The herald., 1893-11-23


with us. So long as we leave our neces-
sites without organization to plead
fairly for themselves, we ehall have
just the sort OF service always given to
an uneympathetic traffic. When we
have created shipping system ready to
operate as the express companies do,
then we shall secure facilities for trans
portation proportionate to the magnl-
tude and value OF our fruit interest.
Opinions differ widely as to the right
policy OF creating such an organization.
We are told by persons who are entirely
sincere, that the producer is outside OF
his natural and proper sphere when he
undertakes to be his own marketer;
that like q certain famous brand of sar-
eaparilla fruit selling is thing pecu-
liar to itself, and that 1t must be
left to experts; or, in other
words. since fruit production is one
thing and fruit marketing another. that
the producer should stick to his orchard
and leave the distribution of hie product
to the commission merchant. Now we
agree that fruit marketing is a special
trade; that it calls for business training
and acquaintance with markets too, but
we deny that these merits are found
with the commission men more than
among the producers themselves. AS
matter of fact, after many years OF trial
the commission system has failed. 1t
does now juat what it did in the begin
ming, namely, it sells our fruits at auc-
tion in few general markets. 1t has
not like the great oyster companies,
like the great express companies,
like the Standard Oil company
not to mention a dozen other equally
notable nstances-establshe agencies
away from the centers and so widened
the field of fruit consumption. The
inefficiency OF the commission-houee
system is demonstrated by the fact that
after many years of exclusive control
of our business, our products are still
unknown, or at least not commonly
sold, in the larger part of the eastern
market. And the inefficienGy OF it is
not less dear than the cost of it. Gen
orally speaking, the commission interest
is foreign to us. 1t has only a CONNER
cial relation to us, about the
same sort as we have with the
Sandwich islands. 1t is under
such conditions that our work
should be well done. And in our judg-
ment it will not be we'll done until the
California spirit is in it. 1t is our pro-
found conviction that the future welfare
OF the fruit interest OF California as it is
dependent upon the eastern market,
rests upon the cooperative support OF
state exchange operated in the direct
interest of the fruit growers, and
having its agencies not only in
the great cities but throughout the
whole vast region beyond the
Rocky mountains. What Adams & Co.
can do, what Wells-Fargo & Co. can do,
what the Standard Oil company can do,
what firm OF Yankee shoemakers can
do, surely the great horticultural inter
eat of California can do. We are told
that suitable men cannot be found to
work for an association that expert
commercial ability can only be developed
by the interest OF personal ownership,
and we don't believe it. The express
companies and the railroad companies
seem to be served by paid agents with
ability and devotion, and there is no
reason why we cannot find men
to do our work in the same
spirit. The career of the Cali
fornia Fruit union proves that the
cooperation principle can in fact be
successfully applied; and what, let US
ask, would be easier than the evolution
OF such system as we suggest from
such good foundation aH this same
Fruit union affords?
For the suggestions herein embodied
we claim no credit for originality. II
nobody ever had our thoughts of them
before we should dietrust our own judg-
ment. But we have only set down
things long ago suggested and familiar
to all. AS regards the plan of shipment
direct to minor points in broken loads in
compartment cars, so competent a rail-
road man as Mr.. w. H. Mills long ago
suggested and approved it. AS to the
suggestion for general cooperation, that
happily seems in a fair way to be made
reality. The two things together your
committee believes are the beet hope OF
the California horticultural interest.
The report was applauded long and
loudly, Mr.. Adams jumped to his feet
and declared the report to be the finest
he had ever listened to, and moved that
vote of thanks be extended to the gem
tlemen of the committee; also that it
be printed in special pamphlet form.
About every other person in the hall
seconded this motion and it was carried d
amid great enthusiasm.
Mr.. B. N. Rowley of San Francisco,
also on the committee with Mr.. Holman
presented some additional figures.
The committee appointed to draw up
plan for corporation among the fruit
growers presented the following report,
which was accepted:
Your committee appointed to consider
the question of cooperative fruit mar
keting, have had the subject under con-
sideration and respectfully report as fol-
lows:
We are satisfied that the conditions
which have already brought actual dis
aster upon some branches of the fruit
industry of California will, ii unchecked,
speedily bring similar disaster upon
all other branches.
We believe that the only remedy is
that the growers shall themselves as
sumo the marketing of their own pro-
apply that remedy.
We heartily approve and endorse the
methods of cooperation already adopted
by the citrus growers OF Southern
California and the dried fruit producers
of Santa Clara county, which we find
substantially alike in principle. differ
ing only in detail to meet the different
requirements Of the dried and fresh fruit
trades.
We regard it of the most Importance
that the great cooperative movement
now in progress Should be so directed
that all interests involved should work
not only in harmony but in actual con-
sultation with each other.
fNO this and wa etrOnplV qDprOva tha