The morning call., 1894-06-02
GROWERS UNITE.
To RegalvaniZe the Wine
Industry.
Various Suggestions for Relieving
the Present Depressed Com
administration Taken.

large and representative body of
wlne-producers assembled at the rooms of
the Viticultural Commission yesterday
morning in response TO "A call issued by
Secretary Winfield Scott for the purpose
of devislng means to better the present
depressed condition of the wine market
After converting /. de Turk of Santa
Rosa was selected as chairman, and with
out further delay the transaction of bust
ness was commenced, and it was nearly l
o'clock before an adjournment was taken.
There was considerable wraDgling over
the many suggestions and resolutions pre-
sented, as each speaker was confident that
he had undisputably discovered the root
of the eX sting evil and maintained a stiff
upper lip in affirming the logical value of
his discovery. So different were the stands
taken by the many advocates and so
varied were the opinions of their critics
that it was finally decided to ignore all
suggestions and leave the matter in the
hands of a committee of seven to be ap-
pointed by the chairman, one member to
be selected from each of the principal
viticultural sections of rhe State. They
will have full power to act.
The opinions of those present failed TO
unite upon the cause which led TO the
present unsatisfactory condition of affairs.
to overproduction, but he found many Of
different turn of mind on the question.
Among them was M. ROssi, manager of
the Swiss-Italian Colony IN SOnoma
County, who believed that the general
stringency in the money market and al
most universal business depression was
responsible, while Mr.. Bundschu o [ Gund-
ZACH & Co. laid all the blame to European
competition.
The fact remains, however. that at pres
ent the prices offered the manufactures
for wine is lower than the cost of produc-
ton, while the tonnage price of grapes,
either delivered or sold on the vine, hardly
covers the expense eutaHed in cultivation.
In order to diSpel this unhealthy cOndi-
ton of affairs. and with view of releasing
the monopoly Of the industry from the
hands OF wholesale dealers aud commits
sion merchants. MIR. Ross offered re3o-
luton to the effect that syndicate be
formed by the State wine-gr0weTS in order
to pool their products, which would be
disposed of solely through the agents
thereof. He believed that by these means
the amount of the output and the price
would be controlled in their interest.
The matter was fav0rably considered,
but no action taken.
Another suggestion was to the effect
that oGe-third OF the total annual wine
product be distilled as means of imprOV-
ing the present depression.
This scheme had many supporters,
though some expressed doubt as to whether
the larger growers would consent, while a
few were OF the opinion that such a step
would have but little effect in re-establish-
ing the prices Of wine.
John T. Doyle of Menlo Park advocated
the establishment OF cafes in New York,
Chicago. st. Louis and other principal
Eastern cities, under the direction Of the
California Titicultural Association, with
view Of extending the market for CALI
fornia wines
There was some objection to this prOpo-
sitiOn, which was finally flOOred.
Mr.. Doyle'S motion for the app1n tment
of committee of seven was carried. how
ever, and at MIR. de Turks request he was
allowed until next Tuesday to make the
selections.