The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-08
Charges Against Commission
Merchants to Be Inquired
Into.
WILL EDUCATE THE FARMERS.
A Movement on Foot TO Start a Free
Market in This City on the
Water Front.

The executive committee of the State
Grange, which is clothed with full author
itv to act in all matters pertaining to the or
der, was in session Yesterday at the Russ
House. One important matter before the
Grange was the request of Highland
Grange that it should take up a charge
made by Mrs. NJ. G. Norton of Hig bland
Grange against Trobock & Bergen. COM
mission merchants of this CITY, The allie
CATION is that they sold her goods at
higher price than they returned to her
and pocketed the difference stating, when
charged with the act, that it was the usual
and proper custom among the commission
men of San francisco, IN all cases where
single packag es of fruit are sold.
Highland Grange takes the ground that
the transaction was improper and dis
honest-tirst, because the shippers have
never agreed to such action; second that
there is not on any day any established
wholesale price for fresh fruit; and third
because the law says IL is a crime. AS to
this latter point Highland Grange has
taken legal advice and has been advised
that the transaction was in violation of
section 507 of the Penal Code and consti-
tuted the crime of embezZlement.
For the purpose. of making a test case
Highland Grange requests the State
Grange to cause the arrest and trial of the
M EN- bers of the firm. The matter was re-
ferred to w. w. Greer, master of the State
Grange, and B. +. Walton, with power to
act
The committee will probably be guided
in its action by its investigation as TO
whether or not, as alleged, it is a common
practice. If it was only a single act of an
individual, Highland Grange is understood
not 70 press the matter OF arrest, but if ii
is general practice, 1t will urge that a
test be made in this case where evidence
is available.
The executive committee also had under
consideration the proposal to establish a
free market on the water front, as to which
committee of Highland Grange is in cor
respondence with the Harbor Commission
ers Edward f. Adams, representing
Highland Grange, had q conference yester-
day with President Colnon OF the Harbor
Commissioners, as a result of which a
conference of representative growers is
1 likely to be called to consider the subject
! w. w. Greer and B. F. Walton were APP
pointed committee to represent the
! State Grange, should any such conference
! be called
The educational committee was in
structed to provide for a great popular
meeting of the farmers of the State to be
held under the auspices of the grange, al
, Santa Cruz, during the coming summer.
The educational committee of the State
Grange laid before the meeting the draft
of plan for rural study circles, to be con-
Quoted on the Chatauqua plan, under the
auspices of the grange. The plan met
with approval, but was referred back to
! the educational committee TO be perfect ed
in its financial aspects. This committee
will meet in a few DAYS to further consider
the subject The grange is preparing for
ar earnest campaign on educational lines,