The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-29
WINE MEN.
Dealers and Producers
Fail to Agree.
The New Price Schedule of the
Syndicate Is Looked Upon With
Little Favor.

The mucl.talked-of wine syndicate, which
for the past few months has absorbed the at.
tention of both producers and dealers, still re-
mains in an unsettled condition, with but little
prospect of an immediate understanding.
The history of this eventful struggle between
the promoters of the wine industry on this
coast Is too well known TO warrant revival,
although the facts leading up to the new chap
ter which was entered upon last Saturday
might prove OF benefit in more clearly under
standing the present condition OF tile syndicate.
1t appears mat while the canyassing commit
lee OF seven, appointed some months go by the
association, was touring the State with a view
OF securing the support OF VineyardistS In the
movement il obtained the option of nearly 40
per cent OF the growers on schedule OF prices
winch were regarded with such satisfaction
that they willingly slgn'd the form OF contract
drawn up by the Dealers Association and
quietly awaited the results.
subsequently. however, the newly incor-
pOrated wine syndicate refused TO accept the
terms which had previously BEEN offered. and
further insisted upon guarantee OF nearly all
the crop OF The State as condition OF hand
ling any of IT,.
The options expired on the LIST inst,
although continuance was granted Tor ten
days, during which time nothing further was
done, ana when The day arrived for closing the
transactions no one appeared at headquarters.
ana consequently the committee was compelled
to release the growers from the agreement
into which they had entered.
Last Saturday the members OF the syndicate
met and gave out new price-list, averaging
something like 20 per cent lower than the
original schedule, and those which had been
mentioned 10 the growers and agreed upon
under contract.
Aside from this the management desires TO
be guaranteed so per cent OF the entire crop.
which, however, Is nor looked upon by the
growers with even as much favor as the cut in
prices. hey maintain that allowing their
crop TO remain for an indefinite periUd without
knowing whether they will receive the agreed
rates is asking too much, and unless some
speedy conclusion is reached hey Will be COM
PEELED 10 look up another customer.
Yesterday afternoon the committee met In
conference with delegation from The dealers
association with view of forcing conclusions
but after a three hours session IL adjourned
without accomplishing the desired results.
Ii will come together again this morning In
the rooms of the State Vitlcultural Commission.
when 1t is expected that the new form of schsd-
ule with some slight alterations VIII be def
nitely agreed upon.
judging from what has transpired during
the period In which the syndicate plans nave
been hanging fire. it Is quite evident that the
two factions are not on what might be called
the most friendly terms.
A first the growers were lubiant over their
predicted triumph, and were preparing TO
boom things. Last week, when the dealers
manifested their desire TO dlscfedit the original
schedule ana substitute a new form, which WAS
Inclined to be more beneficial to their Interests
than the first. the disheart-neu producers
powerless 10 raise forcible objection, set up u
howl which WAS heard all along tile line.
William Wehner. member OF the producers'
committee. from Santa Clara County. is not in
cined to believe that no eDmiIy exists In the
ranks OF the opposing factions. That Is, he
does not want the public TO be so enlightened.
put the fact is evident that the warfare is de.
cdedly hot.
his matter was touched upon at the close of
the meeting yesterday afternoon, when Mr..
Wehner, aroused 10 state of deep Indignation
regarding the publicity given the wrangle In
tne ranks OF the winemen. accused Clarence
press.
Mr. Wetmore. who was sitting quietly in one
corner OF The room absorbed in reading a form