No. 6. DEPARTMENT OP AGPvICULTURE. 567 



Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, and to each Senator and Repre- 

 sentative from Pennsylvania." 



v 



The following communication from the ''Refrigerator Car Lines 

 Committee," of "The National League of Commission Merchants of 

 the United States" was read by the Secretary: 



"Chicago, Nov. IS, 1905. 



"E. B. Engle, Secretary, State Horticultural Association of Penn- 



sylvania, Wavnesboro, Pa.: 



"Dear Sir: Herewith please find the icing features of the rate bill 

 prepared by the Refrigerator Car Lines Committee of the National 

 League of Commission Merchants. These features have already 

 been submitted to many individuals prominent in the producing and 

 shipping of perishable products, and to many organizations of pro 

 ducers of said products and in every instance the said features have 

 been unqualifiedly approved and urged for incorporation in what 

 ever rate bill ma}' ultimately pass Congress and meet the approval 

 of the President. 



"We trust the method herein set forth for controlling excessive 

 icing charges which have become such an intolerable and unbear- 

 able burden to the producers of the perishable products of the 

 country, may meet your unqualified approval also, and that you 

 individually and your organization will by personal letters and ap- 

 propriate organization action, at once signify such approval by 

 writing individual letters and sending resolutions or other action 

 of your organization to the chairman of the Refrigerator Car Lines 

 Committee, John C. Scales, directing all communications to Wash- 

 ington, D. C. 



"It is the intention of the full committee to meet in Washington 

 in a very short time for conference and to meet with the President 

 and the various members of Congress having rate bills in prepara- 

 tion, and we urgently ask you to at once take action, by sending 

 resolutions, letters or telegrams, as all matter sent the chairman 

 will be for use in Washington, in the struggle for relief of the pro- 

 ducers of the perishable products of our country, from the intolerable 

 burden of excessive icing charges they are now compelled to bear, 

 bearing in mind the portentous fact that, if a rate bill is passed void 

 of these icing features, it will be years (if ever) before the bene 

 ficiaries of unjust and excessive icing charges will permit an amend- 

 ment to be carried through Congress covering the regulation of 

 such charges. 



"Yours most respectfully, 



"JOHN C. SCALES, Chairman, 



•Refrigerator Car Lines Committee." 



"Icing Clause. 



"Section 5. That a rate to provide for the furnishing of ice for the 

 preservation of property requiring ice for its preservation when in 

 transit shall be set forth in the published tariff of the carrier under 

 the heading 'Icing Rate' and the said rate shall state the actual cost 



