TWENTY-NINTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



53 



The larger portion of the above shipments was handled by the Cali- 

 fornia Fruit Distributors, with headquarters at Sacramento. This 

 organization is composed of most of the principal growers, shippers, 

 and co-operative associations engaged in the fruit-shipping business. 

 It was organized in May, 1902, and immediately assumed all of the 

 functions and duties of the organization known as the California 

 Growers and Shippers' Association, together with greatly enlarged 

 powers, duties, and responsibilities; its business being not only to give 

 the utmost accurate information in regard to all shipments, etc.. but 

 also to secure an even distribution thereof to all markets. 



Membership in this organization is in no way qualified by the quan- 

 tity of shipments made. The shipper of one car is given as much con- 

 sideration as the shipper of a hundred. There are eleven directors, 

 each of whom has a vote in the fixing of policies and in the outlining 

 of general business directions. The representation is thus based not on 

 the volume of business done, but rather on the individuals represented. 



Before the organization of the present company, those engaged in 

 the industry labored under many disadvantages that are now elimi- 

 nated. Competition for business was keen, with no regulation of ship- 

 ments. Each one endeavored as much as possible to keep his business 

 from his competitor, for that purpose billing all cars to one city, making 

 diversions that were kept secret while the cars were en route, with the 

 result, for instance, that a city like Minneapolis, where three cars of 

 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 selling price being cut to a minimum, while a city like Pittsburg 

 might at the same time be without any fruit, whereas an equalization 

 of the shipments to the two market^ would have meant remunerative 

 and satisfactory prices for all concerned. 



Then again, when a market was in good shape and the sale of a car 

 would bring satisfactory figures, the parties representing different 

 interests in that city would immediately wire to their shippers in 

 California, ''Market in fine condition; advise diversion and immediate 

 shipment of large quantities." The result was that all shippers were 

 liable to take the same action, and in a few days instead of having a 

 good market with fair returns, there would be a demoralized market 

 and serious loss. This condition of affairs would shift from one point 

 to another, and the general experience was that where a market for 

 perishable fruits once reached a low point, unless there was a great 

 subsequent scarcity of that product, it was extremely difficult to again 

 raise the level of prices to a profitable basis. 



The formation of the California Fruit Distributors was not an easy 

 matter. Some firms, because of location or superior packing on their 

 part or better carrying quality of their fruit, enjoyed advantages not 



