The San Francisco call., 1903-12-07

curate information Of all shipments
previously forwarded, as they make ali
sales, diversions and apportionments,
but they receive telegra phic informa-
ton daily from all the leading centers
stating present condition, prospective
demands, amount and variety Of local
supplies and all othe~ matters perti-
nent and necessary to the most inteih-
gent distribution Of the fruit.
They Immediately stopped all private
consignments TO outside points and de-
terrnined that all fruits not sent to the
East to be sold at auction should be
sold on what is known as the Il o. b.
California plan,v i. E., that minimum
price for the product should be fixed in
California and a draught for the value
Of the car be drawn on the bill of
lading and manifest payable before de-
livery of the car, and that under no
circumstances would the price agreed
upon be reduced on any shipments,
whether. sold before going or sold en-
route. on any shipment leaving Califor
MIA on the same day; the idea being
that the shippers when sending their
fruit TO outside points should know
just exactly what they were going to
receive for their fruit and that dealers
II they bought the fruit would be in
terested in maintaining prices rather
than cutting them; further, that those
who purchased the fruit. as long as
they had TO purchase, would know that
their competitors could not buy at a
lower price than that at which they
could purchase, as it was believed that
! If buyers could be guaranteed against
decline that the business would be en-
ergized and stimulated and a greater
distribution Of products in the outside
markets be had, all of which has
proven to be the case.
NEW TERRITORY.
The distribution of fruit to the adc-
tion markets is made with the utmost
care and long experience in the bust
ness is called upon to direct what fruit
should be sent TO the different mar
kets and to apportion to each market
the relative proper amount of fruit to
| keep them all on a comparative equal
| ity, after taking into consideration the
difference in the cost of transportation
and refrigeration charges TO the diff
ferent points.
Another great benefit of united action
is the exploitation and development Of
new markets. Fruit was placed this
year In no less than twenty eight diff
ferent cities that never before had re-
ceived California fruit in car load lots,
and while not all of them may prove
to be advantag geous points, the most Of
them undoubtedly will.
The saving in expense of telegraph
ing, mail, etc. much more than pays
the total expense of the organization
The first season the endeavor was made
to direct part OF the distribution from
the Chicago Office, but It did not work
satisfactorily, and this year all OF the
distribution was directed from the Sac
ramento Office, and the efficacy and
wisdom Of this action is so manifest
and proper that 1 apprehend no one
will question the expediency again or
agree 10 any other action in the fu-
ture.
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.
The most serious problem to be
solved now is the one of transporta-
ton. Little more can be done toward
( systemizing or increasing the volume
of shipments until this important
| matter is worked out satisfactorily.
We must have a regular as well as
an expedited service to the end that
we can know positively, barring ac-
cidents, just where a car of fruit
would be at any given time.
About so per cent of the shipments
are distributed through the auction
markets. No fruit is sold in these
markets on Saturday or Sunday. Ship
ments are made from California
on every day, including Saturday and
Sunday. Suppose, for instance. that
a certain number Of cars were sent
to Chicago to arrive on Friday in
|. time for the last auction sale OF the