The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-06
LEEDS ON MORGAN
The Experts Report Not Of
Any Value.
HIS CONCLUSIONS ARE WRONG
The Comparisons of Local Rates Are
Unjust-Tiie Panama Railroad COM
pany's Steamer Project.

II am glad to know that during my alb
sence San Francisco has downed bossism
and L am well pleased with the general re-
suit OF the election, although some people /
would have liked to see In Office were de-
featsd." said Traffic Manager Leeds yester-
day.
The complexion Of the new Legislature
will be such as to inspire me with much
hope that we will win our fight when we in
troduce our bill as we certainly will
There is hardly any doubt that we will
succeed in having the present Railroad
Commission abolished, for we intend to
make very determined effort in that direc-
tion
las to Mr.. Morgan's report on the qneS-
ton of rates and fares, l cannot say much
just now, besides have neither had time nor
opportunity to read it as yet.
but the general assertion its contains to
the effect that California is an exceptional
country and that ratlroadng is ever so much
more expensive in this State than elsewhere
IS decidedly wrong and one-sided.
II cannot see how an expert can make
such statement, because as a matter of
TACT there are many parts of California in
which the facilities for a railroad company
are far greater, easier and cheaper than
anywhere else in this country.
Il suppose Mr.. Morgan could only arrive
at such conclusions as he has made by not
segregating the various sections of the
Southern Pacific and by taking the operat-
ing expenses Of the whole system into con-
sheraton.
"In this he was decidedly wrong and his
work Is OF no value to the people Of Cali
fornia.
"To explain this let me cite an instance.
"a farmer in the San Joaquin Valley has
no use for the railroad except to ship his
grain to the seaport where it is loaded on
vessels.
Now why should this California pro-
Queer be forced TO pay extrayagaut rates
just because the company thatowhs the road
he uses also owns lines which run through
tunnels and over big mountain grades?
The producer of cereals and the shipper
OF dried and canned fruits or raisins has
but very little use for the Southern Pae!tie's
traEScontinental system. and it is an out
rage to tax him for what does not benefit
INN in the least.
Il am snbpenaed to appear before the
Railroad Commission as witness on
Wednesday. but hardly think it would
want the Kind of testimony could give If |
desired 10 do so.
"As matter OF fact I do not care 20 tes-
tify at all. and il am compelled to I shall
limit myself to answering thu questions as
briefly 60 possible, for l do not think now,
nor have | ever thought, that any one con-
neeted with the case was sincere.
The Traffic Association is greatly inter-
eSted In the news TO the effect that the
Panama Railroad people are about to run
their own steamers from Panama to this
port, and we all hope that the news is true.
IF so. we will do all in our power to
assist the new line In every way, for we are
glad that tha Pacific Mail COmpany's mo-
nopoly is conquered.
This company mas the effr0ntery now to
appeal to tha patriotism of the American
people whom it has persistently been rob-
bing.
III talks about protecting the American
flag and American shipping interests, but for
fifteen years or more it has sold the people
to whom 1t now appeals to the Southern
Pacific Company.
MANY large shippers who are members
OF the Traffic Association will patronize the
new line very extensively"
+. S. Johnson OF the Johnson-Locke
Mercantile Company confirmed what Mr.
Leeds had SAID about the Panama Rail-
roads steamers, aud added that he was
quite positive that the new line would be in
operation soon.
According to Mr.. Johnson's statement a
corporation will ba formed in a few DAYS in
this city for the purpose of taxing care of
the Pacific Coast portion of the Panama
Railroads steamers. for which the firm no
represents will be the agents.