The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-11
SAN FRANCISCO AND THE INTE-
RIOR-SOME HISTORICAL FACTS.

urday the San Francisco Bulletin reply
ing to the RECORD UNION insists that the
real contention of San Francisco and the
Traffic Association is for reduced local
freight rates, and that such reduction
would inure as much to the benefit of the
interior as to the profit of San Francisco.
But it is significantly silent concerning
the demand for discriminating through
rates in favor of San Francisco.
With disingenuousness that is I'M
worthy journal of such pretensions, it
claims that the press of the interior is en-
gagged in the endeavor to enkindle bitter
antagonism between the metropolis and
the interior, Notwithstanding the distinct
and emphatic disavowals of the country
press. There is a very broad distinction
between the defense of ones natural and
commercial rights and Interior antago-
nism. Unhappy friction may result from
the former without animosity having en-
tered into the purpose Of the interior. If
antagonism does result, it is to be dis
tinctly understood as not only not having
been contemplated or desired on the part
of interior towns and cities, but as greatly
deplored by them.
The RECoRD-UNIoN has repeatedly
said that it is not opposed to any legiti-
mate movement to secure lower rates; it
has not said one word against any activ-
lty designed to bring the producer and
his market nearer together; on the con-
trary it has the interests of State develop
ment so deeply at heart that it gladly
halls all elimination of distance by re-
duced rates with justice to the carrying
industry. But the evident intent of the
San Francisco contention is not to be
concealed by platitudes about lessened
rates. The people of the interior under
stand the matter thoroughly. 1t is pre-
cisely as the RECORD UNION set out in its
issue of Saturday that the real purpose of
San Francisco is to bring about such a
modification in existing conditions that
that city will for all purposes of importa-
ton be picked up and placed a notch
nearer to the sources of supply than any
interior point, no matter what its geo.
graphical location or terminal situation.
And this fact recalls and opens up
question of history, as we suggested on
Saturday. 1t will be remembered that
only few years ago goods shipped from
the East to supply California needs were
all carried through to San Francisco and
then back to the point to be supplied,
thus making San Francisco the only dis
tributing center and adding the back
haul to the length of the distance be-
tween the consumer and the suppIier.
Thus cargo OF merchandise by rail
from Chicago for Elko or Reno, or a CAL
ifornia town, was charged the through
rate from Chicago to San francisco, and
then the local rate from San Francisco
back to the interior point in California or
Nevada. The Elko or the Reno merchant
demanded that the goods should be left
at their depots and not hauled over to
San Francisco and thus occasion DELAY.
The railroad company, however willing
to do this, and thus augment the volume
OF the traffic, refused to do so because its
Eastern connections, which originated
the freight and made the bills, declined to
accede. They would bill only to the
through points at through rates, and for
all other shipments demanded way rates,
holding them to be the true standard of
recompense for the service.
The railroad did, however. offer to stop
the goods as requested, on payment of the
through rate and the rate for the back
haul. The Legislature of Nevada made
it unlawful to do this, and as result for
long time supplies from the East for
Elko, Reno and other points were
shipped through them to San Francisco
and back again TO the place OF discharge,
and were charged with the rates for both
hauls.
OF course the incentive, under this
practice, for the Elko, Reno and interior
merchants, was to buy in San Francisco,
because considerable element resided
in the length of time it took to ship goods
all the way to San Francisco and then
back again. These tranSnontane mer-
chants found it more convenient to buy
in San Francisco and avoid the wait of
the long haul and the added back haul.
OF course, also, this Injured greatly to the
advantage of San Francisco. Cost, time
and business convenience, coupled with
business exigencies and necessities of all
kinds, thus made for San Francisco a
first-class advantage. When on Satur-
day we asked, "Why not apply the rule
San Francisco asks for-that goods shall
be landed in San Francisco at a rate that
will enable the San Francisco merchant
10 ship back to interior cities and meet
their merchants in level competition-to
points still more eastern than Fresno and
California cities, say to Reno and Ogden,n
We had this historic fact referred to in
mind and were conscious that the sugres
ton would recall them to the readers
mind, and give emphasis to the absurdity
and injustice of arule or practice the abo-
htion of which has deprived San Fran
cisco and Sacramento of a great trade.
But the rule exists measurably now. and
San Francisco is to-day protected as
against Elko and Reno by freight rate.
but it does not go to the extent it once
did