The record-union., 1899-06-18
to serve On no more committees after


GROWERS WANT RELIEF.
Mr.. Stephens said that if a mans
position is not right, the sooner ne
abandoned it the better; therefore, he
did not mind being attacked. What
the growers want is relief-a lowering
of expenses Mr.. Gordon had told them
that the Fresno growers get the refrlg-
orator cars at the same price as box
cars. The Southern California fruit
growers fruit can hang on the trees
till they are ready to ship. He had
been accused of being shipper. He
was, as he and Mr.. Humphreys were
shipping their own fruit, and giving
their neighbors who shipped with them
the benefit Of it. They got no rebates,
and perhaps no other growers do, but
did they think Earl and Porter do not?
1t had been charged that the South
ern Pacific Company had forced the
Goodall cars off the road. The South
ern Pacific had nothing to do with
it. AS long as Washington Porter and
Nate Salisbury had control of Porter
Bros Company those cars were used.
1t was the change of management in
the firm that forced them out. What
Company read in the last convention?
Did it not state that the company had
built 1,5O0 ventilator cars, but the
growers did not use them? They were
not used on account of the interest OF
the persons in the great combine, VINO
saw that they were taking away It's
profits, and managed to get them let
alone. If the combine has the power
to distribute, it has power over grow
ers to charge refrigeration, and they
must free themselves or be practically
serfs. He gave credit to Mr. Fountain
for changing his opinion when he
thought he had been wrong. He was
right to do SO, and there could be no
censure on him for doing it.
GERALDSON EXPLAINS.
Gerald Geraldson, of Newcastle, said
that, as the action of Placer county in
this matter was conspicuous, he wished
to explain it. They had appreciated the
labors of the committee at Newcastle
and had promised to aid by all means
In their power At the second meeting
at that place, when many new sub
scribers were gained, they thought that
that fact would induce the rest of the
State to subscribe. When the other
meetings were held, it was found that
only $4,000 had been subscribed, of
wihich Placer had subscribed over ST.
500. 1t became evident then, that the
State was not ready to indorse the
scheme as practicable and that it must
wait awhile, as $4,000 is too small a
sum with which to undertake $4,000
proposition Placer County will stand
ieso hot 40
first step to be taken is to circulate a
growers contract and obtain control Of
the crop When that is done there will
be no more competition with Earl and
Porter, as they will ba crushed; so long
as they can get the fruit, they can use
it to kill the small shippers. If the
fruit-growers organize, the small grow.
ers will be merged into them
COULD NOT COMPETE.
Mr.. Gibbs, OF San Joaquin, said that
the growers could not compete with
Earl and Porter unless they own their
own car line, for those companies have
control of the majority of the fruit for
two or three years to come. Southern
California has the best of the north
because they have lower rates and re-
bates. Earl and Porter have every ad-
vantage of the growers and can hand
| leap them in every way.
MUST BE HARMONY.
| Mr.. Threlkill said he wanted to be put
right before the convention. If there is
any way of controlling a car line with
out building one he would favor it.
There must be harmony, as if this
movement fails, 1t will take years be-
fore it starts again. For that purpose
he would withdraw his motion to adopt
theS minority report and move that the
Executive Con1mitfeee confer with a
committee Of ffFe, appointed by the
Chair, and make report at the even
ing meeting He urged that the con-
yention stay until it effects an organ
ization, if it takes all night.
MORE DISCUSSION.
Mr. Stephens said there was no use
of delay and urged immediate action,
as discussion would change no one.
Mr.. Threlkill wanted to see a confer
ence and said he would move the re-
port be made at 6 o'clock.
Mr.. Lovdal said the committee could
do nothing in an hour and it would be
better to fight it out in convention.
Mr.. Gordon of Suisun thought the
best way would be to adopt the ma
jority report and work out details aft
erward.
Mr. Gordon suggested the adoption of
the majority report, with a provision
that it should not become operative un-
til 5000 is subscribed, SO as to equal
ize the matter for the Newcastle peo-
pie. He did not think that 60 per cent
Of the fruit can be controlled this year
or next, as it is too much tied up for
some time to come.
E. I. Calvin favored Mr.. Gordon's pro-
posal He thought that there was
enough intelligence among the fruit
growers to manage their own affairs.
Why is it that SO many of them are
bankrupt? 1t is because so much Of the
fruit has been handled by capitalists
from the East, who have grown rich
from it. The fruit growers are the real
capitalists, for they represent nearly
$3.50, 900. Their money has gone for
transportation and the commission men
have made the profit. The raisin grow
ers Of Fresno have emancipated them
selves in one year and paid off most
of the mortgages and have credit in the
banks. If the fruit growers will organ
ize, they will do likewise. If it is
dropped now, the chance may never
come again. Show the commission men
that the growers will organize and take
matters into their own hands, and they
will win.
Mr.. Lovdal said that an Eastern
buyer, after investigating affairs here,
told him his house could not buy here
until it could get transportation to the