East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-09-03

That the fruit industry is immedi-
ately confronted with serious set
back by reason of the failure of the
Northern Pacific railway company to
furnish refrigerator cars is the alle-
CATION of the leading shippers of the
city, and steps have been taken to in
woke the aid of the state raiload COM
mission, says the Yakima Republic.
According to statements made by
the fruit men today it appears that
there is now shortage of about 80
cars and there are none in sight for
| 10 days. 1t is asserted that $50 re-
frigerator cars will be required dur
ing that time and that unless some-
thing is promptly done to remedy the
shortage the shippers will be unable
to send out the peaches which are
now coming in to the market in large
quantities.
This morning the following tele-
gram was sent to the railroad COM
mission at Olympia and signed by the
Thompson Fruit company, ]. NJ. Per-
ry & Co., the Yakima Horticultural
union and the Ryan & Newton COM
pany:
"This station short today of actual
requirements 80 refrigerator cars.
None in sight for next 10 days. Ow-
ing to our heavy shipment of peach
es requirements will be at least $50
cars and Northern Pacific gives no
satisfaction. Unless prompt and Wig
erous measures taken calamity will
follow. Can you assist"
Agent Ryerson Denies Shortage.
Agent Ryerson of the Northern Pa
cific, when shown copy of the above
telegram today, seemed to be indig-
nant.
"The statements made there" he
said, "are not true. The telegram
says there are no cars in sight; as q
\ matter of fact there are 10 refriger-
ators in the yards right now. l dc
\ not understand the statement that the
company is giving no satisfaction.
4 We have dome our best to handle this
fruit business and are doing so still
I We have fifty refrigerator cars or
the road here and these with the II
in the yards will handle all the bust
ness that is offering.
"These people came to me and told
q me they would want 100 cars mex
I week and l have arranged to hav,
N that number of cars come here. The,
say in the telegram that they wan
$50, but that is the first time l hav
4 heard of it. Why don't they come t
= me with their demand for $50 cars
II they need them?
y 81 do not believe all the fruit ship
Il pers at this point can load that mum
y ber of cars in any event. l canno
understand the reason for sendin
\ that telegrap. As said before, ther
81 are 10 cars in the yards now and 2
4 more will arrive Monday. The tele
gram does not state the facts. Their
u has been no car shortage so far
Il fruit is concerned yet this season, an
4 I do not see that these people hav
y any reason to get scared and invok
the aid of the state commission
: What the Dealers Say.
Fred E. Thompson of the Thomr
,s son Fruit company, says that the 81
a uation is undoubtedly serious. wv
,s are getting about one car day an
~ so are Perry and the other peop
as along the line, and one car is n
- good. We have stuff in the ware
~ house right now that is bought c
contract for delivery and we hay
= to hold it until Monday and perhal
~ later The only thing that helps SON
n, is the fact that the weather Is coc
a but even so, the fruit Will not ke'
= forever. There will be some chea
~ peaches in North Yakima next wee
- unless the railroad company gives
"a much better service"
- Elmer E. Sampson, manager of Il
=, Horticultural union, admits that Il
~ telegram sent to the state railro'
=. commission may be putting the 81
=. uation "a little strong" But"
adds, "you can see for yourself tn
the fruit is piling up here and we
IN cot anyiOuap