Middletown transcript., 1919-04-19
.CANNERS AND FARMERS DIFFER

There seems to be some question as
to whether several of the leading can
neries of this section will operate dur
ing the coming season. For several
. weeks there has been a controversy be-
tween the Gamers and the farmers as to
the prices Of tomatoes and sugar corn.
The growers have held several meetings
and once they and the Gamers were
together, but as yet no prices have been
named or agreed upon.
At the meetings. which were held
here, every cannery in this section was
represented by several of the largest
growers of sugar corn and figures were
SHOWN on the cost OF growing the crop.
In no instance was it shown that, taking
the average crop of the combined can
neries, which was 2! tons per acre,
could it be grown for less than $21 a
ton. The growers all agreed not to con-
tract for the crop for less than $25 a
ton. Several of the Gamers have in
timated that they will not pay more
than Sis and this seems to be too wide
margin for any chance Of a compro-
mise.
Edward Records, of the Records Can
ming Company, which operates Gamer
les at Blackbird and Van Dykes, seems
to have more optimistic opinion of the
situation than any of the other Gamers.
Recently he contracted for $50 acres of
corn for the two plants at $40 a ton and
is anxious to secure 300 acres more, AMI
expects to close contracts during the,
coming week for the entire amount.
He hopes to can about $4,000 cases of
sugar corn.
G. R. Snedaker, of St. Georges has
contracted for about 100 acres Of corn
at $18 ton. The farmers of the St,
Georges section who have contracted
are all planting much reduced acreage
on account of the price. At Odessa,
Middletown, Mt. Pleasant and Arm
strong no agreement has been reached,
nor does there seem any likelihood of
one being reached.
The tomato situation seems to be even
more uncertain. The growers have
seemed to agree that they will not grow
for less than $25 a ton, and the Gamers
have made no offer at all. At Taylor's
Bridge meeting was held last week,
and the owner of the local cannery
agreed to pay $18 ton. There were no
takers at the price, the majority of the
growers holding out for $25, while few
agreed to plant few at $40. The acre.
age promised at that price would not
justify the owners Of the cannery to
operate.
The argument of the Gamers for a
lower price is the uncertainty of the
canned goods market, and the failure
for the large brokers to place any bids
on futures" Under normal conditions
at this time. almost every Gamer would
have sold large percentage of his
contemplated pack. Thus far no bids
have been put out, leaving the condi-
tions uncertain.
The growers argue, that labor on the
farms will cost as much or more than
last year. seeds are higher, and fer.
tilizers have advanced rs per cent. all
Of which adds to the cost of growing
the crops, and they can see no business
sense in taking a reduced price and
planting when loss is staring them in
the face.
The business men hope that there
may be some way OF the Gamers and
the growers getting together, as the.
opera lion of the canneries brings much
money to the stores. and the suspension
Of operations by them causes loss of
prestige to the community.