The record-union., 1897-11-17
FARMERS COUNTY CLUBS.
THEIR REPRESENTATIV IN
SESSION HERE.
Steps Were Taken Yesterday To-
ward Forming a General State
Organization.

Fifteen representatives of Farmers
Clubs from various sections OF the
State assembled in the office OF tue
Secretary of the State Board OF Horl-
culture, and organized by electins hu-
ward Berwick of Monterey Chairman.
Chairman Berwick called upon Johh
S. Dore of Fresno to explain the ot-
ject of the meeting Mr.. Dore said that
last year a Farmers Club had been
organized at Fresno for the purpose
of securing unity Of action and har-
mony in their efforts towards securing
proper legislation along lines beneIclai
for tillers of the soil. In order to give
such a movement strength, he deenleo
it desirable to effect a State organiza-
ton, and said that the future OF the
movement probably depended upon the
action taken during the evening
Douglas r. Fowler. also of Fresno
was called for, and said that any prop
osition for organization among farm-
ers would meet with his approval, and
that efforts towards organization had,
with him. become a sort of religion.
The life of any business, Mr.. Fowler
said, depends, in a manner, on organ
ization, and the farmers of California
are not well organized The very indie
pendence of their life he said, has up
to the present time prevented effective
organization.
But the time has come, said Mr.. Fow-
Ter, when the farmers feel the need
of organization. They should gather
together to discuss matters pertaining
TO their business, and devise ways and
means for disposing of their raw ma
terial to advantage He thought some
initial steps ought to be taken to bring
the several county clubs in close touch
and in order to do this a State organ
ization ought to be effected.
Alexander Gordon of Fresno also adj
dressed the assemblage, and urged inn
mediate organization. One of the first
steps after the organization of county
clubs. he said, was the appointment
of an Executive Committee to be com
posed of nine energetic, active men
These committees, he held, by appear
ing before Boards Of Supervisors and
stating the demands of the farmers
often effect a great saving of the peo-
pies money. He urged members OF
clubs to keep politics out of the or
ganiZation.
Dr. Obraham of the San francisco
Club told of the efforts taken by that
organization to secure a free market
on the San Francisco water front. He
was of the opinion, however, that 1t Will
take all the powers of the State to Sc
cure such a market, owing to the close
organization of the commission men,
He hoped to see a State organization OF
Farmers Clubs.
Chairman Berwick called attention to
the proposition of Claus Spreckels to
erect q beet-sugar factory at Salinas.
Spreckels. Mr. Berwick said, had Of
fered to buy 1900 tons of beets daily
from the Salinas farmers, and pay
$4,000 for them The proposition, the
speaker said, looked like a good one
for the farmer. but there We're two
sides to the question, for out of those
5000 tons of sugar-beets Spreckels
would make 450 tons of raw sugar
This, placed on the market at the usual
price. would bring to the factory people
twice as much money as would be paid
to the worker and land owner.
Mr.. Berwick said he knew of no rea-
son why, with proper organization, the
farmers cannot erect factories of their
own. ana themselves toAt liAS liz"
sands which will roll into the pockets
of the owners of factories.
Mr. Brainard of Santa Clara and rep
resentatives of other county organlZa-
tions also addressed the meeting ano
urged permanent efforts and effective
organization.
A long discussion on the subject OF
a free market followed, in which
number of those present took part
1t was finally decided that each per-
son present should act as a committee
of one to find out how many county
clubs there are in the State. and how
many of these have representatives II
the city at this time and it was agreed
that after the information shall have
been procured another meeting shah pt