Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-02-17
ARKANSAS VALLEY
MELON GROWERS ASSNSD

Meet ut Rocky Ford to Arrange
Plan For Harmoniously Working
Together.
At the request OF other associations in
the valley the directors OF the Rocky
Ford Melon Growers Association called
meeting to be held at Rocky Ford
Monday, Feb. IA. The call set forth the
purpose of the meetipg-to formulate
some plan which would prevent cut
throat competition among the different
localities.
The associations were all represented
md were: Pueblo, with an estimated
acreage Of 800; Olney, 225; Orlway. $40;
Fairmont, $50; Las Animus, 200; Lamar,
200; Holly 200; and Rocky Ford, 1900.
Unfortunately some of the delegates
were self-appointed and unable to do
business.
Cooperation having proved itself by
the success Of this association to be the
proper method OF protection, must be
equally as successful il adopted by cor
poratious as individuals. Just to what
extent each factor can afford concessions
is where the whole trouble may dome in.
After some discussion and expressions
Of mutual admiration the meeting appar-
emily got down to business by appointing
q committee OF one from each locality
and Nat Wetzsl Of st. Louis. This
committee was to report in two hours;
the report to contain plan by which all
the cautaloupes to be raised in the val
lev were to be handled. Here was sub-
ject that had been talked all over. up one
side aud down the other, by the directors
OF this association for weeks. yes, for
months, but unsuccesstully. They could
see no why to reconcile the local wants
and, perhaps, prcjudices,
The committee lost no time and re-
porte that, il we would consent, Mr..
Wetzel could handle the goods OF the
other associations, which he was moro
than anxious to do on the same terms.
then the most important feature would
be disposed of. OF course each would
have its own brand, nothing Whatever in
common, no Infringement on our mark,
and all goods would sell on their intrin-
aic merits. 1t is believed that our peo-
pie will agree to this.
BUT the hard proposition is the recon-
mendatiou OF the committee that chief
organization shall be formed to control
everything. We quote some fg1res in
explanation. Our manager guesses,
(they are guesses, Of course) the acreage
stated above. Let us suppose two-thirds
Of the amounts as more nearly accurate
in all cases. We would then have 1000
acres and all the others combined 1,075.
Our percentage Of the total would be 6 ,
theirs IS.
The proposal is to have board OF
about ten directors, one from each local.
ity. The parent association. after dis
covering the industry, building it up to
its present proportions, (Which is regard
ed rs miracle) and having lost no pres
tige in any possible way, is to be allowed
40 per cent OF the votes in the manage
ment should this plan be adopted.
We can not believe the committeeman
had given the matter much thought; they
went into no details, not far enough to
see a stump, let alone run against one,
aud probably thought it was all "dead
easy" signed the report and probably
shook hands with themselves.
Senator Swink, in his remarks had told
the meeting that our directors have not
been able to solve the problem. could
suggest no plan, and asked for free and
candid expression OF ideas: He had told
them to speak unreservedly though by
uOibB co bhCy 4AShb sA0oo oA obAoA PSS
pies corns.
The meeting adopted the report Of the
committee without discussion OF any de-
tails and passed resolution that each
association should send one OF its direct
ors as delegate, clothed with full an-
thority to act, to meeting to be held
OH Monday next at this place.
At that time something satisfactory
should be accomplished without material
injury to any locality, aud the watchword
must be Mutual Concessions and Mutu-
al Interests.
A. p. Kouns is figuring on dry goods
boxes and has it about sized up that the
second proposition can be solved without
any more officers, by setting price each
morning in our competing points for
next day. Most stringent rules aud
heavy penalties would be necessary.
Figures are queer things. Suppose that
during the heaviest producing season, 20
days, the crop would average five crates
to the acre, there would be forty-two car
loads daily-three train loads. Nat Wet
eel would be arrayed in a silk hat and
Prince Albert coat or, what is much more
likely, would be raving mauiac.
AS sure as death we are going to over
do things.