The record-union., 1896-12-02
THE FRUIT MEN In COUNCIL.
Discussing Matters Affecting Their I'M
portant Industry.
Committees Appointed on Various
Subjects-Working for Tariff
Protection.

The annual convention of California
fruit-growers met in the Senate cham
Der of the State Capitol building yester-
day morning, and while the attendance
was not large-nany delegates not hav-
Ing arrived-the interest in the proceed
ings was profound.
At 1880 o'clock the convention was
called to order by Elwood Cooper, Pres
ident of the State Agricultural Society,
who at once introduced Rev. A. G. Her
rick who offered a powerful prayer for
divine guidance in the session about to
follow.
The election of two Vice-Presidents
being in order ex-senator William
Johnston of Sacramento County was
chosen unanimously.
Russ d. Stephens was nominated for
the second Vice-President but declined
In favor of Delegate Fowler, who was
unanimously elected.
MAYOR HUBBARD'S WELCOME.
President Cooper next introduced
Mayor Hubbard to the convention, who
delivered an address of welcome as fol-
lows:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentle
men: On behalf Of the citizens of Sac
ramento it becomes my pleasant duty
to welcome you to our city. Sacra-
mento is not a large city, but it has
ample room to receive and accommo
date you all, and trust that your stay
with us will be pleasant to you, and that
the work which you may do in this con-
Vention will be of great benefit to the
1ruit-growers Of the State of California.
Sacramento, situated, as she is, in the
midst of a vast fruit-growing region, is
greatly interested in your work, for,
upon the prosperity of the fruit-grow-
ers whose orchards for miles surround
our city, does the prosperity Of this city
largely depend.
AS you know a large portion Of the
deciduous fruits sent to Eastern mar
kets are shipped from this city. and that
within sight of the dome of this build
ing large proportion of the fruits of
California is raised It is an easy mat
ter in this State TO raise fruits, but to
cultivate and raise them successfully
and to market them profitably requires
wisdom, experience and cooperation.
To large extent. you are expected to
formulate plans and to instruct indi
vidual growers how to get the best pos
sible results from their labors,
TN your conventions you receive the
information on these matters which the
experience, not only of the fruit growers
here in California, but of the fruit
growers all over the world, has demon
strated to be the most profitable known
to man. From the experiments which
others have tried, you can show our
growers how they can avoid mistakes
and great losses.
THE fruit-growing industry in this
State has grown to such proportions
that legislation is required by the State,
and you, as representatives of the grow
ers, are expected to consider and discuss
these matters and to prepare and pre-
sent them to the next Legislature in
proper form, so that laws may be en-
acted which will be beneficial to those
who are engaged in the fruit business.
II appear before you, not for the pur-
pose of offering any suggestions as to
what would be beneficial to your inter-
ests, but simply for the purpose of well
coming you on behalf Of the city, and to
tender to your our hospitality and our
best wishes for all of your undertake
ings"
PRESIDENT COOPER'S ADDRESS.
President Cooper next delivered his
annual address, which was replete with
information and was well received.
He spoke strongly in favor of con-
tinuing the war against insect pests,
stating that at least $1,000 600 worth
of fruit annually was destroyed by
them. He approved the importation of
parasites, and recommended that the
Legislature be asked to make an
ample appropriation for the purpose.
The past season had not been a good
one for fruit growers, and while there
may not have been the same depression
as In some other businesses, still 1t had
been discouraging.
The speaker urged closer organiza-
tion among fruit growers, stating that
there were many markets for California
fruits which If opened would allow
growers to dispose of every pound Of
fruit raised by them. A strong cen
tral organization was urged, in order
to do away with active home competi-
ton in Eastern markets.
COMMITTEES.
On motion of William Johnston, Vice
President Fowler was directed to ap-
point a committee on printing and dis
trfbuting the Presidents address.
After short walt Mr.. Fowler an
nounced as the committee William
Johnston, SACRAMENTO; and Messrs.
Hutchinson, Fresno; Walton, Yuba
City; Black, Santa Clara, and Moth
eral, Hanford.
The next step being the appointment
by the President OF committees on
Resolutions, Legislation and Market
ing, Transportation and Freight
Rates. a recess was taken until z
o'clock D. m to allow him the neces-
sary time
When the convention reassembled
President Cooper announced the follow
ing committees:
Resol,rtions-Jo Markly, Sonoma;
p. ]. Shields, Sacramento; r. c. Kells.
Yuba City; =. E. Hutchinson, Fresno;
p. 3. Armstrong. Acampo.
On I,egislatfon-B. z. Walton, Yuba
City; Professor S. NJ. Woodbridge. Los
Angeles: George F. Ditzler, Biggs; III.