The daily sentinel., 1912-10-18
ASK LOWER
FRUIT RATE
Cannot Ship Crop al the Present
Tariff, Say the Northwest
Growers to Roads.

ouWVIV " ItVuuOs
Spokane Wash, Oct. lS.-Fearing
that 1t will be difficult, if not impos-
sible, for them 10 get the bulk of
their apple crops to market unless
present freight rates are reduced.
Northwestern fruit dealers are ask
ing the big trunk lines for relief
The Spokane Jobbers' association
has made a strong presentation of
facts to the Great Northern, the
Northern Pacific and the Hartman
lines, in which they say:
We call your attention to mat
ter of serious important to the wei
fare of the inland empire, which Is
the marketing of this years apple
crop.
From the best Information. as
well as from actual observation. we
estimate this years yield in this sec
tion 100 per cent greater than last
year. In the eastern and middle west
states the crop is also exceptionally
heavy, To provide for the con
sumption of this enormous crop 1t is
necessary to place II in thickly pop
ulated districts at a price that will
stimulate consumption by that great
mass of consumers. the laboring
classes
ON account of increased produc-
ton. 1t Is estimated that eastern ap-
pies will bees per cent lower than
they were last year. and that these
prices will range from SIPS to $3.50
per barrel. The apples of this sec
ton are packed and marketed in box
es containing practically one-third
of barrel of an average weight of
I MI nntIn1gH 80
equal quality would be worth in the
eastern markets from 42c to S111
per box. The present freight rates
to those markets in carload lots is 81
per hundred or soc per box.
This eliminates our lowest grades
or about 20 per cent of our product.
from those markets. while the medi-
um grades. or about so per cent of
the prodNt would sell for SOC per
ooN above freight charges. and the
better grades, or about 10 per cent at
sc above freight charges.
FROM these figures we are forced
TO the conclusion that unless we pro-
cure some assistance from the trans
portation companies, by means of
substantial reduction in freight rates
we viii certainly be unable to find a
market for our surplus. and our
growers will suffer an enormous loss
In consequence.
The principal markets hereto
fore found by our apples and the
present freight rates are 75c per / 90
mounds to Winnipeg, Soc to st. Paul,
Duluth and Kansas City. and 81 to
Galveston. St Louis. New Orleans,
Chicago, New York and Montreal.
No doubt the same general con
/ Fmf In. Ill
and II is necessary. therefore, that
remedy he found to prevent our sur
plus from going to waste, to prevent
the loss of its tonnage to the rail
roads and to prevent a setback to the
apple industry of this section from
which 1t would take many years to
recover.
Since the apples are already
grown there is no way of cheapening
their production. II Is certain that
the great bulk Of the crop cannot
he marketed without a reduction in
freight rates, even though the grow
cr waived the cost of production and
demanded only the expense of pick
ing. packing and hauling to the rail-
roads.
by referring to the rates YOU
will note that Soc from this territory
to Kansas City, ST. Paul and Duluth.
while the rate to New York. dis
lance about 10 Ier cent greater is
only II per cent higher. or 81 per
100 pounds. On the face of it the
difference in distance would seem
to Justify greater difference in
rates. But at this time we will not
discuss that question. as neither of
these rates will move any material
quantity of the crop or give you more
than an insignificant fraction of its
enormous surplus tonnage.
we suggest Il rate of soc TO ST.
Paul and Kansas City, 60c to St
Louis and Chicago, and 75c to New
' York and eastern points \ reduc-
7 tion OF approximately 33 per cent
will We feel increase your tonnage
in this commodity fully 100 per cent
over last year"