The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-25
TRYING TO FOOL THE INTERIOR"

The Stockton Independenthas made up its
mind that the San Francisco Traffic Asso-
citation was organized solely To fool tho in
terror. With this object in view, the asso-
citation engaged the services of Traffic
Manager LEEDS at q salary which report
places at twice and a half that of Railroad
Commissioner. The particular way in which
the association proposes TO fool the interior
is not agreed upon. First we were informed
that the asSor iation would demand the
adjustment of all terminal points except
San Francisco. This would compel interior
merchants who now receive goods direct
from the East to either buy in San Francisco
or pay freight to San Francisco, thence back
10 the point Of destination. But the asso-
citation has positively declared that it has
never entertained such a purpose. Its OBJ
ject, so far as il kn ows its own mind, is TO
obtain a reduction of local rates over all the.
lines and between all points in the State
The interior cities would come in for a share
of whatever benefit the State might derive
from such reductions. But our Stockton
contemporary is not satisfied with this dis
claimer- 1t insists that the San Francisco
Association was organized for the express
purpose of foOling the interior 1t contends
that the real object of President Stetson's
ers was TO attack the motive of the board in
declining to surrender to the Traffic AsSo-
citation. The association certainly is not
wasting ammunition in attacking the mo-
tives OF the board Those motives are
pretty we'll understood already. The motive
was implanted in the breast of each Com
missioner when he was nominated for the
Office of Railroad Commissioner. 1t has
never been forgotten or in the least degree
obscured. Even the Southern Pacific Rail-
road Company. which has the name OF
being hard master, is not known TO have
uttered complaint Of the manner in which
the commission has conducted the duties of
the Office. Our esteemed contemporary con-
tinueS:
Mr.. StetsOn in his letter seems 10 think he
shows the objects OF the association TO De TO Sc
cure just and equitable rates Of freight and the
development of the State by quoting The third
article Of the associations constitution This Is
very weak and childish.
The associations constitution is a public
declaration of its purposes TO the world. II
the association acts in conflict with that
constitution it torfets the respect of
kindred business association in the State
and elsewhere. The association includes
men who are also members of the Chamber
CT Commerce, the Board of Trade and other
organizations. Most of them are men of
high personal standing, apart from their
business relations with these organizations.
Is it probable that these men have deliber-
ateiy incorporated in the constitution of the
association an article which the association
was organized to violate?
The CALL does not suppose that the as
ISOLATION is in the least disappointed at the
result of its tilt with the Railroad Commits
siOneis. The association knew in advance
about what the action of the commission
would be. Still. as preliminary to other
measures in contemplation. twas necessary
to urge the commission to perform its duty
under the constitution. Very possibly
measures which would seem juslifable after
the commission has refused to act would
have been deemed injudcious as long as
there was a hope that the Commissioners
might be made to see and comprehend the
nature OF the duties they had undertaken.
The association now knows that it has to
depend upon itself. 1t knows at least that
this Board OF Railroad Commissioners Will
not give the people the relief that is asked