The Middleman Trap: A Farm Journal Warns the Growers About Shady Commission Houses

New light is thrown on the standing of the Washington Fruit Produce Company, of Tacoma, in an article in another column. Leaving aside the question of the individual motives of the officers of this firm, it is operating on the wrong principle. It is holding up to the unwary the old alluring offer of something for nothing, or making promises to serve the credulous on a margin to follow out which would be certain loss. There are commission houses in Tacoma conducted by straightforward, upright men, who do business in a manner that is a credit to that city. They could not afford to run their business, however, without a reasonable return for their efforts. Where such men have been tried and found true, it is better to stay by them than to enter into such uncertain movements as the one which is closing the season under the cloud of shady transactions.

While there are many thoroughly reliable and trustworthy commission firms, there have been some unreliable ones, and those who ship their own produce must look out for those who would fleece the farmer. One of their favorite tricks upon receiving a consignment is to report a large portion of the shipment damaged and had to be thrown out or disposed of at a very low price. Of course perishable products are liable to damage, but to just what extent the shipper has no means of knowing personally, hence the ease with which unprincipled men can make false returns and pocket the profits. Hence, also, the importance of investigating thoroughly before shipment is made. Snide concerns often throw out special inducements to catch the inexperienced and those who do not read the papers. Buy and sell at home if you can do as well there, but whether you do this or not find the honest firms — there are plenty of them — and deal with them.