Evening journal., 1919-01-30
SAYS GROWERS MUST.
CUT TOMATO COSTS.
Western Farmers Get Low
er Prices, Asserts
Senator Bennett
REDUCTION MUST BE
40 PER CENT, HE SAYS

Contendlng that the Eastern packers
win have to close their plants unless
the Eastern growers reduce their prices
OF $50 a ton for tomatoes, charged last
year by at least forty per cent. State
Senator Asa Bennett, OF Frankford yes
terday afternoon, stated the Western
farmer Is more scientific than those OF
the East in growing crops. The subject
will be discussed again at a meeting
February 4. Senator Bennett was one
OF the principal speakers at the meeting
OF the Tri-State Gamers Association in
the Hotel dupont, and, in discussing
the outlook for the 1919 pack, said:
Il confidently expect the growers to
reduce the price they have been night
ing for, $50 per ton, by at least 40 per
cent. II they do not, the packers Of
these three States, who two years ago
canned IS per cent. OF the tomatoes in
the country and who packed less than
60 per cent. last year because OF the
competition Of the Western Gamers,
will be compelled 10 close their plants
and go West, and the farmer here viii
have no local market for his crop.
The Eastern grower is not as sclen-
tifc as the farmer In the West. A hap
hazard method OF growing the crops
here Is causing an increase In the cost
Of a crop per acre to the producer and
the Western grower who Is a scientific
farmer. Is able and justified in putting
tomates on the market at about si2 a
ton. From sil TO SIS a ton will be the
prevailing prices In the West during
the coming season, and as the West in
ereases It's production, the East must
decrease its output, or else drug the
market, as it is at present"
According to the Senator, the world
will not consume, in the next year,
the production OF canned tomatoes
packed last season. Because OF this
fact, the packers are not making any
special efforts 10 increase acreage or
production this year, he said, as such
would mean a drugged market for
them during another year. Il Is this in
dependence Of the packers, he stated
that makes Il possible for them 10 hold
out against the farmers 10 the three
States close to Delaware, as Il Is hoped
by the Gamers that only about half the
usual crop wifi be grown this year.
I'VE will get the 40 per cent. drop, or
we viii not pack the crop" Senator
Bennett declared.
The purpose Of the conference" #" he
said, "is to secure the cooperation Of
the growers and Gamers, two branches
Of the same business, and it is my
opinion that the meeting eventually
will result IN the dropping OF the ex-
orbitant price set by the growers.
When the meeting started, both fac
tions were at dagger's points, but the
end OF the luncheon saw a growing
friendllness among the packers aud far
mers, and It Is to be hoped that the
meeting will result in each branch OF
the Industry burying the hatchet am
setting together in an effort TO save
The Industry In the East from ruin by
the competition OF the Western pack. +"
Those present at yesterdays meeting
representing the Gamers, were: Harry
Stausbaugh, Aberdeen, Nd: William y
Silver, Aberdeen; S. NJ. Dashiell, sec
retary Of the Tri-Siate Packers Asso-
ciation. Queen Anne, Md: George T.
Phillips, OF D. E. FOote and Co., Inc
Baltimore; E. w Davies, Leesboro.
n. j.; J. D. Laugrall, Of Roberts Bros
Baltimore; J. w. Arthurs. Kenton. Del. /:
John T.. Davis. Extension Department OF
Delaware College, Newark, and Senator
Asa Bennett, OF the Bennett Canning
Company, Frankford, Del.
Representing the growers were B. IT,.
Silver, Havre de Grace. Md Professor
d. B. Simmons, Extension Director,