The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-02
STEAMER line TO GENOA.
The Offer of an italian Firm
Accepted.
TONNAGE is GUARANTEED.
The National Navi ration c mpany to Extend
Its Steamship Line to San
Francisco.

A steamship line between this city and
Genoa will be put In operation about the
first of the coming year:
Two or three years ago proposition was
made to the. Italian merchants OF this city
by the National Navigation Company of
Genoa By which the latter organization
sought to gain support sufficient to put on a
direct line Of steamers between the two
ports.
At the time the trade between California
and Italy was not sufficiently developed,
and the merchants engaged in it were 10th
to bind themselves TO furnish their pro rata
Of the tonnage.
But during the past year our trade with
Italy has increased 66% per cent, and the
merchants believe that it can be doubled if
direct means OF ansportation were offered.
After some little correspondence between
the Italian Chamber of Commerce in this
city and the National Navigation Company
OF Genoa the latter company renewed its or
mer offer to put on line OF steamers pro
yiding certain tonnage could be 9uaran
teed. @s
The leading Italian firms were appealed
to with. tile result that greater tonnage
than required was pledged.
When g. Calegaris, the president OF the
Italian Chamber of Commerce, departed
IOE 1tdJy dUOuL u UlOUlU ago, u6 tUOk With
him the agreement pledging the support OF
the merchants Of the city to a certain ton
mage if the steamship line is put in opera
ton. -.
/ Mr.. Calegaris had ample authority to
close all contracts with the National Navi-
CATION Company and to bind the merchants
Of this city to anything within the bounds
of reason.
Charles DOndero, the secretary OF the
Italian Chamber of Commerce. said yester-
day that there was no doubt but that San
Francisco would have direct steamship
communication with Genoa In very few
mouths.
The National Navigation Company of
Genoa is one of the weatbiest transpUrta-
ton companies in Europe.
1t owns and operates 100 first-class
steamers and has lines and routes to all
ports OF the world.
The contemplated line will run between
this city and Genoa, stopping en- route at
Central American ports aud at Valparaiso.
Steamers will arrive and leave at inter-
walls of six weeks and there will undOubt-
eddy be a wonderful revival Of our trade
re ati0ns with Italy.
During the past year over 10000 calfskins
were shipped to Genoa and there is great
market open IN Italy for the introduction of
California dried fruits. especially eyapo
rated apricOtS.
Mr. Dondero states that Italy alone
Woulu GUY every pound oil DeaDS raised IN
TINS State, and would take large quantities
IF flour and wheat. California wines. too,
find ready sale in Italy, and thousand
ana one other productions would find eager
purchasers.
The trouble Is the cost OF transportation
has been so high as to preclude the estab-
fishing of a regular trade But with d di-
rect steams ship line in operation the trade
would be profitable and steady.
The new line will also handle passengers,
from which traffic it would reap no incon-
siderable revenue.
Last year alone over 1000 Italians came
direct from Italy to this State, and at least
one-auarter of that number returned on
visits or 10 remain. The major part of the
traffic would undoubtedly go TO the new
steamship fine. The fares would be lower
and no changes whileen route.
Fhe Italian merchants are jubilant over
the outlook, which promises great results
when the itle is pull in operation.