The San Francisco call., 1896-04-17
Necessary Steps Will Immedi-
ately Be Taken for Estab-
liShment.
TO CONCENTRATE THE TRADE
Will Make a United Effort to Protect
the Producers of Perishable
Products.

set forth with all the contingent advan-
tages 10 the consumer and the producer.
The first question to be decided by the
convention was whether such market
was desirable, and if so, then what steps
were necessary for its establishment.
Colonel Mark L. Mcdonald called the
convention to order, and B. NJ. Lelong was
chosen secretary. subsequently, upon the
report of a committee on permanent or
ganization, they were made permanent
officers OF the convention, with Robert
Howe as vice president.
On suggestion of E. F. Adams, the ames
of those present and whom they repre-
sented was obtained, as follows:
Colonel Mark L. Mcdonald, Sonoma
County Horticultural Society; William
/. Overhiser, Stockton Grange; Thomas
Jacobs, Visalia, TulareiGrange; c. +. Mont
gomery and J. A. Filcher, State Board OF
Trade; Z. F. Adams, Wrights, Highland
Grange, so growers; w. w. Chapman,
Pomona Grange, Sonoma County, repre-
senting four subordinate oranges; Robert
Howe and Mr.. Merritt, Sonoma County
Horticultural Society; B. w. RowIey, H.
T. Hatch and H. P. Stubs, State Horti-
cultural Society; f. NJ. RICHTER, Callfor-
MIA Dried Fruit Agency, representing at
least thousand growers; S. p. Sau nders,
San Jose; w. w. GLADDEN., Healdsburg; B.
F. Walton, Sutter County; G.. n. Sand
Jose; ]. H. Bowman, Suisun, and many
others. President Mcdonald formally
opened the meeting. Said he:
The question of the establishment of a pub
lie wholesale market for perishable products
in San Francisco has been considered for some
time by different organizations. Numerous
petitions and resolutions favoring its estab-
lishment have been presented to the State
Board of Harbcr Commissioners, asking for
the setting aside OF part of the water front for
the establishment of this proposed market
where any producer may sell or have sold his
products by any agent OF his choice. The
ness 10 assign the necessary space and to CO.
operate in all ways possible; but requires that
the producers, through an organization of
their own, shall have the direct detailed man.
agement of the market, subject of course to
such regulations as the commission may ap-
prove
the State Board Of Horticulture, this conven-
ton was called to consider this subject and
determine II such market as is proposed is
advisable, and II so decided TO take the neces-
sary steps for its establishment and such
other action as the convention may deem wise.
II is earnestly hoped that this convention viii
act harmonlously and put this market project
into definite form. The space will be provided
free of rent, and if the convention can effect
practicable plan of administration the market
viii be established and IN short time begin
TO handle this years fruit output. The matter
Is wholly in the hands OF the growers.
A committee of three on permanent
organization was appointed, consisting of
w. w. Chapman, William L. Overhiser
and s. B. Saunders.
E. r. Adams read a paper prepared
after q careful study of the subject for the
enlightenment of the convention. He
said in substance as follows:
The proposed market is now generally under
stood to be wholesale market where produce
will be sold in unbroken original packages
from first hands.
The proposals do not deal with methods Of
sale in. the least. They do propose as an
essential element that the records of sale
shall be open 10 the officers of the market and
TO all Others interested, so that any producer
desiring at any time to check his returns by
Dther information viii merely have to address
the superintendent of the market giving date
OF shipment and name Of merchant and re-
ceive by return mail name of purchaser and
price. This we do want, and no honest CON-
mission merchant will object TO ii, but on the
contrary will welcome IL.
Another very common error ! viii allude to-
There is great concern on the part of many
that such market as is proposed Will not be
supported" by growers Now those who are
proposing this market do not in the least rely
on such voluntary support on the part of
growers, as is implied in the idea of special
consignmentS to such market, in the absen ce
OF which the product will go elsewhere No
such market would be worth establishing The
market We propose requires no promi-
market which we propose all perishable
products will be delivered in due course of
business by the transportation corr fpanies and
viii all be alike taxed for whatever expense
may attend it.
There are two taxes which the trade now
pays which, if we can remove in favor of the
new market in my judgment, viii hold the
trade. The first is that OF rent. The State of
fers space rent free and no commission man
paying rent can long compete with those pay
The establishment of rent-free market will
therefore certainly compel the commission
men to do business there. If all do not aecede
to go out OF the commission busi-
ness. As We are situated, the grocers'
and other wagons can as easily go to
the water front for their produce as to stop at
Front street. Indeed they Will much prefer to
do so, as they viii there see what's in the mar
ket massed in the smallest possible space and
can do their business easier and quicker than
by wandering along blocked streets.
The proposal before the commission con-
templates that the proposed market shall be a
common terminal for perishable products for
all transportation companies, where all such
products shall be delivered in due course OF
business and without drayage charge.
In my Judgment IL is better to adhere strictly
10 the original idea of a free market-that is,
market whose running expenses are paid
Directly by the growers themselves, used tor
thelr own beneht and controlled IN the public
interest The support of the market by tolls
mas the additional advantage that all funds
Wonld pass through the public treasury.
whole management of the market should be
strictly public function 10 be wholly dis
charged by the sworn officers of the State with
out interference from any one.
II Is obvious by this time that this conven-
tion cannot establish the free market We can
say Whether or not We favor it, and, If We
favor II, we can take such steps as in the wis
dom OF the convention shall seem likely to
promote 1t, and the Harbor Commission can
ailot the space. But the crucial point will
arise with the transportation companies. If
they VIII deliver, free of drayage. the perish
able products at the common terminal we can
have the market. If they viii not do not see
how we can.
In conclusion l have simply to say that we
all know how we regard the San Francisco
produce market. Speaking for the small
growers who constitute the majority, we know
that there is hardly one of us who viii shin
pound of fruit here which we can dispose of
elsewhere. IL is the dumping gronnd for our
refuse. This is not as it should be- The San
Francisco market is by far the largest market
in the world for the perishable products of
California It is our home market This
mnyement is an honest effort To rnaka it our