The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1915-04-08
ASSN LEAVES
DISTRIBUTORS
STATE ALLIANCE Is SUGGESTED
Sieg will Handle Apple Sales Of 0rganiza'
tiOn, Davidson Selling the Straw
berry Crop

The Apple Growers Association is no
longer affiliated with the North Pacific
Fruit Distributors. The withdrawal Of
the local marketing machine from the
central agency was the chief business
at the annual meeting of the former
held here at Heilbronner hall Saturday.
While the vote to withdraw from the
Distributors was unanimous, the Hood
River growers leave the central selling
concern with no feeling Of rancor and
with the hope that il may continue to
grow and thrive; for the sentiment is
freely expressed by local market men
and representative growers that the
m ore closely organized all northwestern
fruit districts remain, the better the
industry in ali districts will fare.
In an address to the growers, after
Saturdays action was taken, h. +.
Davidson, who has been the president
of the Distributors since its organiza-
iton, declared that the withdrawal was
an important step. MIR. Davidson, in
stead of criticism, had praise to offer
the central agency. He enumerated
some of the big things that had been
accomplished by its selling machine.
While the Distributors have been in ex-
istence about 20 months, the records
show that it has handled over Sc, 0O0,-
600. The losses on account of failure
to collect accounts has amounted to
only S4l8. OF the l0,298 cars of prod
uct handled but % per cent was sent on
open consignment or to auction IN 1918
and but per cent in 1914. In 1918 so
per cent of the product was sold before
cars were shipped and in 1914 81 per
cent.
at has been the policy of the Dis
tributors to eliminate the open consign-
ment," said Mr.. Davidson. However,
the term consignment is often misun-
derstood. Sometimes, when the Dis
tributors have had personal represen-
tative at any market they have con-
signed fruit to him, il being understood
that the control of price rested with the
representative. This in no way can be
considered an open consignment. The
latter term applies only where the
price of fruit, after it leaves the hands
of the consignor, may be just whatever
the consingee may get for it.
MIR. Davidson, in touching on the
system of packing declared that the
basis of paying by the box instead OF
by the day was responsible for much OF
the defects found this year. No man
according to Mr.. Davidson, can attend
to grading the fruit and make higf
record for packing that many individu
ais now maintain.
MIR. Davidson congratulated the loca
growers on their thorough organization
1--WE do not know how to appreciat,
it," he declared, until we have beer
into those districts where no such sys
| TEN is in effect. Here we are able Il
get credit on our spray material. Thi!
matter of financing crop is no smal
matter. In the unorganized districtI
independent grower shippers are
not able in many instances to get
credit. Bankers will not advance then
money to buy spray, and manufacturer
ers will not advance the material
Their orchards will suffer"
The present president of the Distrib
utors stated that he looked forwarI
with optimism to the future outlook o
the apple business. He called atten
ton to the rise and fall of the straw
brery industry.
when we reached the maximum 0
production" he said, "the price fel
away, and as a result the acreage wa
decreased. But reaching the maximum
of production caused more markets t
be opened and.since then, although "
have nearly reached the maximum
again. marketing conditions have bee
great deal more stable.
MIR. Davidson praised very highl
Wilmer Sieg, who has been handlin
the Portland business of the Distribr
tors. He declared that Hood Rive
would make mistake If he were nc
selected to take care Uf the sales G
the local product. Mr.. Sieg. he d,
cIared, is recognized as the best appl
salesman in the northwest, and th
Distributors will be very glad to 81
cure his services.
A resolution providing for the pay
ment of one-fourth of cent per box Q
all apples and pears and one-sixth of
cent on all other packages of fruit
the fund of the Growers Council, ws
unanimously adopted.
While Hood River will withdraw fro
the Distributors, marketing alllant
A.. with the growers of the Rogue Rogt
River valley may be made. Such
| suggestion from II. +. Davidson, no
president of the Distributors, was r
ceived with favor by the growers. II
Newtowns of the Rogue River distrle
according to Mr.. Davidson, come in
competition with the Hood River Ne'
II towns more than the product of al
II district affiliated with the Distribute
Il and he declared that he would be
II favor of forming some kind of an a
II rangement with the selling organic
II tions there for the purpose Of elimina
Il ing unnecessary competition.
II While final action will rest with t
II new board of directors, it is propos
H that the selling force of the local affi
= alton be headed by H. F. Davidson a
Wilmer Sieg. In case suggested pla
Il are followed out the former will ia
ii charge of a New York Office OF t
II agency, handling the export shipmer
II on a commission charge of two ano
II half cents a box instead of sala
II basis. Heretofore the Distributor
charge for export sales has been Fl
II cents box.
II MIR. Sieg, who has been sales ms
Ill ager of the Distributors, in charge
HI the Portland Office, but who is now
Ill New York, will take charge of sa
iii from the local office.
iii AIN a statement to the growers, !
II lowing their action in withdraw
HI from the Distributors, Mr.. Davids
Ill declared that he thought the cent
iii organization would be stronger eN
II than they would be If Hood Ri,
II growers had maintained their afiil
Il tion. He explained that on account
concessions made to the local assoc
II tion in the way of representation I
Hi other districts had not been grant
iii iealousies have been prevailing.
iii Representatives of these other |
III tricts seemed surprised that H0ud i
er of all other Distributor Eatfiliatio
.EL nE