Evening star., 1921-02-26
MERCHANTS TOLD
| OF MARKET NEEDS
Optimistic After Trip to Mary
land Producers-See Hope
to Improve Field.

Optimistic over the result of their
two-day tour of inspection through
southern Maryland for the purpose of
fostering trade relations between the
wholesale merchants of Washington
and the producers of the adjoining
state, the seventeen representatives.
of the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association returned to the city late
last night.
Following business conclaves heiu
at Mechanicsville, Leonardtown. IN :
dian Head and La Plata between the
Washington delegation and men
prominent in the affairs of the lower
section of Maryland, the situation may
be summed up in a speech mace at
La Plata last night by F. b- Niae
thews, one of the most promlneh'
business men of southern Maryland.
Guarantee to Producer.
In response to an invitation from
NJ A. Leese, presiding ofhcer, 10 en
Nghteu the Washingtonians as 70
what he thought most eSsentiai .o
secure the trade they sought, MT "a
thews stressed the necessity OF the
establishment in the District OIL
market sufficiently large enough to
handle the output of southern Mary
land and by re-routinS the surplus
sent to the city guarantee the pro
Queer that his products Woulo ho'
glut the market. ,,
Until such a market is developed,
said Mr. Matthews. there WIZ a.
ways arise Il stumbling p1och ~ ~
vent any great amount OIL shippinS ~
your citv Owing to the conFenieioe
of location. / think the great maJorllS
of business men of this section VI
MARYLAND would prefer dealing IN
Washington. We take prlde III the
nations capital, and in so TAR as the
selling of goods TO our merchan.s.
there is every reason to believe that
YOU will not only hold the GROUND
yoI, have made but. with the advent
of the tidawater bus Tines. greatiy
increase this business. But when IL
comes to big success. the receiving
of our farm output. l am frank 10
say this can't be done until you
establish d substantial market
Criticize. Maryland Farmer.
Mr. Matthews severely criticised the
farmers of southern Maryland for not
diversifying their crops, ana ueclareo
that the great trouble with the peo-
ple of that section today was due
entirely to their Unborn bellef that
they could raise nothing but tobacco.
Mitchell Diggs. lawyer and oanker
of La Plata, substantiated most an
that Mr.. Matthews said, and added
that the commercial houses OF wash
iugton would have to show more
friendly disposition toward the pro,
ducers of his state before any decided
change would occur.
Provide the market and make it
possible for the buyer to establish
agreeable CREDITS said Mr.. Diggs,
"aud you viii get the business"
Charles J. Columbus. secretary of
the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association. said on his return to the
city last night that the trip had been
most successful. I'VE went to find
opt Just what was expected of US.
and. now that the trouble is located,
every effort will be made by our or
ganization TO interest commercial
and banking establishme of Wash
ington and show them means of
securing this rich business that is
going begging at our very doors.
Meetings to BE Held.
Committee meetings will be held
by our organization, sand after con-
sidering every phase of the matter a
report will be issued and sent to
every one in Washington who has
the growth of the city at heart"
other speakers at the dinner given
al the New Wills Hotel. La Plata.
were W. Hugh Perrie of Westford,
Nd: +. r. Terrell of La Plata. J..
Ryan of Waldorf. George "A. Wade of
Port Tobacco. Henry l. Mudd of
White Plains, and f. d. Hathaway,
president of the Tidewater Lines.
Inc.
= Earlier in the day the party lunch
ed at the Hotel Roberts. Indian Head,
where the Maryland speakers includ-
led n. Schwartz. Jacob Ely. Mrs. J. F.
Roberts and A f. simmons of Indian
Head, A J. Twiford of Marbury, Mrs.
H. A. Bowie of Pisgah. and ]. w.
Waring of Pomonkey.