The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-02
THE BATTLE
HAS BEGUN
Directors and Stockholders
of the Wine Corporation
at Odds.
The Issue Will Be Manifested
at To-Day's Meeting of the
Convention.
President Croker PrOphesies That
Wine Will Be Cheaper Than
Ever This Year.

The light Is now fairly on at the wine
growers CORPORATION convention, but the
election OF directors to-day will in all
probability settle it once and for all.
The meeting was opened in the Cham
Der OF Commerce hall yesterday morning,
and almost every stockholder was either
there in person or rel resented by proxy.
The session was largely taken up with
discussion of the old question as TO
whether 1T would be advisable to come
out openly and fight the association, and
if so, by what means. The discussion was
long and heated, as the rule of free speech
is held sacred by this body, and each
mem Der felt in duty bound to say some
thing, or try to say something, and none
could say him nay. Unfortunately, how
ever, these gems of oratory will be for
ever lost TO the world, as the meeting was
held behind closed doors. The argument
eliminated with the adoption of a reso-
Tut on the effect that the corporation,
having failed TO find purchasers among
the san Francisco dealers, would go out
into the markets of the world and enter
into competition with anybody and every
body in order to get rid of its products
This matter beng disposed of the real
issue O. the day was taken up. 1t was the
old question of having men on the board
trad Tn s matter mas been the subjecl
OF much desultory conversation between
the stockholders, the majority OF whom
contend that II Is bad policy, inasmuch
as there is nothing 10 prevent these men
from entering into competition with the
corporation and using the information
which as directors they would DO ~sess a
means of fattening heir own private
purses Two OF the present board are en-
gagged in private trade already, and it was
against them in particular that the wordy
missiles were directed.
On the other hand the present ruling
spirits contend that it is more advisab.e
to have men acquainted with the trade
and experienced with its methods to con-
duct the coming fight with the association
and outside producers than novices or
men with very little business experience.
Beyond general discussion no action
was taken, but the election to-day will
tell the story. The directors in the past
have been very powerful end MANY of the
stockholders complain bitterly that they
do nothing but re-elect themselves and
then conduct the corporation a. pleases
them. The effort 10 throw down the old
crowd ami put new men in will be q
strong one and the fact that it was de-
cided to go into business is en- indication
that the stockholders have at last got the
upper hand.
BE-. The annual reports of the officers were
also heard yesterday. President II. J..
Crocker's was long one and Contained
com plete statement of what was done
during the past year. He said IN part as
follows:
You are aware of the disagreements that
existed between the corporation and the Wine
Dealers Association and the causes that led
TO my election as president by your board OF
directors. -
Since my election have carefully endeay.
ored to act in behalf OF your interests aud
with the dealers tow ard an amicable and
peaceful adius tment of such differences as
existed. In this assured by the presL.
dent of the Wine Dealers Association at the
first meeting had win him, which was the
day after my election, that would have his
hearty cooperation. very soon ascer tained
that the reported offer by the dealers of 1S
cents for a por ton OF our 90 wines was not OF
was before my election; and Mr.. Morgan has
since stated that ire refused TO take an offer
made him to sell at II cents per gallon:
by idea is that the corporation will have to
market Its own holdings, and thatit is la d. si-
ton TO do So The price of wine is now about
II cents, including barrel, +. o. b. San Fran
cisco, and the corporation cannot at present
expect 10 get more for IT; in fact, Mr.. Morgan
stated that when the corporation went in to the
market the prices would go lower, and this
you must expect. 49,. 81.
Owing to the enormous yield OF wine this
year priceswouid naturally be low. but in case
of our entering the market they will undoubt-
eddy be lower than ever.
Knowing that this annual election was ap-
preaching 1t has been my advice that no radi-
cRl steps be taken until we had presented the
above facts to you. We have moi entered the
market with our. wine for two reasons-ffst;
that, owing to the unqualified financial ass ST.
anee and the indu gence OF our em bers. we
have been enabled to garner and hold inc
crop; and secondly, tn at we desired TO leave
TO the new board of directors you may elect
position free from any entang dement's.