Evening journal., 1922-05-10
FARMERS TIRE
OF THE AUCTION
Number of Selling Places
on Shore Drops From
5 to |
F. o. B. SYSTEM
NOW PREFERRED

( SALISBURY. Md. May 1O.-Indi-
cations point toward the elimination
of the auction block. which has for
many years past been identified with
the sale of farm produce in this sec
tion. For several years the auction
blocks have been the mecca for pro-
duce buyers and sellers alike. in
spring and summer and the rendez-
vous for wagons and automobiles
loaded to capacity with farm pro-
duce of perishable nature, fresh
from the farms. particularly straw
berries, cantaloupes and cucumbers.
Five such places were operated in
Wicomico county last year, but this
year there will be two, with a pos
sibility OF a single one. to survive
the wave OF seemingly popular opin-
ion for their elimination which is
sweeping through the county. AT
Fruitland, where the block was OPP
Grated for a while last spring and
eventually thrown into the discard
the members OF the Wicomico Far
a few DAYS ago voted unanimously
TO discontinue its use and eliminate
the system. preferring in its stead
the (. o. b. sales way Of disposing Of
their commodities and stating that
they felt better results would accrue
by the latter system. Similar SEN
timents have been expressed at both |
Delmar and Willards during the last
fortnight.
The conclusions OF some growers, |
according to their expressions on
the questions, are that buyers are
getting the produce TO resell at a
profit on order of some city commits
sion man. who is paying them a
higher figure than they pay the
grower. in order that the middleman
or buyer may receive his commits
sion. 1t is this third party" that
the farmer seeks to eliminate by
dealing direct with the carlot dealer.
A division Of opinion exists among
the growers in regard to the propo-
sition. Although sentiment seems
to be swinging toward the abolition
Of the block yet there are many still
favoring its use. These contend
that for years they have received
fair treatment at the hands of the
scrupulous buyers. that he is entitled
to a fair profit for his assumption of
the risk and outlay of cash. and that
competitive bidding does bring the
hest results to the growers.
Those favorlng the abolition OF
the auction block and who lean to-
ward the T. o. b. sales system, sum
the thing up in a different manner
n the buyer could not dispose of his
purchase at a much higher figure
han that at which he bought, he
would not be in business; therefore
the lower he is able TO buy and the
higher the selling price, the more
will be his profit. On the other
1and, they contend, by cooperative
there is a mutual desire
On the part of the selling agency to ,
obtain the highest possible figure for
he produce from the city markets, I
which results in greater profit to the
agency and to the grower himself. ,
The linking up of the Wicomico {
Farmers Association with the J
American Fruit Growers, Inc. the
argest selling agency of It's kind in !
he world naturally gives the mem }
,ers Of that association the very best
possible outlet for their products, ,
md the opinion Is that the coming {
" that organization into this terri !
ory has had much to do with the :
lecline OF the auction block system.
Pitsville. which handles about
-fourths OF the berry shipments
" the county each year. is one OF
If the two places where the fate of
he block hangs in the balance. There
$ said to be some sentiment there
milar to Fruitland. Delmar and
Villards. but just exactly how the
people stand will he determined at
he meeting to be held this week.
The block In Salisbury. located on
he B., c. and A. Railroad tracks
which handles the major portion of
he produce from the outlying
arms, may or may not operate this
ear.