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OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



ment of the Raisin-Growers' Association of Fresno is equal to the best 

 ability of any packer connected with it? Don't you think the ability 

 that Mr. Kearney and the members have shown proves them to be the 

 peers of any men in the business? Why don't they manage the organiza- 

 tion at the other end of the line instead of handing it over to the middle- 

 men? I don't mean this as a criticism; I am talking for the things 

 that will go to the permanent prosperity of the organization. In my 

 opinion the ability of Mr. Kearney and his associates will force these 

 men out of the way and put the goods straight into the markets and cut 

 clear of these commissions. 



Mr. KEARNEY. I don't think there is much difference between Mr. 

 Naftzger and myself on this proposition. I take the ground that we 

 should fit ourselves to do these things well before- we undertake to do 

 them at all. We are progressing in our raisin business; we have a 

 difficult problem to deal with. We started out with the proposition of 

 winning over to the combination men who had failed previously to 

 combine and who had no faith that they could succeed; and those men 

 had been, through previous drought, supported and helped by the 

 packers. Money had been advanced to them, and the people had come 

 to lean upon the packers for support. It is not wise in my judgment 

 to come right out boldly and depend upon yourselves, but get what you 

 want gradually, and we have been doing it gradually. At first we made 

 a trial, and I solicited the packers to come out and help us; and I say 

 that without the assistance of the packers we could not have got along. 

 We strengthened ourselves and put up the price on raisins the first 

 year, and the grower had a little money to help pay off some of his 

 debts, and we felt stronger. Then we made another trial with the 

 packers the next year, and that was more stringent than the previous 

 year. We made them agree to buy those raisins and pay our price, no 

 matter what it was — whatever price we put upon them. We insisted 

 upon their agreeing to it, and they did it. That was a step in advance 

 of the previous year. We propose now to go to the packers and say to 

 them, " You know there is a great deal of friction between us; this man 

 is underselling you, and you know you are not making a dollar out of 

 it." Then we will say, " You have got to come in with us if you want 

 to make money." And we propose now to ask them to organize and 

 combine their plants, and with the assistance we will render them we 

 propose to buy a half interest in that business. Is not that a step in 

 advance? 



QUESTION. Why not buy it all? 



Mr. KEARNEY. I believe that the cautious way is the best way. 

 I think we will get there that way quicker than to make a plunge and 

 get into the mud. I believe you had better have the packers and com- 

 mission men always under your control, but use their skill and ability 



