The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-04-30
PORTLAI1O OFFICE
Is RECOMMENDED
THE OFFICIALS FAVOR SUCH PLAN
Davidson and Sieg Find Growers Of South
em OREGON and willamette Ready
for Cooperative Marketing

II the recommendation of II. F. Da-
wilson are passed upon favorably by
the board of directors Of the Distrihu-
tors at their annual meeting. May Is,
an office Of the central selling agency
will be established in Portland Both
the local officials of the Distributors
returned the first of the week from
tour of the willamette valley and south
ern Oregon, where they spent last week
meeting with growers aud members of
fruit selling associations at the princi-
pal marketing eenters. Meetings were
held at Grants Pass, Medf0rd, Ashland,
Roseburg, Sutheriln, Corvallis. Forest
Grove and Salem.
I'VE met with an interest and well
come from growers at all points, says
Mr.. Davidson, land since our return
have received requests for contracts,
which indicates that we will receive
support in the districts visited.
MIR. Sieg declares that the southern
Oregon districts have formerly failed
to comprehend the necessities of close
cooperation. He points out Sutherlin
as the best example of the effect of CO.
operation in the districts visited. ''It
is compact, he says, ''and we found
the growers working in absolute har-
mony.
MIR. Seig states that the tonnage that
will be received by the Distributors
from the districts in the Willamette
and in southern Oregon warrants a
clearing Office for their sales. Port
land is the logical point for such an
office, he says, land we can also han
die to better advantage the sales of the
Hood River fruit from that point.
In the event that the Portland office
is established by the Distributors,
which seems assured, judging from the
expression of the high officials, the
office will be opened in the late sum-
mer, in time to make preparations for
the shipments of apples and other fall
fruits. The strawberry crop will be
handled from the local office. Mr.. Da-
wilson will be located in Spokane and
MIR. Sieg will handle the marketing of
the fruit from Hood River.
In reviewing the crop outlook for the
year Mr.. Davidson stated that as yet,
with possible frost damage, it would
be hard to make exact estimates.
However, in his judgment, the New
town crop of this season will be very
heavy. with the great crops of
Newtowns predicted in the Hood River
and Rogue River Valleys" says MIR.
Davidson, "and the competition be-
tween the fruits of this variety in the
two districts, it is necessary that a
closer understanding exist between the
marketing concerns of the two dis
triots. Else, IN view of the large
Newtown crop on the coast, we may
have a condition similar to that of 1912
prevailing in the Newtown market.
despite the light frosts reported in
all fruit districts in the past week, !"
continued Mr.. Davidson, I'VE have not
heard of any serious damage to the ap-
pie crop. OF course, some of the fruit
will be thinned out, and a shortage of
some varieties may result"
MIR. Davidson and A. w. Stone, the
latter manager of the Apple Growers
Association, the affiliated agency of the
Distributors of this valley, Monday
night attended the first of a series of
meetings of growers to be held through
out the district for the consideration of
new contracts just drafted by the As
sociation for the purpose of reorganiz-
ing the local agency. "The growers
turned out in large numbers to the
meeting" says Mr.. Stone, "and we
feel assured that the new contract,
which is of binding nature, will be
signed by the growers now affiliated
with US.
One of the chief tasks of the local
association at the present time is the
| fight being waged to secure an amend
ment to the recent tariffs of express
companies issued by the Interstate
Commerce Commission. The tariff
placed the weight of "a full pint box
crates of Strawberries at rs pounds.
The minimum weight per car was
placed at Is. 900, allowing maximum
of 620 crates per car. The Association
has secured the promise of the express
companies to ask for an amendment
permitting the maximum of crates to
be ZOO While the matter is still in
allegiance, the Association feels assured
that its demands will be granted. The
"a full pint box crates have never been
used before, and it is thought that the
weight will not reach 25 pounds.
Mr.. Sieg declares that it would be
good plan for Hood River people to
visit the southern Oregon and VILLAIN
ette districts. They would then see
just how we'll off they are" he says.
1.-THE best sense of the necessity of CO.
operation to be found anywhere is
right here in the Hood River valley.
1t is only equalled in Yakima and
southern Idaho.