— 45 — 



It is now known that the producers' estimate of last year's fruit crop 

 was worthy of credence, and there is ample reason to believe that this 

 year's estimate will prove to be. Last year's prune crop was estimated 

 too high, and so also was this year's in the early part of the season, but 

 as soon as a close estimate could be made, it was done and published, 

 so that even jobbers might know as fully as the producers what the 

 supply is. This was done on the theory that to establish and maintain 

 relations permanently satisfactory, business must be conducted on right 

 lines. 



In order to compare the cost of the present method of sale with the 

 Exchange method, I will again call your attention to the Elgin 

 Exchange sales of 1892. This Exchange's sales during that year 

 amounted in the aggregate to $8,315,286 22, and they cost the pro- 

 ducers $372. Had dried fruit of that value been sold for California 

 producers it would have cost them 5 per cent of that sum, or $415,- 

 764 31, or $415,392 31 more, being more than 1,117 times as much as 

 it cost the Elgin producers. 



The facts and figures relating to the Elgin Producers' Exchange were 

 obtained directly from that Exchange, and hence are entirely reliable. 



Mr. Adams: I would simply add to what I said before, that that 

 course of action recommended by the committee does not call for any 

 money, but it does call for that sort of determination by the fruit 

 growers that their fruit shall be shipped in that way. Wherever there 

 is opportunity for any man to exert his influence or extend his patron- 

 age in any way to support that plan of action, his influence should go 

 in that direction. The actual carrying out of the resolution will neces- 

 sarily be committed to that class of shippers who draw bills of lading; 

 not to the smaller shippers like myself, who must turn our fruit over to 

 some cooperative association or to some larger shipper to take care of for 

 us. And the grower or the association who represents me in that way 

 will join with the organization of larger growers, which will see that the 

 shipments are divided and distributed in accordance with the known 

 capacity of the markets. And for the purpose of permitting such con- 

 cert of action, those who are intrusted with the shipment of the fruit of 

 the small growers must unite with the larger growers in such organiza- 

 tion. And we assume that the thirty or forty or fifty gentlemen who 

 are the largest fruit growers of the State, will themselves provide the 

 machinery recommended by the committee. We will not go into details, 

 because those who are concerned in the organization as large growers 

 can provide the details. Those who are here present should pledge 

 themselves to its support. 



On motion of Mr. Fowler, a rising vote was taken on the adoption of 

 Mr. Weinstock's resolution, and it was carried unanimously. 



Mr. Adams: Mr. President, I offer this resolution: 



The members of this convention hereby pledge themselves to give such association, 

 when formed, our earnest and heartiest support. 



I will explain what I mean by that. I mean that each individual 

 member will take it up and push it. In order that there may be some 

 expression of opinion it was suggested by Prof. Fowler that those who 

 are in favor of the resolution should manifest their sentiment by rising. 



