The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-20

A paragraph from the local columns of
Saturdays CALL SAYS:

A paragraph from the local columns of
Saturdays CALL says:
You can ship ton OF merchandise to Yoke.
hama. distance 1900 miles, for Sl2; to Shanghai,
distance $3.50 miles. for SIP; TO Nladiyostock,
distance 6S70 miles, for SIT 60, or TO Sydney,
distance 1900 miles, for SIC. But VIII n you
want 10 ship your ten of merchandise TO Pana.
ma, distance only $3.50 miles. you NUT pay SIS,
which is a higher rate than to any Of The fai-
distant points.
Freight rates appear to be regulated on
curious principle Or the places mentioned
in the above paragraph Panama is the near
est and most costly to reach. Why should
this distinction be maintained? Simply in
the interests of the Southern Pacific Rail-
road Company. Low rates to Panama
would compel low rates by the railroad
company. When freight reaches Panama
1t becomes subject to competition. 1t will
be taken from Colon. TIE eastern terminus
OF the Panama Railroad. to New York at
reasonable rates. If, therefore, the South
ern Pacific Company had TO meet low rates
to Panama ii would have to do business for
about the same pay other railroads receive.
| Low rates to Shanghai or other points men,
toned in the comparison are Of COMPARE
lively little use to this city. The possible
trade between San Francisco and any Of
these places is small. But with low rates
between this city and Mexican and Contra!
American ports a trade of great magnitude
might be built up San Francisco ought 10
supply all the west coast of Mexico aud
Central America with manufactured goods.
1t ought also TO be the receiving and distrb-
utng point for their products. Butthe efforts
OF our merchants TO extend their trade in
| his direction are met by freight charges
which absorb the possible profits. The only
answer We have yet heard to the charges
| Of discrimination we have made against the
Southern Pacific is that it would not be to
the interest Of that company to kill the
trade of this city. That answer would
serve against anything but fact Figures
show that the company does discriminate
against the city. Figures show also that
discrimination has been profitable. The
company began its policy OF discrimination
good many years ago and the members of
the company have become very rich. -Four
private fortunes of $50, 5000 is pretty
good showing for tweniy-fOur years of
labor. In the long run discrimination
against San Francisco would not pay the
Southern Pacific Company. Neither would
the money the company has expended in
politics be good investment. But without
doubt the control OF courts and legislative
bodies has been a TEN orary advantage TO
the company. For example il the Railroad
Commission was true to the people 4
schedule Of freight and passenger rates
would be established which would settle
the transportation question. The Southern
Pacific can afford TO do all the business that
may offer at lower rates than two railroads,
and if il was forced TO accept fair rates by
a commission il might be better for the COM
pany n the end TO do so. The control OF
the Railroad Commission relieves them from
any embarrassment on this account, but
competing routes are certain to be the fiuai
result The fight the city has entered upon
is one for its existence. No matter what
the cost, competing routes must be estab-
liShed