The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-03-26
PORTER BILL Did
NOT CONE TO VOTE
J. L. DUMAS, WELL KNOWN FRUIT
! RAISER, RETURNS FROM
WASHINGTON, D. c.
Westerners Get Busy In Lobby Against
Bill! and Author Agreed Not to
Call It Up.

j. L. Dumas and wife, of Dayton. ar
| rived homes yesterday from Washing
ton, d. c., where Mr.. Dumas had beer
for several weeks working for desired
amendments to the Por er BILL which
was introduced in congress and pro-
vided for the increase in the size of the
standard apple box used exclusively in
this section.
The father of the Porter bill is
Representative Porter. from the west
ern part of the state of New York
At the last election he was defeated
for reelection, and is now an ex-
representative. The bill he introduced
in the house of representatives which
caused SO much opposition among the
fruit growers of the Pacific northwest
is a measure that deals with the reg
ulation and size of boxes, baskets,
barrels and grading of apples.
The standard apple box now used
exclusively by the growers of this
section of the country contains 217S
cubic inches, while the size of the box
designated in Representative Porter
bill would contain 1854 cubic inches.
a difference of 3S6 cubic inches.
WeStersferS Get Busy. -
In speaking of his work in trying 70
defeat this bill, Mr.. Dumas said:
Through the Influence of the west
ern delegation in congress, a con-
ference was held and Mr..
Porter consented not to call
up his bill. The size of the box that
he proposed to have, contained a few
cubic inches more than the Winches-
ter bushel which is the only standard
bushel measure generally used
throughout the United States. The
growers of the Pacific northwest are
in favor of a uniform box inasmuch
as We have studied this question and
have arrived at what We think the
most suitable box ever used. 1t has
been used for % years and we do not
take kindly to the idea of having a
man who has never had any expert
ence in the business dictate to us as
to what kind of a box We shall use.
The principal reason that we object
to the change in size of our box is that
we have built up scientific system
Of packing based upon our present
standard box. In the principal mar
kets of the east rs. 80, SO, 112, etc.,
are readily understood by the trade
to mean a certain size apple.
Seriously Affect Packing.
Should we change the box an en-
tirely new system Of packing would
have to be inaugurated throughout the
northwest and such a change would
mean a great deal to this section of
the country. A change in the size
Of the apple box would not seriously
interfere with out friends in Colorado
who face the bottom Of the boxes and
then pour in the balance as is done
in barrels.
''The commission men, who were
really the cause of the Porter bill"
said Mr.. Dumas. Offered compro-
mise in which the proposed box was
to contain 2342 cubic inches 222 cubic
inches less than the original bill called
for. l refused to compromise on this
question On any way as it is a mater
of too much Importance to the fruit
growers of the northwest 1t would
mean almost as much to us if we were
asked to enlarge our boxes 20 cubic
inches in the way of changing our sys-
tenn, as if the box were increased to
the demands of the proposed compro-
mise"