The morning call., 1893-02-15
SOLID BACKING FOR LEEDS.
Merchants Views of His Plan.

board should be either appointed by the
Governor or elected by the people at large.
Then we might have chance. AS 1t Is
now the selection of men for this position
is only an incident and is hurried through
after the more promin ent Offices have been
filed. As a matter of fact the Board of
Commissioners has more power than the
Governor even, and is at present of much
more Importance TO US. On the other hand.
If this commission be entirely abolished |
am of the opinion there should first be some
definite schedule of rates adopted TO obtain
throughout the State. Then the railroad
would be forced TO adopt one that would
have some claims to conside ration, and il
it were proven better it would certainly be
chosen. AS matters are now the railroad
controls the commission completely.
EUGENE B. BECK-Let us get clear of
this Railroad Commission. There is no more
use for such one as we have now than
there is for fifth wheel OF a carriage.
When man applies for information to it
or asks that something be done, he is in
yariably put off TO next year or some future
time. lie has done nothing; not a rate has
been adjusted. l am heartily in sympathy
with the Traffic Ass0ciati0n's movement
STEWART MENZIES The Railroad
Commission ought to be knocked cut at
once and forever. They have been in
position to do much good work for the past
two or three years and haven't accomplished
thing. All their activity has run into
drawing their salaries. There is great
need OF good work and none has been done
This subject couldn't stand five minutes
discussion. l am glad TO see The CALLS
good work. It's pity there are not more
papers like it.
II. BRIGHAM-Fm sorry haven't more
time to talk with you on this matter, for it
is of immediate interest to this State. THE
CALL has done admirable work along this
line. Ny opinion is that the commission
should be abolished. and that rs promptly
as such action can be taken. There is no
need of board that will do no manner of
work for US. In my mind Leeds Is entirely
right, and | indorse his policy heartily.
c. NJ. YATES-Here is the whole matter
in a nutshell. These railroad people have
had their innings for twenty years; now let
the people have theirs. Boards OF Commits
sionerS only play into their hands. 1t has
always been so. Let US abolish these boards
ana save that much. anyway, in salaries.
Let the Legislature fix the rates and re-
quire the railroad to conform to them above
all let's nave some changing OF the tables
and let the people have turn.
S. c. BUCKBEE-l wish to say that. in
my mind, absolutely nothing has been done
by these Boards Of Railroad Commissioners.
and ii is high time that they were done
mary action and OF an immediate change.
San Francisco and California at large has
benefited in no particular by them, and
certainly see no reasonable excuse for their
existence.
H. SHAINWALD - The commission
should certainly be abolished. The Traffic
Association is doing great work for this
city and deserves a hearty Endorsement.
We have gained nothing by the existence of
these board of commissioners and will do
better without them.
ISAAC UPHAM-I am opposed to the
existence OF railroad commission. 1t
ought 10 be abolished entirely. If such a
thing has to exist let's have it chosen de-
Gently by the people at large.
Just now and always these boards of rail-
road commissioners have been under the
direct control of the railroads, and in con-
sequence have done nothing. Let's do
away with them and hope for redress from
the Legislature. There is a sad need for
some good work 10 be done.
A. W. PORTER-Mr Leeds is on the
right track and should receive the support
of every man in San Francisco. What pos
siole advantage can we expect from such
c0mm sSiOnerS as we have always bad.
The railroad has them in its pocket. Not
thing has been done by the present board
except to draw salaries, and good fat ones
at that. am decidedly in favor of abol-
ishing the commission entirely and letting
the Legislative people grapple with the bull
by the horns.
ALBERT CERF-The railroad commits
sion should go. | am thorough admiTer of
Mr.. Leeds general policy and believe him
to be in the right. We have been benefited
In no manner by this commission, nor ever
have by the others. They are under the
railroads control and what can we expect
Of them? They should have furnished Us
with complete schedule OF freight and
passenger rates long ago. Il is high time
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