The morning call., 1892-12-08
SAGE BACKS DOWN.
His Letters Were Not
Received.
The Traffic Association Favors the
Panama Steamers-A Letter Writ
ten by Defeated Office-Seekers.

AT the regular meeting OF the executive
committee OF the Traffic Association held
yesterday seventeen out of the nineteen
members were present.
The most important business transacted
was the consideration of tho Panama Rail.
road COmpany's proposed new steamboat
service between this port and the isthnmus.
After considerable discussion as to the
best methods by which the new enterprise
can be encouraged the matter was referred
to the shipping commit tee. which will take
Immediate steps toward securing sufficient
patronage for the new steame rs TO make
them permanent institution.
The following communication was re-
ceived and read
Recognizing as We do that the Improvement OF
the mercantile interests Of San francisco DEPEND
on two things, viz, competing railroads and the
making OF san Francisco distributing point for
ine distribution OF all classes OF merchandise we
as members OF the Tiafic Association doing
business In the city OF san Francisco would
most respectfully request the executive commit
tee OF tie Traffic Association 10 take up the
question AS soon as possible OF the making of
san francisco distributing point and the OBJ
tanning of such rates as viii give San Francisco
her proper standing. which she Is Justly entitled
10. by her geographical position, aud as Que OF
the leading seaports OF the Pacific Coast
We beieVe that this matter can be accom-.
pllshed by carrying out the original idea of the
association when formed, viz: by negotiation
with the transportation companies with the
! power OF the association behind II. Inasmuch as
the revenue OF the association IS almost entirely
! derived from the mercantile interests OF san
| Francisco. we deem Il necessary aud proper that
immediate steps be taken by tue executive COM
mlttee 10 carry out the above plans.
We believe that no Improvement for the mer-
Camille interests Of the city OF San Francisco so
| Tar as railroad rates are concerned. can be ac-
cOmpliShed Tor many years through legislation,
| as even II the Legislature should submit an
| amendment 10 the constitution 10 the people
| this would necessarily tie up the question FOR
! many years. aud as the Traffic Association was
| formed 10 Improve the business Interests OF San
francisco at rs early a date as possible, we be-
! heVe mat an effort should be made IN this dIee-
iion al once and that raies be asked for which
| will make San Francisco such a distributing
point as size Is entitled to by her geographical
position.
The communication was addressed 10 the
executive committee and signed by a NUN Der
| OF people, five OF whom were not members
OF the association.
The letters of l.. II. Sage, published on
Tuesday by morning paper and purporting
| TO be Intended for the executive committee.
| were not received by the latter.
After the meeting adjourned President
| Barry Baldwin and Manager Leeds stated
that no action had been taken on the subjects
referred to In the communication received
| aud that It was quite probable that Nothing
would be done about il.
Il! Investigations now pending result In
establishing the fact that the signatures to
| the letter were not obtained under false
pretenses, the committee may Deem it
proper to formulate reply, and if this
! course is decided on a special NEE ling will
| be held for that purpose
Both MIR. Leeds and Mr. Baldwin said
| atthey knew OF no reason why the Traffic
| Association should deyiate from its plan
| oil action as pursued so far, since it has
proven quite effective during the past wear
and promises to be more so in the future.
They are satisfied that the commun:ea-
ton is nothing but an attempt of a few
|
among the members of the association
simply because they themselves failed in
their efforts TO retain the places on the
executive committee they formerly held.