Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-30
NO POTATO PLOT EX-
lists IN ARO0ST00k
SAY THE AUTHORITIES

Houlton. Me-, Dec. Exchanges of "A
Potato Plot in Maine exists only in name.
There is rot a potato trust in Maine and
never has been. The members OF the
Aroostook Potato Shippers Association
are among some of the most reputable
and wealthiest men of the county. The
association was formed TO protect the
shipper against dishonorable receivers
as well as TO protect the receiver
against dishonorable shippers, and the
substance of some of it's laws is an
article passed by the association that
list be compiled of dishonorable ship
pers, vino bill overweight, who stuff or
face cars. who refuse to fill contracts
after market advances, or. otherwise fail
to honorably consummate contracts"
also 'that list be compiled of dishon-
orable receivers who habitually reject
shipments, who fail to make proper re-
turns for consigned goods
There is no such thing as the so called
''blacklisting' a ''bl ,ck list" these
words not appearing in either the by
laws or constitution of the association,
nor can the association have anything
to do with the regulating of prices, as
probably less than 80 per cent of the
Aroostook shippers are members of this
association, and the prices are of course
regulated by the law of supply and de-
mand, as, has always been the case in
potato product.
Through the efforts of the association
the general condition. between shipper
and receiver. has been naturally i'm
proved and the business placed on a more
substantial basis than ever before.
Previous to the formation of this as
ISOLATION, there was more or less trouble
experienced by shippers in having ship
ments rejected on account of quality,
when as matter of fact. the market
conditions were wholly responsible for
each rejection. This meant to pay a
mans travelling expenses to Boston or
New York to inquire into the matter.
Since forming the AroostooK County
Shippers Association, however repre-
sentatives have been placed in Boston
and New York whose business it has
been TO inspect ali cars reported. and
in that way. the dishonorable receiver
or shipper has been discovered.
Any man with fair credit can buy any
quantity of potatoes that he may need
from dozens of differnt shippers in
Aroostook county. whether members of
the association or not, the price varying
Of course, from day to day. according to
supply and demand.
The association was formed in 1902 and
has been in existence about 10 years The
credit system. as carried on in nearly all
lines of trade is similar, and leads to the
same result.
The potato crop for the present season
for the State of Maine, is estimated at
about 22,00O,O0O bushels. of which ARGOS
took county will furnish about 100000
bushels
The government claim that 10 per
cent. of the potatoes consumed in the
United States are shipped from ARGOS
took. is as far from the facts it we'll
can be. inasmuch. as the government re-
port estimates the entire crop at 1885,
600 bushels and Maine is credited by the
same report as supplying only about 81
per cent. of this total.
Present Market Conditions.
AS to the present condition of the po-
tato business in Aroostook county it is
estimated that fully 30 per cent. of the
crop has been marketed. Those in goou
position to judge believe the balance of
the crop will be gradually marketed as
the season advances under increasingly
higher prices, especially so. for some Of
the best seed varieties. which under the
general shortage are necessarily in short
supply.
The seed shipments are now actively
moving into the South. yet on account
of unfavorable financial conditions ex-
listing in the cotton belt, and the further
fact that farmers being unable to secure
fertilizer in proper balance. it is fairly
clear that the acreage planted the COM
ing year will he much below normal.