The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1917-03-08
Q Building with Capacity of 200
Carloads to be Erected Be-
fore the Shipping Season
BIG TONNAGE IS PREDICTED
Manager Says Crop from 652 Acres
Will be Marketed Thru the
Agency This Year

A new WdTclOuSS 10 oSooAS0 -SA
the Kennewick District Fruit Crow
ers' Association at Kennewick and IA
cilities will be provided at Vista for
packing and shipping. This much was
decided by the board OF directors at
their regular monthly meeting last
Monday evening. ...
In discussing the matter Manager
Desgranges said: "There is no longer
any doubt about the associations need
for permanent and adequate facilities
to take care of our rapidly increasing
tonnage. Last years experience in
car shortage has demonstrated the
necessity of providing facilities for
taking care of our fruit if we don't
want to suffer loss. It has also been
found that the expense of handling
our fruit thru the cramped quarters
we have been occupying as compared
with the modern warehouses in other
parts of the valley fully justifies the
investment.
Heretofore we have operated in
more or less an experimental way,
but the success of the association the
past year and the loyalty of its MEM
bers leaves no doubt now that per-
maneht quarters are needed. A
change has been made in our contracts
which has necessitated the signing of
q new contract and it has afforded an
opportunity of finding out just how
our members feel towards their asso-
ciation. Mr.. Hamilton, our field man,
and myself have been calling on our
members the past week and while we
still have few that we have not yet
seen, we have contracts covering 652
acres of bearing orchards, represent
ing more than 80 per cent of last
yea,'s shipping members. This acre
age includes 105 acres which we did
not have last year and a number of
other growers are considering joining
US. We have made no general canvas
for new members and I do not know
that we shall, but we do want it
known by all growers who want to
ship comparatively that they are well
come. The same sentiment prevails
at Richland, where at last reports 140
acres was signed. With this showing
at hand our board was not long in
making up their minds that warehouse
facilities must be provided. The de-
tails Of the building have not been
worked out. but it will have capacity
OF 200 cars or more, if the increased
tonnage calls for it.
I'VE will equip the warehouse with
iabor-saving devices and a thoroly
modern packing plant will be install
ed. The association has worked out q
system Of handling fruit thru a pack
ing house which effects saving OF
about q cents box. More than 240,-
ooO were handled in this way this year
with entire satisfaction to the grow.
ers and the trade. -
Il want to correct wrong impress.
sion that seems to prevail, that we re.
qulre our members to sign notes ani
cnarge interest on supply accounts
That is not the case. Our members re
celve their supplies at prices invar
lably less than local retail prices
Ihere is no note and no interest. Onl,
a receipt to show delivery is required
Payment is made after the fruit ha!
been sold. At harvest time we pay ad
Vances sufficient to take care of har
vesting expenses. No interest i
charged on this. IF grower need
money prior to harvest time we cal
finance him to a reasonable amount
out for this service an interest charg
IS made and that probably account
for this error.
prospects are good for full frui
crop"