The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1915-03-11
FRUIT Statesmen HOLD
TRAFFIC MEETING

With no fuss or feathers, traffic men
of the leading selling agencies have
been manifesting a genuine get to-
gether spirit for several months. Re
alizing the advantages Of presenting a
united front to the railroads, especially
in view of several recently established
requirements, the heads Of traffic de-
partments have been seeking alliance
with ore another. The aim is to coop
crate in friendly manner with the
railroads. not annoy them with unjust
and impractical demands Much cor
respondence has been interchanegd; a
Yakima Valley Traffic Association was
organized the first meetingsfor the en-
tire northwest was held recently at
Spokane. Although attendance was
small, the results of that meeting may
mean thousands of dollars to growers
in the way of savings in transportation
costs. The Northwest Exchange was
represented by its traffic manager, j..
Curtis Robinson. and tue assistant to
the general manager, X. r. Ellinwood.
The method of procedure in number
of important matters was agreed upon
after thorough discussion.
A brief was presented by Mr.. Robin
son on this subject of diversions. 1t
was adopted as the basis of appeal to
the carriers, to the end that the rail-
roads shall not suffer, but that the
shippers may be able to operate more
effectively and economically.
Certain desirable changes in refrig.
Grafton were agreed upon, but it was
elected to study the subject further
before approaching the carriers.
1t was believed by all present that in
all probability the heater service tariff
could be n aterially changed or entirely
cut out the coming season. To this end
plan was adopted whereby Mr.. Rob
inson is TO wait upon the officials of
the Northern Pacific and Great North.
ern, while Mr.. Roman, of the Distrib-
utors, and MIR Samson, of the HUrticul-
tural Union. will talk with the U.-W.
R. & N.
Nearly all needed changes in demurr-
age have already been accomplished
and will soon be put into effect as a
result of the meeting of traffic manag-
ers of fruit shipping organizations held
northwest was represented by Mr.. No
nan. of the Distributors, who partici-
pated in the action taken. He is to be
consulted if any other serious changes
should be submitted.
Word was received that the railroads
are now inclined to look with favor upon
a 49 pound average weight for all vari-
eties of apples. This is extremely fair
and is what the shippers very eagerly
sought to put through last fall. 1t will
do away with the long and cumbersome
bills of lading which have been source
of annoyance, expense and mist Al the
past two years. No definite agreement
was reached regarding ave e weights
for soft fruits, owing to the absence of
several shippers vitally interested.
proposition to seek reduction of
rate per box on c grade apples while
or increasing the earnings
per car for the railroad, was presented
by Mr.. Robinson. He urged a reduction
from 85 cents to 65 cents per cwt. on
to points west of the Mis-
souri, river, jumble stock, cheaper sty lie
of box, cars to be loaded with mini
mum of 720 boxes. 1t was felt that
this is no time to ask the railroads to
grant anything the effect of which will
be to decrease their earnings, but that
it is possible to show them how to help
the fruit industry and at the same time
protect railway income. There is reas-
On to believe that at least one railroad
looks with favor upon this attitude and
bo ntb
conference deferred expressing their
views until the matter is taken up. with
their sales departments.