AMERICAN FRTJIT AND PRODUCE AUCTIONS 
15 
structed view. Some of the salesrooms in the Middle West are 
equipped with school desks and do not have the rising tiers of seats. 
A typical salesroom is shown in Figure 8. 
The auctioneer and his clerical assistants occupy the platform, 
and as a rule there is a place for the auction receiver. Frequently 
desks are provided near the platform for representatives of the trade 
publications. In most auction rooms telephone booths are provided 
to enable the buyers to keep conveniently in touch with their offices, 
THE AUCTIONEER 
The post of auctioneer is one of great responsibility and demands 
the services of a man of strong personality, who is experienced in 
the produce business and well acquainted with the individual mem- 
bers of the trade. Opinions have varied somewhat as to whether it 
Fig. 8. — A typical produce auction salesroom 
is necessary for the auctioneer to have a knowledge of the quality 
and condition of the products offered for sale. Some maintain that 
his duty is fully performed when he secures the highest bid from 
those in attendance. Others contend that, if an auctioneer knows 
the character of the commodities and their approximate market 
value, together with the particular requirements of the individual 
buyers, he is in a position to stimulate bidding in a manner not 
possible to one not so informed. The general opinion of the trade 
at present seems to support the latter point of view. It is important 
that the auctioneer understand local conditions, including methods 
and practices of the various buyers and the sizes and grades on 
which they customarily bid, so that he may detect any combination 
among them that may have in view restriction of the bidding. 
An auctioneer usually operates under a State or municipal license, 
the cost of which is borne by the company employing him. He 
customarily has certain definite duties -to perform outside of his 
