Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-12-15

NAT WETZEL TALKS PLAIN!

Mr.. Woods, represented the indiv-
idual party known as "rhe Kouns
Party. How did the sales COM
pare? II they were so good let
them produce them. My informa-
ton is that Mr.. Woods succeeded
in getting double the net price
that these gentlemen did when
these men were backed by the en-
tire association, and had the right
of way Of Denver and western
markets with no restriction what
ever. Ii they are possessed of
such unlimited ability, why did
they not exercise tim this golden
opportunity?
Why have the growers in the
valley been loyal to US. Because
we mistreated them or because we
have treated them fnir and hon.
est? Why have the growers of
the valley declined to do business
with this company in Denver, be-
cause they have treated them we'll
or otherwise?
In their lines of instructions
they say this industry has reached
such proportions that it can not be
successfully controlled by any one
man or body of men? 1 would
like to ask what they expect to
control it by? Will they make it
an international affair and take in
all the great nations. Even that
would resolve to a body of men.
If this argument is correct, they
would have nothing left to operate
it by but q course of machinery.
We operate by a body of men.
l would like to ask this gentle
man also how long he would have
stayed at his post of duty in a
crisis like this one this year and
paid out spot cash and take all the
melons that come forward, o. we
did, knowing that the quality was
inferior as it is acknowledged by
all who are authority on melons.
My information is these gentle
men say they did not do better
this year on nccount o. the poor
condition of their goods, when it
takes but one night to reach their
market compared to Z days and Z
nights to reach our principal
markets. What would have beel.
their recourse had they taken
twelve times the amount they did.
I would like to refer to the
markets. for which the growers as
sumed the responsibility this year
and ask the results2 / would like
to ask if it is not a fact that the
money We. paid them had to be
applied to help make up freights
that the goods did not bring to
market which this association as
sumed their own responsibilities,
and would it not have been the
same in all markets had it been
left to the responsibilities of this
association.
That letter also refers to the
Ignorant and illiterate growers
in the valley. I WAS under the
impression that we were not doing
business with that class Of men.
I always thought with pride, that
the melongrowers of Rocky Ford
and the entire valley, were very
intelligent set of men and l have
NO reason to change my views in
that respect, and consider that let
ler a reflection upon the intelli-
.gence of the melongrowers Of the
valley, and is certainly entitled to
no further respect than to repudi-
ate the efforts being put forth by
that company as they have done in
years past by refusing to do bust.
ness with them. 1 consider this
the best evidence in the world that
the melongrowers Of the valley
are intelligent rather than igno-
rant, that they learned by sad ex-
perience the doom that awaits
them if they allow themselves to
fall within the hands of this 30
called "Great and Honest Con-
Germ. If man is SO bright and
intelligent and honest I have al
ways found it a pretty good rule
to await others to sing your
praises of honesty and integrity.
If he is blessed with SO many
good qualities the general public
will find it out and his reward will
usually be pramptly given, like
wise on the other hand.
1 hope statement of that com.
pany for this years business will
be published side by side Of ours
or any other year they may choose
during the career of this melon
industry.
1 believe ours is equal and