230 THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW 



Now I wish to state before going farther that I do not belong 

 to the state association, and was not at their convention when they 

 withdrew, but the matter was thoroughly discussed at our Northern 

 California Association convention, and I think the reasons are 

 identical. 



As you probably know, there has been considerable activity 

 among California bee-keepers of late with the idea of bringing the 

 different associations in the state under one head and advancing our- 

 selves generally in ways impossible in our present factional condition. 



In our Northern California convention I was so fortunate as to 

 be one of the members of the committee appointed to meet with the 

 delegates of the other associations present and act upon organiza- 

 tion and legislation. It was in this committee meeting that the 

 National Association received its hardest knocks. 



J. E. Walker, secretary of the Tulare County Association, (an 

 organization, I believe, which represents more territory than its 

 name implies), stated that the members of his association would not 

 unite with the state association unless the National Association 

 were stricken out. He stated that while he personally might be 

 induced to join, that the remaining members would still be irrecon- 

 cilable. Mr. Walker was supported by the other delegates from 

 his association and elsewhere. 



Now, here was a real obstacle to forming a new state associa- 

 tion on modern lines. The National had not been of much use 

 anyway, and we were informed that they had withdrawn the legal 

 protection that they originally gave the members — I have never as- 

 certained the truth of this statement — so why retain it at the expense 

 of a real state-wide association, able to meet our needs? 



Nor were their arguments without force. The Tulare Asso- 

 ciation is organized on progressive principles, and among other 

 things market their crops through their association, selling in car 

 lots in the east. Here is where the shoe pinched. Certain men, very 

 prominent in our National Association, it appears, are also large 

 buyers, and use the power of the National Association to advance 

 their own interests at the expense of the producers. Personally I 

 have never come in contact with the eastern markets, selling to local 

 leeches instead of national ones, so cannot verify their experience 

 with my own, but am satisfied that they have a real and growing 

 grievance which must be thrashed out before the National can be 

 of much real service to the producer. I cannot explain their troubles 

 as these men can, and do not intend to try. I write to give you an 

 idea of how things are shaping here, and with the hope that you 

 will get in touch with Mr. J. E. Walker, Tulare, Rural Route 1, 

 Box 3, who can probably make their position much clearer to you. 



