The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1934-04-19
CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS
This week sees the official opening
of Kennewick's newest industry, the
Kennewick Canning Co. With it
comes the beginning of new era in
the history of this community. Striven
for since the first bountiful crops of
the district began to appear in quaint
tiles, actuality has at last been real
lied.
The cannery here is to have several
results which have been necessary to
permit this locality to arrive at the
stage where its solidarity will be UNI
questioned. In the first place, such
an institution will provide a reliable,
permanent outlet for the crops to
which this district has had to turn.
Unless farmer can be assured of an
outlet for his product, no matter what
the quality, he cannotsucceed. If that
outlet is too distant, too difficult to
deliver to or any other drawback is
attached, there can be no permanent
good.
To illustrate. This community
raises wonderful quality of tona-
toes. Last year a bountiful yield of
tomatoes made a cannery outlet al
most imperative. Many growers were
glad of the chance to deliver their
stuff to the cannery at Walla Walla.
The cost of delivery at that point,
however, was So per ton. The cannery
here, paying the same prices, could
have saved almost this entire amount,
which in many cases, would represent
the difference between a profit and
bare costs. Other crops have a sim
liar experience.
The local cannery, therefore, pro-
viding a permanent, accessible market
ing place, will attract settlers to this
district as no other feature could. Of
the several requirements for a sue
cessful agricultural district, the
sales outlet is the most important.
This the cannery provides.
Last year the outside canneries Of
fered less than two cents for cannery
grass. This figure has been doubled
this year, and without doubt it has
been due almost entirely to the fact
that the local institution was ready to
operate. Last year, too, man, many
boxes of green grass were delivered
for two-bits box, as the growers
can well remember. With the price
of the cannery stuff at the figure now
set, it equals a box price of about so
cents. No more need a farmer figure
on two-bit stuff.
The long waits for returns are also
eliminated by the entry of the local
institution into the marketing field.
No more will the farmer be required
to wait until the following spring to
get his grass money-or take chances
on a $4,000 loss, perhaps.
AS with the grass, so with the 9TH
er crops which the institution will
use.
Then, from the angle of employ
ment, the cannery will take the place,
In a large measure of the seasonal
work which this district has SO long
relied upon. Since the apple work
has become thing of the past, the
lack of the fall work on fruit row
and in the orchards has been a big
factor. Starting in the early spring,
the cannery will provide work until
late in the winter, spreading the pay
rolls over the entire summer, instead
OF for just couple of months in the
fall. The cannery will require a
large number of people from early
spring until the middle of the winter.
Thus, from every angle, the OPEN
ing of the cannery is cause for jubila-
ton to the people in this end of the
Yakima valley. The official opening
Saturday should be attended by
everyone in the district, because no
other factor will have such tremen-
dous bearing upon the continued pros
perity of the district.
The chamber of commerce. which
has for years had the problem of Sc
curing a cannery as one Of its fore
most detectives, should be congratu-
lated upon the successful termination
OF its work. The individual members
OF the chamber who have devoted so
much time and effort to the work.
should be especially commended. The
special committee, which actually did
the job, is no less entitled to large
mead of praise. - s
Mr.. Brownell, himself, is to be con-
graduated upon his entry in this dis
tr1ct. His judgment will be repaid
py a large measure of success. for
mere we do have the quality products.
tne long growing seasons, the stra-
teglc location in the matter Of trans.
portatlon and a splendid climate in
which to operate.
All in all, the opening of the can
merry is cause for congratulation all
around. y :
KENNEWICK'S CANNERY- 4