46 BULLETIN 1237, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
MEMBERS INFORMED AND CONSULTED. 
The annual report of the general manager of the exchange gives in 
some detail the business of the exchange for the previous year. Total 
business, prices received, operating expenses, and other statistical 
information of interest to the members are presented. The activities 
of. the various departments, the policies of the exchange, and the 
general outlook for the industry are discussed. Practically the same 
report with reference to local affairs is presented by district and asso- 
ciation members. At the annual meeting of the associations special 
efforts are made to secure a full attendance of all members. The 
meeting is usually an all-day affair. All matters relating to the mar- 
keting of the fruit and the operation of the packing house are dis- 
cussed. Although the meetings are usually harmonious and routine in 
nature, it often happens that grievances against either the association 
or the exchanges are freely voiced. 
The members of the association are closely in touch with the 
business of the exchange. A visitor to the office of an association 
frequently finds there one or more growers seeking information regard- 
ing proceeds of sales, already paid or to be distributed, and market 
conditions. The member receives, in addition to the information 
furnished by the manager or his assistants in response to his inquiries, 
the bulletins of the exchange which give in detail shipments, arrivals, 
sales, and prices from the opening of the season. Still more fre- 
quently the manager is called upon to give information of this nature 
by telephone. The pool sheets and other records are open to inspec- 
tion by members. 
That the affairs of the exchange are carried on in the open is exem- 
plified by weekly directors' meetings. These are held in a large room, 
really a small auditorium, and are open to all growers and association 
officials, in fact, to anyone interested in marketing. The usual attend- 
ance is 100 to 150 persons, in addition to the 20 directors. It is not 
uncommon for a grower or an association manager to contribute to 
the discussion. Executive sessions of the board are usually held only 
in connection with the employment, promotion, or discharge of employ- 
ees. In consequence, matters of policy become public at the same 
time that they are formally presented to the directors. Often they 
are thoroughly discussed in the districts and locals before a vote is 
taken. It is true, no doubt, that much of this information does not 
get back to the rank and file of the exchange except slowly and indi- 
rectly; but the district and association directors and, in fact, any 
grower who makes it his business to be informed regarding exchange 
affairs, soon learn what is going on and add their opinions to the 
general discussion. 
CONSERVATIVE PRACTICES. 
Local control and the public deliberations of the directors have 
freed the exchange to a remarkable extent from radical and ill-con- 
sidered action. Although this control may sometimes prove irksome 
and delay or frustrate well-conceived policies, it is a decided element 
of strength. Not only are mistakes less Likely to occur, but when 
mistakes are made they are generally felt to be a common error rather 
than the fault of one or two individuals. There is much less likeli- 
hood, therefore, that the morale of the members will be impaired by 
