Call for IC C to Deny Class Rate Increase on Produce
March 18 report from Washington states oral argument before the Interstate Commerce Commission on classification rates for fruits and vegetables. Harry B. Elkins spoke for the Joint Council representing major fruit associations, urging denial of proposed class rate hikes and noting prior Commission actions favored lower rates during 1923 to 1929. The piece asserts carriers seek higher costs while producers face depressed market conditions, and hints at continued coverage on page 22.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D.C
Interstate Commerce Commission
Harry 8. Elkins
Dow & Lohnes
Joint Council
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
National League of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable
International Apple Association
Repeal of Pease Act Advances in New York
Advices from the State Department of Agriculture report the bill to repeal the Pease act passed the State Assembly after Senate approval on the 10th and awaits the governor's signature. The act required labeling of fruit and vegetable shipments to conform to U S grades, stirring protests from out of state shippers and some local receivers and distributors. The repeal broad support from state farm groups and suggests markets will lose the act’s restrictions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
State Department
Agriculture
State Assembly
Senate
Lehman
U. S
New York State
Several Texas Shippers Still Push Court Action
Harlingen Texas March 18 Court action continues as citrus shippers charged by the Growers Industry Committee with exceeding grape fruit quotas seek a ruling from the Fifth District Court of Appeals in New Orleans. With the shipping season closing a timely decision may not be possible but a ruling in favor could affect handling of the 1938 39 grapefruit crop.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harlingen
Tex
Growers Industry Committee
Fifth District Court of Appeals
New Orleans
The Produce Packer advertising sample notice
The Produce Packer announces a separate weekly edition containing market and trade news for shippers and distributors of sea, poultry, butter, hides, wool, fur, and related commodities. Free sample copies available upon request by mail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Packer
Produce Packer
Highlights of this week in U S agriculture and trade
A rough digest notes multiple items: potato groups in conference on regulations, Louisiana berry deals running smoothly, and rate disputes over class rates. Imperial Valley melon delays, North Dakota potato tensions, and Pease Act repeal in New York. Fred H. Wahising marks 30 years in business amid weather delays on Hastings Bunnell potato deal. Shippers expect lighter Arizona lettuce supply. Texas court actions proceeding. Florida citrus and two bushel box rulings. March 28 rate changes. Delta asparagus under way. Arizona-California lettuce hearings. Yakima apple growers resist commodity status. South Carolina truck law revision appeal. potato growers protest inclusion in Canadian pact. Sunkist ad milestone. Imperial pea vines producing. Radford onion growth up. Chadbourn berries outlook promising. Michigan seeks onion cull control. Plant City berry year end. Carolinas and Florida truck laws reached accord. Early tomato acreage up. Florida crops need rain. Cuban bananas due by April 1 amid storm delays. Broad interest in slogan contest. United Fruit Co. director Robert E Wood. New York liberty fund. Mobile cabbage expansion. New Jersey apple purchases. National orange sales plan progressing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arizona
Texas
Florida
Still the Best Country
Editorial praises U S resilience amid European chaos and domestic strife. It notes high national debt and taxes but argues citizens will steer policy to recovery. Emphasizes continued food production and distribution as essential, with a buoyant outlook for the food industry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Europe
United States
Valley Forge
Sam
Florida Citrus Commission Bans Two Bushel Citrus Box
Florida Citrus Commission designates the one and three fifths bushel crate as the sole standard for Florida citrus fruit. The two bushel shipping box is ruled out due to unsatisfactory performance. Lakeland, March 18, the ruling ends years of partial trade use and reaffirms the long-standing crate standard.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Florida Citrus Commission
Lakeland
Fla
Florida
North Dakota Potato Growers Demand Seed Dept Shakeup
Northeastern North Dakota potato growers urged Governor William Langer to dismiss E M Gillig and J W Weston after a 600-strong gathering in Grafton voted 407 to 15 for immediate seed department reorganization. Weston had just resigned from an experimental Florida seed station. Langer promised an early Bismarck hearing to allow growers to present their case.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Grafton
N. D
North Dakota
Seed Department
William Langer
E. M. Gillig
J. W. Weston
Thompson-Reynolds
Grand Forks
Weston
Florida
Gillig
Peder J. Flaten
Hoople
North Dakota Potato Growers Association
Langer
Bismarck
Fred H. Vahlsing a Big Operator in Vegetable Trade
New York March 18 Fred H. Vahlsing the largest individual grower of vegetables in the Rio Grande valley of Texas and a nationally known figure in the distribution of his Bonita and Limestone brands reached the 30th anniversary of his career as a grower and distributor. From a small beginning on Long Island he expanded to serve New England Texas and California. In 1926 he moved westward forming a subsidiary at Elsa Texas. Continued on Page 22.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Fred H. Vahlsing
Rio Grande Valley
Texas
New England
California
Vahlsing
Elsa
Tex
Rate Advances Set March 28 Across Freight Rates
Washington March 18 The Interstate Commerce Commission ordered a 15 percent advance in freight rates with five days notice. Public tariffs to be made by March 23. General increases 10 percent including accessorial charges, except heat cold protection. Specifics exclude bituminous coal lignite coke iron ore while anthracite coal rises 10 cents per ton.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Interstate Commerce Commission
Hastings Bunnell Irish Potato Deal Delayed
In Hastings Florida the north Florida Irish potato deal has been delayed by weeks due to cold weather and heavy frosts in late January and early February. Shipments are not expected to start until late March and substantial volumes after April 1. Frost damage varies by field with some plots unaffected and others showing significant injury.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hastings
