The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-07
.FRU|T-GROWERS' SESSION
Weinstock's Resolution Did Not
Meet the Views of Russ
Stephens.
The Director Points Out the Ills That
Would Follow the Dumping
Scheme.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Nov. 6.-The Sec
ond days session OF the California Fruit
Growers Association convention was occu-
pied almost entirely by continuation of
the subject of cooperation among fruit
growers and the marketing and manage
ment of fruit sales in Eastern markets
Mr.. Weinstock of Sacramento introduced
the following resolutions which provoked
a spirited speech from Russ Stephens:
WHEREAS, Resolutions having in view the
perpetuation OF the California Fruit Growers
and Shippers Association, the continuance of
the bureau of information and the establish
/ ment OF one open and free auction salesroom
in each Eastern auction point have been
adopted by this convention; and whereas, it
being of great Importance to the growers of
this State that contentious such as existed dur
ing the past season shall cease, and that all in
terests shall unite for the common good.
Therefore be it
ReSoEued, That the chairman of this conven-
ton appoint conference committee of seven
members, who shall be chosen as to repre-
sent all OF the interests of the fresh deciduous
fruit industry of this State; and be IL
Resotued, That such committee shall meet at
an early date and shall request the attendance
of all interested parties, with the view of
harmonizing such conflicting interests as may
exist; and be it
Res0Ioed, That all commercial shippers, fruit
growers and other persons be, and are hereby,
respectfully requested to respond to any re-
quest OF such committee for attendance and
lend to 1t their most earnest support and aid
in its efforts TO carry into effect the expressed
wishes OF the fruit-growers, as set forth in the
resolutions adopted by this convention in re-
lation to the matter of establishing CONSOLE
dated auction salesrooms free to all buyers
and auctioneers at the various Eastern points,
In his address Mr.. Stephens, who is one
of the most prominent and best-informed
fruit-growers of the Sacramento Valley,
said the disposal of the fruit crop of the
State was in the hands of few buyers and
sellers.
If the producers hoped for any better
ment of their condition, he said. they
must make themselves independent of any
organization that in the past has controlled
their interests. He scored the bureau of
in formation.
He said it rushed carload after carload
into New York in order to cause glut in
the market so as to crush out competition
and the few growers who dared to stay out
side of the combination. What the State
needed, he said, was buyers and not COM
binations
He complained of the methods of the
bureau Of information, saying that the
daily reports sent out said so many cars to
New York, so many to Chicago so many
to Boston, and five to other points.
"Where are those other points?" he
asked. He said it was against the best in
terests of the fruit-growers, He did not
propose to turn over his property to the
tender mercies of one or two individuals.
He had taken part in an election yes
terday, he declared, and got showed under,
and he had no doubt that when the vote
was taken on these resolutions he would
be showed under again. He said the fruit
grower was hoodwinked all the time. He
was to have five-day car service, which
was to rectify all the ills we ever had.
"Did any one profit by it?' he asked.
EYES," he answered; 1.-THE big shippers
who could ship in twentycar lots. The
small shipper could not take a whole car,
even."
He insisted that dumping all the fruit in
Chicago was against the grower. Some of
his fruit was sold in Chicago at 81 70 box
and was reshipped to New York and sold
Tor 50. The location OF the auction-house
In Chicago, he averred, had been changed
SO that it was inconvenient and could be
reached by only one line of railway lead
ing to New York.
HI. Weinstock said with the consent of
his second he would withdraw the
preamble, and he hoped his friend
stephens would support the resolutions.
K. D. Stephens then asked that the last
paragraph of the resolution be stricken out
and he would then support it. II. Vein
stock consented, the change was made and
the resolutions as amended were then
adopted unanimously.
The remainder of the afternoon and
evening sessions were consumed in dis
cussion of the raisin industry of the State,
which is conceded not to be in the most
fiourishing condition and the committee
on transportation reported material re-
ductlon In refrigerator car rates.