Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-16
UNEQUAL. COMPETITION,
The Views of Commercial Men of sa,
EraFrcisCc

The Views of Commercial Men of San
EUauCtsco.
In conversation with reporter of the
Post, Captain w, L. Merry, who introduced
the resolutions in the San Francisco Cham
Der Of Commercs that resulted in the call
for the Commercial Convention of the Goth
instant, on Wednesday said
The position which the Canadian Pa
citic Railway is permitted by our Govern
ment 10 occupy in transcontinental do
mest1c transportation is not consistent with
equity or Justice TO American interests.
bow can our government expect repay
ment OF financial aid given the railways
which 1t permits TO be despoiled of their
domestic traffic by foreign competition
within Its power 10 prevent, especially
when this competition was not anticipated
when these roads were constructed?
Ihe bonded system of transportation
through foreign territory should be ahol-
ished. Ii it is proper to protect our do
mestc carrying trade from foreign compe-
utlon by water (aud this is the traditional
policy of our GovernmenD it is equally
necessary to DO so by land. The fourtb
clause of the interstate commerce law
should be literally interpreted as regards
san FRANCISCO, which, being a sea port. is
as clearly entitled toihe exceptions allowed
by the Act i'll its allusion to difference in
condition and circumstances as are the
lake ports, to which the same advantage
is permitted.
The evident intent of the Dominion
Government to vigorously attack American
commerce atioat and ashore must be com
bated with equal yigor, or American Pa
chic coast ports will suffer severely. and
none more than San Francisco. | regard
the coming commercial conference called
by the Chamber of Commerce as a very i'm
portant and timely movement for the above
and other equally forcible reasons"
INTERFEREs WITH INDEPENDENCE.
;" 1t is my impression that the interstate
commerce law should be repealed" said
colonel h l.. Baker, senior member of the
firm of Baker & Hamilton. 1t should he
abolished because it interferes with the in
dependence of the railroads. Ii not re-
pealed, then that portion of it which pre-
vents fair competitor with the Canadian
Paclhc Tor the carrying trade of this coast
should be annulled
am in favor of the establishment Of
Commission to take testimony and act un-
der authority OF Congress, bearing similar
relation to Congress to that borne by the
Supreme Court Commissioners to the Su-
preme Court in this State. Congress itself
cannot give time TO this question without
clo9glng other legislation, and a question
OF this kind is apt to take on political
significance that interferes with lust ar
rangemeni. Such a Commission as [ sue-
gest would be non partisan, and sbouid
have power to Literally conslrue the fourth
clause of the interstate commerce law in
such case, for instance, as that of this
city"
ABSOLUTELY IMPREGNAsLE.
In pamphlet written by A. n. Towue.
OF the Southern Pacific Comp pany. Mr..
Towne took substantially the ground that
the interstate commerce law was building
up the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the
town Of Vancouver at the expense of San
Francisco. l.. B. Benchey, General Man
ager OF the Pacific Rolling Mill Company,
said to the reporter that he considered Mr..
fowne's position on the question as sbso-
lutely impregnable.
Charles Merrill, OF Holbrook, Merrill &
Co., said he believed the interstate COM
merce laws influence was detrimental TO
the interests of the coast. Il believe that
American goods should be carried in
American cars, he declared emphatically.
He regarded the present state of affairs as
initiating directly against American roads
to the advantage of the Canadian Pacific,
which had no trammels placed by Govern
ment upon its traffic.
IN AN UNFAIR POSITION.
James B. Stetson, of the same firm,
agreed with Mr.. Merrill that the position
into which American roads were forced
With relation to the Canadian Pacific was
unfair. I'VE practice what we preach" he
added, "and patronize American roads
only"
Joseph May, the partner OF ex United
States Senator Williams, said briefly: II
am opposed to encouraging foreign roads