The San Francisco call., 1896-04-29
Harbor Commissioners, Railway
Men and Fruit-GrowerS
in Council.
VARYING VIEWS ARE AIRED,
Indications That 1t May Be Some
Time Before the Project Can
Be Realized.

attended Dy representatives from tne Cdll-
fornia Fruit Exchange, the Fruit-growers'
Association, the Southern Pacific Com
pany and the Board of State Harbor Com
missioners. 1t was there decided to bring
matters to some decisive issue at formal
conference to be held on the day following
Accordingly, at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning the meeting opened in the offices
of the State Board Of Harbor Com mission
ers.
Among those present were members of
the Board of Harbor Commissioners, the
Chief Wharfinger, Frederick S. Stratton,
the boards attorney, B. +. Walton of Yuba
City, John Markley OF Healdsburg, An
drew Reiter of San lose, d. F. Fowler of
Fresno, Edward f. ADAMS of Santa Clara
and John Merritt of Sonoma, all of the
California Fruit Exchange, and Senator
William Johnston of Courtland, W. L.
Oberheiser of San Joaquin, 1. H. Bergier of
San Leandro, ]. a. Filcher, of the State
Board of Trade, and J. B. Meacham of
PeIaluma, being the committee of five ap-
pointed at the free market convention held
at the Chamber of Commerce on the 10th
inst. besides number of gentlemen repre-
senting various transportation agencies.
President Colnon OF the Board of Har-
Dor Commissioners called the meeting to
order. he SAID the commissioners were in
favor OF the free market project.
I'VE will give you all that we can give"
continued Mr.. Colnon. "and that is free
space, which would ordinarily represent
monthly rental of $500. We will also pro-
vide lighting facilities FOR the sheds and
wharves. Beyond this our powers do not
go. We have consulted the attorney of
this board in order to find exactly what we
could do. 1t seems that We cannot impose
any extra tolls, and what charges are made
beyond those fixed by authority of the
State must be levied by the management
OF the market"
This called forth much discussion. The
commissioners were in favor of granting
shippers of fruit the same privileges now
accorded to shippers of wheat, namely, to
allow the shipments to remain on the
premises for five days free of charge, and
after that time to make them subject to
small rental.
John Markley, secretary of the State
Board of Examiners, and q prominent
fruit-grower of Healdsburg, asked a num-
Der of questions as to the practical work
ings of the market. He expressed a fear
that complicated system of management
and a multiplicity OF small tolls might op-
crate so as TO deter shippers from sending
their produce thither. He recommended
that the plan be well thought out, and its
probable workings carefully weighed be-
fore any action were taken.
Attorney Stratton, the boards legal ad-
wiser, said he feared that unless the pro-
lect were carefully matured, there might
be danger of litigation. He reminded the
commissioners that they were not free to
Go as they pleased. Their powers in the
premises were regulated by law, and
though they might desire to give up all
control of that portion of the water front
to be devoted to the uses of the free mar
ket, the law creating the board would not
permit any such REIMBURSEMENT.
Mr.. Adams switched off from the legal
aspects of the case and returned to a con-
slderation OF the practical working meth
DDS of the market. He recommended the
employment of two managers, one to COM
mence work at O'clock in the morning
and the other to have charge during the
forenoon and afternoon. One man, he
ssid, would not be able to endure the
work
Mr.. Stratton answered that the board
would not have power to appoint and pay
market superintendent. nor to manage
market, both matters being beyond its
province. 1t might, however, appoint a
wharfinger and collector, who would have
charge OF the premises.
But l understand the California Fruit
Exchange wants men of its own selec-
ton" interposed Mr.. Colnon.
THAT offers no difficulty rejoined the
attorney, 1.-THE exchange could recon-
4HCh iOA Ine DOSlIIOLS anu Lu6 DOaTU
then appoint them at the exchanges
recommendation.
Captain Nelson, representing the Cali
fornla Transportation Company, said he
had been carrying fruit for forty-five years,
and thought fruit-growers could not have
freer market than they now have at
Jackson street.
Captain Leal of the river steamer Caro-
line took the same view. Both captains
said it would be impossible to make two
separate discharges of cargo in San Fran
cisco, as the time for unloading was too
short.
WELL" reioined Mr.. Oberheiser testify.
"if you can't do it somebody else cam
"But we have some interest in the mat
ter" said Captain Leal with some warmth.
This thing is altogether out of order"
said Mr.. Colnon, land we are losing valu-
able time. The proposition is that we
offer you either section or Lombard
street wharf, and the attorney of the board
recommends that your decision on the
matter be couched in the form of written
communication"
"How about Mr.. Smurr's tramway
idea?" asked Mr.. Markley.
ut is lmpracticaole. answered Mr.. Col
non. 1--WE haven't money enough for Its
utilization, and if we had we wouldn't
permit the streets to be ripped up for any
such purpose"
Wei" said Mr.. Adams "before we 90
any farther 1t would be well for the fruit
growers to have short talk among them
selves"
This was agreed to, and the office of the
State Board of Horticulture designated as
a proper place. Thither, accordingly, the
fruit men repaired and remained cioseted
until lunch time.
In the afternoon the conference recon-
vened, Mr.. Smurr of the Southern Pacific
Company being also present The follow
ing report from the directors of the Cali
fornia Fruit Exchange was read:
To the Honorable Board of State Harbor Conn
missioners-GENrLEMEN The California Fruit
Exchange respectfully represents to your hon
orable body as follows:
The riyer-steamer fruit now delivered IN
Jackson-street wharf, as q matter of fact is
largely now sold or that wharf substantially
as proposed for the free market except with
no regulation; ana such fruit, By reason of its
convenient point of delivery and by escaping
drayage and consequent jamming, has great
advantage over all other fruit delivered to this