This announces the completion of a three years' fight for the standardization of a fruit and vegetable barrel and a special cranberry barrel. The text of the law is printed in full in this issue. It establishes a standard barrel for fruits and vegetables of the same dimensions as the apple barrel provided by the Sulzer Bill with a provision for the use of a one-third, one-half and three-quarter barrel. It also establishes a special cranberry barrel of the same dimensions as now generally used by the cranberry industry and the trade. THIS LAW WILL GO INTO EFFECT JULY 1ST, 1916.

The law is MANDATORY. There are no exceptions and there can be no equivocations. It establishes a standard barrel for fruits and vegetables for every state and territory in the United States. In other words it is both INTERSTATE and INTRASTATE. The barrel will now be the same and mean the same thing in every part of this country. The usual grist of attempted short barrel legislation will not now be possible.

A large number of important organizations were interested in and supported this measure, notably the National League of Commission Merchants, the Cranberry Association of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Wisconsin, the Eastern Fruit Growers' Association, The Eastern Shore Potato Growers of Virginia, the Western Fruit Jobbers' Association, the International Apple Shippers' Association, many horticultural societies and commercial bodies. The original bill providing for a standard barrel for fruits and vegetables was fathered by the National League and at their request in January, 1912, was introduced in the House by Hon. William E. Tuttle, Jr., of New Jersey. After extensive conferences and hearings, the measure was subsequently broadened and changed by providing a special barrel for cranberries, making provision for the use of the one-third, one-half and three-quarters barrel, and re-introduced by Mr. Tuttle as House Bill No. 4899.

In the Senate the measure was introduced by Senator Weeks of Massachusetts and was reported favorably by the Committee of which Senator Clapp was Chairman. We feel that the entire trade and the industries involved owe a special vote of thanks to these gentlemen for their interest and the splendid service they have rendered. Let no one imagine that it has been an easy thing. Senator Clapp and Congressman Tuttle are known of old. They have been the warm supporters of standardization for years and were the men who stood by the National Apple Grading Bill through thick and thin.

It is a pleasure to bear this testimony to these gentlemen. We need more such men throughout our entire public life, men who can be relied upon at all times to fight for their real convictions and whose fidelity, common sense and earnestness are beyond question.

The results achieved are indeed encouraging, draw closer the "ties that bind," give strength for other battles and again emphasize the value of a close co-operation and mutual support. We specially extend hearty congratulations to the League.

T

French.

Western Fruit Jobbers' Convention

W. H. Grupe, President

HE Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Western Fruit Jobbers' Association of America, held at Los Angeles, February 11th to 19th, was a great success. We know because, first, it would be impossible for a California Convention to be anything else, and, second, because we have the direct testimony of Edgar Hearty and Bob

California is the land of royal entertainment, splendid hospitality and the energy to "bring things to pass." From the time the visitors crossed the state line-through Redlands, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, Sacramento and San Francisco-the glad hand of friendship and welcome was everywhere extended.

The business meetings were well attended, the discussions from the floor proving of special value. Among the speakers were G. Harold Powell, General Manager of the California Fruit Growers Exchange, and William Sproule, President of the Southern Pacific Railway. We hope that Mr. Powell's address will be available for distribution among our members.

Among the speakers at the banquet, which, by the way, was the largest formal banquet ever given in California, was Former

Vice-President Charles W. Fairbanks. Mr. Powell acted as Toastmaster.

At the close of the business sessions at Los Angeles the Meeting adjourned to meet in San Francisco for the election of officers and the dedication of one of the Panama Exposition Buildings. Brother Spiegl writes us that some of the boys had such a good time they failed to get back for breakfast, but that Wagner, Hearty and French were very dignified and behaved themselves most becomingly. Glad to hear it. We confess that we had very serious fears.

As a testimonial to the well known efficiency of the retiring President, Mr. Wagner, and as evidence of the warm friendship in which he is held, a chest of silver was presented to him at the close of the San Francisco meeting. There were several other presentations en route and Brother Frank is fearful that W. L. may become "too chesty" for him to handle. (This is a rotten pun and we beg your pardon.) It was, however, a mighty nice thing to do. Pass the evidences of appreciation along in this life. Let the brotherhood of man stand for something in the present world.

The result of the election at San Francisco was as follows: President, W. H. Grupe, Burlington, Ia.; First Vice-President, T. D. Turner, Oklahoma City; Second Vice-President, A. M. Klein, Los Angeles; Third Vice-President, C. A. Kerr, Chicago; Directors-W. L. Wagner, Chicago; Charles B. Bills, Sacramento; C. G. Trimble, Omaha; H. M. Weil, Shreveport; H. J. Sellmeyer, St. Louis; Treasurer, W. M. Roylance, Provo; Secretary, W. D. Tidwell, Denver.

We congratulate these gentlemen on the honors they have received and doubly congratulate the Association on its splendid staff of officials. They are all old and tried friends. Most of them are loyal members of the International Apple Shippers' Association, men one can tie to and whose support can always be counted upon. We pledge them our warm friendship, our hearty co-operation and support, and extend every good wish for success and prosperity.

CAUSE OF HIS PESSIMISM.

Orator On the surface things are often right, but it is when we explore the depths of things that we see the deceptions of our fellow creatures.

One of the Crowd-Guv'nor, you've been buying a barrel of apples, haven't you?-London Tit Bits.

During the Christmas dinner a young Frenchman was seated next to a fine-looking young woman who was wearing a gown which displayed her beautiful arms. "I came near not being here tonight,' said she. "I was vaccinated a few days ago, and it gives me considerable annoyance."

The young foreigner gazed at the white arms of the speaker. "Is that so," he replied. "Where were you vaccinated?"

The girl smiled demurely and said: "In Boston."-Chicago Journal.