The record-union., 1892-03-26
HELPING THE COMMONWEALTH.
What the State Board of Trade Does
for California.
How it Has Fostered the Fruit and
Other Industries Interesting Re-
port of President Gregory.

of Trade, is a concisely stated review of
the operations of that body during the
past year, and viii well repay perusal.
The report reads:
To the Officers and Members Of the CdI5-
JoT7liG State Board Of ITade-GENTLE-
MEN: In submitting my annual report |
take pleasure in congratulating the mem
bers of this body Tor the commendable
spirit Of pride manifested in the promo
ton of the objects for which the institu
ton was organized. That the board is an
important factor in the development and
advancement of our States prosperity is
q recognized fact throughout America
and Europe. Its prominence and activ-
1ty In assuming the Initiative in many of
the most important matters directly
affecting the varied interests of California,
which have from time TO time become
matters of consideration, has secured for
II that earnest and determined recogni-
milton which is commensurate with its
importance and usefulness.
Its influence, directed by that earnest
ness of purpose which is actuated only
by the sentiments of loyalty and public
spirit, has been continually extended in
the direction of fostering and advancing
the best interests Of California. For
verifcation of that assertion / need but
refer to the record of its administration
in taking the initiative in the formulation
Worlds Fair Associations its powerful
influence in aiding to secure the legisla-
tive appropriation necessary to provide
for creditable showing of the products
of our State in the coming Columbian
Exposition its truly remarkable achieve
ment in presenting to the people of
America. through California on
Wheels" the most practical and COM
prehensive evidence of the grandeur and
magnitude of California climate, soil
and productions that has ever been
offered; its determined and successful
efforts in formulating a definite plan Of
operations for the introduction, sale and
consumption Of California dried fruits in
the commercial marts of Europe, with
the primary object of popularizing and
extending distribution in proportion TO
the capacity OF production; in taking
active steps looking toward the introduce
ton and passage Of a bill In Congress
providing for the preservation of our
forests, in accordance with the laws of
our State, concerning detoreStation; its
almost direct agency in securing the COM
ing TO California of the National Editorial
Association in May neXt-an organiza-
ton representing people who control the
expression and conduct of nearly one
thousand prominent newspapers of the
East; its constant dissemination through
out all portions of America, Europe and
Australia of reliable literature, showing
in detail the manifold advantages our
State offers 10 homeSeekerS and intending
settlers; its magnificent permanent ex-
hibit in San Francisco, the merit and
utility of which is demonstrated by the
fact that over one hundred thousand per-
sons have visited it during the past
twelve months; its recent movement in
the direction of establishing similar per-
manent exhibits in several of the large
cities of the East; splendid exhibition of
our fruits, wines and nuts at Columbus
o., at the encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, which was visited
daily by 1900 persons, and where we dis
tributed four tons of fruit, and again at
the meeting of the Grand Army the past
year at Detroit was distributed a vast
amount of literature relating TO the State:
and its earnest and invariable co-opera-
ton with all movements looking to the
bettermenJ Of our States condition,
which. from time to time, have been
brought to its notice-prove con-
clusively that the institution is in direct
utilization with the best interests of the
State, as fully attested by the measure of
appreciation shown by its many support
erS.
take especial pride in calling attention
TO the various reports upon subjects
which vitality affect the interests of the
State, and which, with the addresses Of
some of the members of the board, have
passed into the permanent literature Of
the State
The report of a committee upon the
Reclamation of Arid Lands by Irriga-
tion," made in 1882 attracted wide atten-
ton, stimulated investigation, induced
surveys under Congressional authority.
and contains the germinal thought of the
proposed Congressional action in respect
10 such lands.
The address by w. II. Mills on the
Nicaragua Canal was a notable speech,
and Immediately was appreciated by the
people Of the East. The report of Colonel
John Z. Irish Of the Committee on Immi-
grafton was lucid and elegant produc-
ton, and has been extensively distrib-
uted.
This board was the first organized BODY
that collected and distributed the statis-
tics relating TO the production of fruit In
the State, and the economic facts relating
TO the culture of fruit.
Nothing relating to the fruit industry
is more important to the producers than
the facts set out in the several reports.
The knowledge of the amount of fruit
produced is essential 10 the operations of
merchants, and the extension of fruit
area and of the kinds of fruits to be
planted TO the grower. The amount of
labor bestowed on these reports by Gen
eral y. i. Chapman. the Chairman of the
committee, can scarcely be appreciated
by any one who has not undertaken SINH
lar work. The two reports made by him
on the fruit industry, and his late report
on the rivers and barbors Of the State
are monuments 10 his un11agging indus
try and public spirit.
This board, by addresses Of Mr.. Mills
and others, has created new interest in
the question of land monopoly IN the
State-the giant evil Of The day. This
board viii lend its earnest efforts toward
Temedying the evil, and we should be
sustained by the people of the State.
no ION, Of
q great measure, TO the vocatiOns which
the owners of large tracts of lands think
are only profitable in the two great val
leys OF the State-the San JOAQUIN and
Sacramento Valleys; that is, wheat farm
ing and stock raising. But we are show
ing to these people that their lands are
fitted for intensified soil culture, and we
are inducing the people of the East to
purchase such lands. This is the burn
ing question of the day. The merchants
of the State are complaining of the lack
of business. How can they have busi-
ness without people in the State, and how
can we have people unless we have the
land to offer To settlers? This is the
point upon which the people should sup
port this board. We have sowed the seed.
and the harvest will come in time. The
Assessors of the State can do much to
compel the division of large tracts of
land. The Constitution says that ''culti-
waited and uncultivated land, similarly
situated, of the same quality, shall be
assessed at the same value" Let them
apply the remedy. Public opinion is
forming. and must soon find its expires
sion in legislative action upon this all
important matter.
commend TO your notice the import
ance of the resolution first offered by Mr..
Mills, and adopted by you. in reference
TO the establishment of a branch of the
department of Agriculture on this coast.
The farmers should at once join with this