treasurer.
Cntll TINS association was formed
Shippers of Aroostook had no protec-
eioh against dishonest commission
dealer
While many of the Aroostook Shin
pers huy for and ship their potatoes
10 individual firms, the larger amount
Oh the stock is sold through brokers
ana until their association was formed
II mad been the practice of unscr,,nu.
ious dealers on receiving a car. to wire
BACK to the shipper that the potatoes
received were in bad shape. either frost
pltten or affected with rot or had1v ont
ana bruised. The only redress then for
me shipper was to take the offer which
the dealer made, or take a trim to tho
ci.v himself, or to try and sell to Soma
o'lef dealer. AS POTATOES are a com.
iilouitE mat do not keep well while
setIns IN cars. and, as is Il well known
aact' "a 1atr~ price cannot be obtained
ioi an aftlcle at Il forced sale the
shipper was placed" in Such a position
tiat ne mad TO take the offer of tho
dealer. This trick was played for
many years. until the dong suffering
shlpper finally formed the Aroostooi.
Iotato Shippers Association, with n
". sylvester as agent at Boston and
4. III. Doyle as agent at New yo.k
whose duty it was to look after ~
cars which were reported &C heina -,
bad shape.
II the receiver reported a care of DO
ea:oes directive to the shipper, the
supper IN turn wires to the agent of
.Ht ASSOCIATION. TO examine the car and
II trouble is found to dispose of the car
a' reduction, and if a case of fraud
Oh the part of the receiver to renort
me same to the association. IF this
fraud continues for several times tho
'ecelVer is llstedNand his name renort-
ed 10 all shippers. This was the rea
son OF the preS9r. trouble and DC -.
suit this receiver entered a co+nn,oin.
anu lildIciliic.. -.,-> nele found in tho
fedefai court at Boston against Gar,
I. King, president of the association.
). NJ. Hovey of Mars Hill secretary
ana treasurer; c. NJ Powers, Easton
one OF the directors; e. H. DoyIe If
New York, an examiner. and H. w
sylvester of Boston, another examiner
charging the violation of the anti-trust
laws. N''
ihe hearing took place in Boston m
FRIDAY, March IL. at which time the
respondents entered a plea OF NOT
guilty, and recognized in the sum Of
$1,000 each for their appearance be-
fore the Federal court. r. ". shaw
Esq, OF Houlton, attended the hear,
ing. Herbert Parker, Esq. Of New
Hampshire has been retained as com.
sci for the association.
r. E. McLatchy Co. has brought civil
actlon against the Aroostook Potato
Shippers Association for 500. 900.
claiming their business has been min
ed by the listing of their names and
that it will be years before they can
get their business back where it was
A meeting Of the Association will be
called soon at which time the matter
will be talked over. This meeting will
be held in Caribou or Pressure Isle
the place to be announced at a later
date.