The San Francisco call., 1897-11-18

few years go could rot have been bought for
less Than $500 or S4OO an acre would not now
bring over $50 TO $50 an acre, and II is ex-
tremely dou b hui if maay VINO have the means
would be wiling 10 invest their moneI In
orchard property under any circums tances.
While the dis tribution and marketing OF Inc
less perishable products OF our orcnarus,
notably our cured and citrus fruits, nave ueen
greatly improved hy our efforts In the past
and while local ORGANIZATIONS nave zone 50
much 10 re.orm many OF the most reckless
and extravagant methods so destructive 10
profitable fruit-growng so far but lltsle hesu,
way mas beel made in improving the method
OF distributing and marketing our lFesh ue-
ciiuous fruits.
Consign gnment through commisSon-shlppersE
the oaBe OF the frultgroweT-seem W oe
fastened upon the industry to the DESTRUCTION
OF ali profit uniess the irultgroWers them-
selves take charge OF their own shalrs
The cause that have contributed 1Aost 10
bri about the present condition in whlch
We find the fruit interests of the State lu-
volved, are shipping ana consignlng through
commission firms whose aim ana oolec IS 10
make all they can, regardless OF results 20 the
growers. Through consigning comes Inc eX-
orbltant refrigerator charges or the syhuicAte
organised III he East to hand e ana distribute
Califprn a fruit
Werecommend thatiruit-growers act together
in a common cause for their common good.
They sh ould organize in all localities where
there is enough fruit grown 10 make one or
more carload day or the purpose OF man
aging their own business. They should ship
and market their own fruit through their own
agents. They should select and send repre-
sentatIves from their organ cation for the
purpose OF perfecting a State association,
through which Information C 'uld be given re-
.garding sb Ipments. SO perfect system OF dis
trlbutlon might be established.
Regarding dried fruit, the report says:
The foregoing refers more particularly to
green fruit. Regarding cured iruit, We will
recommend that, If you will cOnsign. select
commercial brokers in large distributing CEN
ters. who neither buy nor sell on their own
account. They should be men of unques-
uonable character. Ship 10 your own
order. Prepay the freight; own your own
goods when they rescI the market; sell to
net I. o. b. California prices. If your broker
cannot sell AT these prices you have made d
mistake by not selling on the coast, and hence
are paying your broker, who is worse than
useless to you.
II is not the part of wisdom to put the max
Ing OF the price OF your product In the hends
OF those who consider their Interests are best
subserved hv producing and maintaining q
falling market.
II it be true, as claimed, that those VINO
have hau almost absolute control in shipping
and marketing the frult products nj the state
during the Iast five years. have honestly and
earnestly labored in the interest OF Ihe grow
erS, with the result obtained, IS not this TACT
sufficient ia itsef TO recommend u change III
the ways and methods that have been en-
poyed ov Them in marketing our orchard
product? =? A change Can Ger lainly do no
harm, and much good might come from 1t
Following the ma iority report came one
from the minority, which in no manner
took issue with the former and oniy
offered additional suggestion OH the ques-
iion of establishing a Fruit Growers
Exchange. When the question OF the
ma jOrlty re port came up, J. a. tcher of
Placer moved that the committee retire
and return 10 the convention some plan OF
organization. This motion prevailed, and
tl,a hat
When it re Iurned, il was to advocate the
subscription of $4,000. to be used for the
purpose of holding exhibits OF California
fruits i'll for ign markets.
Edward Adams of San Francisco re-
marked that he thought the committee
had been instructed 10 formulate some
plan OF organization, and he did no. think
it had done so. Stephens replied that the
committee did not feel like assuming the
respon ~ibility OF such an undertaking, and
this remark brought Major Weinstock TO
MS feet. In tie course of his remarks he
questioned the feasibility OF sucn a
scheme and, IN support OF his claim, said
tnat while Stephens had always advocated
such plan, when it came 10 a question OF
suggestion, Stephens had always been
found wanting.
Then came reply from Stephens, and
II ost of the afternoon was consumed in
an endeavor by Stephens and Francis TO
prove the curse of fruit companies aud
WeInstock TO take the curse off. tn
Southern Pacific came in for its share of
attention, ana a resolution was adopted
demanding gular passenger time on all
fruit trains, Rutler claiming in support of
he resolution that If sucA a concess on
were made IL would render the employ
mems Of reiri geraIo-s unnecessary.
After passing another resolution re-
guessing the Postm aster- General to pro.
hibit the transmission of plants and bulbs
through the United States mail, the CON-
ventlon took a recess.