The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-09-04
SERIOUS CAR SHORTAGE
THREATENS POTATO
CROP

Caldwell potato growers face
shortage of cars for moving their
crop that at present bids fair to deal
a serious blow to the potato industry
of this section.
The current car shortage is the first
lack of transportation facilities ever
experienced here. 1t is alleged to be
due to the fact that the market of
early spuds--fully as pcrishable as
fruit--in coincident to the rush season
of fruit shipments from this part of
the state Another allegation is that
the Pacific Fruit Express company
prefers to divert its cars to moving
the fruit crop rather than spud ship
nents. This is charged to the condi-
ton that, while potatoes require ven
tilated cars, iceing is unnecessary,
while fruit shipments require ice,
with the consequent business for the
companys icing stations.
There is an enormous crop Of pota-
toes to be shipped from this point this
will be needed to handle the seasons
cars a day for the next two weeks
will be reqired to move the early
varieties
DR.. +. M. Cole, president, and NJ
II. Gibbons, secretary of the Caldwell
Commercial club, were in Boise Sat
urday to confer with J. A. Blomquist
of the public utilities commission re-
garding means for relief Mr.. Blom-
quist at once took the matter up with
the Short Line officials and expressed
confidence that measures would be
taken to relieve the car shortage.
o. S. L. officials Aiding.
In discussing the situation Presi-
dent Cole of Caldwell said;
1--WE have been informed that the
cars of the Pacific Fruit Express are
not available for moving the Caldwell
potato crop. The O. S. l., officials
are doing their utmost to supply for
eign cars of this class for the local
shipments, but it is admitted that
there are not enough of these cars in
this territory to meet the demand. 1t
seems absolutely impossible to move
the spud crop unless the p. F, E
company will turn over its cars to the
d potato shippers.
ct has been suggested that, mas
much as the spuds do not require ice
they could be transported in ordinary
box and stock cars. This plan, which
would perhaps be feasible several
months hence in cooler weather, is
, considered impossible now, with the
, probability that the entire shipment
would rot en- route to destination
l THE life of the potato industry III
Idaho depends wholly on the ability
!, Of the shippers to secure transporta-
ton facilities at the proper time
Idaho potatoes are on the market
about 800 days in advance of The
yields of the middle west and eastern
states. Should the Idaho producers
be forced to wait until the peach and
prune crops are moved, every potato
grower in southern Idaho will be in
, the bankrupt list.
J Southern Idaho growers, it is esti.
{ mated, are handicapped to the extent
' of about 90 cents per 100 pounds un'
| less they can reach the markets ahead
of the producers located nearer the
t consuming centers. A delay in trans
portation makes competition with The
! middlewest west sections impossible.
Judging from the crop reports, thu
- soil and climatic conditions of thu
: Deer Flat section south of Caldwell
Y are ideal for potato growing. With ;
favorable market and transportation
;, means many of the growers anticipate
return of 5000 per acre from the
h spud acreage.