Imperial Valley press., 1923-10-23
ToMoRRoW,s AN IMPORTANT DAY

An event of unusual Importance will take place
here tomorrow afternoon when approximately 100 Ell
Centre business firms will close their establishments
for one hour to permit propretors and employees alike
to attend the mass meeting at the Palace theater
This meeting is called by the Farm Bureau to ac
quaint every man and woman with the farreaching eff
fects of the lettuce hearing be held before the Inter
state Commerce Commission in Los Angeles on Novem-
Der g.
The fact that engaged in commercial pur-
suits willing to shut up shop" long enough to
learn the details of this proposition in itself proof
of the Importance of the event and shows concusvey
the harmony and cooperation that has finally been
brought about between the farmer and the business
man.
1t is at last perceived that the Imperial Valley
farmers problem is the problem of the entire
ity, trusm the Press has reiterated time and time
again.
There is much detailed data connected with the
lettuce mems effort to have justice rendered, but
shorn of its technical verbiage the entire matter is
simple for even the layman to comprehend.
It means that the lettuce shippers are endeavoring
to have annulled movement by the railroads to COM
pei them to use the refrigeration system every
OF lettuce that leaves the valley whether is needed
not.
During cantaloupe season with valley thermo-
meters soaring above 100 degrees and the other parts
of the country sweltering in summer heat refrgera
tion service is absolutely necessary.
In winter, when lettuce is being shipped, the
weather here is cool and snappy while the thermo-
meter at eastern points is at the lowest ebb of the
year.
The contention of the lettuce shippers is that it is
absolutely absurd and unfair to be compelled pay
$50 for refrgeratng each of lettuce shipped from
a
SIS to $50 per initial icing at cost per car of
approximately $53.75 would suffice and actually get
the lettuce to Its destination in better condition than
If the bunker system of icing We're used
The three different methods of icing are explained
in detail elsewhere in the columns of this issue
This matter, in which many Los Angeles
" growers and shippers are interested WELL
first brought up in that city in May 1928 and through
the efforts of jealous workers suspension in enforce
ment Of the tariff given until final disposition of
the is made
That compulsory fee of 500 per will make
terrific nroads upon the revenue derived by lettuce
growers goes without saying. The situation is
lous that profits not only menaced but the very
life of the industry itself.
The time has for the people of the valley to
act IN unison to of her prime industries. If
the railroads successful in forcing through this
S9O-a-car icing fee, it will mean, computed last
years record of 7730 that the lettuce industry
must pay S54l31O alone for standard refrigeration
service.
This figure is startling enough when considered
alone but when one stops to figure that it represents
almost seventh of the So 922 derived from let
tuce last year. the situation becomes decidedly alarm
ing.
Here is another crisis, citizens of this reclaimed
realm, that demands concerted and unanimous action
This is not the first time Imperial Valley interests
have been in jeopardy. Her entire history, from the
time the dreamed his first dream of this desert
garden spot, has been succession of problems that
have tested the hearts and minds of the staunch pio
neers who have brought this valley to its present state
of fruition
It does not dsnay us-neither does it discourage
US to nave one more snar to untangebut it does
that we must all put shoulder to the wheel for the
common good and ultimate welfare of the valley.
Manager c. C. Jenkins of the Farm Bureau and
other interested growers and shippers who have work
ed early and late and with unsefish devotion to the
cause need the support of all loyal citizens of this
section and it is hoped that every man and woman who
possibly do will be at the Palace theater to-
morrow afternoon at one o'clock to add his and her
support and Influence in this fight for justice