The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-09-21
FARM MARKETS
BULLETIN NO. IS
DEALERS AGREE TO ACCEPT
STATE INSPECTION OF IDAHO
GROWN POTATOES.
Farmer That viii Grade His Stock and
Sell Under Recognized Standards
Will. Obtain a Much Bet
ter Price.

In keeping with requirements OF
House Bill No. 60, passed by the last
session of the Idaho legislature, the
State Director Of Farm Markets
made investigation, because Of many
requests made for state inspection and
grading of Idaho potatoes. and had q
public hearing at a meeting held 10
Pocatello, August 18th, for the discus
sion Of this question. It was there de-
cided to grade potatoes, and if possible
adopt state inspection to be made ef-
fective by mutual consent OF dealers
and producers, in time to handle the
1917 crop, although the law giving
this power, does not make these rules
and plans legally effective until the
expiration Of six months after date OF
PRONUNCIATION by the state director.
At the meeting held in Pocatello, 1t
was explained by the director, tnat the
matter Of grading and state testing
could not, under the present law, DE
made compulsory, but was optional
with the dealers and producers offer
ing potatoes for sale. However, 1t
seemed to be the consensus OF opinion
that a sufficient number of dealers
and producers would agree to accept
the state inspection that 1t would, IN
sense, make it necessary for all to
adopt the plan.
In keeping with this understanding,
and in compliance with the law, the
State Farm Markets Director, pro-
mulgated these rules and plans on
August Goth, and they will become
part of the law in effect February
Goth, 1918.
I held second meeting with most
of the dealers located at Idaho Falls
on Monday, August 9th. At this
meeting it was apparent that these
dealers were unwilling to obligate
themselves to accept the state plan
unless it could be made obligatory on
the part of all. The question was
discussed at length, and by unanimous
vote, it was decided that they would
not adopt the rules of state testing
at present, but would use every eff
fort to have the present law amended
to make it compulsory with all who
offered Idaho potatoes for sale.
wish to call the growers and
dealers attention to some OF the
abuses that have been practiced In the
past by some dealers in agricultural
products. Frequently buyers have
taken advantage of the uniformed
producer, where there was little or no
competition in the purchase of his pro-
ducts, and paid him price much be-
low that which was being paid for a
like product in a near by town, or
other part of the state.
Effort has been made to correct this
evil in House Bill No. 62, passed by
our last legislature, which forbids
price discrimination; but in order to
make this law effective and means
of protection to the producer, agricul-
tural products must be sold under rec
ognized standard and grades. One OF
my primary objects in establishing a
standard grade for Idaho potatoes, was
that this law might be put into force
and thus prevent this improper dis.
elimination and abuse.
There is no way In which the Farm
Markets Department can protect the
producer Of potatoes against this
abuse unless the farmers will grade
his stock, that it may be sold under
recognized standards. If this can be
done, every effort on our part will be
made to prevent this unjust discrim.
nation, and thus obtain better
price.
Arrangement has now been made
with the Federal Bureau Of Markets.
to again place representative al
Idaho Falls, who will give the growers
and dealers, by mail, the latest market
reports. He has been provided with
a mailing list which will no doubt need
revising, and if you did not receive
these reports last year, you may send
your name and address to the Farm
Markets Department, at Boise, and II
will be placed on the mailing list.