Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-20
TOO EXPENSIVE.
HEAVY SHIPPERS WITHDRAW FROM
THE CALIFORNIA FRUIT UNION.
tion-Reasons Given for the
Withdrawals.

For some time it has been currently re-
ported that important changes might be
looked for in the management of the Fruit
/ Union, and that number of the heaviest
shippers might be expected to leave its
ranks at any moment.
| On Saturday special meeting of the
union was called in San Francisco, at
which President P. E. Platt rendered his
resignation as President and Director, and
/ Eugene ]. Gregory also resigned as one OF
the Executive Committee of three and as q
Director.
This action on the part of these gentle
men means that neither the firm of the w.
R. Strong Company or Gregory Bros. Co.,
fruit shippers, will hereafter ship any OF
their fruit through the California Fruit
Union. AS these two houses have in the
past been the heaviest shippers and sup.
porters that the union had, their action
has attracted considerable attention.
A RECORD UNION reporter called on both
| gentlemen yesterday in regard to the mat
| ter.
MR.. PLATT's REASONS.
Mr.. Platt, upon being seen, said: Eyes,
l have resigned from the Fruit Union both
as President and Director, and our house
will hereafter ship Independently of that
concern. For nearly three years we have
worked with the union, and of course have
our reasons now for Withdrawing. The
original intention and expectation of the
Fruit Fnion was that it would control, CEN
trallze and protect from unjust and unne-
cessary competition, and consequent slaugh-
lering of prices, the fruit crop of California.
This much desired result has by no means
been attained. and l am satisfied that it
will never be possible, even if it were de-
sirable, that the product should be cor
| nered by any concern, no matter how DOW
erful it might become.
| California fruit has become staple ar
ticle in the East, and is being sought for
by responsible dealers all over the country.
| What we want is that Eastern dealers
should handle California fruit more largely
than ever. We want to encourage them
to take hold OF it, and SO far as possible to
| spread the fruit over the country and in
| troduce 1t into as many different channels
| as possible. We cannot get this general
| result if dealers are obliged to pay tribute
| to some particular concern such as the
| Fruit Union or any other combination that
| might seek to control and regulate the dis
| tribution.
Another reason that we had for with
drawing from the union is that it was ex-
pensive and could do US nc particular good
in return for the expense. The machinery
OF the union costs great deal of money to
run. There are good many conflicting
| interests, and it becomes unwieldy, and
could not be regulated so as to meet the re-
| quirements of our rapidly increasing trade
We have no personal grievance against Mr..
nf ha a.
| not wish the union any harm. We simply
| think the field is wide enough, and there
is fruit enough to supply both the union
and outside shippers.
I'VE, OF course, expect to get the ad-
vantage of the low freight rates which have
been made largely at our personal solicita-
| ton, and in making up trains we shall CO.
operate with any and all shippers who
may wish to get the advantage of the spe-
! cial train system, and to ship fruit East in
practical manner. We propose to work
on very broad platform, and one which
will not be inimical to the best fruit inter-
ess of California"
Mr.. GREGORY TALKS.
Mr.. Gregory readily consented to talk
about the matter. THE truth of the mat
ter is" said he. Il decided several months
ago 10 take this step, as have long since
found that the machinery of the Union
was not practical method for the hand
ling and disposition of California fruits.
In the first place the system involves con-
siderable outlay in the way of salaries and
other expenditures, while the number of
those who ship through the Union has al
ways been limited-confned, in fact, to
very few growers and shippers. This of
course makes the share of expenses quite
large to those who use the Union.
The prime object for which the Union
was originally created was to secure low
rates OF transportation by means Of special
train service, and to bring about centraliza-
ton in the disposition of the fruit Speak
ing for Gregory Bros. Company, it is safe
to state that we have undoubtedly shipped
as much fruit through the Union as any
one connected with that organization, and
notwithstanding the fact that the Union has
been in existence for four years the msior-
lty OF fruit shipped through it has been by
but very few firms and individuais-the
major portion of the fruit. growing COM
munity preferring to use other methods for
the disposition of their product As re-
suit the desired Capitalization has been at
this instead of the other end, and the meas
ure OF the proportionate expenses have
been
DIVIDED AMONG A VERY FEW,
Instead of between the great mass of fruit
growers of the State, the latter presumably
preferring to use other methods than the
Union for the disposition of their products
In other words. resigned as member of
| the Executive Committee and as a Director
of the Union because business principles
prompted me to do so. have no personal
feelings against the personnel of the man.
sgement. In fact, / can say nothing de
| rogatory to Mr.. Buck, the manager of the
| organization, who is certainly conscientious
In his desire to carry ont the regulations
and laws of the California Fruit Union.
My dissatisfaction is with the management
as whole and not with any individual
connected herewith. In other words, the
method and principles of the organization
Is unsuited for our requirements, as the ex-
| penslve machinery OF the concern places q
heavy tax on those who desire to use it.
! Il did not leave the Union with the in
tention of joining into or forming any other
similar organization wherein salaries or
lees are TO be considered in connection
with the manipulation of such fruit ship
ments as we may hereafter make. What,
In my opinion, the general fruit industry
| requires is quick transportation at favora-
| Bile rates-such as now offered by the recent
change, whereby seven cars shall constitute
q special train, and at reduction from
last years rate-and the facilities necessary
Tor the selecting, packing, shipment and
disposition of choice merchantabe stock
AS stated before, our house does not pro-
pose TO enter into any fruit shipping asso-
citation, but to manipulate our business in
our own way and according to the dictates
OF our own Judgment, knowing that there
can be no mistake in pursuing that course.
Our object in Withdrawing from the Union
is not for the purpose OF creating any an
tagonlsm against the organization. but be-
cause 1t is infinitely more to our interest
to do so. Having that course in view, /,
representing the house of Gregory Bros.
Company, do not think it advisable OF
proper to remain a member of the Direc.
tory OF an institution through which did
not propose to do any further business"