The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-13
Resent the Slight to
Their Industry.
CRITICIZE THE COMMITTEE
THE "LEMONADE FEAST" NOT
TO THEIR LIKING.
Declare That the Legislators Action
Was an Unjustifable Blow to
One of the States Great
est Interests.

The announcement that the committee
of the Legislature having in charge the
banquet of the Governors inaugural ball
had decided not to serve wine at that
function, and the publication of the menu
card showing that lemonade was the star
beverage, has most properly eXasperated
the wine men of California.
1t appears to them almost inconceivable
that such a thing could happen in this
famous home of the vine. They have
been discussing the matter during the
past two days in no complimentary man
ner so far as the men responsible for
the act are concerned. They call atten-
ton to the fact that the State of Cali
fornia, through its Legislature, has for
many years by generous appropriations
greatly fostered the viticultural industry,
and that by reason of such assistance
that industry has grown to be one of the
greatest in the State-one that carries an
| investment of more than $50 900 ,600 en-
ploying thousands of people and paying
about a fifth of the realty and personal
property taxes of the commonwealth.
They further speculate upon the obvious
fact that in due course of time the max
ing of wine in thu Golden State will be
paramount interest.
After such reflections these men natur-
ally ask what influence was powerful
enough to induce committee of the Leg
islature to give to the wine industry such
an uncalled-for and damaging slap in the
face; and, moreover, TO parade to the
world the fact that the lawmaking power
of the State deliberately discredited one
of its pet industries. The allegation is
most earnestly made that Californias
dry, wholesome wines properly belonged
upon the banquet table, and that people
at that table were not required to par
tpE nT hGrH1 Hr1a1 bax- col
what is probably deserved comment to
the effect that the lemonade was doubt
less made from lines imported from
Mexico or lemons from Sicily. The an
neXed interviews from men dlstinctiVely
representing the TWO great branches OF
the industry will sufnce TO show the pre-
Valling sentiment:
Il consider this action of the legisIa-
tive committee a dlrecJ reflection upon
the people OF California that an industry
paying nearly NTH of all the taxes of
the State should receive at the hanus of
their representatives such an insult, said
Charles T.. Bowen of the Wetmore- Bowen
Company. Wheat, wine and wood have
Tor years been the mainstay of taxation
in TINS State. Agriculture in it's varied
form is the new life and wealth of the
State Why denounce and advertise to
the world by state sanction, through
state off1claIS, one OF its giving indus.
tries? II it We're in my power | would
deduct from. the salary of each RESPONSE
bic legislator 20 per cent of his pay, or an
amount equal 10 that contributed by the
Willie lllQuStIy toward his salary. Inc
average California legislator who would
be tempted by the sight of a bottle of
California wine served at a guberndtorial
banquet need not reach for II III his idea
OF temperance intrudes Ii IS to be hoped
that state legislation against California
ralSinS, the seeds of which have been
known 10 produce appendicitis, will not
follow
This action of the legislative committee
Is an unWarranted blow TO one OF the
most important industries OF this State
he ] acyiS-
lature, said Andrea Sbarboro, secretary
OF the 1taiian-SWiSS Agricultural Colony
ana president OF the Manufacturers and
PRODUCERS Association. California
such an immense territory sparsely set
tied, and what it wants most is popu-
latlon of thriving agriculturists, VINO
While producing a certain line of agri-
cultural products, will also consume otner
products of the State and make thc COM
many industries of the State which can
compete with other States Of the Union
but there is only one industry which has
absolutely, no competition. The great ar
chitect of the universe seems to have
given to only one of the States of the
Union, and that California, a soil and
climate required to produce as fine wines
as those OF Italy and France. With TINS
blessing California has also within
easy reach mighty population to supply
with .nIs most healthful, nourishing and
not intoxicating beverage.
While the little republic of Chile, with
territory and population about as large
as thar of the State of California, now
produces and cons INES 70 600, 900 gallons
of wine per annum, the State of Califor-
MIA barely brings forth a third of that
quantity. With 7O,OO0,9o0 of inhabitants in
the United States, with its wine trade al
ready extended to the Central and South
American republics, to England, Belgium
Switzerland and Germany, where the wine
connoisseurs of Europe prefer the pure
grape juice of California to the same class
of wines produced in Italy and France
the State can hardly dispose of the small
of xl-inn rx-hi nh
and, strange to say, some of the greatest
drawbacks to this important industry are
caused by some of the misguided people
of California. In fact, if the Legislature
acted for the true interests of the State
1t would devote its energies to and APP
propriate millions of dollars for the de-
Velopment of this great industry and the
encouragement of the American people to
the general use of light wines at their
table, whereby the curse of drunkenness
would be driven from the State and from
the United States.
1T Is well known fact that in the
wine-drinking countries of the world in
toxication is practically unknown, yet our
own Legislature few days ago passed
a resolution declaring that the members
of the Legislature and the high officials
and society people, who might attend the
banquet to be given after the inaugural
ball, were not sufficiently civilized to be
able to sit at a feast where wine was
served and control themselves In such
manner as becomes decent people The
great lawmakers therefore prohibited the
use of wine at the banquet.
Now, when we consider that the State
of California is as large as the kingdom
of Italy, where one billion gallons of wine
is produced annually, which quantity
could also be produced in this State. thus
giving employment to ten millions IF peo-
pie and enhancing the value of grazing
land SO as to pay interest on a Valuation
of 500 per acre, it should certainly be the
business and the duty of our Lawmakers
to encourage instead of discredit this
great and promising branch of our agri-
culture.
THE wine men will remember their en-
emies."
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ACCORDED MASONIC HoNoRs.