20 



OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



in the central and northern part of the State. The first meeting was held at Newcastle 

 on June ISth, followed hy meetings at Suisun and Vacaville. 



The committee did all in its power to bring about an organization of the fruit- 

 growers of the State as outlined by the convention, but has failed so far to accomplish 

 the desired result. It found that it was antagonized by men representing millions of 

 dollars, whose interests are diametrically opposed to those of the grower. The failure 

 to perfect an organization of the growers maybe attributed to the following: Apathy, 

 jealousy, intimidation, dissensions, crop mortgages, concessions, and selfishness. 

 Apathy on the part of some who permitted others to think for them. Jealousy on the 

 part of others who fear that their neighbors may be more benefited through the organi- 

 zation than themselves. Dissension among growers caused by difference of opinion as 

 to how to proceed in organizing and upon what plan. Intimidation controls the action 

 of many who are given to understand that any action on their part to in any way 

 aid the movement being made to organize might result in materially impairing their 

 personal interests. Crop mortgages prevent independent action on the part of the 

 mortgagees. Concessions made to growers in the way of rebate on commissions, so 

 much per package, or in any way that would be satisfactory to the parties interested. 

 Selfishness on the part of many w 7 ho desire to sell to one or the other of the great com- 

 mission and shipping organizations, the opportunity for which was offered through the 

 agitation being made in favor of organizing the growers for the purpose of marketing 

 their products. Such men would say, "You are all right, go ahead; we are with you, 

 but we have a lot of fruit we wish to sell f. o. b., and are now negotiating to that end. 

 When we have sold we will be with you heart and soul, and do all we can to aid in 

 building up an organization that will better protect their interests than has been done 

 in the past. In the mean time, however, do not for the world abandon the effort to 

 bring about a perfect and complete organization of the State." 

 Kespectfullv submitted. 



R. D. STEPHENS, 



Chairman. 



The report was, on motion, adopted. 



Report of Committee on Transportation. 



Mr. Stephens submitted a report from the Committee on Transporta- 

 tion appointed by the Fruit-Growers' Convention, held at Fresno, in 

 November, 1898, as follows: 



Your committee most respectfully beg leave to make the following report. The 

 following correspondence is submitted: 



San Francisco, May 18, 1899. 

 Me. William Sproule, Freight Traffic Manager Southern Pacific Company : 



Deab Sir: The Committee on Transportation appointed at the last Fruit-Growers' 

 Convention held a meeting on Tuesday of this week and selected us as a committee to 

 wait upon you and ascertain what aid the Southern Pacific Company is willing to 

 extend to the fruit-growers of the State in their desire to secure cheaper facilities for 

 marketing their fruit. Knowing that it is to the interest of the Southern Pacific Com- 

 pany to encourage the fruit industry of California, and appreciating the fact that the 

 Company has made many concessions to growers in the past, in furnishing ventilator 

 car and an expedited train service and in other ways, we feel no hesitancy at this 

 time in beseeching the company to grant us its assurance of assistance in the present 

 eri.d^. Our committee is instructed to submit its report to a general convention of 

 fruit-growers to be held in Sacramento on Tuesday of next week, and in order that we 

 may be aide to place the whole matter before the growers as accurately and intelli- 

 gently as possible, we respectfully request you to inform us on the following points: 



Firtt— Is the Southern Pacific Company prevented by any arrangements with the 

 Fruit-fin. wits' Express and the Continental Fruit Express from permitting any com- 

 peting line of refrigerator cars from entering California and competing for shipments 

 of green fruit, and if not, will the company extend to one or more Eastern refrigerator 

 lines the same facilities enjoyed by the existing lines for getting business in this terri- 

 tory? 



