Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-23

The announcement that the Interstate Commerce
Commission has sent a preventative to the Lower
Rio Grande Valley for the purpose OF making weight
tests of vegetable packages upon which to establish the
basis of shipping weights will be received with con-
siderable interest by growers and shippers.
While these tests will be Of primary Importance
to the railroads, it is very probable they will be the
basis upon which the "bulged pack" can eventually be
eliminated. The Interstate Commerce Commission is
not interested in the "bulged pack; it is interested,
however, upon securing a square deal" by the car
riers, and if . square deal" for the growers is Sc
cured as a by-product of the investigation the Valley
will be so much the gamer.
A vigorous campaign against the "bulged pack"
has been waged by the Valley Vegetable Growers Ex-
change and a number Of Valley shippers, and the direc-
tors Of the new Valley cooperative, the Producers Co.
operative association. indicated at q recent meeting
the weight Of their influence would be extended IN
suppression of the practice. Carrots and beets are
the principal vegetables concerned, and growers and
carriers assert that the pack, instead of containing the
so pounds fixed IS e basis for rates, often contains
from rs to IS pounds. Some Of this weight, Of course,
Is moisture and dirt for which : deductions must be
made. but the growers and carriers contend that the
major part of it is vegetables for which no one ex-
cept the wholesalers in the northern markets receive
returns. 4,
The Interstate Commerce Commission has no au-
thority to fix a standard pack, but it has the authority
to fix classifications. Officers Of the Vegetable
Growers Exchange and others interested in the estab-
lishment Of standard packs have repeatedly called at
tention to the fact that the "bulged pack" is response
bic for many of the claims against the carriers; that
such packs often arrive at destination in poor condl-
ton, and that the Interstate Commerce Commission
would be fully justified in placing them under q sep
arate and higher classification. This would assure the
carriers a rate based upon the actual weight and the
higher rate would practically eliminate the practice.
In the course of the survey now under way by the
Interstate Commerce Commission photographs OF
'bulged packs" in the packing sheds and the manner
in which they are packed into the car will be made,
and will be used as a basis upon which an effort will
be made to have such packs placed under a separate
classification. A precedent for such action on the
part of the Interstate Commerce Commission has been
established in the peach and several other fruit in
dustries and has resulted in Standardization, better
markets and greater profits for growers. shippers and
carriers.
The Valley Vegetable Growers Exchange has per-
fected an excellent organization in many parts OF the
Valley, and the cooperative movement started last
week is expected to result in organization Of a large
number Of growers as well as the established ship
pers. While these cooperatives will, to some extent,
be competitive, there are many points upon which
there should be perfect cooperation between them.
Elimination of the "buIged pack" and the establish
ment of standard packs should have the full support
Of cooperatives and shippers. and they should main
tain close contact with the work the Interstate
Commerce Commission has inaugurated in the Valley.