The morning call., 1892-08-04
ABOUT TRAFFIC and TRAVEL
The Clipper Ships That Are Wor-
rying the Southern Pacific.
Richard Gray Ssys That the Russian Famine
Is Responsible for Low Ratss-Central
American Railroad.

executive committee met yesterday after
noon, and after its adjournment Traffic
Manager Leeds told CALL reporter that
only routine business had been transacted.
few questions, however, brought out the
fact that special committee had been APP
pointed for the purpose of giving every
possible aid to the new clipper freight
lines. Merchants and shippers will be Wis
lied by that committee and will be given
every assurance that the cheap freight
rates are not temporary, but will remain
permanent as long as the firms having the
management of the clipper ships are
patroniZed with the same Iiberality which
has encouraged them thus far. This ques-
ton OF cheap ocean tran sportation is very
important one and the merchants as well
as the railroad men, both East aud West,
are thoroughly aroused.
MEETING CALLED.
Chairman Vining Of the TTanscOntinental
Association has called a meeting of the
association to be held in Saratoga OIL
August %. and one of the principal ques-
lions which will be discussed at this meet
ing Will be consideration of the slaug hte r
OF Pacific Coast rates by the water clipper
lines.
The general traffic manager of the South
ern Pacific Company, Richard Gray, when
cheap transportation by the new clipper
lines. said that his railroad loses consider
able by this kind of competition. but he
also stated that he did not consider il posi-
BILE that the rates as established by j. w.
Grace Il Co. and others will continue for
any length of time
Mr.. Gray thinks that the Russian famine
is indirectly responsible for the present
state of affairs. He says that vessels can be
Chartered cheaply just now because there is
Ia hit u
Black seas, and many ships that depended
ON that kind OF trade are this year neces-
sarlly idle. But, according TO Mr. Gray's
ideas, this will not last long.
IF THERE is GOOD CROP.
If good crop is obtained in Russia this
year the prices for charters will go up, aud
the new clipper lines will no longer be
able to carry goods at the ruinous rates they
are now charging.
All OF which goes to show that the old
adage which says that what is oGe mans
misfortune is another mans luck is a true
one, The famine which distressed thou
sands of people in Russia is doing the San
Francisco merchants lots of good
Ihe directors of the San Francisco and
Great Salt Lake Railroad will in few days
be In a position TO place their plans before the
public. Much quiet work has been done,
and the future OF the enterprise is now
assured 10 be on a solid basis. A gentle
man thoroughly conversant with all the
affairs of the road yesterday positively de-
clared that there is not the least doubt
that the road is going 10 be built soon and
that every preliminary difficulty has been
overcome.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Central American railroad building Is at
standstill just now according To state
ment made by A. Knudson. a civil engneAr,
recently IN the Chilean service. Mr.. Knud-
son also says that politics and railroads are
: mi vQh I'M No. mi A rfa 81,
an immediate boom in the latter liue is
entirely out of question.
The Incorporation of the Denver Railroad
Company, reported in Yesterdays CALL,
has given the railroad men in this city
new subject to talk about. Some of them
especially those who have pet schemes of
their own, are just a trifie suspicious and
would like 10 know more about the
new company. The directors of the road
as mentioned in the incorporation papers
are all San Francisco men. William c.
Allberger Is civil engineer at 1913 Mont
EOmery street. ID. T. Hayes is one Of the
propriet0rs Of the Fulton Iron Works and
James Joyes is the secretary of the Rio del
LlaDo Water Company. All of these peo-
pie claim to be merely 1gurehesds. They
say. tie real directors of the scheme are
English capitalists, aud no information as
to the plans Of the company can be elected
from them
During the encampment of the National
Guatu at santa tfuZ the train leaving San
Francisco at 4 40 =. NJ. over the Santa Cruz
division. narrow gauge, will run through to
Santa Cruz daily, commencing on SATURDAY.
August 6, and continuing until August IA
Returning from Santa Cruz the train leaves
at 5:45 A. NJ, arriving here at 9: 80 A. NJ
Tickets 10 Santa Cruz and return will be
sold at the rate of So until August Il, lin
tied for return 10 Sunday, August a.
inspector Mitchell Shels of the Transeon-
tlnental Association has been transferred
FROM Los Angeles to this city and arrived
yesterday 10 assume his duties