The San Francisco call., 1903-12-10
GROWERS
IN CONVENTION
Governor Pardee Delivers an
Interesting Address and Re-
ceives Thanks of Delegates
AID OF STATE
Helpful Papers Read Bearing
on Problems Which Confront
Grape Raisers of California

FRESNO, Dec. 9-The feature of the
days proceedings of the Fruit Grow
ers' Associations convention was the
presence and address of Governor Par
dee. President Cooper took occasion to
mention that the fruit growers in TWEEN
ty-nine conventions had been honored
only three times by the presence of the
States executive. and, as was also
pointed out by the chairman, it seemed
particularly appropriate that the Gov
ernor should be there this time, in view
of the unanimity with which the fruit
growers appear 10 have agreed that
the problems of to-day are greater
and more momentOus than any that
have heretofore confronted them. To-
day was raisin day and was devoted
almost exclusively to the problems
which are looming large before the
people in parts of the State where the
grape is raised.
The programme contained the assur-
ance Of helpful papers and the promise
was not disappointed for the addresses
]
Ana on the California vine disease,
which is distinct from phylloxera; that
of T. c. White on the raisin outlook,
and especially that of Percy T. Morgan,
president of the California Wine Asso-
citation. were valuable contributions of
great Importance.
Governor Pardee appeared at the aft
ernoon session and his address was the
feature of the day. He reviewed the
history of the State during it's pioneer
and gold mining days and spoke of the
wonderful changes that have taken
place He spoke of the part fruit grow
ers have taken in the development of
the State and the great reward that
is ours. He concluded as follows:
The chairman of this meeting and
horticultural officer of this State have
been good enough at various times to
come into my Office and endeavor TO
discuss with me matters which are of
the greatest Importance to you, and
therefore to the State. l say 'endeavor'
because the discussion is altogether
one-sided, l knowing little or nothing
of the matter and he being past mas
ter. but l find there are various prob
lens which should receive and will re-
ceive the due attention from the people
of the State and the government of this
State, as their magnitude deserves.
THE question of transportation
seems to me of the utmost Importance.
We have two great railway systems,
both utterly unable to take care of
the business California offers them.
Instead of taking your products
fDlxI To 6a a.,
it takes time which practically takes
from them a value which should be
yours.
The question of pest on your vines
and fruit trees is one receiving full
attention from the government of this
State. We believe that anything that
will initiate against your efforts is
doing an injury to this State, which
State should do everything to work
against.
Therefore, 1 wish to assure you
that the government is alive to the diff
ficulties of the situation you are facing,
and is willing. aye, is glad, and well
comes the opportunity to do whatever
lies in it's power to forward your bust
ness and make your ventures more
profitable"
There was burst of applause when
the Governor concluded, and Russ
Stephens and Senator Johnson of
Sacramento, respectively, moved and
seconded a vote of thanks to the
States executive, which was carried
with enthusiasm.
Senator Rowell followed and spoke as
an observer of things connected with
the raisin industry in this country and
Europe.
Percy D. Morgan read an interesting
paper on the prospects of the wine in
dustry.
At the close of the afternoon session
Governor Pardee held an informal re-
ception on the platform.
At the evening session raisin and
wine grapes again formed the general
subject of papers and discussion. Rob
ert Boot, president of the California
Raisin Growers Association, spoke on
"The Raisin Grape"
Professor E. S. Twight addressed tie
delegates on Improvements in the
Bench Grating of Resistant Stock
d. D. Allison followed with an inter-
esting talk or THE Handling and Mar
keting of the Raisin Crop"
The last speech of the evening was
made by A. T. j. Reynolds, who spoke
of 1.-The Growers Cooperative
Agency"
A general discussion closed the days
work.