The herald., 1898-12-03
PACKERS OF RAISINS
DISCUSSING THE QUESTION OF
MI o2KETING
THE KEARNEY COMBINATION
In Danger Of Disruption as Result of
Attempts to Avoid Paying
Commissions
Special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
FRESNO, Dec. AT the fruit growers
convention today the speech of Theo. Kear-
ney, president of the raisn combine of six
teen hundred growers and packers of rails
ins, was the opening gun of contest be-
tween the growers and packers and com
mission men which may disrupt the raisin
people. The latter is similar to the fruit
exchange system of the citrus belt and
widely exploited as the most successful CO.
operative organization in California. kear-
ney says the growers can do their own
packing and sell their own product without
the help of other packers or commission
men. All packers, however, will not be rec
ognized out of the association, and those
allowed to remain will have to pack for less
money, while instead Of IN per cent to
packers for selling commissions, 21s will be
paid directly to commission men. Packers
assert that such of them as are not dropped
from the association this year will have to
pack at cost and will be thrown over later;
that it was through their efforts that prices
were sustained and million dollars over
last years income realized this year; that
they are forced by this action to oppose the
association and will be joined by the COM
mission men and one-third of the growers
now in the pool, and the 10 per cent still
out, besides many others who will prefer
their spot cash offers for crops to the de-
ferred pro rata of the combine. A mass
meeting of the growers is called here for
Monday by the association, to which the
packers also belong. Kearney is confident
that they will sustain his plan. If not it
is said that he will probably resign.
The Other Questions
FRESNO, Cal, Dec. 2.-(By Associated
Press Special Wire.) At the fruit
growers state convention today further
time was allowed committee for con-
ference between the manufacturers and uni
versity authorities for the framing of legis-
lation to regulate the sale of commercial
fertilizers.
w. n. Rawley submitted list of seven
teen of the principal commission merchants
and receivers of fruits and fruit products in
San Francisco who have expressed their
recognition of the value of State inspection
and quarantine law for fresh fruit, par
ticularly apples and pears.
NJ. Theo. Kearney read paper on the
araisin- industry, showing. how through the
operation of the combine there has already
been sold this year 24OO of the raisin crop
Of 1900 carloads, and the market has taken
up 1000 more carried over from 1897 The
Eastern market has been steady at highest
prices and no stocks at distributing points
The trade has freely bought on the guar
antee that prices will be held up. Sales,
with few exception, have been made for
cash before shipment. Shortly after de-
livery an advance of two cents per pound
has been made, an additional one cent is
being paid on certain grades, with more to
come at the final proration, so that net rate
result for the whole crop will equal about
3A cents per pound in the sweat box, while
last year an average net return of TX cents
per pound was not realized. Under make
shift, plan and costly deal with commerce
ial pakers over $l,000,000 more has been
realized to raisin-growers this year than
they could have possibly have secured for
their crop without this organization
The scheme of the pool and it's application
to other fruit industries were discussed and
indorsed.
San Jose was chosen for the convention of
1899.
At the opening of the afternoon session the
report of the committee on resolutions was
called for, but no member Of the committee
was present. b. E. Hutchinson OF this coun-
ty then offered resolution indorsing the
work of the horticultural commissioners of
the various counties and recommending that
no change be made in the present law in SO
far as it affects commissioners.
Some opposition developed, John S. Dore
Of this county declaring the law to be an ex-
travagant one, but the resolutions were /,
adopted.
G. p Hall of San Diego gave an interesting
talk on Methods in Citrus Fruit Culture"
He considered at length. the matter of trim
ming the trees, and favored training the
to grow in horizon.a al instead of
course. When i.tcbs grow up
ward they produce more wood tian fruit.
The matter of steaming lemons to bring out
the color and make the skin elastic was also
discussed by the speaker. Oranges were sur
jccted to the same process, he was sorry "
say, but it did not improve them.
The olive industry was next considered.
President Cooper and Secretary Lelong took
part in the discussion. Reference was made
to the failure of the crop this year, but no
A technical discussion on the pollnation OF
fruits followed, after which resolution thank
ing the citizens of Fresno and the Southern
Pacific for courtesies extended were adopted |
The convention then adjourned sine die.