United Prune Growers
The United Prune Growers of California was a growers' selling organization intended to control prune output and keep prices high during the Great Depression. The group worked to set prices, arrange financing and loans, and work with packers and warehousers.The organization was launched in August 1932 in San Francisco[1]. Founding directors were were Arch Wilson (Cupertino), Douglas Chisholm (Windsor), C. K. Schnabel (Yuba City), W. W. Lester (Santa Clara), and Harry Pyle (San Jose).
Initial membership The group had signed up 80% of production by May 1933[2]. F. R. Wilcox of the Giannini foundation was the group's leader for its first year[3]. Wilcox later was the chairman of the Prune Control Board.
The United Prune Growers was only one of several attempts to set up a prune pool to control production, but one of the few to sign up the majority of growers. Another attempt in 1932 ended in failure with insufficient signups and pressure from "cut-throat packers"[4].
References
- ↑ Prune Leaders Organize in San Francisco. August 30, 1932 Healdsburg Tribune.
- ↑ United Prune Growers Get Crop Control: May 16, 1933 Lodi Sentinel
- ↑ Wilcox, Stillwell Top Prune Control Board: August 18, 1934 San Jose Evening News.
- ↑ Editorial: Double-Crossed: September 8, 1932 San Jose Evening News