The record-union., 1896-04-17
Convention Of Producers Held at San
Francisco Yesterday.
The Movement to Establish Free
Market Discussed.
Unsatisfactory Conditions as They
Now Exist Commented Upon-EHOrt
to lake the Sale Out of the Hands
of the Commission Merchan0s-
Resolutions Adopted by the Con-
vQnffOn.
ventfOn.

vention.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 16-This
morning a large number of fruit-grow-
ers from various parts of the State
eathered in convention at the Chamber
OF Commerce.
Many of those present were duly
elected delegates, representing the
fruit growers associations of various
sections, while others in attendance
were individual growers, of course like
wise interested in whatever questions
seemed likely to concern their industry
A number of delegates from city organ
izations were also present by invitation.
The subject which the convention
was especially to consider was the prop
osition to establish a free market in the
city at some point on the water front
likely to be convenient to shippers and
transportation companies.
Colonel Mark L. Mcdonald, Vice
President of the State Horticultural So
ciety called the meeting to order and
explained the present status of the free
market movement.
On motion of E. F. Adams, Colonel
Mcdonald was elected Temporary
Chairman and B. NJ. Lelong Tempo
rary Secretary. Thereafter credentials
of those in attendance were presented,
the result being to show that those who
had come to the meeting, though COM
paratively few in numbers, repre-
sented many thousand fruit-growers in
various parts of the State.
On motion of W. M. Chapman, w. L.
Overheiser and S. P. Saunders were ap-
pointed a Committee on Permanent Or
ganization, and speedily reported in
favor of Colonel Mark l.. Mcdonald for
President of the convention, Robert
Howe for Vice-President and B. NJ.
Lelong for Secretary.
The report was promptly adopted and
the officers installed.
E. F. Adams Of Wright's, represent
ing Highland Grange, and about eighty
actual fruit-shippers, then read paper
explanatory of the free market propo-
sition, which he stated had been first
discussed in the grange of which he is
member. The essential point to be
observed in the creation of the free
market, he insisted. was that all the
business done there Should be trans
acted for the producer either by HIM
self personally or by means of such
agent as he may intrust with the busi-
ness. But the transactions must be
actual sales by the producer to the
buyer direct. If the present commits
sion men desired to continue in business
they could do so by going to the free
market as buyers, purchasing such fruit
as they desired, taking it up to their
places of business and there selling it
on their individual account.
The Harbor Commissioners, he added,
offered to give the necessary space rent
free, but only on condition that sales
be made after the manner stated.
Continuing, Mr.. Adams dwelt on the
unsatisfactory condition appertaining
to the selling of fruit as now carried on
through commission merchants. The
fact that many of the latter handled
not only the fruit of their customers
but also that from their own orchards
was in itself fruitful source Of sus-
picion and dissatisfaction, since there
was always a more OF less we'll
grounded fear in the minds Of the grow
ers who were customers of the COM
mission men in question that they were
being sacrificed for the benefit of their
agents. All this would be done away
with under the proposed plan, as also
the necessity at present existing of pay
ing charges, usually too high, for hav-
ing the fruit hauled up town to the
commission mems places of business.
Mr. Adams, in conclusion, suggested
the following resolutions, which he
moved the convention adopt:
Resolved, By this convention of fruit
growers and others accustomed to ship
perishable products to the San Fran
cisco market, that we favor the con-
centration of the trade from first hands
In perishable products coming to San
Francisco at some suitable place upon
the water front in a free market under
the Jurisdiction of the Harbor Commits
sion, and that in our Judgment the fol-
lowing features are essential to the sue
cess of said market:
First-It must be the usual and Or
dinary terminus for perishable products
of all transportation companies, at
which all such products will be deliv
cred, unless otherwise ordered by the
shipper.
Second-The sale must be conducted
under such regulations as shall insure
to all shippers the opportunity to know,
without expense to themselves, when
ever they may so desire the particulars
of the disposal of their products.
Third-To accomplish this purpose
there must be competent inspection
under the control either of the Harbor
Commission or of a State organiza-
ton of producers.
Fourth-There must be the authority
to levy upon all produce delivered to
the market whatever additional tolls to
those now paid which may be required
to defray the expense of proper super
vision
Action upon the resolutions were de-
ferred until the afternoon session of the
convention TO begin at 1870 O'Clock. In
the meantime a Committee on Resolu-
tions was appointed, consisting OF
Messrs. F. NJ RICHTER, ]. Filcher and
=. F. Wallham.
recess was then taken until after
noon
When the convention reassembled
Chairman ]. A. Filcher of the Commit
tee on Resolutions made a report to the
effect that his colleagues and himself
in lieu of the resolutions submitted &c
them. had considered that the same re-
suits would be attained, and pretty
nearly everything before the conven-
tion accomplished by the adoption OF
certain substitute resolutions prepared