Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-09-15
APPLE BOXES
FOUND SHORT
FOR BIG CROP
Northwest Has Sufficient
Supply but Deficiency in
Colorado and Utah Inves-
tigation Discloses./
Hugh E. McElroy Returns
From Conference Held
With Federal Food Ad-
ministrator at Portland
Look Into Shortage.

The Pacific northwest will manu-
facture sufficient apple boxes for it's
own growers. but the deficiency I'M
Colorado and Utah makes the situa-
ton serious, is the conclusion of Hugh
E. McElroy. who represented the Ida
no Oregon F'ruitgrowers association at
the conference held by the federal
food administrator at Portland on
Thursday. Over one hundred persons
representing the box manufacturers
and fruit growers were present. After
careful investigation, it was estimated
that by extending deliveries to Nov. 1,
the total possible output was estimat-
ed at 1885, 900 boxes which closely
approyimates the estimated crop of
Oregon, Washington, Montana and Ida
no. exclusive of Utah and Colorado
which are partially dependent on this
territory for boxes.
HAVE SPIRITED TiLTS.
Spirited tits occurred between the
growers and box manufacturers over
prices and between the growers and
commission men on account of pur-
chases of box material by the latter
which practically cornered the market
as against the growers, particularly in
the Payette- Boise district. The box
manufacturers in the Payette-Boise
territory TOOK orders from three COM
mission firms for sufficient to tax the
capacity Of all the mills. Col. c. r. Null
Ter, representing Denney g. Co., stated
that his firm had 1,25O,o 900 boxes and
were prepared to supply prospective
customers. In it's report of the pro-
ceedings, one Portland paper quoted
him as boasting that: "The wise man
had foreseen the present conditions
and had put in an ample supply of
boxes in advance - and If a man
has to have apple boxes the thing for
him to do is to sell through US" This
was in answer to Professor c.. NJ. Kig-
gins of the Portland schools who told
the conference that his orchard near
Boise would produce 10000 boxes of
apples this year. For years, he had
been buying boxes from the Oregon
Lumber company, but this year they
told him they had sold their entire out
put to Denney & Co. He asserted that
this was the first. time in 90 years that
he had been forced to go to fruit sell
ing agency to market his apples. He
IS being offered $1.25 a box f. o. b. at
Boise which is less than he was paid
when he could buy boxes at IL cents
and now the price is around II and 10
cents Some growers, Mr.. Higgins
said, have refused to be coerced into
dealing with the market agencies and
an immense quantity OF apples will be
left-on the trees, or on the ground
because the agencies demand that
growers buy boxes of them at exorbit-
ant prices. He said his orchard was
six miles from a box factory on an
electric line; his apples were ready to
pick; but no boxes have been delivered
TELLS OF IDAHO CONDITIONS.
When called upon to report condf-
tons here, Nh. McElroy stated that
his organization was q sco-operative
organization of growers and would
have five hundred cars of apples
Early in the season they applied to the
Boise-Payette Lumber company for
prices and was informed that prac-
ideally all the mills of this territory
had appointed j. P. Geddes their sales
agent; that the requirements of Denny
& Co., Earl Fruit company and Idaho
Products company would tax the ca
pacity of all these mills. All this or
ganization had been able to secure to
date from these manufacturers was
the promise of 10000 boxes From 9TH
or sources they had been able to Sc
cure 10000 boxes and had orders plae-
ed for the remainder. Mr.. Irwin, sales
agent for the Boise Payetts Lumber
company, asserted that the reason he
had refused sales to the Idaho-regon
F'ruitgrowers' association was that its
financial rating did not entitle 1t to
credit. Mr.. McElroy replied by produe-
ing a letter signed by Mr.. Irwin, which
made no mention whatever of credit
and which after referring to the pre-
ferred orders of the commission firms
said: "Of course, IL there is an,
chance to take more boxes than thes,
folks reuire, we will be very glad t,
take on some of your business" Mr.
McElroy stated that APPARENTLY thu
growers outside of his organization
must either consign their apples
through these commission firms or els
60 without boxes.
WANT INVESTIGATION.
A sharp debate occurred between tn
growers and the box men over a reso
luton asking the federal trades com
mission to investigate and ascertain
the cost of producing apple boxes.
was asserted that Some manufacturer
had taken advantage Of labor trouble
to cancel early contracts for boxe
taken at low prices. The Representative
Of sig Spokane firm vigorously as
serted that his firm had taken sue
contracts at II cents per box and ev
cry contract would be kept. even at
loss, but they must receive Is cent
per box for all new orders.
This resolution with one offered b
Mr.. McElroy. requesting an investiga
ton Of purchases Of box material b
commission firms, will go to tho fed
I, eral trades commission for action.
Mr.. McElroy expresses himself a