40 



TWENTY-NINTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



of the State, and you give to that car line the power to manipulate the 

 markets for the fruit at will, through the fact that at any time it pleases 

 it can go into the fruit-marketing business and charge to all competi- 

 tors, or to those it wishes, such a tariff for refrigeration as will bring to it 

 a large profit, while it carries its own freight for nothing; therefore, the 

 profit it makes by carrying its competitors' fruit acts the same as a 

 rebate, in other words it is a discrimination made between shippers. 



No competition can last long under such circumstances, and when 

 once an interest is under control there is but one result, it is inevitable: 

 the power in control will make everything possible, regardless of conse- 

 quences resulting to others. 



If fruit grown in California is as profitable as it is claimed to be by 

 some, why is it that a large per cent of the orchard property can be 

 bought for a great deal less than it cost? Why is it that mortgages on 

 orchard property that has been in bearing for years remain unsatisfied? 



Is it not better for those following any vocation, and for the com- 

 munity in which they live, to be prosperous and contented, and 

 therefore willing to invest a reasonable proportion of their profits in 

 improvements and the comforts of life, than to have them in an impe- 

 cunious condition and consequently unable to do those things? 



The hope for the fruit-growers of California lies in their ability to 

 show to the Southern Pacific Company that the conditions surrounding 

 their interests are not such as they should be to j^lace them in such a 

 position financially as will make them of value to the State and add to 

 its prosperity. 



This can be done only by calling the attention of the Southern Pacific 

 Company's officials — those who have it within their power to grant 

 relief, if such a thing is possible — to facts of such a character, that if 

 they will give a little of their time to investigation of the same, they 

 can not fail to be convinced that something must be done to protect the 

 fruit industry of the State. 



If, after a thorough investigation, these officials can not see their way 

 clear to grant the relief so much needed, then it will be better, far 

 better, to let all the facts bearing upon the matter be made public, so 

 that those who have not yet invested in fruit-growing may be ad- 

 monished not to do so and thus prevent them from becoming paupers 

 and pauperizing others. 



Let us hope that much good may come from your labors here to-day 

 and that your efforts will materially assist in placing California — the 

 country possessing more varied and richer resources than any other 

 country of equal area in the world— in the position it seems was de- 

 signed for it by the Creator. 



PRESIDENT COOPER. What disposition will you make of the 

 paper you have just heard read? 



