The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-13
THE FRUIT EXCHANGE KICK
Exceptions Taken TO Published
Statements.
Criticisms of Commission Hen An
swered.
Row the San Francisco Auction Sales
Lcn Be stopped - The Or
ange Market.
Los ASGELEs, Jan. IL.

Los ANGELEs, Jan. IL.
The week closes without change in the or
auae situation, other than the more perfect
colorIng of the fruit and little sitter market.
onotations Ter fruit, I. 0. b.. however, remain
the same as u week ago. but the general ten
deucy is toward higher prices. The fruit, al
though greatly improved in color during the
week, is still full of acid, ana for that reason
shipments are going forward slowly. orders
are on Gle for for more oranges than are ripe
enough to ship at present.
Adviees fron, Florida state that the packing
houses have closed down for the season. all the
frosted fruit that can be handled having been
shipped. Southern California VIII now have
the market to itself, with the exception of for
eign competition, which SO far has not proved
worry formidable, judging by prices for Califor-
fruit in New York.
The following statement, which appears in
smorning paper, on the alleged authority of
San Francisco correspondent, cauged no little
indignation among members of the fruit eX-
changes:
'srhe loss 10 the growers on 1000 boxes of or
sngss ,ghicn wers on hand whan the first aue-
ton was bald is not less than $4,000. There
are about 30 firms in the orange business in
San Francisco, three of which apparently own
tho auction, and the remaining 81 have signed
a petition to the effect that they will not
palronize the auction under any circum-
s. ancss, and will buy /. 0. b. at the shipping
point. 1t is estimated that without the auction
San Francisco would be coed market for fully
400 acres of oranges, but it remains TO be seen
whether growers can make any profit under
the ancuon system OF sales"
Ohicsrs OF the exchanges say it is not true
the exchanges are responsible for the demora
izauun Of the San Francisco market. They
furthermore assert that Notwithstanding the
statement that q of the 30 San Francisco
wholesale fruit dealers signed an agreement
not to patronize the exchanges, they now have
70 al the wholesalers their list of buyers.
IN further defense OF their side OF the contro-
versy, the officers of the exchanges have given
out the following statement;
Sin view OF the many adverse criticiHms that
are receiving widespread circulation through
the onponentS to the action OF the Southern
California Fruit exchanges, in selling oranges
in the San Francisco market by auction, brief
Btat4 ment OF the facts may not be out of place
at this time.
in considering the best means to be adopted
in order to meet the local conditions the San
Francisco market asst year presented the most
perpleXiug problem OF any section. 1t WAS
known that the dealers were not IL harmony
with the exchange, nor with eacA other. 1t
YVES also recognized that The can Francisco
market was to a great extent the key to the
whole coaat trade, After thorough and care
full canvass OF ths whole situation, and several
conferences with leading members OF the
trade, the conclusion was reached that the
auction was the most feasible and desirable
plan. AS soon as tested it was generally con-
ceded that it worked well with most of the
trade and spot cash was Immediately realized
on their fruit which sold at prices which
yielded about as much TO the growers as I. o. b.
sales when everything is considered.
when IL became necessary 10 prepare for
this season WORK, two combinations OF the
Cav aRl hA-h of
which sought control OF tho shipments of the
exchanges.
auction System for this season, proposals were
received from the representatives OF both fac
tions. and made its contracts with the one
that offered the best terms, as pain business
"While it is not part of the work of the ex-
changes to participate in the quarrels of the
San Francisco dealers, the knowledge of their
existence is essential to a correct understand.
ing of the situation.
fob. or through the auction and positively re-
fuss to accept eonsignments, the situation
would be cleared inBide of three days, but those
opposing the exchange, WHOEVER they may be,
will not DO this. They ally themselves with
outside shippers and Csc the fruit consigned TO
them both by ehippers and growers to batter
low this course they must accept the conse-
ouences.
they claim only the right to handle their own
business in their own way and III doing will
study the interests of the trade, but must not
be expected TO stand idly outside ana see their
Interests Daralyzed AID SEQ their market
wrested from hem by consignments
''1he auction ls an open one where the dealer
can go and purchase any quantity his trade re-
Qu1res, and is managed by representative of
me exchanges and they have on their list the
names OF 10 wholesale dealers IN San Francisco
actual buyers.
at may b true that tho coRst trade could be
handled to fur greater advantage on an I. o. b.
basis. but so long as outside shippers persist in
their determination TO make oonsignnents the
exchanges are compelled to protect themselves
in the beJt way possible.
cit is not true that the exchanges respon-
sibe for the legged low prices in San Fran
cisco. 1t il the consignments that are being
rushed in for this avowed purpose of teaching
the exchanges lesson and breaking down he
auction which they have established, and this
condition of things offers che best possibe
answer to the argument offered, that ell that Is
DecessaIy TO re-sstabsh the market is for the
growers TO refuse consignmeuts, but we find
oranges bought lob. by outside shippers con-
signed to San Francisco to be used for the ex-
press and openly declared purpose of downing
the exchanges.
unjust the attempt to hold the exchanges res
ponsi bic for conditions which existed in worse
iorIn before their organization and which they
have earnestly slrlven 10 suppress.
"lhe executive board OF the exchanges is
composed of men who have been successful In
their different pursuits and are now giving
their services 10 tho exchange without any
othes hope of reward than tho gratitude and
appreciation OF the growers and desire to sue
cceu III fcHtOIllS int Stability Oh tue IuHTkeJs
confidence o the buyer, ana extend the mar
kels SO as to provide for the rapidly increasing
output. They are human and may make mis-
takes, but lhe growers owe it TO their own best
Interests TO stand loyalty by them.
ut Is reasonable to suppose mat they only
reached the conclusion TO continue the auction,
after obtaining all the informal on possible
and with due regard for the best interests of
the exchange. The grower should therefore
be SLOW 70 accept criticigms the acts OF the
men Of their own selection
SIN the groWers' hands rests the key of the
situation. If they stand firmly and Loyalty by
each other they Will make permanent success
of the greatest undertaking OF its kind on
record. II jealousies, suspicious and sehisms
and likely TO enter into their minds, our fabric
Will be wrecked and worse condition prevail
than thet which we are wrestling; none
realize this fact more than those opposing the
exchange system end the work it IS endeavor-
The Grange Market
NEW YoRK, Jan. l2,-0ranges are firm; fancy,