The Seattle Produce Squeeze of 1892

Some of the farmers who have been in the habit of selling vegetables and fruit direct to retailers have been complaining of late that the retailers have a tacit understanding among themselves that they will not buy from the farmers direct any more, if the jobbers stand by their agreement not to sell at retail. Several jobbers and some retailers were interviewed on the question yesterday by a Post-Intelligencer reporter, and all positively denied any knowledge of such an arrangement. Joseph Green, of the Northwest Fruit Company, said he would be glad if retailers would come to such an understanding and act upon it. As it is, he says farmers compete with each other and force the market down, so that they really get less for their goods than they would by selling to the jobbers exclusively; and then they have the extra trouble disposing of their stuff besides. J. H. Glenn, of the Haley-Glenn Company, said he did not believe anything of the kind existed, and he knew it did not as far as his company was concerned. His company is not connected with the Grocers' Association, and he therefore would have no object in denying its existence if there really were such a combination.