The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-23
TO down COMPETITION.
An Effort to Bar Out River
Steamers.
The Hand Of the Southern Pacific Shows in
the Attempt to Drive away the Union
TraDspor alton COmpany's Boats.

In the Superior Court to-day the injunc-
ton suit brought by The Union Transporta-
ton Company against the State Board Of
Harbor Commissioners will be heard.
It is an important suit and one that in
wolves the right Of the Southern Pacific Com
pany to rule things with high hand and
bar out all competition.
In 1888 there were two lines Of steamers
running TO Stockton. one operated by the
San Joaquin Improvement Company and
the other By the California Steam Naviga-
ton Company Previous to this the last
named company had monopoly Of the busi-
ness.
For long time il was common talk that
there was no difference between the South
ern Pacific Company and the steamship
company. The ''cinching" of the growers
became so bad that there was an uprising.
The only way out OF the difficulty was 70
establish a competing liue.
The new company was named the San
Joaquin Improvement Company, and in less
than a month after it was in operation the
produce was nearly all coming by the new
line. The California Steam Navigation
Company. that had so long played the part
of the 0ppr6ssOr. now posed as the friend"
of the growers. They cut the passenger rate
down TO 10 cents and slaShed freight rates
fearfuly.
They had an able ally in the Southern
Pacific Company, and it was a strict rule
that any grower who shipped his produce
by the competing line could not use the rail-
road in case OF accident 10 the steamers
without paying outrageous freight charges.
But fortune favored the new line. The
growers had been strangled nearly 10 death,
and when relief came in the shape Of q
competing line OF steamers they remained
firm and the reduced rates Of the California
Steam Navigation Company were not able
to draw them away. The old company COM
menced to feel the effects of the lash.
The situation was desperate one.
Consolidation was suggested and in fact
the old company was willing 10 agree TO any
terms.
During this time the steamer Leader,
which belonged 10 the competing line. was
transferred by the Harbor Commission from
the central produce depot at Washington
street wharf 20 MissiCn-street wharf. where
It is now proposed to put the Union Trans
portati0n Company's steamer The action
called cut severe criticism at the time, and
it was always believed thatthe old company
had hand IN the transfer. The board at
the time was composed OF Commissioners
English. Psulsel and Alexander, but they
soon yielded TO the demands Of the produce
dealers, that the Leader be put back In her
old berth at the WashingtOn-street wharf.
4 consolidation was effected ln 1889 The
I California Steam Navigation Company
passed out Of existence and the two COM
panies united under the name Of the Cali
fornia Navigation and Improvement Com
panY.
AS there was no competition passenger
rates went up like fash, and the growers
were forced TO pay outrageous freight
charges. The situation became desperate
and the cry for relief again went up. As a
result the Union Transportation Company
was formed and announced itself as a COM
petitor on the Stockton route. The COM
pany at once commenced the construction
of steamers. and now has Two of the finest
| boats on the bay. the Dauntless and the
Captain Weber.
Application was made TO the Harb0r
Commissioners for a berth at Clay-street
wharf by the officials Of the competing line
Without DELAY the Commissioners granted
the request. Without much ado the steamer
| Hum bOldt was hustled out of her berth at
the head Of the dock to make room for the
new steamers The Commissioners seemed
! TO be only too anxious to help the new line.
! Suddenly, when the competing line COM
meBced to help the growers out Of their
difficulty and crowd the old company pretty
closely, the Harbor Commissioners, without
warning. ordered the new line away from
the Ciay-street berth.
The Union Transportation Company re-
fused TO 90 and secured an injunction and
the case will be heard to-day.