The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-10

shippers OF San Francisco and our repre-
sentatives in Congress on record on the
question. We will see where they all stand. +"
Have you sent out any copies of the
petition yeti" was asked.
Not yet. You see, it will have to be
gotten up in proper shape and sent out so
that 1t can reach the merchants Of all
interior cities. want to see how they all
stand on this question. have no doubt but
that there will be plenty of signers."
..Are the local merchants much aroused On
the subject?"
Yes, indeed. They cannot get ever the
idea that by paying high freight rates to the
railroad they are contributing a subsidy to
the steamship company to throttle competi-
tion. L think all the members of the Traf-
fic Association are willing to take this step.
1t can certainly do no harm and will,
think, result in benefit to our State. We
need to agitate such matters as this and to
show our hostility to unfair combinations
against our people,"
interviewed, was afraid that Congress might
take no action on the petition. He has had
much experience in that line, and saws it is
difficult for a petition to get any show in
the House, though it may be treated with
more Difference in the Senate.
ut is all question of how the thing is
dOne," said he. If it is introduced in a
way that commands attention, it may not
merely be thrown into the hands of COM
mittee. but it may be read to the members
Of the whole House or Senate and wake
some of them up"
Captain Merry did not seem to have any
great faith in Senator Felton's show of
earnestneSS in the matter of pushing his bill.
which provides that no steamship company
receiving subsidy from the Government
cha1
sideration whatever, to fix or alter or promote
freight rates with any competing steam or
railroad lines.
''Some persons tell me that FELTON, is an
independent man and that he is ready to
fight the railroads, but am told by others
that he is lacking in sincerity in this matter
Whichever be the case / believe the petition
will be worth trying"
Captain Merry, who is known to have
some interest in the proposed Straits of
Magellan steamship line, which has been
projected by number of local capitalists,
was asked what had become of the project.
"Oh. 1t Is not dead by any means" said
he; "but am not at liberty to tell what
know about the movements that are now
being made: will say this, though. that
II IS plan that II taken up in the right way
is bound to be successful. You see, it is
hard to fight competition by sea when it is
In healthy state. You cannot make terms
with it so easily either. If you start to
build local or overland competing line of
railway, the first thing you know it will be
In some combination with the other lines
to keep up rates. But not so with steam
ship line. That is hard to manage unless
you become a leading stakeholder in it,
which will. of course. give you control.
The Magellan Straits steamship line
could be made to bring the railroads to
terms. think. for unless they made rates
to compete with 1t they would have to go
out Of the through westbound business. OF
course l am strong advocate Of the Mic
aragua Canal protect, but before that shall
have been put through and the canal have
been opened we must adopt temporary ex-
pedents. The steamship line could be made
to pay.
'.As for competing line of local railway
that Is feasible plan, too. but we must not
lose sight Of the fact that to do much good
the road would have to be an extensive sys-
tenn, and that there would be constant dan
ger OF its getting under the control of those
most interested In shutting off its competi-
tion.
No, this city could not build a railroad.
The consolidation act bars it from doing
anything of that kind. But it would not
take such great amount Of money for the
capitalists to build the line, and if it is to be
built the work will be done at the instance
of mOneyed men here"
From another source it was learned that
the project Of establishing competing line
of steamers against the Pacific Mail and the
railroad was we'll under way. Much money
has been promised, and there is report in
circulation that the company will be incor-
porated before the end OF the month.
Should this be done some change In the at
titude of the railroad toward the shippers
may be expected.
'The railroad people think we are trying
to bluff them." said a merchant who has
been identified with the project. 1--WE will
show that we are in earnest. 1t will take
time, of course, to accomplish what we have
| set out to do, but it is a feasible plan, and
we can see our way clear to its fufillment."
The members of the Traffic Association
are now discussing the question of incor-
| porating. The reason for this Is that they
| desire their organization to be in a position
To take hand in such matters as making
| contracts and entering into suits if ne.
| cessary.
| Under the present conditions" said q
| leading member of the association yester.
| day, "the Traffic Association cannot trans.
| act business like a corporation. Suppose
that the Straits of Magellan steamship
scheme were to be in operation now, dt
| you not think it would be possible for G. P
Huntington TO get control of it. just as ht
| did the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
Or course he could, ii he went at it in tn,
right way, and ali that anybody else coull
do would be TO sit by aud see him run thing