The daily sentinel., 1914-02-19
BUSINESS CONDITION OF ASSOCIATION IS BEST IN IT'S HISTORY

that this method of pro-
Viding packing facilities and the ship
ping OF uniform grade and pack is
going TO be universally used in the
best fruit districts and We are very
that the growers in a few of
the different communities do some
experimenting along this line this
season. We believe that it is the
proper method and also that the
growers will find II a material saving
IN the handling of their apples, espe-
cially.
In the report which We had the
pleasure of reading to you year ago
We endeavored to explain the neces-
sity for storage facilities in the Grand
valley for apples. The past year, on
account Of the short crop, il was not
necessary to story any apples but the
season OF 1914 may be entirely diff
terent, and il the financial conditions
or this locality are such as to dis
courage the possibility of a suitable
cold storage located at Clifton and at
Grand Junction We must argue that
the growers themselves provide some
cellar storage for a portion OF their
crops. During the years when the
crop OF apples all over the United
states is large it is going to be an
impossibility for the Associations to
market the apple output OF Grand
valley with 30 or 60 days time. The
marketing season must extend over a
greater period and this will necessi-
tate some suitable place for storage
OF this fruit. The Association is
hardly in position to raise sufficient
capital for the erection Of cold stor-
age plants at this time. but we con-
slider 1t is a very short-sighted policy
that sinking fund is not created for
this purpose or that q certain tax
per box be made to cover the cost of
erection and equipment of a cold
storage plant in the near future. We
that this is one of the big
gest problems facing Grand valley ap-
pie growers today and trust that
some effort will be made soon to-
ward the solving Of this problem.
The Grand Junction Fruit Grow
ers' Association was peculiarly hon
ored the past year in that two of its
most valuable employees we're induced
to join the newly created office of
department of agriculture
Of the United States government in
official capacity. Indicative of the
fact that the methods, forms and
business systems used by this Asso-
citation are above the average and
that the education received by its
fits them for service in lar
ger fields, broadening the scope of
its influence and places the operation
and benefits derived by the members
before the entire business world.
One of the most deplorable situa-
tons confronting the Association is
the frnuunnf avidpurn Of IacIy nf
probation on the part OF local bene-
ficiaries of the true position of the
Association. There is a noticeable
tendency to class the organization
with the average closed corporation,
public utilities. or common carrier.
operating for the sole benefit and FL
nancial advantage of few and that
the common antagonism must be APP
piled to the Association the same as
to other utilities which we are COM
PEELED to use. but not without pro-
test. This attitude on the part of
some of the growers and business
men is truly baffling to those who
are familiar with the operations and
object of the organization. If the
reason for this attitude is due to
imagination or misrepresentation we
would strongly urge you to accept the
standing invitation Wnlcn mas Deen
extended to investigate for yourself
any matters in connection with this
Association which you do not under
stand or which appear unsatisfacto-
ry.
We are anxious to make this Asso-
citation a thoroughly cooperative in
stitution, not in theory alone, but in
actual practice and in order that
such ambition may be realized we
must have the confidence and assist
ance of the fruit growers and the
business men of this locality. Don't
take hearsay statements as facts,
ascertain their correctiveness before
voicing your opinions. The meetings
of the board of directors are always
open to members and your presence
and interest will be appreciated. AL
so the officials stand ready at any
time to furnish the information and
records necessary to disprove state
ments which are made contrary to
the actual conditions and give con-
siderations to any ideas which are ad-
vanced with the intention of better
ing the service or securing for the
growers a larger profit for their pro-
ducts.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD G. FLETCHER,
Manager