The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1916-06-08

MOOMAW OPTIMISTIC
OVER FOREIGN DEAL
Fresh from London and the thrills OF
Zeppelin raids, s. B. Moomaw, general
European agent of the Apple Growers
Association and other prominent apples
sales agencies throughout the north
west, arrived here last week for his
annual conference with local shippers.
MIR. Moomaw is the largest distributor
of American boxed apples in Europe.
and despite the chaotic conditions at
tendant on the European war has by
his close study of the workings Of the
foreign market succeeded in the past
year in placing at handsome prices
200, 600 boxes of the Northwest's fruit
abroad. Seventy five per cent of the
apples handled by the foreign agent
were shipped by the local Association.
The total tonnage sent abroad last
year from the Northwest reached 428,
655 boxes. ''More than so per cent Of
this," says Mr.. Moomaw, twas con-
sumed in the British Isles."
MIR. Moomaw is optimistic over the
prospects of next year and states that
SO far as he can judge by present indi-
cations the consumption of fruit abroad
will be limited not by any embargo
that may be laid by the British govern
ment, but more because Of the limita-
tions of shipping facilities.
"And expect more space will be
available next fall than during the
shipping season of last year." he says.
British shipbuilding yards are busily
engaged turning out new bottoms to
take the place Of those destroyed by
mines or submarines. With large num-
bers Of troops already taken to the
continent, many of the transports will
be turned back into mercantile service,
and know that many ships that have
been doing hopsital service will be put
into the Atlantic trade, the wounded
having been transferred to hospitals in
England"
The British government, according
to MIR. Moomaw did establish q fruit
embargo, but it affected only dried,
preserved or canned goods and not
fresh apples. We had some OF our
shipments, routed to Copenhagen. de-
layed last spring by the British gov
ernment. but this was caused. merely
that authorities might make proper
search of the shipment in order to as
certain that something other than fruit
was not being shipped In the cargo Of
apples. By the aid of ambassador Page
and Consul General Skinner. the apples
were released amicably.
81 have learned, however. since my
return to Northwestern fruit growing
centers that certain agents of three or
four English importing firms are giving
out the impression that fruit importers
will be subject to license the coming
shipping season and that their concerns
alone will be permitted to handle the
product. | anticipate the licenses, but
my dealers will Immediately take ad-
vantage Of the regulations and we will
continue to handle Northw western ap-
Piles just as former years.
"The government took up the ques-
tion of fresh fruit embargo last year.
W hen it was mentioned that American
apples might be affected, protest from
thousands of small fruit merchants at
once poured in to the central Board of
Trade, and in the face of such public
sentiment the government was heard
to say no more of an embargo on ap-
pies. American boxed apples seem to
meet the needs of the English trade.
they are the stock in trade of hundreds
Of small grocers and fruit dealers. and
must say that the Northwest boxed ap.
pie is the chief favorite. So accustomed
have the English people become to the
Yellow NeWtown, ss grown at Hood
River, that during the past year l sold
my supply of this variety at prem.
ium of two shillings above the ruling
quotati s CT other varieties.
"There are so many things, however,
to be taken into consideration in the
face of the war situation that il woulC
be foolish to make any definite predic.
tions.'
MIR. Moomaw says. that he expert.
enced two very thrilling moments last
fall when German Zeppelins were raid
ing London.
"Last September bomb wss drop.
ped from one of the big air craft with
in about 40 yards from where wat
standing, and some $50 people were
killed." he says. "A few weeks later
in October, one of the bombs dropped
from Zeppelin exploded within 9
stones throw from my Offices.
"Never in my life nave / ever en-,
countered such nerve as the British
people are displaying at the present
time. They have determined to pursue
the war to the very end and they art
determined to win. British patriotism
was given a new turn by the Zeppelif
attacks. These have aided in recruit
ing, and but for those air raids ! dt
not believe the English people woulC
ever have tolerated conscription act.
despite the war. most of the cor
porate businesses of the British Islei
are booming. showing stimulus ovel
times of peace. The British laborel
was never making more money, and b.
spends freely. For this reason, If VI
get the fruit to him, apple sales viii
be made easily and at profitable re
turns to growers.
1.-The Scandinavian countries, too, ar,
| in prosperous condition, and we ar,
expecting their business to continu,
good. II we had been able to ship th'
product, really believe that we coult
have handled at the same prices twic,
the tonnage of Northwestern boxe'
apples shipped during the past season.
After q visit at the important frui
centers of the Northwest Mr.. Moomav
will 90 for stay at bis home in Wiz
ginia, were he is from pioneer frui
family. He will return to London i
August.
i Miss Newby Recited "Recessional'
Instead of Miss Louise Jenkins, eth