90 



TWENTY-EIGHTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



A permanent organization was effected, known as the California Employment Com- 

 mittee, appointed by the State Fruit-Growers' Convention to Procure Farm Labor. H. P. 

 Stabler of Yuba City was elected chairman; T. H. Ramsay of Red Bluff, vice-chair- 

 man ; and B. N. Rowley of San Francisco, secretary. The following-named gentlemen 

 were chosen as an Executive Committee: H. P. Stabler, T. H. Ramsay, B. N. Rowley, 

 L. F. Graham, G. H. Hecke, A. D. Bishop, and B. E. Hutchinson. 



The vast amount of detail work considered is not necessary to this report. After the 

 appointment of a finance committee, the general committee adjourned to meet at the 

 call of the Chair. 



Immediately upon arrival in San Francisco the Executive Committee was called 

 together and plans for the campaign outlined. A proposition from the California Pro- 

 motion Committee, 25 New Montgomery street, San Francisco, was received and, as 

 that committee was in possession of funds and a well-equipped office force, its proposi- 

 tion was accepted by your committee and a satisfactory understanding speedily arrived 

 at whereby the California Employment Committee made its headquarters at 25 New 

 Montgomery street, San Francisco, in the rooms of the California Promotion Commit- 

 tee, and commenced its labors under very favorable auspices. Funds for the com- 

 mencement of the work were provided by the California Promotion Committee, and we 

 desire at this time to thank the California Promotion Committee and its executive 

 officers for their hearty support. 



The most difficult problem which confronted your committee was as to the best 

 method of making known throughout the Eastern and Western States the wants of 

 California orchardists, farmers, and fruit-packers, and the best possible way to reach 

 the greatest number of workers within the shortest period of time and induce them to 

 come to California to labor in the orchards, vineyards, and packing-houses during the 

 fruit harvest. It was finally decided to select from among the experienced fruitmen of 

 the State such as were accustomed to public speaking or lecturing and who were willing 

 to serve without pay, and send them to the thickly populated agricultural districts in 

 the East on lecturing tours. In accordance with this plan your committee selected 

 George W. Pierce and George B. Lorenz of Davisville, and F. W. and E. J. Crandall of 

 San Jose. They were provided with two high-power lanterns, for the purpose of exhib- 

 iting stereopticon views, together with several hundred view plates, selected for the 

 purpose, illustrating California's industrial resources as well as some of the more 

 attractive places of interest; also scenic views, such as in the judgment of your com- 

 mittee would prove most attractive to an Eastern audience. 



These four gentlemen left San* Francisco the first week in February, 1903, and traveled 

 in company as far as Manhattan, Kansas. Here the parties separated, Messrs. Pierce 

 and Lorenz visiting numerous small towns in Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan, delivering 

 stereopticon lectures and distributing a vast amount of literature of a character intended 

 to induce young farmers and others to come to California to reside. The Messrs. Cran- 

 dall visited numerous towns in Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan, delivering 

 lectures illustrated with stereopticon views of California orchard and farm scenery as 

 well as other scenic and industrial views. 



The reports from these lecturers indicate a vast amount of interest manifest in all 

 the towns they visited, and the attendance . at their lectures was beyond expectations. 

 The weather was extremely cold; the thermometer often registered from ten to twenty 

 degrees below zero. Notwithstanding this intense cold and otherwise disagreeable 

 weather, the attendance w#s from 250 to 1,500 people, according to the size of the town 

 and hall in which the lectures were delivered, standing room being at a premium at 

 eacli and every lecture. 



There was no charge made for admission and no collections were taken up. Every- 

 thing in connection with these lectures was absolutely free. The local daily and 

 weekly papers in the towns throughout the districts visited gave lengthy favorable 

 notices, all of which went to the credit of California. 



Your committee had a variety of literature printed for distribution in the Eastern 

 States, chief among which were 60,000 booklets entitled " Grasp This, Your Opportunity," 

 copies of which have already been distributed among those attending this Convention. 



