The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-26
PRICES OF WINE.
6 A. WetmOre CritiCiZeS
the Syndicate.
Executive Officer of the ViticuIturaI
Commission Favors Other
Methods of Relief.

The following communication regarding
the new wine syndicate has been received
from c. A. Wetmore of the Viticultural
Commission:
Editor Morning Call DEAR SIR: The grape.
growers and Wine-makerS are now in greater
peril as result Of recent agitation for combi-
nation than they would have been In II they
had suffered matters to take their natural
course. The statements made in two of
the morning papers to-day concerning the
syndicate and Its proposed contracts are un-
queSliOndbly misleading. 1t is an open secret
that the prime movers on the side of the deal
ers do not expect 10 communicate the plan,
which is advertised, In time for this vintage. 1
am quite sure that it is only bluff TO affect the
present wine market, and was originally con-
ceived only to head off popular movement
ought TO arrest the demoraliZed condition Of
the trade in 1898 wines; but is very apt to
cause worse confusion in the prices of grapes
for this year.
Under present circumstances those who have
grapes 10 sell, and wine-makeTs VINO have here
tofore bought them, are lying off on their oars
waiting for the syndicate contracts to mate
rialiZe. and are afraid 10 act independently. If
the proposed plan SINNERS in the pot fortwo or
three weeks longer and then comes to nothing,
there Will be great confusion, and no one can
foretell the price of grapes; therefore wlne-
makers DO not know what to offer, nor do
growers know what 10 accept. few OF the
large wineries already in the trust can make up
at the last moment about Oneth1rd Of the crop,
paying whatever they please for grapes TO those
who are near enough TO supply them without
much cost of transportation. The bluff will
work off the stocks on hand at little better
than present prices, and cooperage will be re-
filled for almost nothing. Such tricks have
been played before successfully.
All the recent acts of the syndicate are in.
dicative OF expectation of such results. The
resolution OF the board OF directors, made pub
lie to-day, gives notice:
FirSt-That the syndicate Stands readVD to
contract for grapes at prices in = schedule materi-
ally different from that heretofore presented
N. B.-Tbeir conference committee shoulders
the entire burden of procuring signatures upon
the committee of grievances, who shall incur
all the expenses of The work.
Second-The syndicate declines to accept the
and wine crop of Napa, Contra Costa Sohoma.
Alameda olo Santa Clara Santa Cruz Lake,
Marin. Monterey and Solano counties has been
secured, and requires the committee to furnish
the acreage of all who sign and the names and
acreage OF all who do not.
n. B.-ThiS means thousands of contracts
and a considerable time after they are signed
by producers TO determine the fact, open TO dis
puie, as to the percentage secured. Before this
could be done the vintage will have been well
under way or finished.
Third-lt is further provided that the producers
must procure and turn over to tue syndicate con-
tracts with wlne-makers to make up their gra pes
on satisfactory TERMS" etc., under the direction
OF the syndicate.
n. B-This provision, providing for supervi.
sion OF country Makers would of itself open so
many questions for dispute that it is manifest
there is not time 10 consummaLe the plan before
wine. making begins.
Fourth-"The foregoing provisions being COM
piled wlthp-that is, after all the said contracts
have been made and aecepted-the syndicate
stands ready to accept delivery of wines now
on hand. etc.
n B.-Unti 1t has been proved practical or
Impractical 10 perfect the trust there is to be
no removal or purchase OF wines on hand at
the prices proposed hence the winemakers
will be kept out of the market on account of
uncertainties while the stocks OF dealers are
being worked of at prices affected by the deal
which may never be completed, and country
cellars will be unable to make room for this
years vintage.
1t is apparent from cireumstantial evidence
that the syndicate does not expect to operate
its plan for this vintage at least am, how
ever. quite sure that this is an open secret in
San Francisco which IL was not intended the
growers should learn in time to save their
crops.
II, therefore, the growers must shift for them.