64 



TWENTY-NINTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



some extent, if they could be assured of a regular but moderate 

 commercial profit. Thus a basis of agreement between these previously 

 antagonistic elements could be arranged in each branch of our Cali- 

 fornia fruit industries. Already the California Fruit Agency, operating 

 in citrus fruits, is demonstrating the general method to be pursued. 



First must be secured a growers' co-operative organization based upon 

 local associations, centralized, which might include local packers who 

 ask only a packer's profit. This might be strong enough to operate as 

 an independent organization. Then this organization and the chief 

 commercial packers and shippers can find a basis of agreement bv 

 which all may profit in securing the efficient marketing of their prod- 

 ucts. Their methods will, of course, be such as the California Fruit 

 Agency now uses and Avhich every other thoroughly successful com- 

 mercial combination adopts, viz: their own paid agents, properly super- 

 vised. Though naturally antagonistic, the factors of such co-operative 

 organization will keep their mutual agreements, because it is bad busi- 

 ness not to do so. 



The California Fruit Distributors as yet comes far short of the high 

 efficiency desired, not because of antagonism, but because its members 

 have not yet been willing to make such concessions as will enable it to 

 efficiently organize its marketing agencies. Undoubtedly, however, it 

 will develop in these lines as the need becomes more imperative. 



The dried fruit interest is almost entirely without organization. 

 The need is here most urgent, and no citizen can afford to be indifferent 

 to it. 



The Raisin Association needs re-organizing, to give it greater per- 

 manence and efficiency. 



The olive and honey interests also may well adopt the same plans. 



The several fruit interests may thus be co-operatively organized, and 

 then act together in sustaining, in the consuming centers of this country 

 and Europe, the most efficient and complete agencies for distribution 

 and sale of their various products that ever were established. 



These interests will thus be able to bring to bear a vast influence 

 wherever necessary, either in securing more favorable conditions in 

 transportation, or in increasing the consumption of coast products by 

 means of advertising or in any other manner. Because they would 

 make fruit-growing permanently profitable, they would outclass all 

 promotion committees for bringing to our beloved State the thrifty and 

 intelligent people of the East, who are delaying their coming only for 

 the assurance which such co-operation would supply. 



This kind of co-operation is practicable, it will pay its way, will 

 imperil no one's living or property, may be begun at any time and 

 almost anywhere. How long will the people of California continue 

 indifferent to so great an opportunity ? 



