82 TWENTY-EIGHTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION". 



fornia Fruit Agency, at much less cost than we have ever charged them 

 for operating before; and we submit that it is a fair proposition." It 

 looked so to us — in any case, gentlemen, it was the best thing that could 

 be accomplished under the circumstances. 



Now, I will go a step further. Mr. Thompson says that he under- 

 stands that the outside combination is entitled to take 50 per cent of 

 the growers and we maintain our status, which is something between 40 

 and 50 per cent. Now, that leaves a difference, a remnant in there. 

 What about that? Well, now, this is the situation: When they have 

 obtained their 50 per cent, then we may take into consideration how 

 the others might be equitably provided for, to strengthen a weak asso- 

 ciation that is operating to some disadvantage here and there. I don't 

 know just how it can be worked out. But our theory was this: The 

 growers up to 50 per cent have their opportunity to come into the Citrus 

 Union. There is no ironclad rule that they may not have any more, 

 but that is the basis. Now, after they have obtained their 50 per cent 

 and we have taken care of our membership on the present basis, we 

 have got still 10 per cent to figure on. If they want to come into this 

 Agency, then we say: "Here, in this community, it would be better for 

 the Union to maintain a packing-house. The product is small in this 

 community; it would be better for the Union. There can not two operate. 

 In another community there is a small association in the Exchange 

 operating at some disadvantage because it is small. Strengthen that 

 up a little in order to permit the Exchange to operate advantageously 

 for the growers." That is the basis — trying to harmonize and to work 

 together in this interest. I don't tell you exactly how it will work out, 

 because I don't know. Some of these growers will probably never 

 identify themselves with either. There is always somebody in a com- 

 munity who knows more than all of his neighbors (laughter and 

 applause), and just what may become of him I am not able to say. 

 When he becomes a menace to us, we will have to do like the President 

 said. You remember, when the doctors were scraping the bone in the 

 President's shin after he was hurt in Massachusetts — was it? — and it 

 was hurting a good deal, he said: "I feel as though I would like to 

 have another talk with that motorman up there in Massachusetts." 

 (Laughter.) Now, it may come to pass that after we have got along to 

 that point we may want to have another talk with that grower who 

 knows more than everybody else. But we will cross the bridge when 

 we get to it. 



I have tried frankly to answer your questions. And I want to say to 

 you now, don't let anybody make you think that there is anything under 

 cover in this movement. And I am prepared to say to you, in behalf of 

 everybody connected with the Exchange, that there is not an element in 

 it that is not straightforward and square in every particular. There is 



