The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1918-11-29
APPLE GROWERS CONFERENCE
MET IN SEATTLE LAST WEEK
Proposed Change on Apple Grades
Ar0uses Interest-Upper Wenatchee
Valley Represented.
Seattle, Wash, Nov. %, 1918.

heltlnS uOWn W DuSiheSS III NViiiiCN
tion with the proposed federal grad
ing rules for Northwest apples, the
executive committee of the Skookum
Packers Association with several other
representative shippers of the organi-
zation were in session Nov. 19 and
20 with S. S. Boddinghouse, in charge
of the Bureau of Markets investiga-
ton for the standardization of grade
and pack of fruit. The netting was
held at the headquarters of the Skoo-
KUN Packers Association, Stewart
Bldg, Seattle, the following being
present: Executive Committee Pres
ident ]. A Warman, Peshastin J. G..
Kennedy, ]. L. Dumas, W. N. Irish,
Z. w. johnson. Invited shippers: P.
r. Parks, general manager of the
Spokane Fruit Growers Co.; H. j..
Olive, president and Manager of the
Cashmere Fruit Growers Union; Earl
Barnhill, manager Omak Fruit Grow
ers, Inc; Ira Cleveland, manager En-
tiat Fruit Growres League. Mem
bers of the Northwestern Fruit EX-
change: Reginald H. Parsons, presi-
dent; w. F. Gwin, vice president and
general manager; J. B. Adams, field
manager; A. A. Prince, secretary, O..
r Clawson, field manager of the Skoo-
kun Packers Association, was also in
attendance.
The set of rules for grade and pack
of Northwest apples assembled by In
vestigator Broddinghouse as basis
for all discussion of the subject, and
which have already been given wide
publicity, formed the basis of the de-
bates of the session. The rules are
simply a composite of the ideas of
various growers and shippers, and in
no way represent the recommenda-
tions of the bureau of markets. This
was made clear by Mr.. Broddinghouse,
it being understood that the bureau
of markets desires to follow the prac-
tical guidance of the. interests imme-
diately concerned. Some three thou
sand copies of these rules, it was an
NJ unced, have been sent to growers in
the Northwest states, and some six
hundred copies to dealers in the east,
this work being undertaken by the bu-
reau of markets. The Skookum Pack
ers Association also carried out a
similar investigation, sending copies
to all their local affiliations and to
some two hundred branch managers
Of the Northwestern Fruit Exchange
in eastern markets. Considerable re-
turns have been received from each OF
these sources.
The grades set forth in these rules
were debated in every detail and with
minor notifications agreed to. On
the surface the rules seem to slightly
lower the grade on eXta fancy apples,
Iut on discussion those present de-
cded that the proposed rules would
in actual fact establish a pack of
higher quality than at present exist
ing, provided arrangements are made
for the full enforcement of the rules.
On the contrary, it was agreed that if
no provision was made for such en-
forcement the adoption of them would
be a step backward instead of for
ard, and would result in chaos.
The crux of the sessions work was
reached when this subject of enforce
nient was brought up. Every individ-
ual present went strongly on record
that no step should be taken by the
bureau of markets towards recogniz-
ing new rules for grade and pack un-
til the full working machinery for
their absolute enforcement was in eff
feet. 1t was definitely decided at the
meeting that for enforcement ade
quate financial provision should be
made and fully organized inspection
staff provided at shipping and desti
nation points. As one of the men,
bers present stated the case:
"Unless we have strict enforcement
of these rules we had better remain
as we are. We would have rules, but
would they be obeyed? Without full
provision for enforcement we would
simply have chaos. There would be
all kinds of evasions, and no machin-
cry to check it or penalize it. 1t must
be positively insisted opon that before
the matter of these new proposed fed
eral rules go too far we are guar
anteed-absolutely guaranteed-com-
plete and thorough enforcement"
1t was fully agreed in the meeting
that once these rules and their en-
forcement was established one of the
heaviest problems of the northwest ap-
pie industry would be solved-namely
the problem of uniform grade and
pack The meeting went on record as
willing TO work in the heartiest accord
tc accomplish 20 desirabel a purpose.