The record-union., 1896-12-03

indisposition on the part of some grow
ers to act together and the utter ina
bility Of many others who, because OF
the low prices obtained for their pro-
ducts through the system Of conSigning,
! have become financially embarrassed,
and to such a degree that they have not
only been forced to mortgage their real
estate, but in addition thereto have
been forced to give crop mortgages
the bane of the fruit grower, so far as
obtaining fair and remunerative prices
is cOncerned-to commission men, who
demanded and arrogated to themselves
absolute control in disposing of and
marketing these products in such a
manner and way as would best pro-
mote their own interests, to do which
the favorite plan has been to utilize the
fruit thus controlled to glut and de-
nloralize the markets patronized by the
independent grower and shipper.
I'm consideration of the facts above
stated, your committee feels that any
attempt at present to form perfect
and compact central or State or
ganization that would properly re-
fleet the sentiments of the great mass
of fruit growers, the workings of which
would protect and subserve their inter-
est, would prove a. failure and would,
as ever In the past, be building up a.
power that would be utilized by a few
to not only absorb the value of the pro-
ducts of the grower, but also much of
the capital invested in the fruit produc-
ing interests Of the State.
Your committee believe, however,
that much good might accrue through
local cooperation. If all growers Of
locality cannot be induced to act to-
gether because of the existence of crop
mortgages or other reasons, let those
who are still able to control their prop
erty take prompt action by declaring
their independence and come to some
understanding and agreement to ship
their products and sell them through
their own agents who will make re-
turns directly to them and also be di-
rectly responsible to them.
"As evidence of the correctness
of this plan, local cooperation.
we refer not only to the sue
cess achieved through the local fruit
growers organization in Santa Clara
Valley and other localities, but to the
entire State. They have done much to
gain and maintain living prices for
fruit products. We threfore earnestly
urge fruit growers to organize similar
organizations throughout the State and
thus assist in promoting and protect
ing the fruit growing interests Of Cali
fornia.'
A motion that the report be adopted
by the convention created heated dis
cussion which, however, was nipped
in the bud by statement Of President
Cooper that there was much remaining
to be said on the subject, and that fur
ther debate would be deferred until
the papers announced for the days ses-
sion had been read.
An interesting paper was read by e.
F. Adams of Wrights, the subject being
the erection of a free market in San
Francisco. The establishment of
market was urged as a necessity to the
fruit growing interests.
Mr.. Adams supplemented his paper
by saying that he would take the pres
ent opportunity to add his quota to the
annual farce held by the fruit growers
of the State.
The paper was exhaustive in it's ma
ture, advancing suggestions as we'll as
covering the ground so often gone over
and was attentively listened to by the
convention.
F. M. FIGHTERS TALK.
r. NJ. Fighter of Campbell, instead of
reading an essay on transportation and
freight rates on green and dried fruits,
| made an interesting talk on the SUBJ
ject.
He did not intend to say that commits
sion men were natural born thieves,
but he did intend to say that the busi-
ness was conducive to bringing in men
of that description. Birds of a feather
fiocked together" Whatever else was
done, the grower should keep out Of the
clutch of the commission man. In San
Francisco there was during the past
season sixty commission merchants, and
one of that ilk had told the speaker
that the city was large enough to sup
port three Of the right kind.
The farmer, he said, was no more
honest than other men, but honor
prompted him to keep away from
temptation. The farmer did not go
into the commission business because
he was afraid he might be tempted.
The farmer was not more honest than
other men, but more honest.
The wholesale merchant can much
more readily distribute the products
of the farmer than the commission man.
II was his business to do so. Owing to
the interference of the commission men
the sales to wholesalers has become
less and less, until scarcely a sale can
now be made.
The speaker advocated employing
travelling agents to show and sell the
products of the orchard, and also for
the establishment of agents at differ
ent markets whose duty it should be to
report the amount of fruit on hand and
the prices that might be expected for
consignments.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The subject of advertising fruit pro-
ducts in Eastern markets was briefly
handled by II. 2. Stabler of Yuba City
He suggested that a corporation be or
ganized, having as directors four fruit
growers and three dealers. The diff
Guilty was that tie growers in the past
had antagonized the dealer. This was
u wrong idea, and it would be far better
to work with and spend some money
with the consumer through the dealer
than to antagnoiZe both dealer and con-
sumner.
Business men, the speaker said, made
ii a point TO put scores Of men upon the
road 10 show their wares. If 1t were a
losing venture business men would not
so to that unnecessary expense. They
had goods TO sell, and advertised their
wares by showing them. II the fruit
growers, then, would secure the services
Of a number of wide-awake drlIrnmers
to show their products, the question of
| over production would disappear. He
/ stated thai they-a was copcftp,al ar,,,