The San Francisco call., 1899-05-15
WINE MEN ARE
WORRYING ABOUT
THE SITUATION
Future of the PRODUCE
ers' Corporation.
COMPACT MAY BE ABOLISHED
SoNoMA COUNTY WINEMAKERS
OPPOSE CONTINUATION.
Directors of the Big Combine Will
Hold a Meeting To-Day to De-
termine This Years
Policy.
COMPACT MAY BE ABOLISHED
SONOMA COUNTY WINEMAKERS
OPPOSE CONTINUATION.

The clear headed wine men of the
State are regarding with much anxiety
the present situation of the combination
of wine makers known as the California
Wine Makers Corporation, which COM
prises about so per cent of the producers
of dry wine in California.
There is considerable dissatisfaction
among many of the members, and unless
this discOntented element is placated the
continuation of the combination will be
impossible. This fact and the further fact
that the cooperation of wine makers has
been practically the salvation of the in
dustry in the past two years, are what
makes wise men look worried when they
see prospect of the corporation going to
pieces. Even the merchants who fought
the producers combine fast and furious
for several years now acknowledge that
the destruction of the combine would re-
suit in the return of the old situation
when wine sold at cents per gallon.
They say there can be no other outcome,
for the producers will cut each others
throat in competition, and that the mer-
chants will take advantage of the situa-
ton and force prices down if they get
the opportunity.
The Santa Clara County wine men ap-
pear to appreciate the gravity of the
crisis, and by means of a couple of peti-
tions signed in that section have urged
the directors of the corporation to take
active steps to reorganize for handling
the coming crop, which as yet has not
been contracted for, Notwithstanding the
lateness of the season. They ask for d
modification of last years contract.
On the other hand, the big northern
section of Sonoma County comes forward
with a robust kick. The producers met
the other day and adopted set of reso-
lutions that plainly show that they will
not be in this years combine. At a large
meeting held in Healdsburg resolutions
were adopted setting forth that the wine
Il -f,1 Il iAiY,
the corporation for the handling of the
1899 vintage unless the officers of the cor
poration secured the contracts of 80 per
cent or more of the dry wine makers of
the State. The resolution further sug-
gestS that the corporation wind up its af-
fairs as soon as may be without loss to
the individual members. There are some
further sharp features of the resolution
which indicate that the Sonoma County
producers have a large hammer out for
the institution.
per cent of the dry wine makers of the
State in compact is concerned, 1t is
considered impossible. However, by rea-
son of the attitude of the producers of
these two great districts, the directors of
the California Wine Makers Corporation
will hold special meeting to-day to con-
slider what shall be done for the best in
terests of the industry, as represented by
the corporation.
One of the important subjects that will
call for the consideration of the board is
the resignation of President Henry ].
Crocker, which was handed in few days
ago, and which rather severely criticizes
the inaction of the officers in not having
secured the needed contracts before this
time. Mr.. Crocker characterizes this kind
of policy as suicidal" Mr.. Crocker's de-
parture from the helm of the big institu-
ton will be embarrassing, as he has done
much to force wines UP to the present
living basis and place the producers on
something of an independent footing-a
place they had not been for many years
before The result of this meeting, there
by all who are interested in the welfare of
the wine industry.