Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-01-24
CALIFORNIA FRUIT.
Prospect of Rapid and Cheap Transpor-
tation to Eastern Markets.

San Francisco Bulletin January I'D
9 For some time past much dissatisfaction
has existed on the part of fruit-growers OF
the State with the rates charged on green
fruit shipped to Eastern markets The
extra hazardous character of The shipments
has made the enterprise OF shipping fruits
very precarious. If a carload reached Chi
cago. Denver or other Eastern markets on
schedule time, and the fruits found ready
disposal, the transaction has not failed To
be profitable to the shipper but at the high
rate per car, at any considerable percentage
of loss, this highly perishable shipment not
only eliminated all profit from the transac-
ton, but usually scored a loss TO the enter
prising shipper. The difficulty has been
that the bushes had not sufficient magni-
tyde to demand a regular fruit train service
departing each day during the various
fruitiug seasons. 1t has been believed by
fruit-growers that a reduction of the rate
would very greatly increase the volume of
shipments, and the Fruit-GrOwers' AsSocia-
ton of California, recently in session in
this city, passed resolutions asking for such
reduction The request of the Association
having been brought to the attention of
Governor Stanford, he gave the matter
thorough consideration and with what re-
suit the following copy OF u telegram from
him to General Manager Towne will show ::
CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD CoMPANY.)
PRESIDENTS OFFICE,
SAN FRANCISCO January 81 1885
4. y. T01rae General Manager {. p r. R..
Rooms TrdBscORtiIteHtCu ASSOciQti0n Palace Hotel .
Ny attention has been called to the expressed
wishes of the Fruit-growers Association of this
State. asking a material reduction on green
fruit hence to the Eastern markets. II Is my
wish that you take the matter up with the mem
bers OF the Transeontinta Association, now in
conference, and obtain their consent to make as
low a rate as may be necessary to foster and
develop this great interest If not Immediately,
very soon low rate will, | think, give ii daily
f: nit train, when we can do well at rates that
will be in harmony with frut-growers interests.
LELAND STANFORD.
1t will be seen that Governor Stanford
asks the consent of the Transcontinental
Association to make a rate so low that it
will foster and develop the fruit-growing
interests of the State, and lie predicts that
if not Immediately, at a very early day, q
low rate will give a daily fruit train, at
which time he thinks the company can do
well at rates which will be in harmony
with the fruit-grOwing interests From
this it is plain that in the opinion of Gov
ernor Stanford the new rate will not yield
Immediately profitable returns, and that,
therefore, his request is for rate that,
though improbable III the present, will
develop trade which he hopes will be
profitable at an early future time. The i'm
portanCe of this new movement can
scarcely be overestimated Rates which
will Justify low retail price in the great
cities of the East for California fruits will
at once make market for all the fruits we
can produce. Heretofore the extra hazard
Gus character of the enterprise-losses arts
ing out of the perishable character OF the
commodity added to the comparative high
rates OF transportation-haS made it ncceS-
sarv to work off a successful shipment
at rates covering all losses incidental
to this class of commerce. This made
the retail price of California fruits in
Eastern cities measurably beyond the
reach of the common people, and con-
fined their consumption to the few
who are able TO indulge in the lux
rries of the season. a low rate with
steady supply to the Eastern markets, with
regular fruit trains running on passenger
schedule time, will enable the shipper to
sell his shipment 10 fruit-standS at rates
but little, if any. in advance OF those
charged in San Francisco or Sacramento.
This will At once create a vast demand,
particularly for grapes, plums, apricots and
pears There are to-day 35,000000 of peo-
pie residing in climates where these fruits
cannot be successfully grown; and if they
can be placed within their reach at prices
which will justify their consumption as a
food supply, instead of holding them Up at
prices which make them luxuries and
dainties, the fruit-growers of California
Will have steady, reliable market for all
fruit they may raise The whole situation
is very encouraging and very promising,
and if the significant views SO plainly set
forth in Governor Stanford's dispatch TO
General Manager Towne are carried into
effect, the fruit-growing interests of Cali
fornia are on the eve of steady, perma-
nent prosperity not hitherto known.
The Trans-continental Association ap-
pointed a committee, consisting of the
Commissioner and MessrS. Ristine and
Stubs. to consider this matter and make
such rates rs will enable Mr.. Stanford to
accomplish this desired end.