The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1908-04-23
COLD STORAGE
PLANT IS DISCUSSED

QUORUM, Dut IL was ueClueu tudt An
| informal discussion of the question
be made, and couple OF hours was
devoted to 1t.
Secretary Sproat explained the OBJ
ject of the adjourned meeting, calling
attention to the circular letter which
WAS sent out to the mem bers previous
ly, and said that be would take up
the physical points of the question,
leaving the financial part to others
of the bourd. Mr.. SpIoat said that
warehouse OF a capacity of 100, 600
boxes OF apples should be constructed.
Ii would cost but little more tor this
size than for building of half the
capacity. The question of location
had been discussed by the board and
the most feasible one was the ground
owned by the Hood River Supply Co..
il IL could be obtained, and which
was just across the road from the
present warehouse of the union.
Nearly all the stockholders OF the
supply company we're also stockhold-
ers of the union, and as the interests
we're mutual, he thought there would
be no difficulty in merging the two
corporations II 1t was deemed advis-
able. A two, story building could be
made that would put the lower floor
on line with the present warehouse
and the upper story would be on a
line with Columbia street. They had
tried to secure space from the o. X.
Il n. along the right Of way, and In
line with the present warehouse, but
were only able to secure 80 feet d.
los ~ hn
The y. X. a. N. officials said that
they would not let any more space go,
as they we're reserying it for their
own business. The Davidson Fruit
Co. hold all the land from their ware
house to the water tank.
1t is proposed to put up building
l00xlO0 feet, three stories, OF its
equivalent in space, depending upon
the location of the ground. Those
with experience in construction of
cold storage buildings tell us that
wooden building is preferable to any
other. Ii can be put up with air
spaces and will be better conductor
Of heat and cold.
The cost OF such a building as We
need will be from $l2, 900 to $751;
The refrigerator plant will cost about
$40, 900, outside OF the power. Two
engines Of 15-ton ice capacity will be
required. The motor or engine for
such power will cost about $500. The
power feature Is, therefore, not very
expensive. An ice producing plant In
addition will cost only about $500,
and as II would make all the Ice re-
quired for ioeing cars, Ii would be
very desirable. We now pay sc a ton
for ice and 1t could be made for 81 a
ton after the machinery was in. All
the early apples shipped have 10 be
iced and we're SO sent out last year.
1t takes about six tons of Ice per Car,
so there would be big saving by
having our own Ice plant.
We must have capital Of S25, 600
to handle plant OF capacity OF
100. 600 boxes. The plan OF raising
the money will be lett to Il. II. Shep-
ard, who will explain this feature OF
the project, as discussed by the di-
rectors of the union.
Mr.. Shepard said that the directors
we're presenting the whole matter for
consideration only. All we're reaiiz-
ing the necessity of cold storage
plant in the valley. In previous years
we have not needed It. The crops
we're small and sold quick. This year
1t will be different. On account OF
the panic last fall and resulting dull
times In the east, buyers will be eau
tious and we may be unable 10 ship
promptly. We may be unable to get
cars when we want them. II the APP
pies ale held too long it wilt result in
a greater loss than the price of the
cold storage plant, when we have
halt million boxes to ship.
saw the effects of this last year at
Coltax, Dayton, Granger, Wenatchee
and Yakima. There was a good deal
Of complaint about apples not keep
Ing. They had no cold storage facili-
ties and could not get cars when they
were ready to ship. The result was
loss, cancellation OF contracts In
some cases and rejection of apples
later.
Ii each grower should build cold
storage plant 1t would not take the
place of central plant. A central
plant would save cost of acting collec-
lively. We realize the Importance OF
pleasure of the stockholders In the
matter. If we build plant 1t will
take money. The question is, do we
want plant or notY We would like
to see a much larger meeting before
we decide. We have 19l shares OF
stock, and only 70 shares and 90 mem
bers are represented here at this
meeting. We ought TO impress upon
the absent ones the Importance of at
tending instead OF sending proxies.
lf the union and the supply COM
pany are merged, there would be S6,-
600 OF assets of the union to be turned
in aud about 1000 for the supply
company 1t would take S25, 900 to
build and equip the new plant. This
plan would provide for a few years for
the future. The building could be
SO constructed as to build onto 1t
when necessary to increase the capac-
ity. There will be time when ad-
ditional plants will be needed in the
valley, but this central plant would
provide for present needs for a time.
There are now about $50 stockhcld-
ers. IL these put up an average of
800 each, or $l5, 900, the balance of
the money could be raised by mort
gage on the plant. IL the whole
amount could be raised it would be
much better. We feel that every man
who endorses the plan will contribute
to its support those who cannot pay
cash can give their notes, and these
can be used at the banks the same ss
cash. There should be no difficulty
in raising SIS, 600 If we can raise
this amount we can 60 ahead and
build this plant, II it is the wish of
the union.
The question of few finally get
ting control Of the Project and run
ming IL to suit themselves was
question that has had consideration,
and the directors decided that it
could be avoided by limiting the
amount of stock which would te sold
to any one member, and that this
amount should be placed at $500. 1t
was suggested that the amount of
stock each should take be based on
his acreage of orchard. For instance
one who had ten acres or less. take
Il