The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1921-05-13
VIEWS ON WESTERN
APPLE INDUSTRY BY
MGR. WOODRUFF
FANORS CONCERTED MOVE TO
ADVERTISE NORTHWESTERN
BON APPLES, IN FRUIT PAPER
ARTICLE.

In connection with the employment
of Dwight L. Woodruff as genera
manager Of the Wenatchee District
Cooperative association, the follow
ing extracts from an article written
ley him for Better Fruit for April,
may prove interesting:
The apple season of l920-1921 is
now about ended The curtain will
soon be rung down on the final ac.
and many in the audience will turn
away not wholly satisfied.
Every industry has its trials and
victories, smooth sailing never devel-
cpes strong. brave, capable sailors.
No business has escaped the exper-
ence Of post war readiustment. All
lines of industry are slowly but sure
" settling down to a basis of safety
and adjustment to new condition,
brought about by the awakening from
the experience of eXo1bitant prices
big profits, easy money, unnatural de-
mand and lax financial methods.
Perhaps no class of producer has
uttered more severely during the
business depression of the last eight
months than has the American farm
or, but among these probably the
Northwestern fruit grower has been
as little injured as any. We are all
disposed to believe our lot the most
burdensome and difficult. 1t is easy
to see the fine points Of the "other
teliow's' particular line of business
while bemoaning our own situation.
A comparative reference to gross
sales at the big consuming center-
show only slight declines on standard
varieties end sizes Of apples, but the
net returns are very much less on ac-
count Of greatly increased freight
rates and other advances.
Sober thought compels us to admit
we have much to be grateful for
However, we should not lose sight of
the fundamental fact that no busines,
can stand still. We must advance or
recede. for we are surely now facing
unusual conditions which must be met
and mastered if we would maintain
our rightful place
The most outstanding problems we
have to deal with, as l see them. are.
First-Transportation charges.
Second-Size and quality of oue
fruit.
Last-Wide difference between
wholesale and retail prices.
Let Us forget the two or three alb
normal years just passed. and get our
feet back on earth again Stop de-
ceiving ourselves into believing that
the only first-class apples come from
the Northwest and awake to the fact
that we have some real competition
to meet and it can only be met by
adopting the most up-to-date and
systematic standardized business
methods. We should grow larger,
better fruit and considerably more
care should be exercised in grading.
sizing and packing. There is not
brand of apples that now know of
bat what has and now is SUFFERING
from inferior packing house work.
The question Of retail prices for
oar apples deserves serious consider
alton and careful analysis, followed
By concerted action.
A. a rule the iobber or wholesaler
has played fair a. regards profits and
distribution, but the retailer, almost
t. a man, has not used good business
Judgment in his handling of boxed
apples. Uually his attitude has been
to sell one box at a very big profit
rather than five boxes at a reasonably
fair profit and consequently the grow
er and consumer have suffered.
We are partly to blame for thi, ia
starting our selling season at to,
high prices The public is led to BE-
icve we are charging too much and
tsey naturally rebel and 90 on a buy
ing strike. As a consequence we suf-
fer throughout the season.
The public should be told and rotold
throughout the season all about our
apples. perhaps not mentioning any
particular brand, but featuring the
best brands varieties. sizes. uses. etc.
Particular stress should he placed up
on the proper season for different
varieties
We should drop local sectional ieal-
ousies and work in harmony for the
good Of all concerned The press
would be glad TO help if given an op-
partunity.
We need the help and cooperation
of the legitimate jobber and distribut-
or more now than ever and they us.
We should gladly meet them more
than half way. always remembering
that no transaction is complete suc-