The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-03-08
TOMATO GROWERS HOLD
MEETING AT DENTON
Large Gathering of Farmers Pro-
tests Against Fixing The Price OF
Tomatoes III $2l Il Ton.

ern Shore held 4 meeting at Denton
Md, on March 9th, to protest against
the action of the Food Administra-
ton in fixing the price of tomatoes
at SCI per ton. The meeting was
called by the Peninsula Tomato
! Growers Association and about 400
| growers attended the meeting. The
| organization OF the Peninsula Toma-
! to Growers Association was com
| pleted and the following directors
were elected:
| John N Bennett, Still Pond.
! c. L. SaXton. East New Market.
/ Albert II. Smith, Cambridge.
/ Isaac O. Taylor, Hurlock.
/ l. r. Wimbrow, Hebron.
Grant Sexton and f. f. Twilley,
Salisbury
Jas. H. Smith, Ridgley.
}. Frank Wright, Denton.
Representatives of the organized
tomato growers of Kent, Caroline,
Dorchester. Queen Anne's, Talbot,
Wicomico counties were present and
many growers from other counties,
where there We're no organizations.
The spokesman of the various del
egations gave short talks on the to-
mato situation and the sentiment of
the growers in their sections.
1t was the unanimous opinion that
$21 per ton was at best no more
than cost price in a good growing
year, and that if higher price were
not allowed, the acreage would be
very greatly decreased and that in
many cases, the packers would not
get enough tomatoes to run their
factories. Some growers had al
ready countermanded orders for ma
nure, ordered to use in growing to-
matoes.
1t was decided that some action
should be taken, and the following
resolutions were adopted unanimous
ly:
Whereas the Food Administration
has seen fit to put a maximum price
of sc. per SIS basket upon all to-
matoes that may be purchased by
Gamers for canning purposes, and,
Whereas the figures submitted by
the various counties thru their coun-
| ty agents TO the Food Administration
! have shown that the minimum cost
! of an acre of tomatoes is $73.25 per
! acre, and
Whereas the average yield OF to-
matoes for the State of Maryland was
8 Is tens per acre, or two hundred
| baskets, and the average cost per
basket 1852, and
Whereas the Peninsula Tomato
i Growers Association assembled in
convention at Denton, Nd, March
| 5, 1918, desires to cooperate to the
fullest in every way possible in the
production Of tomatoes and other
! food products for the winning of
the war. and
Whereas we believe that a higher
price must be established if the US
ual acreage is to be planted, and
Whereas we believe that the far
mer is entitled to cost and a fair
profit, and
Whereas owing to the lateness of
the season, we do respectfully urge
an Immediate consideration of this
resolution; therefore, be it,
Resolved, That we, the Peninsula
Tomato Growers Association, as
sembled at Denton, this fifth day of
March, 1918, do respectfully ask the
! Food Administrator Tor a hearing,
and such revision of the said price
as will enable the growers to realize
| a reasonable and just compensation
! for their products.
Respectfully submitted by
John w Burnett.
E. E. Twilley.
S. G. Nuttle.
S. L. Byrn.
1t was decided that a committee
| be appointed to make a protest to
| the Food Administration and to
meet with the Tri-State Gamers As
| ISOLATION, with a view to co-operat-
| ing with them in obtaining a price
! that would enable the farmers to
| plant the usual acreage.
The following men were selected:
Geo. w. Kemp, Somerset.
w. F. Allen, Wicomico.
John S. Skinner, Dorchester.
! S. G.. Nuttle, Caroline. Z
| r. l.. Kemp, Talbot.
John n. Bennett, Kent.
T. r. L. Price, Queen Anne's.
This committee selected Mr. Geo.
w. Kemp spokesman, Mr.. John N.
Bennett, and Mr.. John S. Skinner to
| present a protest to the Food Adj
ministration on behalf of the toma-
TO growers of he Peninsula