The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-27
now FOR LOWER RATES.
The Traffic Associations An
nual Meeting.
SECRETARY HAYNES REPORT
Manager Leeds Tells About the Good Work
Doae In the Past Year for
California.

The annual meeting Of the Traffic Asso-
citation was held yesterday afternoon in the
rooms of the Chamber of Commerce.
Barry Baldwin, the first vice-presdent,
occupied the chair in the absence of Presi-
dant Castle, who was unable to attend on
account of Illness.
The rooms were well filed by repre-
sentative class of our best citizens and mer-
chants, and q number Of stirring speeches
were made.
The first business before the meeting was
the reading of letter Of regret from the
president, Mr.. Castle. regarding his inability
to be present, as he was suffering from
long illness. and also the request that he
be dropped from the executive committee,
as his present state Of health would not per-
NIT his taking any active part for the fols
lowing year. but that he hoped in the flu
ture TO give his assistance in every way
possible.
President Baldwin after few remarks
called upon Secretary Haynes to read the
report OF the executive committee. The re-
port was voluminous one.
1t went into a history Of the Southern
Pacific Company from the time that the
last spike was driven at Promontory down
TO the present day. 1t showed how, instead
OF being q benefit to the State as IL was
originally thought 1t would be. it had been
octopus. extending and encircling the State
and its approaches with Its tentacles until
the life had been squeezed out of every part.
Entrusted by the people with the admins
tration Of great public trust, il lost sight
of that fact IN the conceit Of personal pro-
prietorShip.
1t was not very long before 1t had a small
army OF paid employees, many of whom
were employed TO shape legislation 10 Its
views, ana the shaping of legislation meant
great deal to the people when II was in the
interest OF corporation which by It's own
choice had made itself antagonistic TO the
best interests of the State or the common
interests Of the people.
The report then dwelt upon the fact that
by its vast accumulati0ns and stealings the
company had been enabled to buy of all
opposition, 10 matter be IL by water or rail,
and gave an example of its infamous con-
tract with the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany, which is given monthly subsidy OF
$4,000, all of which is paid by the con-
sumers of the Pacific Coast.
1t went on 10 say that the corporation had
been despotic one and had placed the mer-
chants entirely at lis mercy by unlawful
methods; that the time had come for a
change 10 take place and that the whole
State was united upon this point and would
lend It's hearty cooperation.
In summing up the report stated that II
the rates could be reduced there was no
reason that California should not resume its
former prosperity.
The report Of Mr. Leeds, the traffic man
ager was then read by the secretary.
This was even longer than the committees
report and covered the work that the assO-
citation had been doing in the past year and
the best means Of securing what was neees-
sary for the future prosperity of the State.
Mr.. Leeds clearly showed the outrageous
conditions under which the State had been
held in subsection and told of where in
r. .F,r I'D a - Al.
corporation were subjected to the grossest
kind Of discrimination and their business
seriously hurt.
lie pointed out how the Transcon tluental
Association was IN full control of the situa-
ton and could exact rates without reference
to justice or equity.
The whole State was oppressed In the
same way aud to such an extent that CON-
meTce was paralyZed In all Its branches,
both on the sea and by land.
In speaking Of the local rates Mr.. Leeds
said that they not only serve to secure an
immense local revenue, but act as a high
protective tariff against outside competition
TO the interior of the State.
Mr.. Leeds recaptulated what had been
done, ana showed that the forming of the
association had begun to have effect, which
wonld be felt after the first OF the year.
In regard to the Salt Lake road he had
this 10 say:
The organization OF the San Francisco and
Salt Lake Railroad TO build a road from this city
to Salt Lake City. Utah, aud occupy the valleys
OF this state, Is another work in which We have
taken an active part. / regard this as very
important move and worthy OF a special report,
because us erect ior GOOD upon The commerce
or this whole coast Will be more far reaching
than all other things combined, because II Will
only emphasize by several fold the benefits
which come from sea competition and introduce
other elements OF sea commerce which are lm-
possible without IT, Ii II Is constructed, owned
and operated In the interests of this State It VIII
bring revolution the Dement'S OF which are be-
yond computation.
1t VIII settle for all time the question that the
Pacific Ocean is the front door TO the wh9e
Paci1e Slope, and l desire TO go on record now
that nothing else which lies within cur reach
viii accomplish this so well. Ii must be appar-
ent 10 every man who has an interest In the wei
fare OF the State that this would be worth many
times The cost OF the road In the material wealth
OF this country. Such a road would prepare the
way for US TO take fun advantage OF the gieat
Nicaragua canal when completed, and only when
the road is completed Will H. be made apparent
how much more with an extended trade horizon
we really need the canal. j believe that a full
measure OF greatness for this city and the State
OF California Will De assured when this railroad
Is completed
When Mr.. Leeds' report was finished
few short speeches were made by John I.
Doyle, Mr.. Griffith Of Fresno and others,
and the following resolutions were then
unanimously adopted
Resolved, That special committee OF five be
appointed by the chair TO examine and report on
iBo idNe now III lOfCe III lHIs STATE regarding
railroads and transportation by rail and what
legislation is needed TO remedy existing abuses.
Resolved, That this association has heard with
regret that our coworker, L. l.. Castle. Is COM
PEELED by reason Of Ill health 10 decline further
participation In The active management OF the
association, and tender our sympathy and best
wishes for his speedy recovery TO perfect health.
Resolved, That the thanks OF this association
are doe and are hereby rendered to all the men,
bers OF the retiring executive committee for
efficient services rendered during the past year.
The nominating committee then reported
the following committees for the following
year.
Executive committee - Barry Baldwin,
w. b. Wellman, John T. Doyle, A. Schil-
ling, Robert Watt Is. Frank Durham, +. w.
Van Sicklen, AlvinZa Hayward, Charles
NJ. Yates, Isaac Upham, l.. l.. Baker,
Eugene B. Beck. A. w. Porter. A. j. Mar
Gus, A. S. Hallide. Frank Dalton, w. IL.
Wood. G. I. Settle and S. n. Griffith.
Auditing committee-Samuel Sussman,
10 n Gnaa