PROCEEDINGS OF NINETEENTH FRUIT GROWERS' CONVENTION. 71 



old companies were obliged to meet it. I do think, however, that the 

 Transportation Committee is entitled to the credit of having secured a 

 reduction in local charges, which would not have been done, unless the 

 matter had been brought to the notice of the railroad people, and pressed 

 as strongly as it was. 



Among other things that now come to mind, was a reduction in the 

 rate from here to Chicago on slow freight. It was pointed out that the 

 rate some six or seven years ago was made at the rate of $250 a ten-ton 

 car from California to Chicago, in the ordinary slow time of eight or 

 nine days. The railroad company was willing to give a five-day service. 

 A very strong effort was made to secure a reduction on that class of 

 freight, which they absolutely refused to grant. They claimed that 

 their rate on fruit was lower than anywhere else in the United States, 

 and that the rate was the minimum rate. A request was also made 

 that they accept mixed cars at a more moderate rate. To make this 

 clear, let me explain. If you ship a carload of mixed products, each 

 product having a different rate, the rate that will be charged for that 

 car is the rate of the highest-priced article within that car. The rail- 

 road authorities refused to grant this request; they said that, while they 

 appreciated the importance of our arguments, it would destroy the whole 

 theory of railroad rates. So, all that was accomplished was a reduction 

 in refrigerator rates, for which, as I said, we are not entitled to the 

 credit, and a reduction in local charges of about 40 per cent, for which 

 the committee, I think, is entitled, as, by their vigorous presentation of 

 the case, they made that possible. 



That, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, is the substance of the report of 

 the Committee on Transportation, though there may be some points that 

 I have omitted. Mr. Fowler, also, has one or two points in mind that 

 he can present better than I can. 



Mr. Fowler: The point that I want to speak of, and which was very 

 forcibly brought to the attention of the railroad authorities, is that, dur- 

 ing the season of 1894, it was frequently the case that it took two, four, 

 or six days getting from Fresno points to Sacramento, and, conse- 

 quently, there was considerable loss and delay. They said they would 

 correct this evil, and give us better service. This year we can see that 

 there is better service. 



Judge Aiken: I move that the report of this committee be accepted. 



Adopted. 



VOTE OF THANKS. 



Mr. Berwick: As Major Weinstock and his associates have fought 

 their battle at their own expense, and we reap the benefit, I move that 

 a vote of thanks be accorded to them. 

 : Adopted. 



DISCUSSION ON TRANSPORTATION— RESUMED. 



Major Berry: Before this matter is entirely passed over, and as I 

 have the honor of having been appointed on that Transportation Com- 

 mittee, and as I have heard with a great deal of pleasure Major Wein- 

 stock explain how he effected a reduction in local rates, I wish to say 

 that I am very much interested in local rates. I have paid the Southern 



