Peninsula Enterprise, August 9, 1902

To the Citizens of Accomac, and Especially of Chincoteague Island.

Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SeasideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Planting

Mr. Editor: -- I beg leave to reply to some of the harsh criticisms as entered against me recently referring to my application for oyster ground inside of the Baylor Survey. Some one has stated that there was an oyster syndicate back of these applications, and as my application was used as the subject of discussion at an oyster meeting on Chincoteague, I was supposed to be at the head of said syndicate. I was accused of "wanting the earth" by some in attendance at said meeting, but a kind brother lifted the charge to some extent, by saying that it appeared that I did want a large portion of it, as I had applied for hundreds of acres of natural rocks, (thus taking the only means of a living from the working man). Similar statements to these have stirred up the thoughtless oystermen until some of them seem to believe it, and as I have been informed, made many enemies. I will sate for the benefit of every honest thinking oysterman, that all similar accusations are absolutely false, and any person so misrepresenting me, has treated me unkindly, to say the least of it. I say that I have been misrepresented from beginning to end, and that I can easily prove it to any man of ordinary intelligence.

1st. That I was leader of an oyster syndicate as has been inferred from the statements made. In answer to this I refer you to our inspector, Mr. Kendall Harmon, who will tell you, that when I put in my application that about 30 applications were ahead of me, and only a small number came in after mine. Instead of leading any syndicate, I did not even know that the law had taken effect until nearly all the ground had been applied for, or all that was supposed to be of any value, at any rate to such an extent that the inspector replied to my inquiry about taking up some ground that he did not think that there was any left that I would want, however, he said, you can look over the plat and see for yourself. Have I been fairly represented on this point?

2nd. My application for hundreds of acres of rocks, or known by some as the "application for the earth" and modified by another as "a large portion of it," finding that as the inspector had stated that nearly all the bays, or the most desirable portions of same had been applied for. I asked if any had been applied for along certain channels as named in my application, and he said not. I then asked for some ground along said channels, distinctly stating, not rocks, but such ground as should be for rent after due and lawful inspection. The inspector will testify that this was my application, if correctly understood, which should be before being subject to such criticisms. Such an application does really represent a larger portion of the earth than the criticisms, as I have heard them, do to the truth. Now some one is anxious to ask this question, viz: If I wanted so little, why did I ask for so much? I will answer this as follows, just as I explained to the inspector, in much as he did not know what grounds, nor how much were to be set aside for planting purposes, I made my application cover several channels, and why? So as to be sure to get some, for example, if no ground was set aside in channel No. 1 and I only applied for ground in channel No. 1, I would not get any, which is plain enough for any one to understand if he knows an oyster from a crab, and again if I made my application cover channels Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 that I had four chances, and if there was ground to be rented in either or any of these channels, I had simply the refusal of same. Some one wants to know why I covered the tributaries to such channels. I can make that plain to any practical oysterman, or in fact to any one of ordinary business judgment.

For example, if I rented ground in channel No. 1 and tributary No. 2 emptied over said ground, and there was any ground for rent in tributary No. 2 I wanted it, just as any other planter, to stop the passing over on low tides, etc. Some one may want to ask if I intend to take up all the ground covered by my application. In answer to same I will state that I was sure that less than half, and perhaps not one fourth of the ground covered by my application would be for rent, nor did I want over one-fourth of it had it been for rent, and stated to the inspector, that I was only to take such ground as I wanted after it had been set aside for rent. In fact the application meant this and nothing more or less, if there was under that application 50, 100 or 300 acres of barren land for rent that I wanted the refusal of any or all of it, I could take 50 acres or more. Can any person of ordinary reason see any thing wrong in the real meaning of this application? If a stated number of acres was for rent under the outline stated and I complied with the requirements of the law, did I have a right to ask for such ground under conditions as stated, and is it fair to be so misrepresented? There can be no positive nor circumstantial evidence produced by honorable witnesses to the fact that I have been a detriment to the progress of the oystermen. I will make one statement to prove to the reader that I have helped the working man. I have about 250 acres planting ground. This quantity of ground did not pay to the public $300.00 per year, don't think it paid half that amount, it did not pay a dollar to the State. I paid to the State for rental and taxes last season on said ground $129.01, to the public over $10,000. I don't think I paid over half this amount to the catchers of natural growth oysters from the thousands of acres of those most valuable rocks, about which we have heard so much said from the pulpit to the pew. If I can turn out more money to the public from 259 acres of planting ground that can be turned out from the thousands of acres around us know as the natural beds, what penalty do you think God will inflict upon me for the crime? Gentlemen, readers, I appeal to your better conscience and ask that you do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I would also state that had I wished to take up rocks, (as you try to prove) that I could have taken up many which were left out of the Baylor Survey and could have rented them for 25 cents per acre and not $1.00 as charged under the late act. I have acted conscientiously in the matter, and I hope the citizens will investigate the matter and see their error. With good will to all, I remain,

Yours very respectfully, A. H. G. Mears, Wachapreague, Va.

