Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-12-01

The adjourned session of the
Melongrowers' association con.
vened at Recker's opera house
Saturday morning, Nov. 2G, Pres
ident Swink in the chair
Manager Swink read lengthy
report giving detailed information
as to the number of cars, crates
and baskets which had beer
shipped during the season.
Secretary Matthews reported
that the book-keepers had been
hard at work on the books but had
not been able to prepare the indiv-
idual statements.
X. 8. Miller, assistant book
keeper, said that unexpected die
ficulties had been met with but
the arduous work was almost done.
s. s. Bailey, assistant book
keeper. said that the work was
very intricate and that although
the force had worked day and
night it was not possible to have
the statements ready.
Assistant Book-keeper Lewis
spoke of the difficulties of prepar-
| ing the statements about in the
same line as those quoted above.
President Swink said that the
year had been very unsatisfactory
and the management had many
difficulties to overcome, The out
put was three times that of any
former year and the home grown
melons which came in competition
with ours in the eastern markets
we're better than usual, while ours
were not up to the standard. The
general good supply Of fruits also
cut down the demand for melons.
At first fair prices were obtained
but later prices went low. The
season begun about five days la-
ter than last year and reached the
lhigh-water mark Of shipments ten
days earlier than ever before.
4. ]. Britt called for the mana
gers report Of cash received, and
paid to the treasurer.
j. s.. Wilson called for the
reading of the minutes of the di-
rectors7 meetings during the sea-
son.
This created considerable dis
cussion. All the directors who
spoke favored the widest public
ity for their doings. All the
books of the association are at all
times open to the members for in
spection. The discussion was
ended by passing a resolution in
structing the directors to publish
n condensed report of their pro-
ceedings for the past year.
L. II. Wiley spoke of the in
ferior character of the goods
shipped east and Of the fact that
the worst reports were verified by
the agents of the association who
went east. The $4,000 mistake
had left some Of the growers of
the best melons without any
money. He had presented the
situation to their banker who de-
INJURED against putting my more
money into the disastrous dump
and wreck. They could get all
the money needed for the next
years business, but cash to help
pay for dead horse was another
thing. All they could possibly
borrow was $5OOO, and this was
offered to settle the balance due
the association. Mr.. Wetzel, lie
said, Ind made two mistakes:
paid too much per crnte and tried
to take too many. The Western
Poultry & Game Co. had put up
s15,OOO in their enthusiastic ef.
forts to stand by the association
and place the melons throughout
the east. They had taken more
than contracted for and had taken
them in greater quantities per day
than the contract called for.
They all came at once and we
should not have taken them in
such quantities. We took the
risk to save the association. We
have all mortgaged our personal
property to enable us to make
this 5000 offer. If we make n
contract with you for another
year we have the experience, we
can get the money and can serve
you better than anybody. We
have paid you s7S,000 and have