The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-01-13
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THE LAFEAN BILL.

Oregon arple-growers are oeBihn
ing to pay the price of their tame as
producers of the finest apples In the
world. While the Eastern grover
admits the superiority OF our Western
fruits, his envy OF the financial re-
turns to our growers has prompted
petty vengeance which is displayed 10
the Laiean apple package MIL IN
t,oducsd at the last session OF Con-
RrAss. An aggressive campaign |
against the bill has been outlined
by the apple growers Of the Northwest
and our Representatives will be suF'
piled with explicit objections to the
measure. This bill, which was devils
ed by the growers and shippers OF
New YORK, who use altogether q barrel
package In their shipments, assumes
to dictate the size Of boxes to be used
by the very people who first introduc
cd the box package and who have
made 1t the most desirable apple pack
age in the worlds markets.
These Eastern shippers have the
effrontery to attempt also to dictate
changes In the various insignia which
are practically trade marks in the
apple business In Oregon. For ex-
ample, up.to. date apple growers marx
their boxes with the number of apples
each box contains, by which the
trade all over the world knows ex-
aotly the size OF every fruit. Certain
terms are practically trade marks and
are everywhere known as such and
their extinction would cause great
confusion ia established channels
OF trade. Certain definite methods OF
placing fruits In the boxes are
essential types OF Oregon packing and
are at all times recognized by buyers.
The trade has become so accustomed
to all these practical trade marks that
1t now demands them and our
growers are justified in guarding
them zealously.
The apple packers Of Oregon are
past masters In their art. In no other
section of the world are apples pack.
ed so attraotively aud with such an
exact knowledge OF methods that will
insure salty of carriage. These results
have been attained only after years
of experimentation and their attain
ment has contributed very largely to
the favor with which Oregon fruit has
been received In the great markets.
IL is an impudent assumption on
the part OF the EarIel- shippers to at.
tempt to dictate to our people, who
have perfected this art, in what man
ner and In what package our fruits
shall be presented. The Lafean bill
contains many Objectionable features
that should te brought plainly before
Congressional committees at once.
Probably the most misohieVous 10 the
section which provides that the
STANDARD" package for spples packed
IN boxes shall be box "having a
capacity OF not less than 2342 cubic
inohea"- providing further that any
box OF less capacity shall be marked
''short box"
Ii Is not possible TO pack Oregon
apples in the manner used by Oregon
packers In box containing 2342
cubic inoes. The standard Oregon
box contains some what more than
the Winchester bushel (2l5O.4 cubic
inches), the standard dry measure
OF the United States. Apples packed
10 the distinctive and compact man-
ner of Oregon growers lit exactly
the form and size OF this box. 1t
would be Impossible to pack them
tight" in the proposed Lafean box.
IL this Oregon box, which has teen
tested so thoroughly by our expert
packers--paokers who have establish
cd the box package In u worlds mar
ket and who are practically the ex.
elusive users of the box package
IL their box became standard, Oregon
growers could possibly be induced
TO with draw their objections to the
other provision of the Lafean bill
Unless some such compromise be
effected the bill Will will be vigor ously
opposed, as maybe gathered from the
manifesto Issued by the Oregon State
Board of horticulture. HoItioul-
turists all over the Northwest are
thoroughly aroused upon this subject,
as well they may be II they would,
conserve their rights. The bill Id an
attempt to injure the business OF n
more successful competitor by com.
pelling him to deliver a greater
quantity OF fruit tor the price he re.
oeives for the packages now used
Such bill .is produoot of envy,
and should not be permitted to sue
oeed. -Oregonian.
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The exposition committee, OF the