The morning call., 1892-08-25
RAILROAD and STEAMER.
Rival Stockton Lines Claim
Protection.
A RECENT TEXAS DECISION.
Declaration That the Railroad Commission ers
Have NO Power TO Fix Freight or Pas.
senger Rates-Huntington Coming.

j. ID. Peters, the president of the Cali
fornia Navigation Company, has addressed
a letter to the Traffic Association, in which
ne protests against any interference on the
part OF the association in the present war;
fare between the two rival Stockton
steamer lines.
Mr.. Peters claims that the Union Trans
portation Company is not entitled to the
support of the Traffic Association to any
larger extent than his own company, but
the members of the executive board of the
association take different view of the
situation.
They say that inasmuch as the Harbor
Commissioners have Disseminated In favor
CT mr. Peters company, which is affiliated
with The Southern Pacific Company, the
Union Company is certainly entitled to pro-
lection. There is no plausible cause why
The steamers of one company should be
compelled TO dock their boats on the Mis-
slon-street wharves and be put TO much
greater expense than its rival line, which
enjoys the exclusive privilege of the old
Ciay-street dock, which Is much easier of
access.
A great many members of the Traffic as
soelatlon look with suspicion on the recent
actions 0f the HarbOr Commission, not only
In the matter of the Stockton steamers but
also on account of the evasve manner in
which the commission treats the toll ques-
lion recently agitated by the League Of
Progress.
WHAT Is SAID.
Some even 60 so far rs to say that Il looks
very much as If the Harbor Commissioners
received their orders direct from Fourth
and townsend streets, for in every instance
their decisions have favored the Kentucky
corporation.
Another question which Is the topic Of
SCIn 1nF fta OH mt lftCf
now Is the decision rendered by Judge Nc
Cormack of Dallas, Tex, few days ago,
In which that learned jurlst says that the
RAILROAD Commission has no right to dictate
to any railroad company what freight or
passenger rates should be charged.
There is much similarity as TO the situa-
ton In Texas and that in California.
The local Railroad Commission is con-
trolled by tie Southern Pacific Company.
just as the Texas commission is virtually
governed by the railroads in the Lone Star
State.
Messrs. Rea, Litchfeld and BeckmaD, the
trinity which compose the Railroad Com
mission of California, are about to COM
menee costly investigation of the South
ern racine Company'S rates and fares. on
the complaint of X. o. Shiyely of San Jose,
who desires them reduced.
An Ohio colonel, Morgan by name, has
been engaged as $4,000 expert. aud the
State is expected to pay him for his services
sooner or later.
When after months Of buncombe exami-
nations OF witnesses. and after an elaborate
report OF Colonel Morgan on the physical
cond ton OF the road has been rendered.
the Railroad Commission renders verdict
be 1t Tor or against the Southern Pacific
Company, there will be an appeal, ana the
courts Of California. with Judge McC0r-
mcks decision as q precedent, will decide
that the verdict Of the commission is not
worth the paper 1t Is written on and not
binding TO either party in the contest.
TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION VIEW
TIE Traffic Association looks upon this
state OF affairs as an argument in favor of
their long ago expressed opinion that the
Railroad Commission should be abolished,
II being useless and expensive body with
out jurisdiction.
adian Pacific Company, is in receipt of in
formation which confirms the dispatches
published by The CALL q few days ago,
which stated that the road would at once be
extended via the Crows Nest Pass to
Nelson, where connection will be made
with the short line from Robinson on the
Columbia River and thence 20 Reyelstoke.
by this cut the line will be shortened con-
sideraby. and the company hopes to in
crease Its Pacific Coast travel materially.
C. L. Huntington, the president of the
Southern Pacific Company, Is expected 20
arrive here early next month. He has
written 10 announce that he would remain
here only a short time. no longer than the
business he has to transact actually re-
quires. During his stay Mr.. Huntington
will occupy tue Cotton mansion on CALI
fornla street, which he recently purchased.