The morning call., 1892-06-11
THEY Want A new ROAD.
Strong Words From the Young
Men of San Francisco.
They Know What the State and City Needs
and Have Combined to Secure It-Ths
League Of Progress


business men of this city is bearing abund-
ant fruit. It's appreciated by the business
men, too, who are now thoroughly aroused
en- the question Of freight rates and a COM
petitiye overland road.
The young men are interested, not alone
in thought but in action, and when the
young men become aroused they are a power
in the land
Business men and young men. They Will
make a combination that must eventually
sweep things their own way. Long ago the
business men organized the Traffic AsSocia-
tion. Now the young men have formed the
League Of Progress. They will work to-
gether for a common object-the prosperity
of California.
How can that best be accomplish ed?
At present there is but one auswer-a
competing railroad,
The newly organized League of Progress
is established on broad lines and 10 single
reform viii claim IS entire attention. But
1t recognizes the need of the hour and its
first step VIII be made, shoulder TO shoulder
with the Traffic Association, toward a new
railroad.
The best young men of the Sta-a have
joined the new league. They are bound to-
getheT by the love Of their native or fOpted
State; tied by mutual interests, Wit SYM
pathles IN common and a common pride
and belief in tie future greatness Of Cali
fOTnia.
We know what the Traffic Association
wants, what It's aims are, and who are its
members.
But the League Of Progress is young yet.
Is 1t in earnest? Feritably. Does it ecog-
nZe the need Of t1e hour? Most emphati.
caily il does. Is i determined? Any one
would think SO had he been present at the
meeting
But tie temper and the meaning Of the
league. l1ough already formulated by reso-
l0tions a1d bylaws is perhaps shown the
best IN the following interviews wherein
the leaders and many members Of the
league have GiveI their Individual views
and voiced their appreciation and meaning
Of the great m0yem-nt
WHAT IS rHE MATTER?
Albert Liebentha Of S J. Friedlander &
Co.-I have just reurned from the East,
where 1 found everybody inQuiring what
was the matter Wlh the san Francisco
merchants. l told hem there wouldn't be
much the matter Wit Us very long now, as
we were going to hive competing over
land railroad ana Fe are going to have
il; that | thoroughly bieVe Ii is the one
great thing California and San Francisco
needs, and the only th.aRhat can help US
out Of the Tut.
F. n. Rothchild, insural4 broker-I an
heartily in sympathy with ie objects of the
4 r
ganizatiOn not only TO promo overland rail
road competition, but 70 o many other
things. inaugurate many 0eer reforms i'm
tie best interest Of tne pToacer and mer-
chant
81. c. Klorenstine, of Cunragham. CUrtis
& Welch-A competing oyerLd road is the
need of the day. Dali time is the rule.
Why? Because we have no ralpad ompe-
ttiOn.
Isador Jacobs of A. Lusk I Co.-The
railroads that have been uilt north
Of us. and south of US, have alltntributed
their quota toward taking avail our trade
and directing it elsewhere, Notwithstanding
that We have one Of the finest Ebors and
seaports in the world. TRANSLATION fa-
cililies have OF increased WitNthe rapid
prosperity of our State, owing L the fact
that our producers, satisfied Eth their
prosperity. we're content to resttn their
laurels. To-day the cry goes up tat a few
years ago was only heard here "a there
occasionally and spasmodically. 'Fe must
have more transcontinental r&yoads."
1--WE must have lower local rates; ,e must
have honest public officials" Umpeti-
tiOn is the lite Of trade, yet unless 4 mer-
chants and producers foster their trie and
develop It, they cannot expect to besft by
competition.
On all sides ne hear the crv. "Vivant
lower local rates" I'VE want more llpuqh
railroads running through our S.ate' Bal
/ say give us action and energy on Il Part
of our business men and producers. lake
to the changed condition of affairs; orluize
for that purpose.
THE LEAGUE OF PROGRESS.
T. S. Smell of the Merten Manufacturing
Company-The League of Progress is yong
yet and our work so far has been meAy
preliminary. Just exactly what will be CE
programme is hardly known now, but 3
are united for the best interests Of Sd
Francisco. What we need most, of cOuTl
is a competing railroad. We are young md
and cannot build the road ourselves, but vi
may be able 10 make a noise that viii e1
courage and lead on older and richer med
TO do the one needful thing. San Francisco
is abundantly able to build a road herself
and we are going to Go what little we may tC
help her do it.
J. Erianger Of Erlanger & Galinger-The
League Of Progress is young Perhaps it is
too early TO say much bout if. Yet hardly
think il out Of place 10 say that the league
recognizes that the first and greatest step TO-
ward progress is the step toward a conn ct
Ing railroad. In my opinion the league viii
take that step. The young men can do
much, am convinced. il thev act together.
5. j. Ackerman Of d. n e. E. Walter &
Cot is most too early to say much of the
league beyond 5hat 1t is composed of many
STERLING young men who have the best in
forests Of California at heart. 0He can only
give ones feelings 10 the matter. Mine are
with the league and its objects. We need
q competing overland road, one that will
not only bring in goods but take ont our
products on living basis. The last is the
great consideration, to get our products out
Of the State.
H. A. Williams Of Williams Brown &
Cove want more public spirit in Cali
farnia. We are falling into a rut. The
young men are going TO help pull us ont
TIE league is not organized solely to fight
the railroad, though, Of course, we all
recognize that competition in this line is the
great thing needed now. But the league, as
1 understand II, is broader than that, and
means TO be useful and make tself felt in
any emergency that may arise. We want
pure politics as bad as a new road, and
there's no good reason why we should not
have them both.
Albert l.. EhTman OF N. Ehrman & Co.
! have Joined the League OF Progress be-
cause 1 believe ~ its principles. We want
TO benefit the State TO every way possible
10 increased railroad facilities and many
other ways.
NJ. a. Kothschild Of the Wertheimer
3Sa2ee0 Co.'S far as l am personally
concerned IDaVe no feeling against the
Southern Pacific Company. Regarding the
proposed new road, | am 10 favor Of any,
thlng that will help the State. be IL one
railroad or five, new line of steamers or
anything whatever that will conduce 10 the
prosperity of California. l think that
there is disposition on the part OF the
Southern Pacific to make San Francisco
distributing point
Mr.. Rothschild further stated that his
firm had asked concessions in freight rates
from the Southern Pacific road, which had
been granted, and showed the reporter a
letter from the company IN which old and
new rates were compared on certain lines
Of goods. with the result that material re-
duciiOns we're made in some cases.
Walter F. Beck. 112 California street-I
have no love for the Southern Pacific. If
any railroad gets in the way Of business
men it is their duty to remove it. The
Southern Pacific charges just what the
Francisco have got 10 90 Gown in their
pofkets and build new road. 1t will be OF
lhcalculable benefit to all California. 1 have
succeeded every time / have asked in get