The San Francisco call., 1897-05-20
Do FARMERS Want
A FREE MARKET I?
If So, Where and How Ar
ranged? Ask Harbor
Commissioners.
Adams of the Santa Cruz Mount.
aims Said to Be the Father
of the Law
Mkt Thursday Big Delegation of
Leating Grangers May Tell ths
Board What Is Desired.

| The State Harbor Commissioners and
| representatives of the State Grange,
Patrons of Husbandry, discussed the sub
| ject of a free market yesterday afternoon.
Commissioners Harvey and Chad bourne
| were there, but Mr. Colnon was absent
enjoying his vacation in Stockton.
A. T. Dewey was the first man to speak
for the farmers in support of the market
proposition, but he prefaced his remarks
with a suggestion that the ommis.ioners
ad journ the meeting until larger repre-
sentation of fruit-growers and Grangers
could be present. He desired that the
farmers representing the Grange should
cooperate with the fruit men from all sec
tions of the state. He asked that future
time be designated for the Harbor Com
missioners to meet the parties most inter-
ested.
Commissioner Harney remarked that
within twenty days the fruit season would
be upon US. He thought if any steps were
taken this season the start should be made
at once.
Mr.. Dewey said he suggested postpone.
ment in order to get the views OF tull
delegation of farmers.
Com missioner Chadbourne asked If it
would not be possible to get the farmers
here some time next week-Thursday. for
instance.
Commissioner Harney asked Mr.. Dewey
if it would not have been better il the in
terested parties had come before the
board Immediately after the law was
pas ssed authorizing the Com mlssioners to
| build the market.
Are you q farmer?" asked tho Com
missioner, addressing Mr.. Dewey.
Mr. Dewey replied that he was farmer
of Tulare County, and, answering other
questions svid that fruit would come from
Tuare 10 San Francisco if a free market
were established here. This year or next
year the City should have the market.
Mr.. Dewey also admitted that farmers
did not as rule move with that ra pidity
with which business men acted. 1t was
not possible for them TO get together often
and consult
Replying to questions propounded by
Major Harney Mr.. Dewey said he did not
know the quantity of fruit and other per-
isha Bile iarm products that came to San
Francisco annually. He did not know
what wharf space would be required; he
did not know whether the quantity was
80, 900 tons or 100000 tons.
When the major had fully convinced
the audience OF interested commission
merchants that Granger Dewey was not
inflated with data, the major kindly
| tapped his own reserv DIR OF statistical
knowledge, and told the Grangers that the
quantity OF fruit and perishable products
annually coming 10 this port from the
| farms of California hardly fell short of
200, 600 tons.
Il have the figures; l got them my.
SELF" continued NJ jor Harvey. WHAT
want to establish now is that dereliction
| of duty IN the building of the free market
cannot be charged 10 the Harbor Com
missioners. We have lad no advice from
the men who procured the enactment of
! the law. We have not been able to ascer-
tain what The farmers want"
w. b. Murray was next called out. He
suggested that il would be Wise to have
meeting ten days hence 10 hear from the
interested farmers.
In the general discussion which followed
! the statement was made By Mr.. Murray
that Mr.. Adams of the Santa Cruz Mount.
aims prepared the bill for the free market
which the Legislature passed.
Commissioner Chadbourne said that if
some one would come forward and father
| the law the board might be able to ascer-
! tain what was desired. He asked MI.
| Murray if the interested farmers and
| fruitgrowers could not meet here in San
| Francisco as early as mex week.
Com missioner Harvey explained that
no wharf had capacity exceeding 200)
tons. Five wharves at least would be
necessary to supply the accom- III cd ations
for fruit.
| Mr.. Murray said he would not for
minute suggest retail proposition on the
wharf. Packages should not be broken on
| the wharf.
After further discussion it was agreed
to take up the subject again at the meet
| ing of the Com mmissioners one week from
to-day.