Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-07-12
Marketing
Unit Held
FruitNeed
Northwest Growers In
Convention Urged toI
Combine Forces to
Secure Market

iation Of all local cooperative or
ganizations in the territory with a
central organization. Elimination
of local sales managers was plan
discussed. 1t has been decided that
an annual western fruit marketing
conference shall be held.
Today's program included ad-
dresses by w. s. Shearer, presi-
dent OF the Idaho Farm Bureau
federation; c. II. Swigart, man
ager OF the Yakima Fruit Growers
association; George A. Mansfield,
president OF the Oregon Farm Bu-
reau federation; F. A. Duncan,
president OF the Yakima National
bank, and Charles f. Bassett, field
manager OF the North American
Fruit exchange.
Portland, Or, July 12.-Fruit
growers OF the northwest need an
organization capable Of handling
their combined output and OF plac-
ing II to best advantage on the
world, declared representatives Of
growers associations and fruit
men from six states at the west
ern fruit marketing three-day con-
ference which opened yesterday
under the auspices of the farm
bureaus OF northwest states at the
Portland Chamber of Commerce.
Annual conferences OF siiniiar
nature viii be held each year un-
I'll suitable organization is per-
fected according to the decision
reached yesterday by the delegates
representing the fruit growing in
terests OF Oregon, Washington.
idaho, California, Montana and
Utah.
Problems Are Presented.
The founding OF an organization
to meet the needs Of the fruit men
presents number OF problems
that must be worked out before
the association can enlist the sup
port OF all the growers in the ter
ritory affected. delegates in at
tendance pointed out. The need of
such an organization is shown in
the defects OF the present market
ing system. they declared, and its
practicabIlity in the success of
such organizations as the Florida
Citrus exchange and the California
Fruit Growers exchange. The re-
naming two days OF the confer
ence will determine the course OF
action TO be pursued.
DR.. W. II. Walker, president of
the California Farm Bureau fedcr-
alton, presented an outline OF the
benefits to be obtained by mar
keting system that had control of
the fruit output OF the entire re-
gion.
Waste Elimination Sought.
II would prevent the Jumping
OF products upon the market with
consequent waste and resultant
scarcity, he declared. The united
efforts OF all the growers OF one re-
gion would be great factor IN ex-
tending the trade field and b, lid
ing up a public demand for their
products through advertising and
the establishment of a reputation
for quality, he said The interests
OF the fruit growers are identical
and they should work together as
business associates and not MS com
petitors. he added
Arthur M. Geary, Portland at.
torney, made a plea for the con
tinuance OF the effort to build up
great association OF fruit grow
ers by making the convention an
annual affair.
IT is well to have an annual
convention of fruit growers to
keep In plain view the mission OF
the movement" said Mr.. Geary.
"The mission Is to get economical
and efficient distribution OF fruit
where there is now chaos, waste
aud disorder
Local Units Criticised.
Most local cooperative associa-
tions among fruit growers, work
ing Independently. are hardly
worth their upkeep; but II they
would cooperate with each other
and have one sales manager for all
OF the cooperative associations in
the northwest and eliminate some
OF their employees. long step
would be taken forward toward
gaining efficient and economical
distribution.
The situation confronting the
farmers al present Is more serious
than at any time since the civil
war" said Professor c. /. Lewis,
assistant general manager Of the
Oregon Growers association. but
IL may result fortunately in
forcing them to solve their prob
lens"
Speakers emphasized that. al
though the present small associa-
tions have not given universal sat
isfaction and have reached a point
where their inability TO reach the
worlds markets In the most effee-
tive manner. the growers must he
convinced that a larger organiza-
tion would incorporate many of
the features OF the local assoeia-
tions. The main result 70 be
achieved Is to create confidence in
the ability OF the larger associa-
tion 90 do the work cut out for IT.
General Manager Proposed.