Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-06-29

lie TO the present low prices.
Senator Byrd of Virginia acted as
Chairman of the delegation which in
Guided Senators Bailey of North Car
DINA, Tydings and Goldsborough of
Maryland and Governor Perry of Vir-
ginia. DR.. R. A. Pearson, President
of the University of Maryland and
DR.. T. B. Symons, Director of Exten-
sion of Maryland were present as rep
resentatives of Governor Richie who
was asked by Senator Byrd to be
present at the Conference.
There was also large delegation
of potato growers and dealers from
North Carolina, Virginia and Mary
land. The Maryland delegation in
cluded Senators Goldsborough and Ty-
dings; Representative T. Alan Colds
borough; Raymond A. Pearson; DR..
T. B. Symons and S. B. Shaw of the
University of Maryland; r. Newall
Stage, Jr., Ralph E. Shockley, B. T.
Truitt, Jr., R. T. Grant, County Agent
Snow Hill; Ralph Ross, Wilfred Ross,
Pocomoke; William E. Long, West
over; and C. 2. Keller, Princess Anne.
Senator Byrd, presented the several
Senators and state representatives
to Mr.. Hopkins and the potato sit
uation was thoroughly discussed. Mr..
Hopkins stated that he understood
conditions and that he would promise
to purchase at least 1000 cars of po-
tatoes which would be distributed to
those on the relief rolls in some of
the large cities. He mentioned that
it was not advisable to store the po-
tatoes but that they should go into
consumption by people who did not
have the funds to buy potatoes.
Following the conference represen-
tatives from each of the states met.
with the relief officials, to determine
the proration of cars, among the sew
eral states and to arrive at a price
to be paid for the potatoes.
The purchase of potatoes will be
carried on during the season and it
is felt that it will have stabilizing
effect on the market. 1t is expected
that the amount Of potatoes to be
purchased will be increased if it is
found necessary.
1t was mentioned that the price
to be paid would be a surplus price
under the regulations which will be
the cost of production, which will prob
ably be around $500 to $2.1O per
barrel, net to the grower.
1t is understood that the dealers
will be expected to handle the pota-
toes without charge and the railroads
will reduce their charges and the on
ly expense in distribution in the cities
will be the hauling charges to distri-
button centers.
In order to set up the local mach
inery necessary to purchase the po-
tatoes, a meeting of potato growers
will be held within the next few days
to select grower representative to
serve on committee with a dealer
and the county agent. The Somer-
set members of the Committee will
serve with the Committee from Wor-
cester, as the Maryland Committee
which will have charge of the potato
purchases for this State which will
probably amount to 12O cars of the
1000 cars this being the prorated
share on the total number of cars to
be shipped from the several states.
A conference of the dealers who
handle over 1874 of the early potatoes
in Virginia and Maryland was held
and it is expected that they will sign
the potato marketing agreement pre-
pared by the agriculture administra-
ton.
The purpose Of the agreement is to
promote orderly marketing, through
a proration of shipments during the
potato season. The agreement pro-
vided for the licensing of dealers and
violations are subject to a penalty and
loss of licenses to engage in the hand
ling of potatoes.