The record-union., 1891-10-20

dict, however, that as the East does not
usually have two large crops in success
sion, prices for all kinds of fruit will be
better next year. Notwithstanding the
lower prices, shipments of green fruit
for this season up to October 18th were
nearly 400 cars in excess of shipments for
the same period last year.
The production of beans has become
quite an industry; shipments to the East
III 1880 amounted to less than 5000, COO
pounds, which increased to over "A, ,0G0,0 900
pounds in 1890. The bean-grower is also
better protected under the Mckinley bill,
he receiving protection to the extent OF.
forty cents per bushel of sixty pounds,
against 10 per cent. ad valorem formerly.
While large proportion of our wine
crop seeks water transportation, the over
land roads have found markets for the
wine of California to large extent. The
rail shipments of wine in 1880 were only
about z, 100000 pounds, which increased
in 1890 to SS,000000 pounds; to which may
be added about 100000 pounds of
brandy.
Q.-What do you think Of the PROPOSE
ton by some to create n combination
which would control the routing of
freight of its members?
A.-Such an arrangement would be
unwise and could not be permanently
successful and might affect the interests
Q.-HoW could that be?
A.-For the reason that each one of the
transcontinental lines, in order to permit
through rates at figures which would en-
able California to compete with Eastern
products to conform with the provisions
of the interstate commerce law, has had to
make sacrifices by reducing it's intermedi-
ate rates 10 local territory. For instance:
The Northern Pacific Road was COM
peEed to reduce its rates on canned goods
from this city to Helena. Mont, when it
became party to the present through
rates to st. Paul and points further East.
If a boycott policy were undertaken by
the Bureau or Association Of shippers, it
would probably compel the road named
to withdraw it's through rates and ad-
vance its locals to their former figures, in
which case probabilities are that Califor-
mia goods would be shut out Of the inn
portant market of Montana or be placed
at disadvantage as compared with East
ern goods.
What is true of the Northern Pacific
would be true of the Santa Fe and other
lines. L the proposed association under
takes to boycott the Santa Fe, that COM
pany can retaliate and injure this city far
more than the loss of such business as
might be controlled by the boycott would
affect the road. The Santa Fe has its own
lines of railroad reaching from Chicago
dbu IIOlI FJl. LOUIS. anu III CdSG VI d DOJ-
colt might see lit to adopt policy under
which these cities could lay down goods
at most points in California at lower prices
than our merchants could meet.
AS before stated, we are not opposed to
the proposed Merchants Association;
think it may be productive of much good,
as it will lead to an intelligent understand
ing of all these matters. The State, as
whole, is more prosperous than ever be-
fore, and it may be seriously Injured by
rash statements that fruit is rotting on
the ground. Such occurrences are fire.
quently common in other localities, and
with respect to other commodities; in
fact, recently we saw report that they
were unable to market the peach crop of
New Jersey. 1 do not think these re-
ports can be authenticated with reference
TO California, except possibly in some
isolated cases, and they certainly should
not be made semi-officially by any OF our
citizens without good foundation. Such
reports, if spread broadcast throughout
the world, can only result in serious
harm to the State.