The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-19
MORE Discomfort
Hawthorne Vineyardists
Complaining.
DR.. Long Gave Him Receipts for
Various Months in Part Payment
for Raiment.

Much as the Hawthorne Society, social
and beneficial. is agitated over the peculiar
condition of its affairs it cannot com pare
with the turmoil to be found among the
members of the Hawthorne Vineyard
and Orchard Society. This branch of the
organization is in possession OF 100 acres
of land in Fresno County. some of which
is planted in vines and some of which is
not under cultivation.
The conducting of this farm was one of
the original objects of the Hawthorne So
ciety, and every member of the OrganiZa-
ton was expected to become vineyardist
10 the extent of 81 month, while ar the
same time his or her bodily welfare was
cared for By the beneficial department. and
each members social aspirations were in
manner satisfied by the social committee
1t was soon found, however. that TO keep
up the mbership it would be necessary
to drop the compulsory farming clause aud
allow members 10 join the society without
being yineyardists, while allowing others
10 take stock in the vineyard. This plan
worked very we'll as far as the rest of the
society was concerned. but the vineyard is
suffering, both for lack of interest and for
lack of money. 1t originally cost some
" here in the neighborhood of $500 an acre,
and the original plan to plant it all at
once has given place 10 practice of plant
ing every year only so much as the treas
ury will allow.
The dues of the members, with occa-
sional loans from the society funds, run
he concern, and the profits of the vine
yard Will be paid out as dividends TO the
shareholders.
The membership of the Vineyard So
ciety is sadly in need of reorganiza tlon
There seems to be tut little confidence felt
in the scheme. and many boldly say it is
an impractica bic plan all through. George
Knight. the lawyer. is one OF the Haw-
.horne Society members who cannot be
prevailed upon to become a vineysrdisi,
and his reasons for not doing so are the
reasons of great many more. 81 never
could see anything in the scheme" he said
yesterday. "They can't make money
farming. and. anyway. the thing is too in
definite TO suit Inc. There is a good deal
of the soeiety's money in it. bu. don't
hink it will ever come 10 anything"
Charles VI. Oakley, who was at one time
ice-president OF the vineyard department,
drew out of the scheme altogether. for sub
stantialy the same reasons that keep Mr.,
Knight out.
Charles Adams. tailor, is another men,
Der who lie dissatisfied, aud in support of
his satisfaction he tells most peculiar
tale OF woe. Il want to get out of the
thing" he said yesterday. land I'm going
to find out what owe and pay it. and Quit
tie thing for good 1 went 10 there as a
business proposition. Dr. Long told me
there was business in il for me. and so |
went in. | ddn't get much out of it.
though, except from the doctor himself. /
made two suits for him. and lost money
on both. The doctor used to come in here,
and in part payment he'd make me out a
receipt for two or three months dues,
saying he would square me with the So
ciety, and | would credit him with the
amount. ] got tired of that way Of doing
business. though. aud / sent him bill for
his full balance the other day. He wanted
to give my collector some recepts for dues,
but ! had told him not 10 take them, and
so he told the doctor they wouldn't go. |
don't want anything more TO do with any
vineyard proposition"
At present an auditing committee is at
work on all the books OF the association.
At future meeting they will be fully ex-
plotted before the members of all classes.
DIR. Long maintains that III all depart
ments they will silence criticism. He has
great faith ia the society. and he thin ks
that when the trouble is settled prosper
i;y will hold SWAY. He blames Frost. The
ex-fnaneial secretary, for all the trouble,
and is very anxious 10 have KUigbr. in
whose hands the Ease against him rests.
land him in jail. Knight sees the useless
ness of this course. however. and also the
odium which such prosecution might
bring on DIR. Long. so on his advice the
case against Frost will never go further
than the mere charges.