Letter from Sydney Chase to Joshua Chase (August 26, 1927)
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Sydney Chase to Joshua Chase (August 26, 1927)
Alternative Title
Chase Correspondence (August 26, 1927)
Subject
Chase, Sydney Octavius, 1860-1941
Chase, Joshua Coffin, 1858-1948
Citrus fruit industry--Florida
Florida Citrus Exchange
Clearing houses
Sanford (Fla.)
Description
An original letter of correspondence between brothers and business partners Sydney Octavius Chase and Joshua Coffin Chase. Topics discussed in the letter include the proposed creation of a Clearing House organization led by Chase & Company, and the brothers' reaction to Archie Pratt's, chairman of the Florida Citrus Exchange, comments on the matter. Sydney also enclosed a copy a letter from Joshua address to Pratt on August 21, 1927.
Chase & Company was established by the brothers in 1884. The company sold insurance and later invested in storage facilities and fertilizer sales. Chase & Company was known mainly for its agricultural interests and maintained a series of citrus groves throughout Central Florida. The company was based out of Sanford and became one of the city's largest employers into the early twentieth century. The Florida Citrus Exchange was founded by a group of growers on June 21, 1909 to help improve production of citrus in the state. Members shared facilities and helped establish operation and shipping standards. Both Sydney and Joshua Chase were hesitant to join the Exchange because they did not want to jeopardize the business they had successfully managed. Chase & Company eventually became a part of the Exchange, but backed out three years later.
Chase & Company was established by the brothers in 1884. The company sold insurance and later invested in storage facilities and fertilizer sales. Chase & Company was known mainly for its agricultural interests and maintained a series of citrus groves throughout Central Florida. The company was based out of Sanford and became one of the city's largest employers into the early twentieth century. The Florida Citrus Exchange was founded by a group of growers on June 21, 1909 to help improve production of citrus in the state. Members shared facilities and helped establish operation and shipping standards. Both Sydney and Joshua Chase were hesitant to join the Exchange because they did not want to jeopardize the business they had successfully managed. Chase & Company eventually became a part of the Exchange, but backed out three years later.
Creator
Chase, Sydney Octavius
Source
Original letter from Sydney Octavius Chase to Joshua Coffin Chase, August 26, 1927: Chase Collection (MS 14), box 3, folder 13.46, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Date Created
1927-08-26
Has Format
Copy of original letter from Joshua Coffin Chas to Archie M. Pratt, August 21, 1927: Chase Collection (MS 14), box 3, folder 13.46, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original letter from Sydney Octavius Chase to Joshua Coffin Chase, August 26, 1927.
Digital reproduction of copied letter from Joshua Coffin Chas to Archie M. Pratt, August 21, 1927.
Is Part Of
Chase Collection (MS 14), box 3, folder 13.46, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Florida Citrus Exchange Collection , Chase Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Is Referenced By
Folder referenced in Chase Collection finding guide, http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/pkyonge/chase.htm.
Requires
Format
application/pdf
Extent
5,940 KB
Medium
1 page typewritten letter on Chase & Company letterhead
2 page typewritten letter
Language
eng
Type
Text
Coverage
Sanford, Florida
Camden, Maine
Orlando, Florida
Spatial Coverage
28.811729, -81.268138
44.209526, -69.064922
28.538084, -81.378593
Temporal Coverage
1927-07-19/1927-08-27
Accrual Method
Donation
Audience Education Level
SS.K.A.1.2; SS.1.A.1.1; SS.1.A.2.2; SS.1.A.2.4; SS.1.E.1.4; SS.2.A.1.1; SS.3.A.1.1; SS.4.A.1.1; SS.4.A.7.1; SS.4.E.1.1; SS.4.E.1.2; SS.5.A.1.1; SS.6.W.1.3; SS.7.E.2.4; SS.8.A.1.5; SS.8.E.2.1; SS.8.E.2.3; SS.912.A.1.1; SS.912.A.1.6; SS.912.A.5.4; SS.912.E.1.5; SS.912.E.2.3; SS.912.W.1.3
Mediator
History Teacher
Economics Teacher
Provenance
Entire Chase Collection is comprised of four separate accessions from various donors, including Cecilia Johnson, the granddaughter of Joshua Coffin Chase and the children of Randall Chase.
