The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-09
STATE VlTICULTURE.
Semi.Annual Meeting of the Com.
mission.
Interests Ct the Wine Trade Discussed 1.-THE
sweet Wine Bill Under Fx. alton.
Official Changes.

The regular semi-annual meeting of the
State Viticultural Commission was held yes
trrday at 3l7 Pine street; present, Messrs.
West, Doyle, Blanchard, Bundschu and
Stephens, with President de Turk in the
chair. In the absence Of the Secretary.
Manager Clarence j. Wetmore acted in his
place.
The monthly report of Ethelbert Dowlen,
relative to the southern vine disease, was
read and placed on Tile.
On motion of Commissioner Doyle it was
resolved to dispense with the services of
MIR D0wlen at the end OF the current month
or as soon thereafter as he can close up all
pending work. The Secretary was instructed
10 communicate that fact 10 him and also to
Commissioner Shorb.
The Executive Committee reported that it
had appointed Captain Mcintyre, Professor
Rising and Z. a. Netmore to act as a COM
mittee to examine the regulations made by
the Commissioner OF Internal Revenue rela-
tive TO the Sweet-wine Bin and to suggest
any changes that seemed necessary.
c. a. Wetmore reported from his commit
tee that Professor Rising and Captain McIu-
tyre were making practical tests for alcohol
and sugar in fortified wines, i'll order to de-
termlne the accuracy Of the tables contained
In the regulations. As soon as the tests are
completed the committee will hold q meeting
ana prepare its report
Chef Executive Officer Wetmore then
offered the following suggestions:
That the influence Of ine-gIowers should be
eXeIted i'll municipal and county organizations
10 Cause practical discrimination 10 be made
between Licenses imposed VI ON publIc places de-
voted mainly OF wholly 10 sales Of liquors by the
glass and stores, groceries, TestauIa ants and no.
teis where no saloons are maintained. Also that
the vine-groweIs should demand that where tbei
products are seld under ordinary trade methods
III places where no consumption Is permitted on
the premises. no license lax should be imposed
other than such as is imposed upon dealers In
other classes OF merchandise. Mr.. Weimore
also recommended that immediate steps should
be taken 10 perfect a system Of exhibiting our
products after the general plan of lie exhibit In
San francisco IN ihe principal cities east of the
Rucky Mountains, ana especially IN tie city OF
New YORK.
The above suggestions were referred to
the Executive Committee.
The question Of eiecting chief executive
officer coming up, MIR. w gilmore stated that
II the Commissioners desired he would re-
main without salary, or would turn over
The Office to whomsoever they should elect
If they preferred 10 appoint his successor.
Thereupon MIR. Blanchard offered reso-
luton, which was unanimously adopted, 10
the effect that Charles A. Wetmore be con-
tinueu as Chief Vitlcultural Oiflcer Of the
commission without salary, leaving the
loi any StlNlCe5
performed by him, and for viii compen-
sation should be paid, 10 be liked by the
board.
TIE Sweet-wine Bill then came up for
discussion, and after considerable debate
Mr.. Doyle offered the following resolution,
which WAS adopted:
Resol,ed,, That Messrs. George West, j. de
Bath SbOrb and l. de Turk be special COM
mitIee 10 study the question OF Treasury regula-
tiuns under the recent sweei-wine legislation of
Congress. That they be directed To associate
with themselves persons practically engaged III
the manufacture OF fortified wine, and with their
assistance resent their views TO the Treasury
Department as the views OF this commission.
Commits sioner West called attention to
the report that the Distiliers' Trust would
this winter fight the Sweet wine Bill in
Congress and try to get it repealed. On
motion the Chief executive officer was in
structed to ascertain the truth Of the report
and to act as he thought best in the matter
Commissioner Stephens stated that the
final shipment CT table grapes had been
made from his section. and that the prices
obtained this year had been very saiisfac-
tory. For some of his grapes he had re-
ceived as high as SIS IS per double crate, a
higher price than last year.