The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-12-22
IDAHO PRODUCTS
CALL FOR COMMENT
Standardization of Our
Products Needed
for This State
BY MILES CANNON

The Idaho fruit and potato grow
ers have some very important ques-
tions to consider in the matter Of
standardization of these products in
the state of Idaho.
The recent potato show at Spo-
kane, together with the council on
grades and standardization, de-
veloped some very peculiar condi-
tions. 1t appears that the Idaho po-
tatoes took practically all the pre-
miums at he show and that the ex-
hibits from this state excited very
favorable comment on account Of
the superior quality of our products.
In the matter of grades, Idaho
delegates appear to have been barred
out and not allowed a voice and the
tendency on the part of Washington
delegates, who apparently are pro-
ducing an inferior grade, together
with the federal representatives.,
have joined in a movement to allow
20 per cent of No. 2 potatoes with
Is per cent of No. under the head,
Combination Grade.' This will do
away with the No. grade almost
completely, and will have tendency,
perhaps, to reduce the No 1 at least
rs per cent.
Another important movement put
on foot at the convention by federal
representatives was to do away with
state inspection and turn the work
entirely over to the government. The
object of this Is to increase federal
activity in the local commerce of the
states and place the power in the
hands of federal agents to enact such
rules and regulations as will bring
he Idaho product down to level
of other states who are, from ma
tural causes, unable to compete. It
would seem that the work of stand
ardizing state products Is a right
which q state has in the promotion
of its own industries.
Under state regulations the pro-
ducer has voice in our standardiZa-
tion work, and 1t can not be estab-
lished without his cooperation and
consent. Under federal regulations
the power is not consulted; neither
has the commercial interest of the
state any voice in their deliberations.
These questions are so important to
the taxpayers of Idaho that meet
Ing will be called of the southwest
potato growers and dealers to con-
vene at Caldwell on Wednesday, jan
nary 4; at Twin Falls, Saturday,
January z; and for Idaho Falls, Mon
lay, January 9, where the question
If grades for Idaho products will be
discussed, and resolutions adopted to
guide the state department of agri-
culture in the formation of grades
or 1922.
The action Of the Washington
)rune growers in 1921 violating
heir agreement on the size of suit
,ases is a matter that will have at
ention at a meeting to be called in
he near future at the department
II agriculture, Boise, for the pur-
,ose Of taking appropriate action to
protect the Idaho products in the fu-
ure.
It is greatly to be regretted that
he quality of the Idaho apples,
'runes and potatoes and the splendid
,ack which has characterized this
tate for the past three years is
reating more or less jealousy in our
states, and the effici-
ncy Of our inspection seems to have
tendency to deprive eastern in
pectors of their positions. The sit
ation confronting the Idaho grow
RS, therefore, is of sufficient Inn
ortance to demand q thoro discus
ion.