The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-12-10

ket. aeeentuated by a number of ae-
grayating conditions now conyulsing
the entire world. there seems to raise a
spontaneous movement which gives
promise OF bringing order out of chaos
within year or two. | am watching
with great interest the press of the
fruit growing districts. Public opinion
IS rapidly crystallizing in favor Of gen
ersl amalgamation Of the marketing
factors. The ideal is one big central
organization which should distribute
not less than 20 per cent. of the out.
put. This would surely result in the
salvation of the industry as il did with
the citrus situation in California.
Conditions do not appear to make
possible the immediate attainment of
this ideal, declared Mr.. Hartman,
but very distinct advance in that
direction seems likely TO occur shortly.
There are persistent rumors that the
local district organizations are now ne
gotiating for arrangements with the
two central selling agencies now occu-
pying the field. If the six or seven
leading factors now competing with
each other at excessive overhead ex-
pense should be reduced 10 two, or at
most, three, the happy result would be
TO greatly eentralize responsibility and
eliminate IN large measure the existing
evil OF underhidding ana price cutting.
we might well have two powerful
organizations which should be re.
strained from cutting prices on the
growers fruit, because Of the fact that
they will be fighting for supremacy,
and the only way 10 win will be by
making superior returns. The one
guilty of cutting prices under the other
will manifestiy fall short of the record
of the other, thereby forfeiting its
position of advantage.
However, believe il is possible,
If there are only two selling factors, TO
remove all chance of underselling.
Senator Paulhsmus is championing
the formation of price fixing board
composed of representatives, expert
enced and neutral fruit men from each
district. This board would act as a sort
of clearing house for the marketing
agencies. Price schedules and offers,
even on individual carloads, should be
submitted for approval of the board.
Undertaking would constantly mani
fest itself and be squelched instanter,
before sales were made. IL would have
to be so arranged, however, that the
initiative and efficiency of the agencies
should not be hampered. They must
not be delayed in making quick sales,
for they are at all times competing
against other apple growing districts
of the country whose output is "a per
cent of the national crop.
IL don't wish to be understood as
of the good accom-
plished thus far by the local district
organizations. They have carried the
standards thus far with signal efficien-
cy. but conditions are now undergoing
radical change, owing largely to in |
creased production. Moreover, il is
not economic for all these
to be supporting their
huge pay rolls for multitude of SER
wants who are constantly crossing and
rectossing each others tracks. Excess
sive overhead charges are now carried
by the grower, and excessive competi-
Iion is at the asme time hammering
iown the average of selling prices.
The present conditions are forcing |
elimination of organizations occupying |
weak pusitiuns, and are forcing concen- |
ration of tonnage and responsibility |
nto the organizations which demon
Itrate their ability to carry heavy
Dads. look for much progress with
t the coming year. One, possible two,
central selling agencies, will greatly
'eduee the average cost of our fine ap-
lie to consumers all over the world,
while, at the same time, returning at
east SO per cent more to the grover
han he now receives"