The record-union., 1896-05-23
was felt, could only be accomplished

it was felt, could only be accomplished
through a central organization, which
would comprise a large majority Of all
the growers, packers and distributors
of these goods.
Despite many disbursements, the
committee appointed by the organiza-
tions mentioned have not labored IN
vain. What, at the outset, seemed next
to impossible, viz: the bringing OF
these interests together in this way, has
been largely accomplished.
1t is generally admitted that central
ization, to a considerable extent, re-
moves competition, and it is generally
admitted will very materially enhance
the selling value of raisins. 1t is also
conceded that the benefit to growers IN
a single season will be upwards Of half
million dollars.
While the cooperative associations
have, in the main, approved of this
plan, we regret that they could not be
induced to become a part of the central
organization, and this regret is the
greater when we consider that the grow
ers are the ones principally sought to be
benefited.
While the cooperative interest in the
raiSin business, as compared with the
whole, is small, viz, only about II per
cent, it is sufficient to create a disturb
ing element, and may possibly defeat
the plan laid out. Therefore, if failure
results, the responsibility for the loss
which growers must sustain, say SoOO,
600, this year, will rest with them, for
all other interests are ready to make
the sacrifice of personal interests in or
der that the work of the Chamber OF
Commerce and the Hundred Thousand
Club may be successfully carried out.
The advantages to be gained by the
growers in the plan are:
First-A uniform advance on raisins
at a reasonable rate of interest, thus
assuring financial assistance when re-
quired.
Second-Uniformity in packing and
grading raisins.
Third-Proper returns for all raisins
delivered at the packing houses, less the
actual, not estimated, waste in packing
and stemming.
Fourth-Uniformity in packing and
selling charges.
Fifth-Sale of all raisins at California
packing and shipping points for cash.
Sixth-Entire prohibition of consign-
ments of raisins to any market for sale.
standardization against any and
all claims on account of rejection-for
any reason-after sales have been made.
Efghth-Assurance against loss by
reason of failure Of packers or buyers.
Ninth-Large saving on the cost of
handling goods, viz:
Reduction in stemming charges, esti-
mated at $4,000 tons at 80 cents per
TON Sl0,UVO
Saving of commission of freights, 5000
cars of raisins consigned, freight S225
per car, ZOO at "a per cent.......... 5O,62o
Saving on carriage and storage on con-
signed raisins, 5000 cars at Sl5.."....... 5000
Saving in cost..................... sl10 ,625
Add to the estimated saving on cost
OF handling, the reasonable advance
to be realized by concentration, one
half cent on S0,000,000 S40O, 900
Total .s5lO, ,625
The estimate in saving is upward Of
81 per ton. 1t is believed that this ex-
hibit is underestimated, and that if
growers will join in the proposed plan a
considerably larger sum may be saved
to them. In any event, We submit that
a half million dollars is important
enough to arrest the attention of every
raisin- grower in the State, and we do
not judge the sentiment Of the commu-
nifty rightly it, with all the safeguards
thrown about this plan, and the other
advantages offered, it is not eagerly
adopted.
Tenth-Protection from any and all
Irregularities, through mistake or de-
sign, in respect to weight or quality
which protection is positively assured.
1t will be the duty of the growers
committee to see that all the conditions
of the agreement made between growers
and the corporation are fully carried
out This is, perhaps, one of the strong
est features, If not the strongest feature,
of the proposed plan.
That full understanding Of what
has been sought to be accomplished,
and the advantages granted to growers
may be had, copy of the contract to be
entered into between growers and the
corporation is submitted herewith. At
no previous time in the history of the
raisin business in California could an
arrangement such as this have been
accomplished. 1t was made possible by
the almost hopeless condition of the
business, and the general impression
that the present season, without the
application Of some radical remedy,
will be still more disastrous than the
last.
The time, thought, energy and pa
tience required to bring about the re-
suits thus far. only those who have been
directly connected with the effort can
fully appreciate; but the hope is ex-
pressed that the effort so unselfishly
made will meet the approval of those
most interested. 1t now remains for
the growers to look into the proposed
plan and to give it their substantial in
dorsement. Nothing can be done with
out the growers; with their assistance
the plan will, we confidently believe, be
a success. The raiSin business will be
lifted out of its worse than depression,