The San Francisco call., 1903-12-07
Anderson Outlines.
Plans of Much
Interest.
Orchard Products Go
to the East With
System.
BY ALDEN ANDERSON.

Necessity led TO the formation ~ the
California Fruit Distributors in Nav.
1902. and the organization Immediately
assumed all OF the functions and duties
u the California Growers and Ship
pers' Association. together with greatly
enlarged powers. duties and respcn-
sioihties. their business being not only
10 give the utmost accurate informa-
Ton ~ regard to all shipments. etc. but
10 secure an even distribution thereof
% an markets.
Membership in the organization is in
10 way qualified by the quantity Of
shipments made. The shipper Of one
car Is given as much consideration as
me shipper Of z hundred. There are
eleven directors, each Of whom has
vote in the fixing Of policies and the
outlining Of general business directions.
Representation is thus not based on the
volume Il business done, but rather on
the individuals represented.
Prior 10 the organization OF the pres
ent company, those engaged in the in
custry lsbored under the greatest of
diss dvsntages. Competition for bust
ness was keen with no regulation of
shipments Shippers endeavored as
much as possible TO keen their business
from their competitors. for that purpose
billing al cars TO one city. making di-
versions, which they kept to them
selves, while the cars were en- route.
with the result FOR instance. that
city like Minnea polls. where three cars
u peaches might sell at good figures.
was at any time Liable TO have three
times that amount sent in by different
firms. which would necessitate the sell
ing price being cut to a minimum.
while city like Pittsburg might al the
same time be without any fruit. where
As an equalization OF the shipments TO
the two markets would have meant re-
munerstive and satisfactory prices for
an concerned.
CHANGING CONDITIONS.
Then again when a market was in
good shape and the sale on a car would
bring satisfactory figures. the parties
representing different interests in that
city would Immediately wire out TO
their shippers in California. Market in
fne condition: advise diversion and i'm
mediate shipment Of large quantities"
The result was that all shippers were
liable 10 take the same action and in
few days. instead Of having a good
market with fair returns. there would
be a demoraIized market and serious
loss
This condition Of affairs would shift
from one point to another and the gen
eraI experience was that where a mar
zet on perishable fruits once reached
a low point. unless there was a great
subsequent scarcity Of that product, il
was extremely difficult TO again raise
the level Of prices 10 a profitable basis.
The formation Of the California Fruit
Distributors was not an easy matter.
some firms. because Of location or supe-
riOr packing on their part or better
carrying quality OF their fruit. enjoyed
advantages not common TO others.
Some Of them believed that If they
could keep On with prevailing methods
for a short time they could force their
competitors out OF business and they
then would have the field entirely 10
themselves, while all the time they
would be likely losing money for all
concerned.
The present general plan Of operation
~ the California Fruit Distributors is
as follows: They do not purchase or
own a pound OF fruit themselves, but
simply act as a clearing house for the
different growers, shippers and asso-
Citations working through them who
make their own carload shipments.
When a car is loaded the bill of lading
is fndorsed over TO the California Fruit
Distributors and is sent, together with
manifest and all pertinent information
regarding contents thereof, 10 the COM
pany's headquarters IN Sacramento.
The car is then disposed of for the ac-
count Of the party loading the same.
DEFINITE PURPOSES.
once the bill OF lading and manifest
Of contents Of car are received. the
MANAGEMENT aims TO place the fruit in
the best possible market for that fruit
taking into consideration the variety,
its degree Of rlpeness and general
quality, and using their knowledge Of
the needs, requirements and local or do
nestle supplies Of the different mar
lSets. together with previous shipments
as a basis OF action.
Not only have they complete and ac-