The Florida Agriculturist

Freight Rate Discrimination on the Florida East Coast.

The Southern Ruralist prints an interesting communication from a pineapple grower on the East Coast of Florida. It speaks for itself:

In the September number of the Ruralist, Mr. R. L. Goodwin, of Ft. Pierce, Florida, tries to make out that pineapple growing is nearly a continual picnic. Well, I am raising pines and I find that it is mostly work and very little play about it.

Mr. Goodwin mentions some drawbacks but does not say anything about the newest and worst one, which is the discrimination in freight rates the Florida East Coast R. R. (Flagler's road) put in force this season. Pineapples are carried from Havana to Chicago over this road via Miami for 34 cents a crate. From Miami to Chicago the rate is $1.05.

The railroad people say they are losing money on the Cuban deal. Yaw! But supposing they are, then they are taking from us to give to the Cubans, and "what are you going to do about it?"

The Inter-State Commerce Commission say they have no authority to interfere, as the shipments originate in a foreign port. The extension of the F. E. C. R. R. to Key West is for the benefit of Cuba, not Florida.

In the meanwhile I would advise all who have a hankering to come down here to grow pineapples to keep away until this matter is equalized, or go to Cuba, where they will find other drawbacks--brand new ones.