Rights Holder
The displayed collection item is housed at Special and Area Studies Collections at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Rights to this item belong to the said institution, and therefore inquiries about the item should be directed there. RICHES of Central Florida has obtained permission from Special and Area Studies Collections at the University of Florida to display this item for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Special and Area Studies Collections, University of Florida
Digital Collections (UFDC), University of Florida
Curator
Marra, Katherine
Digital Collection
Source Repository
External Reference
Hopkins, James T. Fifty Years of Citrus, the Florida Citrus Exchange: 1909-1959. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida Press: 1960.
"Sydney Chase Sr. (1860-1941)." Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Copyright 2012. http://floridacitrushalloffame.com/index.php/inductees/inductee-name/?ref_cID=89&bID=0&dd_asId=600.
"Our Heritage: The History of Seald-Sweet." Seald Sweet International. http://www.sealdsweet.com/welcome/our-history.php.
Warner, S.C. "Development of Marketing Citrus Fruits in Florida." Florida State Horticultural Society vol. 36 (1923): 198-200.
External Reference Title
Transcript
CHASE & COMPANY
GROWERS' MARKETING AGENTS
PACKERS AND SHIPPERS
FLORIDA FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
SANFORD, FLORIDA
August 26, 1927.
Mr. J. C. Chase,
Camden, Maine.
Dear Josh:
On arrival at the office this morning I found
yours of the 21st, addressed to Mr. Pratt. I have had
a copy made of same, am forwarding the pen and ink original to Mr. Pratt, and am enclosing you a copy of same.
If Mr. Pratt had been advised, or if he had taken the trouble to ascertain the nature of the meeting which was held in Orlando on July 19, and learned of Mr. Tenney's recommendations with regard to the preparation of form of contracts, by-laws, etc., for the proposed Clearing House organization we are endeavoring to create, he certainly would not have written Newton as he did.
Mr. Tenney stressed the necessity of having it a growers organization, and to follow closely the par¬ticular form of organization which he recommended. There were three plans under discussion, and the one we are trying to follow is the one he indorsed, and expressed a willingness to furnish us additional help in the pre¬paration of contracts for the growers to sign, and other forms pertaining to the organization which we might ask for.
The idea of following the government recommen-dations was to avoid having any of the growers charge that the larger sales organizations had formulated the plans for their own special benefit without regard to the in
terests of the growers. Personally I do not think that
it is merely a gesture on the part of those interested in the creation of the clearing house organization to endeavor to have it a growers foundation.
After reading over your letter to Pratt I thought it just as well to let it slide.
Yours very truly,
SOC:HMR.
DISTRIBUTORS
Sunniland
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Dear Archie:
Note copy of your long letter of the 16th to Newton and almost as long reason therefore of the 17th, neither necessary if Newton was then in Orlando. He is certainly just as much entitled to his vacation as you were, and as you have had yours it is hardly fair to begrudge his.
Altho you were requested by me by wire and letter to secure some first hand information concerning the forms, agreements, etc. of organizations on the coast similar to the proposed. Clearing House I am not advised that you did a thing of a helpful nature.
Somehow the tone of both of your letters to Newton
does not meet with my approval. If you have anything
on your chest work it off in a personal conference, and'
not over the radio. In my opinion your letters will do
more harm than good. Neither will tend toward team work or create a spirit of cooperation absolutely necessary if all operators are to work together under any plan.
Tenney agreed to furnish, if requested, all forms of agreements, plans, contracts, etc. He understood what was required and should have given the matter attention. Newton should not be held responsible for the delay. You should post yourself before you jump on anyone. We discussed the question of forms and. I advised having same drawn up by Tenney's department to be adjusted by the Committee to conditions confronting the Florida citrus industry. We thought this essential to avoid adverse criticisms from Commander and others if contracts made up by committee. As far as I know no word came back from Washington such as you picked up from Kitchen.
In my last conversation with Tenney, after the Orlando meeting, he made the statement that with modifications he thought the Eastern Shore Potato forms and agreements could be made to fit for Florida.
Did you see Newton before he left? Are you in
touch with Mouser, and have you personally gone over Newton's files in Mouser's possession? If not you had better do so and post yourself. Try to dismiss from your mind the idea
that you are the only cooperator, and if other's do not play ball your way they are wrong, and you are always right.
