The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-16
GROWERS OF FRUIT.
State Convention in Session at
San Jose.
The Subject of Oppressive Freight
Charges to the East Discussed
by President Cooper.
Special to The MoRSISa CALL

SAN JOSE, Nov. 1.-THE annual fruit
growers convention, under the auspices of
the State Board of Horticulture, opened
here to-day in Turn Verein Hall and will
continue through the week. Over 800 rep
resentative fruit men, from all parts of the
State are here and more are expected.
EllwOod Cooper of Santa Barbara is pre-
siding and Colonel S. Philo Hersey and
K. 7. Mckinney are local vice presidents.
IN address Of cordial welcome was de-
livered by S. F. Lieb. Following this came
President COoper's annual address, touch
ing on The needs OF the fruit industry. The
transportation problem was especially en-
phasized. and it is evident that this topic
viii form one of the chief subjects for dis
cussion by the convention.
Before many years." said Mr.. Cooper,
''our fruit output viii be five times what it
is to-day, and the two questions of para
mount importance before us are how to
dispose Of our fruit and the rates of trans
p0rtatlOn. We must arrange to sell our own
fruit. We must have rates Of tTanspOrta-
ton based on a reasonable interest Oh the
cost Of construction Of the railroad and the
cost OF actual service; not on fictitious valu-
ations and watered stock Capitalization.
This fictitious capitalization of railroads is
very difficult problem 10 deal with. No
question Of the entire system is so vicious
The extent to which railroad interests can
corrupt the commonwealth is limited only
by the wealth at their command. The rail-
roads by combining may levy tax on the
industries of the country, which no Govern
ment. Republican or Democratic, OF the
world could do without danger Of revolu-
ton"
The speaker said ":ha two remedies are
civil law or revolution. Our laws present
q ready means Of remedying the great
evil" He advocated at length Government
control of transportation lines. and point
ing out the advantages OF this system as
shown in Belgium, France, Austria and
other European countries. Applause
greeted CoopePs remarks on tTansporta-
toD, and the subject will be thoroughly
discussed
President Coorer praised the efficient
work Of the parasites In checking insect
ravages. He said the means adopted by
Californians in this respect and its success
was uueQualed IN the history Of any coun-
try. He recommended the introduction of
wildcats 10 kill rabbits. also the introduce
ton of the enemies Of the English sparrow
and grasshoppers.
In the afternoon a paper was presented
by A. l.. Bancroft OF San Francisco on a
plan for fruit exchange in San Francisco,
which vas referred to a committee.
Resolutions were submitted in memory of
Matthew Cook, deceased and the entire in
debtedness of the monument erected by the
fruit growers was raised by the cOnven-
i0n. me REMAINDER OF Inc afternoon was
occupied in a discussion of the topic.
Transportation facilities and rates of
freight on green and dried fruit" The dis
cussion was participated in by many of the
members and the plan of organizing a fruit
shipping company among growers met with
considerable favor.
The citizens of San Jose rendered re-
ception to the visitors tonight.
Tomorrow the selection and picking of
fruit viii be discussed. Thursday-Pesis,
quarantine and forest culture. Friday
Legislation and the World's Fair