The San Francisco call., 1899-07-23
CROCKER'S OFFER
CONSIDERED FAIR
Sonoma Growers Decide
to Accept.
GRAPE CROPS ARE PLEDGED
OTHER VINEYARDISTS URGED
TO LEND SUPPORT.
It Is Believed That by Giving the
San Franciscan the Product of
Their Vines All Will Be
Benefited.
GRAPE CROPS ARE PLEDGED
,THER VINEYARDISTS URGED
TO LEND SUPPORT.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

HEALDSBURG. July 22.-There was
a large gathering of the vineyardists
of this section in Healdsburg to-day to
consider Mr. Crocker's proposition to
take control of the wine output. Hon.
w w Moreland was chosen chairman
of the meeting and F. w. Cooke secre-
tary. A Sbarboro, secretary Of the
Italian-Swiss Colony, was the principal
speaker He strongly favored the ac-
ceptance of Mr.. Crocker's offer, not
only as a grape grower but as wine
maker. He believed Mr.. Crocker had
not only the financial ability to carry
out his plans, but the integrity as well.
The grape growers Of the State have
had practically seven years Of famine,
and in accepting Mr.. CrOcker's offer
they would be assured Of seven years
of plenty The price, $14 ton, would
pay them u per cent on the capital in
vested in their vineyards over and
above all expense incurred in producing
their grapes. Mr.. Sbarboro read copy
of the following letter, which had been
sent to Mr.. CrOcker by the Italian
Swiss Colony of Asti:
H. J. Crocker, Crocker Building, San
FrancisCo-Dear Sir: InclOsed please ind
postal card accepting your proposition 10
buy our grapes for the next seven years
at Sl4 a ton for standard varieties ana $I2
a ton for Missions and MalVasiaS. We
have now about 1000 acres in vines, which
produce from 1000 TO 5000 tons, accord4hs
10 the season all the vineyards not yet
being in full bearing If the grape grow
ers of the State act for their best interests
and accept your proposition the colony
will continue to set out more vines from
year to year until its large tract of land
will have all been planted. II you sue
ceed. as we hope you will, in your lauda-
ble effort the people Of the State OF Cali
fornfa in whatever pursuit engaged, Will
he errateful TO YOU for having saved and
brought 10 q paying basis what should
eventually be one OF the greatest indus
tries Of the State. With best wishes, We
remain ITALfAN- SWISS COLONY.
A SBARBORO, Secretary.
Other speakers were ]. R. Miller. H.
G. Hodges, Mr.. Dewey, 2. G. ROssl, l.
Fredson and A. McPeak.
A standing vote was taken on Mr..
Crocker's proposition and 1t was unan-
fmousIy accepted. Most Of the growers
Dresent had already sent to Mr. CrOcker
notice of acceptance, but the signers
at the meeting represented 1000 tons.
SANTA ROSA, July "a meeting
nf Crane growers of this section held at
Horticultural Hall this afternoon dis
cussed Henry j. Crocker's recent offer
to purchase the grape crop upon terms
with which the public already is fami-
liar.
The gathering was we'll attended, and
as A result Of the consideration and dis
cussion a resolution was adopted de-
cIaring it to be the sense Of the meet
ing that Mr.. Crocker's offer be in
dorsed and recommended to the grape
men Of Sonoma County. The resolu-
ton in addition asked for an early in
spcction Of the contract.
The meeting was called to order at
2 o'clock Jonathan Roberts, president
Of the horticultural society, acted as
chairman, and Herbert Slater was
elected secretary. After stating the OBJ
jects Of the meeting the chairman read
an article from the pen of John Balm,
q Mount Olivet grower The article
favored the acceptance OF the
Crocker proposition and brought on
discussion. Among those
taking part were Victor Piezzsi VIII
liam Ross A. Fret, John BafIlH ana r
SaImina Of st. Helena.
The general sentiment was that the
was a good one, but sew
eraj sneakers devoted considerable en-
argv TO making 1t clear that their ac-
ceDtance. would depend entirely upon
he fairness of the contract with which
tbe,- we're presented. Among those
taking this position were r. j. Suther-
land of Bennett Valley, Mr.. L1tchheld
of Sebastopoi, George Dohn and l. +.
Ricksecker Of this city. The resolution
was drawn by Victor Piezzsi
From interviews with grape men of
this vicinity there seems to be small
dG,,b+ that Mr.. Crocker's offer will be
generally accepted if the contract he
is fair one and binds Mr..
r,onl-ar q we'll as the grower.