The San Francisco call., 1899-07-19
WILL ACCEPT
CROCKER'S OFFER
Meeting of Viticulturists
at San Jose.
THE SENTIMENT UNANIMOUS
HIS PRICE HIGHER THAN HAS
USUALLY BEEN PAID.
Many Growers Think It the Salvation
of the Wine Industry-Cal for
Meeting at Heads
burg Issued.
HE SENTIMENT UNANIMOUS
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE. July 18.-Santa Clara
County grape growers and wine max
ers are almost unanimous in accepting
the proposition of H. J. Crocker, presi-
dent of the Winemakers' Corporation,
to enter into contracts to buy the en-
tire grape crop for the next seven years
at $14 per ton Nearly all the viticul-
turlists have already signed cards
agreeing to this. and it is expected the
rest Of them will do so in a few days.
At a meeting of growers and wine
men held in Champion Hall. this after
noon. they were unanimous in this re-
spect. About seventy-five of the most
prominent vineyardists in the county
were present E. S. Guppy presided as
chairman, and A. Barstow acted as sec
retary. Many thousands of acres of
vines were represented, although not
one-third of those favoring Crocker's
proposition were present. Among those
present were: D. NJ. Delmas, P. Sala-
zar of Livermore, Peter Ball. John Snl-
der. George B. Mckee, j. D. Williams,
Alex MontgOme~--, w. B. RANKIN ana II.
! T. Pierce.
E. S. Guppy stated that the object OF
the meeting was to obtain the Senu-
ment of winemen and growers in regard
to the offer of H. j. Crocker TO enter
into contract to buy grapes at $lf per
ton for seven years. He said this was
seemingly a good price and would pay
II per cent on a $3.50 valuation. he
stated that Crocker would distribute
the product among the various winer-
les. All will be benefited by selling
their grapes at the figure named ana II
will enhance the value OF vineyards
from 80 to 40 per cent. This would
benefit growers greatly and enable
them to get better advances on their
crops. o.--
1t was stated that in SOnoma County
growers had contracted TO sell their
grapes for $12 per ton before Croker s
offer was made and that Southern
California growers had contracted at
S11 and $l3.
/ He considered $14 cash per ton on deliv-
cry was very good, much better than he
| had received during the last seven or
| eight wears. J. H. Henry was OF the
same opinion. Other growers spoke
/ along the same lines. Mr.. Guppy sa1d
/ that CroCker's offer would result In
good to all the Viticultural interest or
/ the State Grapes bought by Crocker
| will he delivered to the various Wlner-
[ les in county for pressing and most
| likely to the winery nearest the grower
w. =. Rankin, a large wine maker
! ana grower. IdNOIeu lllC OllOl maui ~
| Crocker and said it would not hurt
wine men. Grapes for the last ten years
have averaged $40 per ton. The vine
yardists will not replant nor care for
! their vineyards. At $14 per ton grow
/ ers can afford to plant resistant stock.
Something must be done to save the
/ VINEYARDS. The wineries are a second
ary consideration, and II the vineyards
! are not saved they will all be turned
into barns.
| Most of the growers Of Alameda
County will favor Mr.. Crocker's propo-
/ cition Meetings of growers to take
action will be held in about week.
( A letter was read from H. Bendel, a
/ fruit packer and fruit grower, urging
the grape growers and wine makers to
sign the contract with Crocker. All
! those present who had not yet signed
! the agreement did so. The following
/ resolution was unanimously adopted:
4 "Resolved-That we, the grape grow
/ ers and wine makers of Santa Clara
/ County, heartily approve of the propo-
/ sition Of Henry j. CrOCker to buy our
! grapes for the next seven years at S14
a ton, being fully convinced that the
said proposition, if carried out, is the
most advantageous that could be ad-
vanced for the interests of grape grow
ers and wine makers of this county and
of the entire State.
Committees have been appointed to
/ canvass the various sections and see
that all wine men and growers sign.
/ HEALDSBURG, July 1S.-The follow
ing call for a meeting of the grape
growers of this district has been cir
cu1ated:
"HEALDSBURG, July 1S.-Beleving
that the proposition of Henry ]. Crock
er recently made, to pay $14 per ton
! for grapes is of vital Importance to the
grape grower we earnestly request
your presence at a meeting of grape
/ growers to be held Saturday, July %,
at 2 p. m. at Truths ThCater. Heads
burg, for the purpose of discussing said
proposition and if possible taking con-
certed action thereon. Kindly invite all
interested"
mn rrrrr ~ A