Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1898-08-11
THE KICKERS
DEFEATED!
A Rousing Meeting of Melon Growers Sus-
tains the Directors
Enthusiastically Wetzel

Perhaps the liveliest meeting in
the history of the Melongrowers'
association was held Saturday
last. 1t was special meeting
called to investigate a number of
complaints against the manage
ment of the directors. The atten-
dance was large and a marked in
terest shown. The meeting was
called to order at 10 a. IN. by Sem
ator Swink. chairman, who read Il
long list of rumors affecting the
business integrity of the directors
and which threatened to cause dis
content in the association.
The complaints were taken up
one by one and the fullest discus
sion asked. Everybody having
any facts was asked to produce
them. The result was a complete
defeat for those who spread the
false rumors and triumphant vim
dication of the directors. The de-
rogatory stories were proven to be
utterly without foundation.
While the calling of such a
meeting seemed to be giving un-
deserved attention to idle gossip,
the meeting was productive of
good results, proving the solidity
Of the organization and the earn
est determination of the members
to maintain it intact
F. NJ. Harsin expressed the be-
lief that perhaps only one or two
Of the charges had any fouddation
whatever. Last year was the
most prosperous ever enjoyed by
the valley, but the more some peo-
pie get the more they want.
NJ. Budger said the rumors afioat
caused much smoke which might
burst into flame if not shown to be
only smoke. The kickers had not
come to the board to find out if
the damaging reports were true.
The board had the records to show
for all their doings.
II. T.. Brannon objected to send.
ing n man east.
Mr.. Magee was ready to contri-
butte melons to fight any shipments
which came into our markets.
The charge that the directors
had ordered that 8 instead of Z
per cent be set aside for expenses
was quickly exploded by reading
the bylaw fixing the expenses
fund at Z per cent. Director Bad
ger stated that a one per cent
raise had never been suggested in
the board.
The kick against sending men
to the west, north and south was
disposed of by the statement that
the board had never proposed any
such action. The rumors Of send
ing Senator Swink to California
and Director Longacre to Texas
were equally nnfounded.
G. w. Knapp asked if the Z per
cent would pay nll the expenses
contemplated by the directors in-
Guiding melon day at Omaha.
Mr.. Swink said that melon day
at Omaha was not to be at the ex-
pense of the association. The
members will be asked to contri-
butte the melons as individuals but
the cash necessary will be raised
by private subscription.
At the suggestion of the direc-
tors Senator Swink said he had
gone east to look after the busi-
ness OF the states of Iowa, Nebras-
ka and Minnesota. At Omaha he
found large and responsible
house which had business connec-
tions in these states and with which
he had arranged to handle our
cantaloupes. During his late trip
to California Mr.. Swink said he
had done much talking in the in
terest of the association but his
trip had not cost the melon grow
ers a cent and never would.
A. H. Lincoln spoke enthusias-
tically of Mr.. Swink's labors for
Al p.ck -e A1,- n..~osuks1,,