The morning call., 1892-04-19
LITCHFIBLD'S SALLY.
He Asked Question That Almost
Took Rea's Breath Away.
The Traffic Association Files Communicative
With the Railway Commission
Defending Mr Leeds

The Railroad Commissioners met yester-
day and reviewed the arguments made nj
previous meetings in defen sc of their atti-
tude toward the people of the State Thr
meeting developed only reiteration of
determination on the part of the Commits
sioners to do absolutely nothing in the
matter of reducing local rates without
specific complaint from the Traffic Associa-
ton or from individuals.
Traffic Manager Leeds was present, and
engaged Commissioner Rea in good-natared
Tepartee.
Now and then Litchfeld would interpOse
one of his whimsical arguments, only to ge /
sarcastic smile from the traffic man and q
look from Rea which said, plainly enough
heep quiet. child, or you will put your.
foot in it,
Especially was this true when the San
Francisco Commissioner. in an ATTEMPTED
analysis of the situation, said:
Mr.. Leeds, do you think that it would b..
right Tor us TO rip the railroads up the bael
with revised tariff without warning. W.
can't make revision unless we consult til.
railroad people. They know more about i
than we can ever expect to know. In AL
fairness. now. would you expect us TO pnt
tariff into effect that you might suggest p
This sally nearly took Rea's breath away.
Secretary Kelly laughed aloud, and for an
swef Mr.. Leeds looked out the window an,i
commenced to whistle, Away Down South
in Dixie"
j. B. sTETsON's LETTER.
The following communication from the
Traffic Association was received and ordered
on file:
OFFICE OF THE
TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA.
Rooms % and II, II Sansome street,
SAN FRANCISCO, April 6, 1892.
Hon. Board Of railroad Commissioners o.
Cdluorhi0, san francisco C0t.-GENTLEAEN:
Your letter OF April 4, with Enclosures is a
hand. There seem TO be- but two or three point
which require attention at the hands OF This com
mltee the balance being contingent upon lie
establishment OF the facts as therein stated.
First-The rejection by your board OF letter
under dae OF March 26 fiom our traffic mana
ger j. s. Leeds, upon The ground that it was az
Improper document in form aud substance, anu
unfair to your board, aud that you were slow u
believe that Mr.. Leeds represented the atti:u
OF our association toward your board
Seeond-1 our endeayor 10 impugu the motives
OF The Traffic Association upon evidence which
comes IN the shape OF assertions made by the press
OF the Interior or The State TO tie effect that thi>
association was not formed in the Interest OF tn,
whole State, but was formed TO compel tIt
transportation companies TO return TO tile tim
when the railroad was able TO wiring double ana
treble freight charges from the interior met
chants. ana that youT board will extend aid il
tie accomplishment OF such a purpose, IL such be
the aim OF the Traffic Association.
ThirG-YOu assert that you are entitled 70 can
know lis real objects.
Fourth-That your board is ready to proceed
with thorough revision of the transportation
schedules in the State and make sweeping reduc-
lions whenever the Traffic Association Will SCI
the machinery IN motion-whicn constitutes an
admission that they are now too high, your boaIC
having previously declared that such is tile case,
The communications which have been ad
dressed TO your board from time TO time by OF
traifc manager, j. :. Leeds, have the fu anG
unqualified Endorsement OF this committee an,
OF this association. The letter of March %
which you returned, was not then nor Is il nos
considered by the executive committee an ini
proper document for The flies OF your honorab;e
commission. but was an earnest and urgent ar
PEAL 10 yOUr board as public servants to perfOi ~
duty imposed by the organic law OF the STATE
A close scrutiny OF your letter would seem Ia
reveal purpose on the part OF your beard :.
array the interior against The city OF San Fran
cisco by INDUCING in special pleading BY snecG
| latlng as TO what may or may not be the Dur
poses OF lhe IIafnc Association with reference
10 through frame and terminals, question.
which does not come within the purview of tie
official duties OF your board. You are plainl,
endeayOriBg 10 escape the performance of duty
under the law by assuming hat the press OF ne
interior OF the Stale has assumed that the Tratic
Association desires 10 treble the freight charge
IL the country. IL is our belief that tits emi-
mates entirely from newspapers under the con
| troll OF The railroad company. We a.e astoUi,i.e
| that you should consider such a PROPOSE ion 70.
enc moment, much less TO write letter 10 t-
| association asking If If were tue. We hdy
never deemed il necessary to sean the inter 10
| press generally In order To obtain standard b
| which TO measure the purp0ses or official acts Of
| your honorable commission. and thiDk IL d..
cldedly out OF place for you 10 attempt TO arraisu
this body upon information from the source frOi,t
| whence your inspiration emanaes, when ya;.
were in possession of tile constitution OF ihls
aSsoclat!on. when Iuly sets forth It's purposes.
For your official Information we VIII add thai
| the adjustment OK terminals other than San
| Francisco IS proposition which has never tecr
| contemplated nor attempted by the ASSOCIATION
| Nothing has been asked at the hands of you
board in the interest OF San Francisco which ~,
! not been urged with equal force for the whol.
l hue ut hoo ada 0ln thEu
mlttee In The letter OF your board by what meihnI
OF reasoning you arrive at the conclusion thai &;
| general reduction in local rates throughout th
State VIII rebound TO the exclusive benefit
| San Francisco, or In fact wherein it wOu
change the relations existing between what a.
known as terminals. III a reduction in tue Ioes
rates will not operate 10 the bdlei OF the emil,
Stale. we would be glad 10 be eBlig hteGed as l.,
what WILL
That you may thoroughly understand the pur-
poses and objects of this association we com
mend to you article III of our constitution
which r ads as follows:
Article II. The objects of this association
shall be for the purpose of regulating traffic ha
The interests and resources OF our State may d..
developed by overcoming through united effort
discrimination, inequality and excessive cat
rage charg 3; 10 foster our commercial inter
ests and Industries by developing new territory
Tor our merchants and producers 10 distribu =
their goods products aud manufactures; also a.
enhance the commercial prosperity of the Stat
oil California by encouraging the building
Canals Improvement OF watercOurSes and river.
competitive systems OF railroad and STEAMSHIP
lines, and for such further purposes rs may tens
10 develop the interests of our Stale.
There Is nothing therein mentioned lookG
toward the adjustment OF terminals. Whsteyri
good we may be able 10 accomplish for our assa
citation Is for the purpose of benentug the Sta :,
oil California. OuI merchants are idenliiled VII
every great industry in The State OF Califofnla
and We are unable TO conceive how we would h
able 10 carry through any scheme such as yer.
have intimated Without working an Injury q
ourselves.
There are but two SIDES 10 the eontrover>,
- Eat NJ inn H.
the State are either TOO high or they are not !,
too high, your duty is plain under the law; DO
oDly plain, but imperative.
IL you choose now, In the face of the over
whelmlng proofs which We have given you oil Iii,
great disparity between the rates In this Sat
and other portions OF this county and Shic
you can verify if YOU choose, 10 still d cline q
set The machinery for lis action in notion .
you are pleased 10 term Ii, the responsibiiii,
rests with your honorable body, and you nu.
answer TO Your constituents. Respectfully.
THE TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA.
JAMES B. SrETSoN, President.
Attest: Thomas j. Haynes, Secretary.