Fla
North Florida
Bemis Bro. Bag Company Leader Judson Bemis Dies
Judson S. Bemis 71 longtime Bemis Bro. Bag Co chairman died at home after a weeklong illness from a heart attack in St. Louis. He served 63 years with the firm, led as secretary treasurer vice president president and chairman. Survived by three daughters and a sister. funeral Saturday at St. Michael and St. George Church at 11 a.m.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis
Judson
Bemis
Bemis Bro. Bag Company
James M. Bemis
Stephen A. Bemis
Truck Rates to Advance With Railroads This Week
Interstate Commerce Commission authorized truck carriers to file a master tariff to implement rate increases aligned with railroad hikes. The truck industry may raise fares with ten days notice, as railroads plan March 28 effective increases.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington, D. C
Interstate Commerce Commission
Imperial Valley cantaloupe deal delayed by maturity dates
California Crop Reporting Service warns shipments may start later in 1938 as brushed acreage yields spark delays. Early crates appear in markets with New York seeing some movement while growth on a premature set raises concerns. Paper covered acreage should begin between April 25 and May 1 as growers destroy undersized fruit amid warm then cool weather.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
el Centro
Calif
Imperial Valley
California
Northwest Roads Would Elevate Apple Freight Weights
Wenatchee March 18 The railroads seek to add a new billing weight to box freight for apples and pears. Current standard carload weights 756 boxes of apples at 37 422 pounds and pears at 60 pounds per box. Proposed 39 690 pounds per car would raise freight by 22 68 dollars about 3c per box. If net weight minimums apply each box would incur 6c more. Further details continued on page 22.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wenatchee
Wash
P Transcontinental Freight Bureau
Delta Asparagus Deal Gets Under Way Slowly
Delta asparagus shipments begin slowly as cool wet weather hampers growth and cultivation. Only eight express cars shipped since March 3 pool car, with forecasts of light shipments through month absent improved soil and warmer, drier conditions. Sacramento data shows weekend rain and cooler nights, contrasted with last year’s March 17 total of 74 cars shipped.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sacramento
Delta
Louisiana strawberry deal runs smoothly in Hammond festival week
Hammond La March 18 The Louisiana strawberry deal progresses smoothly with strong shipments and fine quality. About 350 cars moved through Thursday night at an average price around 2.10 per 24 pint crate. Shipments to March 19 expected near 600 cars with light landings the week ending March 26. Only U S 1 fruit can be shipped and no truck movement is allowed out of the area.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hammond
Hearings on Lettuce Rates Between Arizona and California
Interstate Commerce Commission examiner J Edgar Smith closed a four day Phoenix hearing in which 12 western railroads and California shippers urged restoring Phoenix lettuce freight gates to parity with California points and opposed extending lower rates to other vegetables and cantaloupes. Over 30 witnesses testified after Los Angeles sessions. no decision expected before fall. Local shippers argued production periods define prices and that lower Phoenix rates only occur when California district crops peak. California growers claimed the Phoenix 10 percent lettuce differential and cantaloupe push are discriminatory against California produce in eastern markets.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Phoenix
Ariz
J. Edgar Smith
Interstate Commerce Commission
Western
California
Los Aneles
Imperial Valley
Salinas
Texas Citrus Deal Nears Final Closure in Texas
Texas citrus growers face a rapid end to the 1937-28 deal with USDA deadlines set for April 4 to 16 depending on Morelos fly conditions. Fly control has limited impact on ripening fruit, with shipments potentially hazardous after mid April. Co operatives and contract shippers hold most fruit and expect orderly market exit with profits, while independent shippers have started closing packing sheds due to open fruit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Halingen
Tex
Texas
United States Department of Agriculture
Growers Industry Committee
Potatoes See Conference on U S Regulations Referendum Favored
Delegates from 35 states attended a Washington conference on potato control and marketing programs for 1938. Growers dealers and extension officials discussed future plans with I J Wilcox steering sessions in the Agriculture Department. Hugh B Tabb noted most participants preferred continuation of the present agreement and outlined concerns about early harvest yields and seasonal marketing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago
Washington, D. C
I. J. Wilcox
Division of
Department of Agriculture South
Hugh B. Tabb
Tabb
Potato Service
Washington
AAA
Shippers Expect Lighter Arizona Lettuce Supply
Phoenix reports a restricted lettuce harvest forecast for two weeks due to weather and mildew. Estimated Phoenix district carloads total 540 to 659 from Saturday to Saturday, with under 100 cars from Yuma after today and Salinas already facing rains delaying readiness to April 1. Prices have held near 2 to 2.50 per crate. tonnage and quality notes show 53 percent U S No 1 and 33 percent better. The season has seen 2,217 cars shipped in Phoenix to date, versus 199 last year, amid crop destruction and reduced acreage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Phoenix
Ariz
Salt River Valley
Yuma
Salinas
U. S
Yakima Apple Men Oppose Apple as Basic Commodity
The Yakima Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to Senator Homer T. Bone protesting proposals to designate apples as a basic commodity under the Agricultural Adjustment Act. Grower groups and Yakima valley farmers express opposition, citing past dissatisfaction with such status. Granges urged the move while the Traffic and Credit Association recently opposed it.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Yakima, Wash
Yakima Chamber of Commerce
Homer T. Bone
Yakima Valley
Yakima County
Resolutiona
Also Mentioned on This Page
C.C
Elkins
Commission
New
Louisiana
Fred H. Wahising
South Carolina
Sunkist
Radford
Chadbourn
Michigan
Plant City
Carolinag
Robert E. Wood
United Fruit Co
New-York
Berty’ Fund
Bait
Mobile County Cabbage
Arly Berry
Walla Walla
I Stabilization
Fornia
Indu
Momimmoner
Hastings-Bunnell
Judson S. Bemis
Delta Asparagus
Arizona- California
U.S
Hugh Tabb
Yakima
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