The morning call., 1892-08-12
CONMoDITY.

lhe eSlern IraiTc Association, w hich
Is composed Of all the railroads operating
west OF Chicago, is at the present engaged
IN considering the transcOntnental rate
question and the proposed reductions of The
Southern Pacific, and the Transcontinental
Associations meeting on the oath has no
other object but to discuss this matter The
franc Association OF California also in
tends 10 pay much attention 10 the question
OF tran sentimental rates. although liz is
principally Interested in local traffic.
Traffic Manager Leeds has called a meet
ing OF the associations ciIpper-ship co M
Hiltte Tor this morning, and IL is proposed
10 devise some plan whereby the new
clipper lines can be made permanent for one
or more years. just in what manner tile
frame Association proposes TO do this is
net known as yet but the amount of saw
lngs the merchants OF San Francisco can
accumulate during a wear by reason of the
lowered freight rate ought TO yield a per-
centaGe large enough 10 create a guarantee
fund. 50 that the cllpper-ships which have
been the cause Of the reduction will be
secured against losses.
THE TEHUANTEPEC ROAD.
+. Is. Pond. the chairman Of the Chamber
OF Commerce. IS IN receipt Of 4 letter from
Pres dent Diaz, containing a reply to the
communication sent to the latter few
weeks ago expressing hope that no private
corporation be permitted TO obtain control
OF the Iehuautepec Railroad.
In MS letter, President Diaz saws that in
order that the road NAV produce the best
results the Mexican Government ia itself
constructing 1t, and thai. according TO the
contracts made, IL should be completed in
july, 1893.
Dispatches from the East announced only
quite recently that {. i. Huntington was
about u obtain control over the Tehuante-
pee road, but his negotiations with the Mex
lean Government in that direction failed
completely.
L. a Sheldon Of Los Angeles, a former
Governor Of New Mexico and a welLknown
literary man. has been selected out of the
many applicants for the position of an ex-
pert on the agricultural and horticultural
possibilities OF the country around Stanley
Falls IN Africa w. II. Mills, 10 whom the
task OF finding the right man for this posi-
ton had been delegated By c. p. Hunting
ton, trlegraphed his choice to Speyer Bros.
a banking house in London. Frankfort and
New ork, and yesterday he received by
cable an acceptance Of Mr.. Sheldon's
services. Speyer Bros. are the leading
financial hackers Of the Congo River and
Stanley Falls transportation lines. The
climate and soil Of Western Africa, near
the Congo River, are supposed to be like
those of California.
Mr.. Sheldon viii have big task before
MIN, because the country he is about TO
visit has never been written up from an
industrial point OF view
THE QUESTION OF TOLLS.
The board OF control of the Ipague of
Progress met yesterday afternoon TO dlscuss
nontleS, organization and other matters
On the request of the Harbor Commission
ers, The board has devised plan by which
the present unjust system of paving tolls
can be abolished. The plan is a good one.
but Of course the Harbor Comm ssioners
VIII have to bring 1t before the Legislature
before II can become a law.
1t IS IN shape OF resolution, reading as
follows:
=, EesO!Ued, That 1t be suggested to The State
halOoT commissioners IN order TO overcome me
oblecilohs made 10 The present system of col.
lecthg TONS on merchandise, and particularly ON
merchandise arriving IN less than Ton 10 q that
stamps be issued by the State Bosid of Harbor
commissioners Ia denominations from | cent
up, according 10 weight OF shipment and aceotd-
lng 10 us proportional part of ton; said stamps
10 De aMKed 10 The proper expense OF freight bun
ana Cancelled by The receiver OF The righf,s
charges when the freight bin Is paid In exDIa.
nation We would suggest that less than ton shin
ments be divided as follows: On shit.neuts
weighing 400 pounds or less, / cent; more Than
4Oo aud less than 800 pounds. cents; more
man 500 and less than 1900, 3 cents: more than
1ZUO ana less than 1900, + cents: NOR than 1000
aud less than 1000. cents. These stamps 10
ana % cents and 81, IS, SO. $50 and $50 sun
1ect 10 The following penalty fOt non-affixine and
non anceilatloB on Tie failure OF tie party MS
agents, servants or enTloycs 10 affix ana cancel
Inc proper stamp: A fine Is to-be impospd 10
equai 10 amount 100 times the value of The nee
essaiy amount OF toll, as above provided for not
10 exceed 500 Tor each onense aud Tie afofe-
SAID failure 10 constitute a mIsdemeanor
ohe-haif OF the hDe TO be paid 10 the infurmer