Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-28
THE FRUIT.GROWERs, UNION.
An Important Change Necessary to Pro
tect the Interests of ruit-Growers,

An Important Change Necessary to Pro-
tect the Interests of Fruit-Growers.
EDS. REcoRD-UNIoN With your permis-
sion should like to occupy small space
in the columns of your valuable paper to
present few ideas, if for no other purpose
than to have them considered by parties
interested in the subject discussed.
The fruit interest of California is fast
growing in importance, and there is but
one thing lacking to make ii the paramount
interest in the State, and that is to secure
lower rates of transportation, to a degree
that we may be able to place cur fruits
upon the Eastern markets at such prices as
will place them within the reach of the So
100000 of people there. The question
has been for some time, and is HOW
more than ever, agitating the minds
OF not only the fruit growers, but
also many others who never raised
pound OF frnit for shipment. nor ever ex-
pect to- but who feel deep interest in the
matter, and recognize the fact that, with
the proper fostering and building up of the
trult-producing resources of our State, all
other interests will be greatly promoted.
With this purpose in view, some of the
growers came together and formulated a
plan by which they believe, and claim,
that this vexed and all-important question
can be solved
They met in San Francisco and organ
lied corporation under the name of the
California Fruit Union" the bylaws of
which are not entirely satisfactory to most
growers. Section 10 of the bylaws is as
follows: Stockholders of. the Union shall
be allowed the option of selling their fruit
to the Union, at mutually agreed price,
duly loaded on the cars at point OF ship
lnent, should they prefer such disposition,
instead OF shipping through the Union,
to consumption markets for sale and tax
ing actual avail of such sales. Stockhold-
ers may in any shipments they may make
in entire carload lots, through the Union,
name the destination of the fruit. provided
that the Union may also exercise advisory
supervision over such shipments to protect
such shippers so far as possible against
duplicate shipments to the same destfna.
ton, and loss TO shippers
Many of the growers feel that through
these ingenuously- constructed bylaws, de-
signed to control the fruit interests of this
State too much arbitrary power is vested
in one mantle manager.
They claim that under protested desire
to guard against duplicate shipments to
the same destination, and loss to shippers, :"
the manager through the supervisory )"
power in HIM vested, can deny the right
and prevent any grower from shipping car
load lots East, with the privilege to consign
them to whom he pleases there. If these
conclusions are correct, and they seem to
be, then the following questions quite
naturally present themselves for careful
consideration to all interested parties
First-lf it be true as claimed, that the
corporation can by chartering trains of
fifteen cars or more thereby secure a re-
duction of fifty per cent in transportation
will it not drive all other BUYERS out of
the market?
Second-Will it be better for all to have
but one buyer in the market?
Third-On the other hand, will a reduc-
ton of fifty per cent in freight rates, with
equal rights and privileges guaranteed to
all who desire to ship, put more buyers in
Fourth-Will not more buyers cause
competition?
Fifth-Will not competition between a
largely increased number of buyers secure
to the grower more favorable prices for his
products?
SiXth-Will not better prices result ben
eficially to the growers and the interests of
the State?
Seventh-Is it wise to grant special
privileges to the few, which cannot be en-
joyed by the. many?
The above are few of the many i'm
portant questions which naturally arise in
the minds of parties interested
To make the Fruit Union a success. the
bylaws should be amended, particularly
the tenth section, so as to guarantee pro-
lection to the rights of all. Especially is it
necessary to put it beyond the power of the
manager, and even the Union itself, to pre-
vent member from shipping and con-
signing carload lots to whoever he pieases.
Ii " advisory supervision of the manager
means anything, it means advisory control.
ana II he can control, or, in other words.
prerem such shipment, then this clause is
mere subterfGge. and intended to delude
the members. The only safe way is to
strike those Words out.
There is yet time to do this. Section Il.
regarding the manner in which the by
laws can be amended, SAYS: These by-
laws may be amended without notice. bv n
majority of the subscribed stock. unon
which at least % per cent. of the par value
shall have been paid in, at the first annual
meeting of stockholders. Thereafter thew
may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of
such subscribed stock"
There Will be meeting of fruit-growers
IN tins city on Monday, January 4tb. and
1t should be attended by every fruit-grower
IN the county, who should give careful
consideration to questions affecting their
interests tS X. d. STEPHENS.
Sacramento, December 26. 1885.