The Monett times., 1921-09-16
FRUIT ASSOCIATIONS
MAY CONSOLIDATE
Ozark Fruit Growers Association and
Independent Fruit Exchange Ar
range for Conference.


The subject for discussion at the
quarterly meeting of the Ozark Fruit
! Growers Association at Monet Tues
day was the proposed consolidation of
the Ozark Association and the Inde-
pendent Fruit Exchange. Represen-
tatiyes from the latter organization
were present and signified their wish
that they could bring the associations
in the Independent Exchange into the
older organization.
DR.. Beal, the president of the Ozark
Fruit Growers Association, presented
the situation in plain and practical
manner. Last seasons marketing was
disappointment to both organic
ations. Price cutting was charged a.
ganst some sales managers and re-
suited in dissatisfaction with the
growers.
The Ozark Fruit Growers Associ-
alton was organized number of years
ago and has reputation in all the
markets for fair dealing and reliabili-
ty. Their representatives go to the
principal markets in the United States
and the officers of the association are
fully posted as to market conditions.
In this way, up to last season, the
Ozarks were able to make the market
in this section.
| Their rate of 8 per cent for hand
ling the berries was thought by some
growers to be excessive and some as
sociations withdrew from the Ozark
because they could get their berries
marketed at lower rate. The Ozark
became minority by this disaffection
and last season were unable to hold up
the price. Associations not connected
with the Ozarks were the losers as
we'll as the Ozarks and found that, al
though their association could handle
their berries efficiently, they could
not hold up the market without the
influence of the other association.
Many of the growers have decided
that the 3 per cent is not out of reason
considering the fact that out of it is
paid salaries of field representatives
who keep the market up where it
should be for the benefit of the grow
ers and permits of the maintenance
of efficient organization the year
round.
Many of them have decided that one
big association, supported by all the
growers, will give better service than
can be done by several associations
working independently.
1t was the consensus of opinion
that, should the associations consolid-
ate that the name of Ozark Fruit
! Growers Association be maintained
for the prestige which the name would
(give. Capitalization, rather than COM
petition, was declared to be the only
hope of the fruit growers.
Representatives of the Independent
Fruit Exchange, who made speeches
on the subject were W. D. Cowherd,
f. A. O'Dwyer, T. C. Taiclet, S. F.
Wilmington, U. S. Lane and others.
There are some points Of organization
on which they do not agree and it was
decided that committee from each
organization be appointed to confer
together and to come to an agreement
which would govern the consolidation.
DR.. E. L. Beal, president of the
Ozarks, appointed as his committee,
E. N. Plank, w. F. Rausch, j. W.
Eastridge, J. w. Stroud and E. L.
Beal. The Independent Fruit Ex-
change will hold a meeting in the near
future at Neosho, at which COM
mittee will be appointed and the two
committees will hold meeting at Mo-
nett at date to be named.
Although there was a diversity Of
opinion on different points to be con-
sidered, the meeting was harmonious
and it is expected that the movement
started at this time will be of great
benefit to the berry industry of the
Ozarks.
Among those who attended the
meeting were DR.. E. L. Beal, Marion
vile; ]. w. Stroud, w. r. Cady, E. G.
Downer, of Rogers, Ark; F. Taiclet,
L. j. Wormington, A. S. Lands and
Mr.. Karvee, of Neosho; Senator ]. F.
Mcfarland, of Rogers; R. M. Hit, of
Koshkonong; w. D. Cowherd, U. S.
Lane, F. S. Wilmington, of Purdy,
Mr.. Riddle, of Butterfield; E. N.
Plank of Decatur, Ark; w. J. Erwin,
Peirce City; T. N. Nelson, Of Hum
boldt, Tenn; Chas. Carmichael, Of
Webb City; J. Veatch, of the Webb
City Chamber of Commerce, J. H. H.
Mote, of Joplin and J. w. Eastridge.
There was also good representation
of Monet growers.
VERONA NEWS