The Fight Against 'Canned Water'
Everett labor organizers inspect local grocers to expose deceptive packaging and short-weighting in the canned fruit industry.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Everett Trades Council was called to order Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock, President J. Stambaugh presiding. The committee appointed to visit the Pacific Grocery Co. made an interesting report to the council. A demonstration was given them of the methods used by different fruit canning concerns. Cans of various fruits were opened and shown in some cases to be only a little over half full and in other cases to be half water. In contrast to these goods, the committee were shown brands known as 'The Quality' and 'Solid Pack Ever Best.' The latter brands were without exception solidly packed and the fruits were in the best possible condition. With the prevailing high prices of all foodstuffs, it is needful that all purchasers should get both quality and quantity for their money, and the council believes that the working people should know what they are buying. The Committee was retained by the council and will be known as the 'Provision Committee,' and will in the future endeavor to ascertain where honest goods can be obtained and report to the council.
“Cans of various fruits were opened and shown in some cases to be only a little over half full and in other cases to be half water.”
This early 20th-century 'Consumer Reports' style investigation by organized labor reflects the perennial struggle against corporate shrinkflation. It serves as a reminder that community-led oversight of the food supply chain was a vital component of the labor movement's push for a fair cost of living.
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