The morning call., 1894-07-01
A GLUTTED MARKET.
Fruit Being Dumped in This City by
the Schooner Load.

The opinions of commission merchants,
who. in the early part of the week,
pIophesied fruit famine in this city as
a result of the suspension of shipping
from the interior, were somewhat changed
yesterday, aud they now look forward to
a glut in the fruit and vegetable market.
which will undoubtedly prove disastrous
to both producer and buyer.
The first wind of the promised calamity
was felt yesterday. when what was proba-
bly, the largest shipment of fruit which has
ever been unlnaded on this market was
forced upon the wholesale dealers, who,
not being prepared for the emergency
were quite unable to handle such large
quantities, and the result was that ped
dIers and many Of the smaller retail men
bounded upon the surplus, which was dis
posed of on the water front at mere song
The overflow came in from points along
the Sacramento. Petaluma, Napa and
other rivers. where transportation by
water was found available. In fact all fruit
producing localities in the immediate In
terior close to the waters Of the bay, were
represented 10 the fruitful influx, and
throughout the entire day craft of vari-
ous descriptions were heading toward this
city laden with all forms of perishabe
products, which demanded immediate
disposal.
As natural result the prices went down
with marked rapidity, and at noon peaches
were on the market at % cents per box,
against 40 cents the day previous. All
other fruits took a similar fall, and as
evening approached the dealers weIe will
ing to accept almost any offer.
The only reason which can be attributed
to this state of affairs is that the pro-
dncers, seeing all channels of transporta-
tion east blocked, fell back upon San
Francisco as the only market available
under the circumstances without consider
ing the results.
The inland fruit-raisers will suffer the
greatest loss, however, as they are entirely
shut off from the East and refuse to send
their produce to this city for fear of its
being delayed on the road.
Turlock & Burger expected shipment
of berries from Watsonville last Thursday
evening which failed to materialize until
yesterday noon, when word was received
that the consignment was lying in de-
tached freight train at Eighth and Folsom
streets.
A number of draymen were at once dis
patched to the train and were compelled
to switch the cars about themselves in
order to get at the fruit, which was found
to be in such condition that the entire
shipment was sold at little more than half
price.
During the afternoon the firm received
word that carload of miscellaneous fruit
had arrived in Oakland consigned to them,
and on investigation found that the goods
had left Winters early Friday morning,
having been on the road nearly thirty
hours. The figs were entirely ruined.
while the remainder of the shipment was
disposed of at a great loss.
d. E. Allison also reported losses of a
similar chars cter, though to no great ex-
tent. as most of his products were re-
ceived by schooner from up the Sacramento
River. He predicted great loss to the
fruit-growers in the event of continue
tion OF the present tie-up, which he be-
Iieves will affect the commission men to a
great extent by reason of the low prices
caused by an overflow of perishable prod
4 ucts brought in by water. He said that
there was enough fruit along the bay
rivers alone to swamp all the schooners in
the harbor and that he expected a dump
ing OF all the fruits which usually go East
in this city.