The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-03
ALONG THE RAIL.
Reduction of Rates on Bananas
From New Orleans.
Pointed Report of the New York State Rail
road Commissioners-Keepin Acci-
dents From the Public

The Freight Committee of the Transconti-
mental Association held two sessions yester-
day. Nothing of interest was done at the
morning meeting. At the afternoon ses-
sion the applications of many merchants
who desire freight rates reduced were con-
sidered. After hot discussion it was de-
cided to reduce the rates on banana ship
ments from New Orleans to San Francisco
from 81 to 81 %, to take effect May 18th.
The association anticipates much trouble
with the Eastern roads on account of these
reductions. 0minous mutterings may be
heard among the men who control the
Eastern roads.
1--WE are between two fires" said men,
Der of the Freight Committee yesterday.
"The people of this Coast, especially the
fruit-growers, are clamoring for cheaper
rates. We have made reductions which
mean a saving of 100000 to the fruit indus
try By making such reductions as the
fruit-men thought fair, we have dspleased
the Eastern roads over which their ship
ments must pass. They are not at all salts
fed, and the chances for long rate war
are very good. Take marble, for instance.
on which we have reduced the rate from
81 20 to rs cents. Why did we do it? Sim
ply because there are some of the finest
marble Quarries in the world in Southern
California. and this will soon be an impor-
tant industry in that section. 1t would not
pay to work these quarries and pay 81 20 for
shipping East. We reduced the rate, max
ing it possible and profitable to work these
quarries, and the Eastern roads say we
cannot stand It, The reductions are TOO
great"
A REPORT ON ACCIDENTS.
The New York State Board of Railroad
Commissioners has handed down decision
in regard to the terrible accident on the
Lake Shore and Michigan road. which oc-
CURED on the 9th of last month. After
briefly reviewing the facts of the case the
board charges Conductor Houghtling with
criminal earelessness in leaving Dunklrk
until the defective air hose had been re-
placed by one which did not leak, thus sup
plying the rear coaches with air.
The report also shows that the safety
chains were not hooked between the
coaches. The board severely censures En-
gineer M0ony for leaving the station with
the train in bad condition. it having been
shown that he was informed by Conductor
HOughtliug that the five. rear coaches were
not aud could not be supplied with air. 1t
Is the opinion of the commission that in all
cases of railroad accident it is the duty of
the companies to publish the facts concern
ing such accidents-names, number killed
or injured, etc.-fOr the information of the
public in general. and that sucn facts should
in all cases be published Is soon after the
acclQeuJ as possible. Inc custom III vogue
among railroad men, to suppress the facts
in such cases as long as possible, was crlti-
cized at length.
MORE POTATOES.
Twelve carloads of potatoes were received
yesterday over the Texas Pacific. This
load secured reduction on this particular
staple from 50 to 80 cents. 1t is thought
that 1900 carloads will be necessary to sup
ply the demand this season.
An excursion of forty people left yester-
day over the Texas Pacific from Los Ange-
les TO Eastern points.
An excursion of sixty people Will leave
to-day over the Atlantic and Pacific.
The Rock Island people yesterday sent
out an excursion of seyenty-fve persons for
Eastern points.
Hon. r. Proctor of Washington, d. c.,
who, with his family, has been paying
visit TO California, returned home yesterday
over the Denver and Rio Grande.
M. StillmaE of New York City. one of the
Directors Of the Southern Pacific Company,
and attorney for the Hopkins estate, is ex-
pected here this week.
Mike Wech, Assistant General Freight
Agent of the Texas Pacific, is in town.
Z. M. Burns, formerly with the Burling-
ton road, has been appointed City Passen-
ger Agent of the Erie road.
John L. Todd, General Agent for the In
diauapulis, Decatur ana Western, Is In town,
accompanied by his wife.
The Southern Pacific stockholders will
hold meeting in this city on the 9th inst.