The San Francisco call., 1896-01-17

Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, Santa Clara
county. The interest of the grange, as eX-
pressed by It's committee, is in the possession
en- tne water front, OF facilities for the receipt.
handling, short-term storage and sale, by auc-
tlon or IN JOB lots, of the perisha able products
OF the farms and orchards in the interior; and
this is the only so-called free market that has
Commission.
In fact, it may be doubted whether this
board would have the right to maintain any
thing in the nature of general market on the
CITY front. market for cereal products has
for some years been established on the SeaWall,
Wnere shipments from the interior and even
from Oregon are permitted TO remain certain
number OF days after landing without any
charge for storage, and to lay there q certain
longer period upon the payment of a small
sum, the object OF the board evidently having
been TO collect such revenue only as would
meet current expenses and enable its officers
to exercise the necessary control over the use
OF the allotted space.
Here was found the precedent for so much of
free market, so calico, as has been considered
by the Harbor Commission; and, in fact, this
was what suggested the idea in the first in
stance. 1t was seen tina: an advantage was
conferred lat all events sought to be conferred)
upon the producer of cereals which was denied
to producers of perishable farm products, such
as fruits and vegetables. The grain farmer
could let his sacks OF wheat remain five days
on the landing without mourning cent OF eX-
pense, even the tolls which are collected upon
ali other products crossing the line of the City
front being omitted in the case OF grain, -four
uAu luiIlStuuS. DuIluS lIllS TIME lie COu1Q
seek buyer or make arrangements for storing
elsewhere. But the fruit farmer has always
been obliged, owing to the congested condi-
ton of the landings during the fruit season,
not only to pay full tolls but to hurry his stuff
away soon after its arrival in order that room
might be had for the cargoes which were rap
idly to follow.
This commission also in the past by author
ity of an act of the Legislature, set apart a
portion of the water front for the exclusive
use of the fishermen, where the bounteous
Weld OF the taken nv them sold.
shipped or stored, the commission going so far
as 10 provide cold storage facilities. Mean
time, as said before, the producer OF garden
truck arriving at the wharves, or the shipper
thereof, is obliged to conform strictly to the
regulations, in order that the continuous in
hux during the season may not be obstructed.
To come, therefore, 10 the concrete of the
proposition, so far as l am concerned a
member OF the Harbor Commission. | am in
favor OF setting apart section 4 OF the seawall,
which is at the foot of Front street, and have a
shed, 800 feet long by 40 feet wide, for
the use OF shippers of fruits and vegetables
In their season, under terms similar TO those
governing the use OF the grain shed by
the grain men; that is tC say, each
shipper may occupy the space allotted to any
particular consignment for from three to five
or seven days, as may be determined by a con-
ference between the board and the shippers or
the State organization OF growers, no cnarge to
accrue other than that for landing in the first
instance. The grower. or shipper con-
signee, as the case might be, would then not
be forced TO get his stuff out OF the way in a
hurry, or, IN lne absence OF 8 buyer, TO dump
it into the bay. He would have breathing
spell and time TO look about for the best dispo-
sltiOn OF his products. Such details as auction
sales, or private sales by packages or other
wise, might well be left to the produc them
selves, TO be arranged for by their State or
local organizations In no case, however.
could the general control of the premises be
diverted from the Harbor Commission.
This, in brief, is the present stage of develop
ment OF the free-market idea so far as the HI ar
Dor Commission is concerned Very truly
yours, L. L. COLNON
sioners.
The hour being late, and the storm Civ
ing no prospect of abatement, the meeting
adjourned after those present had briefly
and informally discussed the contents OF
Mr.. Colnon's communication. Mr.. Mills,
as he was leaving the room, remarked:
Everything l have heard tonight con
firms my conviction that the San Fran
cisco Free Market will soon be an accom-
plished fact We have formal and most
liberal proposal from the Harbor Commits
sion, and that means a great deal. l tel
you," he repeated emphatically, as he van
ished down the elevator shaft, 1.-The SaT
Francisco Free Market is coming, anC
when it once does come it will come tc
stay."