Imperial Valley press., 1921-05-05

The precarious condition in which
the canteloupe growers and distribu-
tors of Imperial Valley are placed be-
cause of the freight rate levels was
first described in detail by E. E. Goald-
err, traffic manager of the American
Fruit Growers, Inc, representing the
Imperial Valley canteloupe growers,
who characterized the freight rates as
"a burden which the growers are un-
able to bear and at the same time grow
cantelOupes."
"The arbitrary increase of 33 1-3
per cent in effect August 16, 1920, in
connection with all commodities, now
threatens the very life of the perish
able fruit industry" he declared. "The
increase in rate since 1916 to five of
the most important consuming centers
of the United States, based on the cost
of transporting standard crate of 68
pounds, including freight, refrigera-
ton costs, and war tax, is as follows:
TO Boston, $l.07 in 1916-1917; $1.46
in 1918-1919, and f$1.97 in 1921. To
Chicago, $1.O2 in 1916 1917; $1.23s in
191S-1919, and $1.61 in 1921. To Kan
sas City, Mo-, 81 cents in 1016-1917;
SLIT in 1918-1919, and $1.53 in 1921.
To New York City, $1.25 in 1916-1917;
$l.49 in 191S-a9l9, and $1.95 in 1921.
To Pittsburgh,.$f.l6 in 1916-1917; ST.
40 in 19lS-19l0, and $1.83 in 1921. The
average increase in cost of transport.
ing per standard crate to these five
markets in 1918, 1919 and 1920 is 43.03
cents per crate The average yield is
100 crates per acre. The additional
cost is $69.28 per acre.
"The additional burden has placed
the growers at such financial disad-
vantage that they can no longer con-
tinue to grow canteloupes.. Therefore
we ask that the rates in effect prior
to Aug. 16, 1921, be re-established be-
fore the time arrives to harvest and
market this years crop, this being ab-
solutely necessary to preserve the life
of the canteloupe industry in Imperial
Valley"
Precise figures showing the cost OF
growing and marketing canteloupei
were next submitted by w. S. Faucets:
During 1920 Mr.. Faucet said he grew
lO6,6O3 crates of canteloupes from
1902 acres, or 102 1-2 crates per acre
"The cost" he testified, If. o. b. to
the cars was 255,634.03 or an aver.
age of $2.39 per crate. The gross sales
were $415, ,737.24, or $3.50 per crate
The freight and refrigeration costs
amounted to $137 ,492.50, or $1.29 pc,
crate. The cost of distributing the
canteloupes was $27,144.62 or $500
cents per crate The cost per crate
was 1898 and the sales return $500
"We cannot hope to receive at thu
coming harvest as much as we coult
the melons for last year. And as the
harvest is almost here, we are justified
in asking for an emergency rate"
"The crop cannot be shipped" de-
clared E. W. Cuff, unless immediate
relief is given. The growers canno
bear the burden of such high freigh
rates." A. a''ial ~ -
Lee C. Seibertc of the Crutchfields
Voolfolk division of the American
Fruit Growers, .Inc., asserted that tn
distributors of the canteloupes will
be unwilling to finance many Of tn
growers unless the present rate i
lowered. .~s.
"The growers are financed by tn
distributors" he declared, "who re
ceive in compensation, Is per cent o
the sales. Unless relief is given i'm
mediately so that this years crop ma,
be moved to the market with at least
bare profit to the grower the distrib