The record-union., 1892-03-23

SOpHlSLry OF OInpulaIIOn elnplOyeu ny
transportation companies to secure such
tariff schedules as shall be most auvan-
tageous TO their interests.
They understand how to prepare
statements, array figures and submit
tables which, while apparently fair and
honest, are in fact a deiusion and a snare.
They have devoted all their energies and
abilities for years 20 the art o. preventing
the people from securing at the hands OF
the Railroad Commissioners a revision OF
transportation rates which would affect
the profits of their employers, and Tor
their services they are paid prlncely sal
aries by the transportation companies.
This commission realizes that in its
efforts to establish transportation rates,
whether undertaken at its own instance
or upon the formal complaints OF produc-
ers, it has been hampered and deceived
by the misleading facts and figures and
statements and sophistries of the traffic
agents OF the transportation companies
produced before it under the cloak Of
candor as basis for its conclusions. In
the organized, vigilant, subtle and per-
sistent effort of the transportation COM
panies to defeat the purposes Of the COM
mission it has found its most serious OBJ
stacie to the establishment of a schedule
which would be just to the industries and
satisfactory to the people of the State OF
California.
The other difficulty which the COM
mission has found in it's way has been the
want OF unity and of organization among
the producers of the State. There have
been occasional outbursts OF energy in
particular localities and spasms Of activ-
ity among the representatives of special
industries, but there has never been, at
least until the present time, any general
and intelligent organized effort from the
side OF the producers To aid the commits
sion in the establishment of a schedule Sf
freights and fares.
In view OF the thorough organization of
the transportation companies on the one
hand, and the lack Of any general or in
telligent organization of the shippers on
the other, the Commissioners have of
necessity had to grope their way and to
grant relief in isolated cases, instead of
essaying such a general and complete re-
vision OF transportation tariffs as the in
terests and industries of the people of
California require. This commission is
pleased to note, however, that the above
conditions have been changed by the for
nation of what is known as the Traffic
Association OF California. This is COM
bination Of shippers and producers rep
reSenting many industries, and appar-
entity well organized for the purpose it
has in view. 1t has employed traffic
manager at an annual salary almost equal
commission. Mr. Leeds is that high Off
cial. He is doubtless the man best fitted
for the place he occupies on account OF
his known ability and his long train
ing in the art Of regulating freights and
fares. Mr.. Leeds, we are informed,
has been for years an employe of
railroads and combinations Of rail
roads in the capacity of traffic agent,
and is familiar with all the subtleties and
sophistries and condolences OF his former
employers. Having been so long inter
ested on the side of the carrier, he is
doubtless able to bring to the side of the
skipper and producer an accumulation of
skill and knowledge which will be most
useful to the Traffic Association of Cali
fornia.
This commission welcomes the fact of
the formation of the Traffic Association
and of its employment of so able and
Skillful q representative as Mr.. Leeds.
At last the time is ripe for such revision
of the freights and fares of transportation
companies as shall give satisfaction to the
people of the State of California without
doing injustice to the transportation COM
pdnleS. Such q revision, if undertaken
by this commission, should be most com
plete. 1t should not affect one industry,
or one product, or one class of shippers
alone, but should embrace every indus
try, every locality, every product and
every producer of the entire State. This
commission has the power to make this
revision and is ready to exercise it as
soon as the proper conditions exist and
the proper facts are before it. It is in the
power of the Traffic Association of Cali
1ornia and of its manager, Mr.. Leeds, to
create those conditions and present those
facts. All of the data necessary TO pre-
sent to this commission a detailed state
ment OF the alleged excessive rates and
unjust determinations of the transporta-
tlon companies are at Mr.. Leeds COM
mand. The facts and figures showing
the cost of construction, the expenses Of
operating, the profit and losses Of the
transportation companies of California
are an open book to MIR. Leeds. With his
experience in the niceties of railroad
bookkeeping he should have no difficulty
ID detecting and pointing out the sophis-
tries OF agents and advising this commits
sion what rates are fair and just.
AS yet, however, Mr.. Leeds has not
embraced his opportunity. His COM
munication filed with this commission
does not pretend to deal with details. 1t
Is general in all its statements, and its
character as complaint is distinctly dis
avowed. II 1t is the purpose of Mr.. Leeds
to ultimately place before this commits
sion such formal, full and verified com
plaint as he doubtless has the ability to
do, this board will ind no fault with his
preliminaries, but will rather applaud
than condemn his efforts to awaken pub
lie interest and unite the producers OF the
State in sympathy with the purposes and
efforts of the Traffic Association. This
commission Is as anxious as Mr. Leeds to
have public interest all over the State ex-
cited and organized with reference to the
important subject of freights and fares
When the desired end is ACCOMPLISHED
and the producers of California and the
transportation companies of California
stand face to face, each thoroughly or
ganized. with the most adept and ast,lte
agents and representatives the country
can supply, this commission will be more
than pleased.
Between these two opposing interests.
each seeking its own advantages. the
Board of Railroad Commissioners will
occupy the position intended for it by the
trainers of the Constitution, and for its
conclusions judicially and impart;ally
arrived at, its members will be RESPONSE
bic to the people OF the State of California
This is the precise position which this
commission intends to occupy in the inn
pending clash Of interests between the
transportation companies and the Traffic
Association Of California. 1t is upon this
point that the commission disagrees with
Mr.. Leeds. He has taken the position
that the commission should ally itself
with the Traffic Association and occupy
the position of prosecutor of the transpor-
tation companies. II the attitude of Mr..
Leeds before this commission had been
one OF entire fairness and candor. his
views upon this point might be deemed