Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-05
The Santa Monica Franchises
Arranged.
Gossip About the Electric
Roads Progress.
Raisin Freight Rates Very Far From
Being Satisfactory.
The Expression, "If You Please"
Very GentIemanly Tone Implsnts
Among Railway Employees,
Thinks Mr.. Towne-Notes
and Gossip.

Charles Saylor, general agent OF the
Southern Pacific company, spent yester-
day at Santa Monica, looking for an ell
igible spot to unload the ties and raft
them in. Colonel Hewitt also was at
the beach, and brought that map and
the franchise ordinance which is now in
the hands of the board of trustees. In
answer to a question about the $4,000
certified check Colonel Hewitt stated
that it would positively be given to the
trustees on Monday evening, and that
work on the extension to the canon
would commence soon after the neces-
sary legal preliminaries are perfected.
The deed for the thirteen acres, the
forfeit of the Santa Monica Wharf and
Terminal railroad company is ready, so
it looks as if at the Monday evening
meeting the franchises would be passed.
PROGRESS OF THE ELECTRIC ROAD.
Receiver Crank, of the cable road still
thinks that the electric road will be
swallowed up by the Rolling Mills COM
pany, and that it will then cease to be
an annoyance to the cable company.
He is said to have told a friend that his
negotiations were going on all right in
San Francisco, and that victory would
have perched on his banner had it not
been for the arrival in that city of Pres
ident Sherman and Director Marble, of
the Electric company, who knocked his
plans galley west. That is probably
what they were there for.
The electric people are meanwhile
making great progress. They will have
the Vernon branch operated by electri-
city on the first OF October, and will
have the greater part of their immense
system ready by the latter part of that
month.
Their magnificent power house will
be in use now in very few days, when
a number of additional cars will be
operated.
RAIsIN RATES.
'They promised Us reduction in
freight rates, and we have got it-in the
neck" said raisin shipper to San
Francisco Chronicle reporter. "We ex-
pected a 50-cent reduction, but we only
got 5-cent one, and the railroad peo-
pie think we ought to feel elated."
The new rates on raisins are to go into
effect on the 21st. Before the last meet
ing of the Transcontinental association
the leading raisin growers and packers
asked for reduction in the rate of 81 .56
per 100 pounds to the Missouri river
and all eastern points to 81, contending
that Spanish competition would make
California raisin growing profitless 9TH
erwise. The new freight tariff is out,
and the rate is scheduled, $3.50 or
cents less than the former rate, reduc-
ton of only $40 on a carload of 10000
pounds.
The leading raisin shippers of this city
are very much down in the mouth.
Henry Schacht of the firm of Schacht,
Lemcke & Steiner, when seen yesterday,
said:
"All the raisin shippers of California
feel aggrieved at this action of the
Transcontinental association. A scent
reduction is no reduction at all. The
rate ought to be 81 or less, but we would
be satisfied with $1.25. We would have
to lay our loose raisins down in New
York at 6 cents pound, or thereabouts,
in order to compe successfully with
the Valencia raisins, but we cannot do
so. The best price we can give New
York dealers is ga to cents. There is
no profit at all for California shippers at
cents pound IN New York. Unless
we get better rates the raisin growers
will go out of the business. Raisins are
easily handled by the railroad people
They go through to the east in solid
trains, and are as good class of freight
as carrier could wish.
"Here is letter from Turtle & Skid
more, the largest raisin importers O
New York city, in which they say thai
| Denia, offstalk, raisins are offered fol
September shipment at IL shillings fo
112 pounds, cost and freight. Thi
brings the price down to the point a
which they can be bought at cents
duty paid, delivered in New York
Now, if Spanish raisins can be delivered
there for cents, and we cannot pu
California ralsins in at less than 63,
cents, what are our packers going to do
"You ask how it is that Californi;
raisins cannot sell for less in spite o
freight rates. 1t is for the reason tina
bedrock has been struck by the grow
ers. They cannot give the packers an
better prices than to cents pounC
and enjoy living profit. Then whel
the freight rates are paid, what woult
6 cents pound leave to the shipper
Nothing at all.
Other raisin dealers spoke in the sam
strain, and denounced the five-cent re
duction as mockery of their hopes.
PoLTENEss ORDERED.
General Manager A. N. Towne, of tn
Southern Pacific, is after the railroa,
employees who think they are the king
OF this earth and that the patrons OF th
road are simply nuisances that offen
their nerves.
He has issued this letter, with all tn
awe-inspiring marks and stamps OF tn
general office:
To Agents and other Employees:
In dealing with the public, especiall
with our patrons, it is often necessar
that you should observe much patienc
and self-restraint, always endeavorin
to follow the dictates OF good sense an
prudence, in order that you may max
the most favorable impression upon ou
patrons. Treat them as any good bus
ness man would deal with his custom
ers, with the view of making the roa
popular.
Those who do not manifest that VI
banity of manner and uniform courtesy
tending to impress the public with th
Il rof,