The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-01-26
POTATO DEALERS OF IDAHO FALLS WRITE
THEIR VIEWS OF THE MEETING HELD JAN. 9

those higher prices, and widest OF
distribution for Idaho potatoes; view
with alarm any weakening on the
part of the growers who are our Gus
toners, and with whom we have al
ways co-operated to the full extent
Of our ability. Our interests and
their interests are linked inseparably
and it is impossible for either Of US
to prosper independent of the other
for any material length of time. The
subjects of grading and inspection
are so important to US who are in
daily touch with both the consumers
and producers, that we have no hest
fancy in saying that any one who op-
poses them is either mis-informed
or is deliberately sacrificing the well
fare Of the industry for personal
reasons.
In the first place we cannot con-
ceive that there is a single grower
of potatoes in Idaho who does not
realize that what we term grading
or in other words selection, is profit
able, necessary and advisable;
whether applied to potatoes, apples,
wheat, horses, cattle, sheep or any
other product Of which he may be
a producer. We know that all prod
ucts, either of the farm or the fac
tory, are sold to the ultimate con-
sumner at prices based on their
equality of fineness. We see ex-
amples of and practice this every
day of our lives. We buy Sunkist
oranges, Sun Maid raisins, extra
fancy Yakima, Wenatchee or Payette
applies, Hood River strawberries,
Maid O. Clover butter and thousands
of other established brands Of stand
ard products and pay more for them
than we do for ordinary unbranded
products with no reputation behind
them. We have reached that stage
Of civilization where we care for and
demand quality, and that stage Of
intelligence where we realize that
quality means economy. We know
that the growers or manufacturers
who put out these established brands
have carefully graded and inspected
each box or package, and that they
will not sacrifice the reputation built
up by years of effort and advertising,
for any temporary advantage or
profit they might gain by sacrificing
their standard quality. One of the
great business men Of the United
States built up the wonderful bust
ness of the Simmons Hardware COM
pany of st. Louis and established
himself as one of the first fifty bust
ness giants Of the nation by follow
ing the axiom that 1.-THE recollection
of quality remains long after the
price is forgotten.
We were advised Monday evening
by leading speakers that we grew
potatoes in Idaho Falls long before
grading and inspection was conceived
or thought of and marketed them
without trouble, and therefore we
would still be better of without
them. Answering we might suggest
that at the same time the Idaho
farmers were receiving fifty to sew
enty-five cents per hundred for their
wheat, and twenty-five to fifty cents
for their potatoes, with very rare ex-
ceptions. In fact, all Of the older
dealers remember that 1t was only
a few years ago when prominent po-
tato growers all over the valley
freely stated that il they could be
assured of fifty cents per hundred
weight for potatoes, they would seed
their entire ranch to this crop. We
might further suggest that q few
years ago the world depended on
horses, mules, wagons and white top