Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-09
commission WILL
PROBE ICE RATE
Lane and Prouty viii Open Hear
ing of Fruit Growers
Case Today
TO INVESTIGATE E-CO0LIN6
Growers viii Ask Ruling on the
Charges for Product Retrlg-
Grated Before Shipment
20 INVESTIGATE PRE-co0LINe

Interstate Commerce Commissioners
Prouty and Lane today Will take up
matters pertaining to rules ana regu-
lations for refrigerating citrus fruits
through to eastern points. 1t IS eX,
pected the evidence introduced VIII
consist chiefly of tabulated figures,
showing what amount or ice Is re-
ouired to carry a car through TO the
various eastern points.
THE hearing will be held in the su-
preme court rooms in the Bullaro
block
Joseph Call, attorney for the citrus
fruit growers, said last nlgnt tnat ne
arrived yesterday from washington,
would be the only member OF tne
commission present at the hearing
Mr.. Call stated that it is his belief
the principal question to be thresneo
out at the present hearing VIII pc tlaC
pertaining to refrigeration charges
and the right of the growers to re-
frieerate their own shipments. This,
however. may also involve the ques-
tion of pre-cooling and car equipments.
The difference of opinion now exist
ing. which the evidence introduced is
expected to clear, is the amount OF zee
required to carry a car or rrult that
has not been preceded, through TO an
eastern point in different months or the
wear. and also the condition in which
fruit that has been preceded by the
shIpners reaches it's destination with
out reicing.
The greater requirement of Ice as
the summer heat increases, the cost Oh
which is what seems to be the chlet
controversy between the growers anu
the shippers. In order to reach a con-
clusion satisfactory to both sides,
series of test shipments have been
proposed. These shipments will start
in the spring and continue into the
summer.
PRE-COOLED OARS
Another question that will come up
will be whether or not the shipping OF
pre-cooled cars to eastern points ,wltn-
out reicing after starting, which is
claimed to be practicable by the grow
ers. delivers the fruit in good condi-
tion. The shippers claim not, especially
if a deIav en- route should happen.
The different methods of preceding
"a another point of contention. Some
pre-cooling plants will pre-cooi the
fruit In a few hours, but the shortness
of the period In which the fruit re-
mains in the plants, 1t Is claimed does
not allow it to be cooled to low tenn
nerature. This system of pre-coollns
is done in the large plants or the raii-
roads. while in the plants erected py
the citrus fruit men the rrult Is al
lowed to remain at length and is cooleo
TO a much lower degree than the fruit
cooled by the railroads.
GROWERS DEMANDS
summary of what the growers de-
nand seems to be that they be al
lowed to pre-cool their own fruit, use
their own ice In icing the cars and
have the cars go through to their des-
tination without reicing.
The decrease in the expense OF man
ufacturing ice as compared with for
mer years makes the present ice rate
of the railroads too high' assert the
yrowers And this will be a point that
will require regulation in order to suit
their demands.
IT is expected that the testimony thai
will be introduced today will clear ur
that point.