As one of your well wishers let me suggest that from now on you abbreviate all of your letters, circulars, etc. Boil down what you have to say to the smallest space; condence to one sheet what you put on three.
All questions of policy concerning Chase & Company discuss before writing with Mr. S. 0. Chase, W. J. Lee, A. R. Bogue, W. A. Leffler, or Randall Chase, in order named if matters require quick handling.
Sincerely yours,
J. C. CHASE.
GROWERS' MARKETING AGENTS
PACKERS AND SHIPPERS
FLORIDA FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
SANFORD, FLORIDA
August 26, 1927.
Mr. J. C. Chase,
Camden, Maine.
Dear Josh:
On arrival at the office this morning I found
yours of the 21st, addressed to Mr. Pratt. I have had
a copy made of same, am forwarding the pen and ink original to Mr. Pratt, and am enclosing you a copy of same.
If Mr. Pratt had been advised, or if he had taken the trouble to ascertain the nature of the meeting which was held in Orlando on July 19, and learned of Mr. Tenney's recommendations with regard to the preparation of form of contracts, by-laws, etc., for the proposed Clearing House organization we are endeavoring to create, he certainly would not have written Newton as he did.
Mr. Tenney stressed the necessity of having it a growers organization, and to follow closely the par¬ticular form of organization which he recommended. There were three plans under discussion, and the one we are trying to follow is the one he indorsed, and expressed a willingness to furnish us additional help in the pre¬paration of contracts for the growers to sign, and other forms pertaining to the organization which we might ask for.
The idea of following the government recommen-dations was to avoid having any of the growers charge that the larger sales organizations had formulated the plans for their own special benefit without regard to the in
terests of the growers. Personally I do not think that
it is merely a gesture on the part of those interested in the creation of the clearing house organization to endeavor to have it a growers foundation.
After reading over your letter to Pratt I thought it just as well to let it slide.
Yours very truly,
SOC:HMR.
DISTRIBUTORS
Sunniland
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Dear Archie:
Note copy of your long letter of the 16th to Newton and almost as long reason therefore of the 17th, neither necessary if Newton was then in Orlando. He is certainly just as much entitled to his vacation as you were, and as you have had yours it is hardly fair to begrudge his.
Altho you were requested by me by wire and letter to secure some first hand information concerning the forms, agreements, etc. of organizations on the coast similar to the proposed. Clearing House I am not advised that you did a thing of a helpful nature.
Somehow the tone of both of your letters to Newton
does not meet with my approval. If you have anything
on your chest work it off in a personal conference, and'
not over the radio. In my opinion your letters will do
more harm than good. Neither will tend toward team work or create a spirit of cooperation absolutely necessary if all operators are to work together under any plan.
Tenney agreed to furnish, if requested, all forms of agreements, plans, contracts, etc. He understood what was required and should have given the matter attention. Newton should not be held responsible for the delay. You should post yourself before you jump on anyone. We discussed the question of forms and. I advised having same drawn up by Tenney's department to be adjusted by the Committee to conditions confronting the Florida citrus industry. We thought this essential to avoid adverse criticisms from Commander and others if contracts made up by committee. As far as I know no word came back from Washington such as you picked up from Kitchen.
In my last conversation with Tenney, after the Orlando meeting, he made the statement that with modifications he thought the Eastern Shore Potato forms and agreements could be made to fit for Florida.
Did you see Newton before he left? Are you in
touch with Mouser, and have you personally gone over Newton's files in Mouser's possession? If not you had better do so and post yourself. Try to dismiss from your mind the idea
that you are the only cooperator, and if other's do not play ball your way they are wrong, and you are always right.
As one of your well wishers let me suggest that from now on you abbreviate all of your letters, circulars, etc. Boil down what you have to say to the smallest space; condence to one sheet what you put on three.
All questions of policy concerning Chase & Company discuss before writing with Mr. S. 0. Chase, W. J. Lee, A. R. Bogue, W. A. Leffler, or Randall Chase, in order named if matters require quick handling.
Sincerely yours,
J. C. CHASE.
Document Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 page typewritten letter on Chase & Company letterhead with enclosed 2 page typewritten letter
Collection
Citation
Chase, Sydney Octavius, “Letter from Sydney Chase to Joshua Chase (August 26, 1927),” RICHES, accessed April 23, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/654.