The morning call., 1892-03-15
THE CALIFORNIA RATES.
Leeds Sends Another Letter to
the Railway Commission.
He Presents q Comparative Rate Schedule.
Showing That Charges Here Are Is Fer
Cent Higher Than in Kansas.

Mr.. J. S. Leeds, General Manager Of the
Traffic Association. yesterday threw an
other bombshell into the Railway Commits
sioners' camp. When the smoke incident TO
a NEST terrific explosion had cleared away
Commissioner Rea aud Traffic Manager
Leeds engaged In a little war of words. The
former was assisted by Commissioner Itch
field and the latter by a good memory and
large bundle of experience.
Mr.. Leeds stoutly maintains that the
Commissioners. being fully eogniZant Of the
existing situation concerning rates. should
act promptly for reduction. He claims
that the Commissioners should be prose-
cutOrS in this specific matter aud not judges.
His views on this subject are best set
forth in his own language, given in a COM
muuication fled with the board yesterday,
from which extracts are made below.
After referring to his letter addressed to
the Commissioners on February "a, MI
Leeds says:
L nave carefully examined the articles OF the
constitution relating TO his subject as also tile
act defining the organization and powers OF the
boaid, and cannot agree with you In The posi-.
lion taken by your honorable body. Section %
OF article MI OF The constitution IS very plain
Ii states: - SAID Commissioners shall have the
power and IL shall be their duty establish rates
oil charges for The transportation Of passengers
and height" etc. hnd nothing therein which
saws they shall wait Tor complaints
Section 21 provides that mo discrimination
In charges or facilities fer transportation sh all
be made by any railroad or any transportat on
Company between places or persons. etc. Per.
sons and property transported over any railroad
or by any other TRANSPORTATION company or In
diyid0al shall be delivered at any station etc.
al charges not exceeding The cbafgs for the
TRANSPORTATION OF persons and property OF the
same class In he same direction 10 any more
distant Stallion" etc.
Section / OF the act defining the powers of
the board provides wherever said board In
tile discharge OF It's duties. shall establish or
ADOPT rates OF charges for the transportation of
passengers aud freight, pursuant 10 The consiitu-
tlcn," etc.
1 lie above clearly indicates tile intent OF the
trainers OF the con sttution and the bill 10 have
been requirement at the hands OF the commits
sion other than that of The hearing and The ad-
Judication OF complaints. | desire 10 state that
there Is very strong and growing sentiment
throughout the State that somei hing further
shalt be doHe 20 relieve The merchant and pro-
Queer from too heavy burden of local tran
porlaIlon charge. Ii is my purpose and desire
that everything possible shall lie done on The
part OF the Traffic Association OF California
which may operate 10 the relief aud benefit OF
tie State. therefore beg leave 10 submit. FOR
the consideration of your honorable hoard, a
comparative schedule OF the grain rares from
The q ain-produclng portion OF the Stale, with
the tarif In effect IN The State OF Kansas,
As can be found In this country, except
that The rates in this country should be
much lower than the figures shown In Kansas,
TO reasons which j will explain. The Kansas
hgures shown are In all eases by The shortest
line from the point OF origin 10 the terminal
point, nd hence shew the highest rate per mi 10 :.
have omitted points in this State which are
tributary 10 the bay OF San Francisco. ana have
endeaVored 10 couiine my comparisons 10 the
purely local IN both cases. desire o add that
tie locals III Kansas apply 10 probably about ID
or 20 per cent OF the traffic ollV, although
handled very largely by elevators at Missouri
River upon what are known as transit rates,
which allow OF the storage of The grain for a
Deriod OF from two to six months. when IL m ay
be forwarded to points on or beyond tie MisSis-
sippl River at The division of the IN ough rate
from point OF shipment 20 s.. Louis or h1ssis-
slppl River points. so that the figures shown In
my comparison would represent at least % per
cent more than tie actual earnings of the local
roads IN Kansas, the dtyis ol OF the through raIe
being much less than Tie local nguTes, which IS
a good reason why the figures in this State
should lie less than the Kansas locals.
The comparative schedule referred to in
Mr.. Leeds letter shows the rates from
about 1J0 shipping points in California 10
Port Costa Che latter place being selected
in the comparison by reason Of its being the
largest wheat depot IN California; and The
rates Of trans portation over like distances
in Kansas. 1t also shows that grain rates
are % per cent higher in California than in
Kansas. though for certain reasons, which
Mr. Leeds explains. they should be lower.