Hop Growers Pledge Their 'Word and Honor' to Pay Pickers Less

PUYALLUP, Aug. 11. — [Special.] — The hop meeting was held today to discuss the question of prices to be paid for picking. An organization was effected, with J. V. Meeker as chairman and B. F. Gloyd as secretary. The following letter from Ezra Meeker was read:

"I signed the call for this meeting in deference to the expressed wish of others, contrary to my own judgment. The rule that it takes two to make a bargain holds good in this case, and any action taken with a view to establishing prices for picking ought to include those seeking employment as well as employers. In my opinion the law of supply and demand will govern in spite of any resolutions of this meeting as to the price of hop picking, as well as all other commercial productions. It would not be policy at this time to try to definitely fix what should or should not be paid. There is time yet to entirely change the condition of the market and send hops up to a paying price, and then, no matter what the resolution, we ought to and would pay a more liberal price than we might or could if the market continues depressed as now.

"From the present outlook I think we ought not to pay more than from 65 to 75 cents per box. We have encouraged those who have applied to us for work to expect that the price of hops would hold near the 15 cent line here, and I would yet favor that, just as if we could get but 15 cents; but if the market drops to zero, as some anticipate, and it becomes a question as to whether it is better to pick or not, then we will need to be free to make a bargain for the picking which would be available. I can see how, if we actually cannot afford to pay more than 65 cents per box, and can afford that, that it could be better for pickers and growers and the state at large to pay that rate rather than leave the hops on the poles. We hope there will not be such a contingency, but nevertheless do not want to tie ourselves up rigidly to a price we cannot afford to pay. There is this to be said on the question, that at 65 cents per box pickers' earnings will buy as much these times as $1 per box would a year or two years ago, and that at these prices the decline in wages is no more than in other farm labor. Undoubtedly there ought to be some latitude allowed for different conditions in yards, with heavy foliage or with a light yield, involving frequent changes of poles, or with immature hops; growers will doubtless need to pay more than in yards with heavy yields, light foliage and thoroughly ripened hops."

The following resolutions were adopted unanimously:

"WHEREAS, Owing to the financial stringency, decrease in the consumption of hops, overproduction of hops, and other factors of like import, the prospects for prices covering the growing crop of hops are not encouraging; and

"WHEREAS, The attending conditions and circumstances point to prices little in advance of the absolute cost of production;

"WHEREAS, By virtue of the facts set forth the price of picking the growing crop of hops should be regulated in accordance therewith, and a reduction therein be made; therefore be it

"Resolved, That we, the undersigned, representative hop growers of the hop growing counties of King, Pierce, Lewis, Thurston, Whatcom, Cowlitz, Chehalis, Snohomish and Skagit, do, in sense assembled, mutually agree upon a stipulated price for picking the growing crop of hops; and

"Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that under present prospects for the hop market from 65 to 75 cents per box, according to conditions, would be an equitable price for picking hops, but should prospects improve we hold ourselves in readiness to advance the price of picking.

"For the undivided support and maintenance of this declaration and agreement we mutually pledge to each other our word and honor, and herewith place our hands and seals."

[Here follow the signatures of several dozen growers from Puyallup, Sumner, Orting, Alderton, Lake Tapps, Auburn, Kent, Buckley, Tacoma, Whatcom county and elsewhere.]