The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-01-20
WON'T HANDLE
FRUIT IN 1871
Stockholders of Fruit & Produce
Co. Vote to Dispense with
Commission Business

BY vote of 1874 to 26O shares,
the stockholders in the Kennewick
Fruit d Produce company passed
the following resolution at their an
nual meeting last Monday afternoon
Owing to the hazardous nature
OF the business of handling
fruit on consignment, be it re-
solved that it will not be the
policy of this company to re-
ceive any fruit on consignment
during 1911.'
By this action the stockholders
clear the way for the Yakima Val
ley Fruit Growers Association
which was recently organized to
handle all fruit grown in the var
ious districts between EIlensburg
ana Kennewick.
The morning meeting was taken
up largely by discussion of the Yak
ina plan and detailed explanations
by President Robbins. OF course
the big argument in favor of the
new association, which is modelled
after the idea along which the Cali
fornia growers are working, is that
in handling the crop from a wide
area it can establish a large trade,
in wider markets and at the same
time be sure of having the right
sort of pack to deliver. This last
will be rigidly enforced upon all its
members. Nothing but the best
will be handled and the pack of
each district will be superintended
by experts. The California asso-
ciation is handling 90 per cent of
the fruit in its territory after seven
years of business. Mr.. Robbins
states that if the Yakima association
can get % per cent of the fruit to
handle the first year success will be
assured. That they will get much
more than One-fourth from this dis
trict has been shown when during
the first week seventeen of the larg-
est shippers have either taken out
membership or pledged themselves
to do so.
Cooperation is the vital principle
in the successful marketing of a
fruit crop, and this in a word is
what the new. organization stands
for. Instead of dozen cOmpar-
atively small districts bidding
against one another for the business
in nearby markets, there will be
the one strong association, market
ing the combined pack, along busi-
ness lines, through their many repre-
sentatives over great area of the
country's markets.
That the Yakima plan is the only
feasible way of marketing the ever
increasing crop was verified Wednes-
day when at Prosser the delegates to
the State Horticultural Association
gave it their endorsement. At that
time the expected opposition from
the Northwestern Fruit Exchange
fizzled out" indicating that the
Yakima Association need have no
fear Of active opposition from that
quarter.
In addition, the association is to
name delegates to the Oregon Hor-
ticultural convention at Portland
next Tuesday when it is hoped that
a long step may be taken toward the
establishment of an all northwestern
selling organization. Wenatchee and
Walla Walla will also send delegates
to the Portland meeting
The afternoon session of the Fruit
& Produce Company was called to
order at 2 o'clock by President F. +.
Dean and the roll was called at
which 241O of the 36OS shares of the
company reported present either in
person or by proxy.
Manager Sly immediately took
the floor and read detailed report
of the years business, together
with suggestions as to the company 5
needs and aims for the coming year
The reports show an approximate
profit of $1,000 with a gross business