The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06
BANDED TO KEEP
VINE PRICES Up
VineyardiSts of SOnOma
Agree to Stand To-
gether.
Pledge Themselves to Sell to
the Wine-Makers' Corpor-
alton Only.
Declare That the San Francisco
Dealers Are Threatening the
Industry.

HEALDSBURG, CAL, June 5.-Healds-
burg's business streets presented a busy
appearance to-day, for vineyardists from
all parts OF Sonoma County were here to
attend meeting of grape-growers and
winemakers, under the auspices of the
Farmers Club. The meeting was called
10 oroer by w. n. GLADDEN., and standing
room was at a premium.
7. c. Rossi, the first speaker rointed
out the great Importance of viticuIture to
Sonoma County and California, and said
the industry was threatened again by San
Francisco dealers.
Three years ago." said he, "'the Cali
fornia Winemakers' Corporation was or
ganlzed- At that time and tor years
previous grapes could be had for Sc to So a
ton, and vineyardists were on the verge of
bankruptcy. The corporation raised the
price from that figure TO $18 and $50 a ton.
Now the dealers are afraid we are too
strong for them, and are trying TO break
up the corporation. This can be accom-
plished only by the failure of the pro-
ducer to properly support US. By this
mean if the dealers and their allies get
what grapes they need, the dealers will be
IN position to dictate terms. This meet
ing is the first of a series to be held
throughout the vineyard districts OF the
State. We propose to start a big move
ment and pledge the producers to sell
their crop to members of the corporation
this season."
Rossi was followed by w J. Hotchkiss
Andrew Sbar boro, B. w. Paxton and
others, who urged the growers to sell their
grapes to no one not a mem Der of the cor
poraton. The following pream bic and
resolutions were unanim ously adopted:
WHEREAS, We the grape-growers of northern
SoHoma County, in masS-meeting assembled,
recognizing the fact that previous to 1898
gr" pes had been reduced by the efforts OF GER
tain San Francisco wine-dealers to the low
hgure OF 80 per ton, which was not sufficient
10 psy Tor the expense Of growing the SAID
grapes; and whereas, through the laudable
efforts OF the Wine-makers' Corpo ration,
which was organized for the purpose OF pro-
tectlng the yitIcultural industry of the State
from utter ruin, with which it was then
threa tened by said san Francisco wine-deal-
ers, the price Of grapes was raised in two years
up 70 Sl4 to $50 per ton, which is not an un-
/ IeasohsDle price Ior gra pes ana whereas, the
said Wlne-dealers of San Francisco have re-
Gently agalu, by reducing the price OF wine to
an unreasonable schedule, attempted to lower
the IN uiure price OF grapes 10 ruinous figure;
now therefore be il
ReSOiUed By the grape-growers of upper So
nomu County that we recognize the tact that
lLlt W luC-mdAeTS TpOTallOu Is the Trend OF
the grape-growers. ard is endeavorins to main
tain The ylticultursl industry OF the State on
a paying basis.
ResOlred That we pledge ourselves that we
wlll not in the future sell a pound OF our
grapes to any person or corporation not
member of the Ninemakers' Corporation and
that we VIII stand by it and assist its lsudable
efforts TO maintain the viticultursl industry
Of California Ou sound and paying basis.
R6sOLU6d, IuTther that a COMMITTEES be ap-
pointed TO personally visit each and every
gTape-grower III this district, for the purpose
Of listing and pledging them TO sell grapes
ouly 10 the members of the California Wine
makers Corporation, who, previous TO the
vintage, will have agreed 10 transfer their
wines TO said wine corporation.
The following agreement was read and
adopted:
We, the undersigned grape growers, in order
to protect our interests from liter ruin and TO
enable US 20 dispose or our products now and
in the future al reasona BILE living prices
hereby agree that we will dispose of and de-
liver the whole OF our crop of grapes OF 1897
TO the members OF the California Wine
makers Corporation, and none other save
those who, previous to the vintage, will have
agreed 10 transfer their wine to said Wiue-
makers Corporation.
A committee of twenty was appointed
to get producers to sign the agreement.
All present attached their signatures.