P. S. -- I shall be pleased to answer any questions along this line, where I may have not made it plain enough, as I wish to be fully understood.

Methods of Marketing our Staple Product.

Farmers -- Farmers' organizationsProfessionals -- Commission merchantsFields -- Crops - Sweet potatoes : MarketsFields -- Crops - Sweet potatoes : Quality control

Mr. Editor: -- Another sweet potato season is here. Question of policy and methods of marketing the product of long and patient labor must present themselves to thoughtful sweet potato growers.

At present, there are, for all practical purposes, only about three channels available for the farmers to market or distribute their crop. These are the "Eastern Shore of Va. Produce Exchange," the local "Speculator," and the local "Soliciting Agent."

The "Exchange" is, in truth, a cooperative institution, whose affairs are managed by progressive and experienced business men in their line. A board of directors, who are in the main, representative of the best interests of this Virginia Peninsula, keep close "tab" on its operations. Its methods are open faced. Its clientage, both local and foreign, are at liberty to examine the "Exchange" records at pleasure. It has a fixed schedule of commission, both on consigned goods, and f. o. b. sales. Consignments are a very small part of its business and is growing less.

The "Exchange" now has over an hundred f. o. b. customers regularly "carrying in stock" daily sweet potatoes. These customers are scattered over twenty odd states. It also has now on foot plans that will open up many new markets for Virginia sweets. It is spending hundreds of dollars advertising them, by travel, as well as through the columns of the trade papers of the United States. The profits accruing to the institution, beyond actual operating expenses, go back to stockholders in the way of dividends, or to their credit as a fund with which to pay promptly for goods sold. By its system of distribution, in finding customers all over the country, it has contributed its part in relieving the demoralizing congestions of shipments to New York, Boston and Baltimore of a few years ago. Demoralize New York market, and the whole country is toned up, is a condition recognized by intelligent tradesmen in all lines.

The local "speculator" has a demoralizing effect, though he is in a measure a "bull" in making sales. The "Exchange," however, having established standard grades of goods, compels them to have to "shade" prices in order to make sales, as a rule. Thus he finds himself in a position where he must be a decided "bear," when buying from his neighbors and friends, who are "staying with him," in order to show a "decent profit." He "queers" the Exchange, and does worse to his following. However men engaged in his business are entitled to consideration. They back the business with their money, risk their credit and reputation, as there is an element of risk about it.

The local "soliciting agent," however, is a different proposition. The pure article of today is "smooth" and "foxy". The time was when they were necessary evils. They are unwittingly (let us hope) a species of the "Bunco steerer".

It seems almost incredible that the intelligence of today would suffer itself to be "steered" through ties of relationships, or social or fraternal connections to violate the great unwritten law of equitable distribution in congesting their goods in one or two markets, "Soliciting agents" frankly admit that the Exchange is a "good thing" in relieving the crowded condition in New York but they deliberately "steer" their following to New York every day, practically speaking, regardless of conditions, thus counteracting the efforts of the "Exchange" by keeping New York "plugged" full. Do they invest a dollars? No, not unless they feel sure New York is going to do better," then they "dip in" and buy a few of their friends(?) Are they spending any time or money seeking new markets or customer for their clientage? Notwithstanding production is increasing fast, have they found any cash customers for their friends in all these years? Have they tried to establish a home market? No, but to the contrary they have, and are now fighting any and all efforts to do so. They have "nailed to their masthead" their motto, "ship to New York". They prefer that they should be consigned regardless of movements in that direction. They get a sure, safe thing commission, no risk, no investment. The vocation of the local "soliciting agent" should be labeled and placed aside gently with the "flax break" "spinning wheel" and other antique and antiquated things that have served their day and generation. Growers should study their own interest. Don't let your "long-headed" kin, or neighbor do your goods on a few markets regardless of condition, and to the detriment of yourself and neighbor. Stop developing "commission" men to exploit your favors. Stop it, and in a surprisingly short time you will develop a class of f. o. b. buyers from those very markets to which you are now consigning.

Those growers not now identified with the Exchange, for reasons best known to themselves, and who don't feel inclined to do so now should organize a rival institution. Select good, broad minded, capable and experienced business man to manage it, help to make a "home market" for the products of the "Shore". Help to distribute properly, and "bull the market;" all the people will be benefited by such action. The farmers must organize for mutual protection, and concert of action. The tendency of events indicate no other course. It is in keeping with the spirit of the time in which we live. Brains were put in the head of man to be used, as well as their muscles.

Observer.