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OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



shares alike in the expenses of it. I trust this convention will enlarge upon 

 . this idea. I am glad to see the prune men trying to organize. I wish we 

 could get our ideas large enough to cover all these interests in the same 

 sort of a compact. It is perfectly practical. Then we will, be able to 

 take care of ourselves. We will not be able to build railroads, but 

 there will not be another fellow getting his freights cheaper than we do. 

 All we can ask is that we be placed on a basis level with every other 

 man and that there are no privileged characters. I believe we have an 

 excellent future, but I believe we have to conserve our interests and 

 unite them. This method will not exactly suit every one; we will 

 always have the "kicker" with us. But we have got to take the 

 conditions as we find them and work them out to the best accomplish- 

 ment. We have got to take the thing as .good organization brings it 

 about, and I believe we will succeed. I thank you for your attention. 



Vote of Thanks. 



JOHN MARKLEY. I move that the thanks of the convention be 

 extended to Mr. Naftzger for the splendid manner in which he has pre- 

 sented this matter to us. 



Carried by a rising vote. 



DISCUSSION ON UNITY OF ACTION. 



JOHN MARKLEY, of Sonoma. I believe unity of action is what is 

 needed. I am a prune-grower, and I believe that if we succeed we have 

 got to unite and reduce our business to a business system and have it 

 managed by competent business men. I have had some experience in 

 the resolutions passed by Fruit-Growers' Conventions, and I must say I 

 have not much respect for them. Therefore, I believe to have success, 

 something more tangible is needed. In San Francisco once, the Fruit- 

 Growers' Convention passed resolutions to create a California Fruit 

 Exchange. The convention named the officers and I was one of them, 

 but gave us no money to work with. We managed it for about a year, 

 and at the end of that time the board of directors raised $600, which 

 did not pay for the money we had been out, and we had to quit business. 

 At Fresno the convention appointed Mr. Adams to do certain things, 

 and suggested that he be given $50. They proceeded to raise this 

 amount by subscription down there, and got but $4 for him to carry 

 out his instructions with. You cannot expect to perfect any proposed 

 organization without money to work on. It is well enough to pass 

 resolutions, but it takes capital to put them into effect. The prune- 

 growers ought to come together where they can quietly and thoroughly 

 discuss this matter and form an organization on a business basis — one 

 representing the people from all sections of the country. Then I want 



