The Washington times., 1916-01-10

sition in consolidation and control?
Could State, a law-making, sovereign
member OF the Union. be q violator of
the commercial code OF the nation? That
was the question TO be answered at the
outset.
Mr.. Weinstock got numerous legal
opinions from high authority. and the
greater number OF them sustained his
view that the project was sound legally
all OF them, that IL was sound economi-
cally: The industry was enthusiastic
for the plan. 1t only remained to make
sure about the legal aspect, so Mr.
Weinstock came to Washington to con-
suit the Department of Justice and the
Federal Trade Commission.
Neither of these has officially passed
| on his startling proposal 1t is UNDER
stood that the Trade Commission look
ed upon it with more than casual in
terest; in fact. with the keenest in
terest. and that its inquiries indicat-
ed general wish to see the plan tried
out. The commission has been taking
deep interest in many propose Is
LOOKING to larger economies in mer-
chandising.
Justice Department Hesitating.
But when the California plan was
laid before the Department OF JUS
tice. that august establishment looked
down its nose and hesitated to commit
itself 1t is still looking. still hesitat-
weary weeks OF waiting
The impression seems to be that tbs
department of Justice, In accordance
with It's custom. isn't going to make
any promises or give any assurances.
II Will sit on the side-lines and wait
to see what sort OF perfornance
CaIltornia can put on. Then IL anybody
complains that the thing Is producing
restraint of trade. it will act as cir
cumstances require
tlon are positive that they can effect
sucE economies as will at once increase
lhe Nieid TO producers. reduce costs to
Sonsume,s. cons and strengthen the nusi-
that camp: ting fruit interests NAV view
TINS with disaffection. and possibly try
TO make trouble.
Ihe plan prorc ses to place the name
ana good faith OF the state OF ;ralifcr-
ma back OF tho whole fruit business:
TO have the state gather. sort, stand,
ardlze warehouse and establish brands
lor eLerythin&.fruits: vegetables. nuts
and the rest. Everything Will he man
aG"d at the lowest possible expense,
which will be rrorated among the pro
duc"rs II is not intended to let the
scheme cost the State treasury any
thinS. Rather. while auction markets
and commission warehouses will be re-
quired, these can he provided by tHe
prCducers co o-oNera dive societies al .
ready In existence. and managed hy
To Take Over All.
II is intended to take over every
possible instrhncntality ond facility as
now established The essential thing
is to get complete control Of the sit
uation. SO that. with ,he biggest DOS
siblc' volume OF business and the elm
ination OF conr etitivc isturbancc,
me whole thing may be administered
with tho single rurDosr OF efficiency
ana economy. On' 1r the biggest as
poets OF IL is the '.' - ,.nnt OF for
eien trade. for vhi,h 81. W'einstock
has found there are rare opportunities.
another Is the working out of 4 fam
credit system under which cheater
money may be secured to linance the
aericultl raj interests OF the State In
both these latter rcGaris Mr. Vein.
stock has assurances Of support ard
advantages far beyond his utmost
hopes
Af,er a week in WASHINGTON. Mr.
Wcinstrck has started for California
to g" ahead With his plans. pe Lc-
lieVes tive enterprise will he or its feet
soon, 1nd that ii will provide the crest-
est object lesson this country. at east
has ever seen IN the possibilities OF
social end economic hetterrlent through
big cooperative effort.