Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-11-21
THE FRUIT QUESTION.

The comments made by Eastern fruit
dealers on the formation of the California
Fruit Union, as recited in yesterdays dis
patches, are all encouraging to the fruit
growers of California. The testimony of
these men is, that California fruit has
never been properly marketed at the far
East. Such as has reached New York, for
instance, has been subject to a DELAY at
Chicago, growing out of the practical mo-
nopely a single firm enjoyed by reason of
the vastness of its operations and which
enabled it to dictate terms, not only to
sellers in California, but to purchasers at
the East Of course, it was to the interest
of such middlemen to make their profits
on minimum amount of fruit shipped,
rather than on large expectations from
this State. With the millions of people at
the East who wish our fruit, it is astound-
ing to reflect that they have been so long
ut the beck and call of handful of mid
diemen, and permitted to enjoy the Cali
fOrnia products only as luxuries No one
- expects middlemen to be driven out of the
fruit traffic The situation is now such
that they will naturally increase in num-
her, and they can operate harmoniously
with the producers of California, if they
wish. The more there are of active dis
tributing agents at the East, the more
fruit We will dispose of up to a point
limited by the capacity of the East to con-
sumo, and our ability to supply shipping
fruit What the Californians want is for
their fruits to go upon a general market,
and at such rate that they shall not be
luxuries. Up to this time the major por-
ton of our fruit has gone by slow freight
and to the most Western market, because,
by that method We secured the lower
rate of transportation, and assumed the
least risk of depreciation en- route. Now
all is changed. We are to have low rates
and speedy tran sportation. There re-
mains, therefore, no possible excuse for
making the maximum Of profit on the
minimum of shipment. What we want
State to flow from general introduction of
our products at the East, thus encouraging
their profitable culture, and as a result
stimulating the settling of our lands, the
increase of homes and the general prosper
ity of all the people. The middle men
can aid the fruit-growers in this purpose,
and at the same time make handsome
commissions upon our trade. But if they
attempt to cripple the traffic and to
monopolize it in few hands, they, and
the Fruit Union and fruit-growers,
will instantly be placed at swords points.
There is a demand for our fruits that can
no longer be concealed, but which has been
disguised from us in the past. Even in
semi-tropic New Orleans our fruits have
had considerable market, since they are
earlier than the home products. With
the obstacles to speedy transportation re-
moved. instead Of New Orleans taking
twenty-seven cars of fruit of us, as she did
last year, she will now take hundred and
twenty-seven. Instead of mere score of
loads going to New York, ten and twenty
score will be landed there, and in good
condition, without stoppage or manipu-
lation in Chicago. In the way of these
possibilities nothing must intervene. If
the middle men attempt to bar the road
they will be cast down and the cars will
roll over them. But they are not fools, or
shortsighted. They viii no longer at
tempt the maximum of profit on the min
imum of shipment, but will join hands
with MS and do their utmost 10 make