The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-03-19
FRUIT
GROWERS
UNION:
Directors Hold
Saturday
Meeting
Plans TO Extend the Market
For Salem Product

hh' hiANNt tpio VI INC odlcul FluiN
Growers Union will meet on Saturday
afternoon at 1880 p. m. to consider
propositions from commission men to
handle their pack this year. and both
Salem and Portland firms are invited
to appear and make propositions to
distribute the famous Salem straw
berries, cherries and other fruits pro
duced by the 60 odd members of this
organization. The manager of the Sa
lem cannery has also been asked to
appear and make propositions for
packing Strawberries and other fruits
There will be "a report from Secre-
and probably some new ideas on
packages for fruit shipment will be
offered There is new 24-box crate
for strawberries with partition
through the center. that ensures great.
er safety of shipment
The directors will this year seek to
get distribution for their fruit. not
only from Salem. but from Portland.
% the trade OF the whole Northwest.
They will not go into competition with
the commission houses. but will seek
to cooperate with them TO build up
the largest business possible for the
Salem berries. that promises to be
very large and fine crop. The follow.
ing Is given out to the members Of
the Union, who will hold a mass
meeting at Salem on Saturday, the
2Sth. TO hear report from the d..
rectors.
Statement Of President.
THE Marion County Fruit Growers
Union took a wise step Saturday In
unanimously resolving to packs and
handle their fruit to uniform grades.
and TO supply the market through the
Unions representative. instead of the
old way. OF having each grower ped
die from one retailer To another. The
Union decided TO establish two grades
OF Strawberries, and the growers OF
cherries will do likewise. This is the
only way to keep the poorer product
from making the price OF the choicest.
The success OF the Union depends In
making a reputation for Salem pro
duct. Salem strawberries have al
ready good reputation. but by more
perfect packing. and better facilities
for getting Il into the dig markets
that reputation will be increased a
hundred.fold. and will receive better
prices. The strawberry growers will
do well to pick and pack and face up
their finest fruit In the most perfect
manner. and thus put Salem on a par
with Hood River. and the nearer that
can be approximated the nearer sa-
lem growers will get the Hood River
prices, which are more than double
what strawberries have sold for from
this market, and not bit inferior in
quality.
by putting up the very choicest
strawberries as the first grade. and
then putting up a good quality and
even grade OF berries as the next
grade. and packing all honestly and
good for shipment. Salem growers
will be able to ship nearly their entire
product. But the hght for a pull on
the big markets and reputation and a
hold on the future will have to be
made this year. Hold all the ground
you have. and take sure and definite
steps forward must be the motto. Let
us stand by the action OF the Union.
Il is the only way TO protect the mar.
ket against ourselyes-against cut
ting and glutting-agains competition
inside the Union and outside-a fair
product at a fair price. but not at a
price that similar fruit sells for In
other similar markets The Union
this year will have to make an ar
rangement by which the local com
mission men in the markets We sup
ply VIII not put oui pibhhAt ~ '"''
petition with itself-as was done with
some shipments OF cherries 10 Seattle
and Tacoma last year. Only one Job
Der or commission man at any one
center of distribution must be allowed
10 handle our fruit-that is the opin'
ion Of some OF the largest commission /
houses at cortland with whom have
talked
There will be a big market from |
Salem this year for shipment Of fresh |
cherries. as well as strawberries The
demand will range all the way from
two 10 six tons daily. Members Of the
Union who have cherries will ind IL
10 their advantage 10 hold them to be
handled through the Unions repre-
sentative. Surplus cherries and /
strawberries will be sent 10 the can
neries daily. and to get the best re-
suit am satisfied that We can handle
them through the Unions agent at sa'