This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 15 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Chicago Packer
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Date
May 14, 1921
Page
1
National League of Commission Merchants and allied bodies condemn Railway Age editorial accusing commission merchants of profiteering in fruits and vegetables. They urge investigation over conjecture, cite U. S. Food Administration data, call for honest coverage and freight-rate relief, and note past cooperative efforts with rail carriers.
Wayne M. French of Simons Shuttleworth & French, arriving on the Olympic, denied any role with the Independent Fruit Auction Corporation. He stated he was not a director or stockholder and had declined a board invitation after a London cable announced his election. The Packer later carried an incorrect report that he and Kendall were stockholders, based on a corporation member’s information.
Montana potato shippers report high freight and tax costs cut sales to Kansas City and surrounding markets. A letter from Eureka Montana notes growers receiving 65 cents per cwt but facing 76 cents per cwt in freight and taxes, lifting delivered cost to about 1.41 dollars per cwt.
Florida watermelons moved slowly this week with scarce cars and few daily shipments. Prices held firm around one dollar each, with some sales near 1.35, reflecting weak movement and elevated costs. In Detroit, Robert Ferguson was bound over by the United States Court on charges of using the mails to defraud by soliciting shipments of country produce he did not remit.
Market report shows California oranges firming yet overall demand weaker. Best grades sold around 6.50 to 8.00 dollars. Porto Rican fruit and grapefruit exhibit varied prices with heavy receipts depressing values. Navels and Valencias showed mixed quality. overall prices drifted lower on mid to low grades while select lots achieved higher advances.
The Packer plans a detailed review of the early commercial tomato crop in its next issue. Coverage will include volume of shipments time of movement yield acreage and data from growers shippers and staff correspondents in various districts. The feature aims to connect buyers commission merchants growers and shippers and offers advertising space instructions to ensure publication.
May 13 reports New York awaiting the first straight car of Georgia peaches this week. Express receipts were liberal with an average of two to three cars daily. Markets ranged from four to five dollars per crate for Mayflowers.
Berlin Maryland May 9 1921 heavy frosts and freezes ruined fruit crops on the Maryland peninsula with peaches pears cherries and plums nearly wiped out commercial orchards report. Only a fraction of normal peach and apple crops expected and many varieties listed with extensive losses across plums apricots quinces and cherries. Farmers Harrison Nurseries Peru say next year bears hoped after storage of damaged trees. Cabbage market in Chicago May 13 shows steady prices amid ample arrivals with crates and regional stocks quoted.
Julius Kruttschnitt chairman of the Southern Pacific board testified before the Interstate Commerce Commission as it opened its inquiry into railroad affairs. He blamed general business conditions for shipper and railroad troubles and argued freight rates are not the sole cause of the business downturn, noting deflation and price drops since wartime highs. The hearing aims to reveal real conditions in the produce trade amid alleged prohibitive freight costs. A separate note from Washington reports a bill to fix standards for hampers and baskets has been introduced in Congress by Representative Vestal.
Chicago Boosters Club directors voted to secure 400 square feet at Municipal Pier to showcase fruits and vegetables during the Progress Pageant run July 30 to August 14. Space costs 1000 dollars, with about 5000 dollars likely to be raised for related display and publicity. Otto L Amnoreno chairs the committee overseeing display, publicity, and finances, with R E Harney J F Scanlon S B Wills Robert Cumming and W A Taylor as members.
Cincinnati May 12 The Interstate Commerce Commission says overcharge claims not filed before March 1 may now be filed directly with carriers on or before September 1, 1921. The ruling covers shipments during government control and includes claims carriers may have failed to report to the commission. The Railroad Administration letter to the Chamber of Commerce notes this extension, replacing the prior denial of refunds under the old order and offering a new window for recovering overcharges.
Covington Virginia May 65 1921 letter to The Packer rebuts Railway Age editorials on freight costs. The writer details 50 crates of cabbage at $1 each fob Mt Pleasant and $82.81 freight plus 60 cents cartage per crate, delivering at $2.70 per crate. notes a refrigerated Florida cabbage car held 48 hours for re-icing and shipped 12 miles. Argues high railroad rates inflate food prices and urges rate cuts to aid buyers.
Carload shipments of peaches from the Middle Georgia belt for the second week of the carlot movement are expected to total about 60 cars. Weather slowed Mayflower ripening yet Saturday and Sunday brought hot, ideal conditions, accelerating development. The first carload left Montezuma last Friday, followed by Unadilla on Monday and Avon dale, then Byron, Fort Valley, Reynolds, Barron’s Lane, Marshallville, and Montezuma in quick succession.
The first meeting of Bohlke Fruit Company's creditors will be held in the Commercial Club rooms on May 21. Notices have been sent to 657 creditors. William A. Doelle is appointed temporary receiver until a permanent trustee is named. The receiver begins with about $100,000 cash on hand from Dryden warehouse fire insurance proceeds in Leavenworth State Bank, which cannot be touched without court order.
Yakima witnesses told the Interstate Commerce Commission hearing in Yakima that soaring rail freight costs have forced growers to sell below production cost. Stakeholders from Washington and Oregon urged rate relief, noting war-time price shifts and ongoing material costs. Industry figures projected possible rate readjustments before next harvest, while producers warned of financing difficulties and declined profits.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.