The San Francisco call., 1899-08-13
WOULD SETTLE
AFFAIRS OF THE
WINE INDUSTRY
Chamber Of Com
merCe Acts.
ASKS WINE MEN TO CONVENE
BELIEVES IN CRoCKER'S FA-
NOUS PROPOSITION.
Producers Will Hear the Offer Gen
orally Discussed and Definite
Statements From the Capt.
talist as to His Plans.

For the first time in the history of the
wine industry the Chamber of Commerce
has taken an active interest in its well
fare by calling a meeting for next Thurs
day to consider the situation, which has
now reached a critical period.
The unsuccessful efforts of the Califor-
MIA Wine Makers Corporation to reor-
ganize the grape growers and wine
makers in a combination for the next
five years, and the proposition of Henry
J. Crocker- 10 buy all the dry-wine grapes
in the State at $12 and S14 per ton for the
succeeding seven years, have been de-
scribed in The Call recently. Mr.. Crock
er's offer is regarded by those best quail
fed 10 Judge as being the solution of the
difficulties that have long kept the future
OF the industry in doubt The price OF
fered assures the producer a fair return
for his investment and labor but certain
interested parties are busily engaged IN
dissuading grape growers from making
the contract. 1t is asserted that II there
IS not some such fixed value for grapes
price-cutting will be inaugurated this
season and will be followed by worse con-
The Chamber of Commerce believes
that the smaller wine makers who are
holding out against the agreement are
not properly informed regarding the in
tentiOns of Mr.. Crocker, and that the
best way 10 enlighten them is to call a
meeting, at which the leading men in the
express an opinion Of the proposition,
and a. which Mr.. Crocker can definitely
explain his plans. There has been fear
engendered among the smaller wine
makers that Mr.. Crocker's success would
mean their ruin; that their plants for
making wine would not be employed and
that their investment would therefore be
This is one Of the points that will be
made plain to the satisfaction of this
class It is understood that Mr.. Crocl1er
will assure the producer that in each dis
trict the grapes bought will be sent to
the nearest winery to be converted into
wine. Furthermore, that the prices to be
paid for such service will be fair and re-
munerative; also, that in the case of the
minor or other wine maker who has a
private trade, wine will be sold to him
by Mr.. Crocker at prices that will en-
able him to supply his trade and make a
good, reasonable profits.
There are other features of the situa-
tion that will be elucidated by men who
will know what they are talking about
and who have their all invested in the
business of growing grapes and making
wine.
one Of the particular points that will
be brought out is the fact that the stock
of dry wines on hand in city and country
is equal to one vintage, and that the
moment the Crocker contracts are as
Eured the value of these wines will ad-
vance materially. This circumstance
taken in connection with the fact that
this crop will be small one, it is main
tanned should be strong factor in induc-
ing The producer to enter into an engage
ment that is not only certain to maintain
good prices, but to assure him fair re-
turns for his products.
Invitations have been sent to producers
throughout the State and it is expected
that there will be large attendance. The
Chamber of Commerce desires 1t dis
tinctly understood that it's only interest
in the matter is to assist the different
ness basis for the material benefit of one
Of the States greatest industries