The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-26
THE FIGHT is ON.
But the Merchants Are
Not Afraid.
THE VALLEY LINE BOOMING.
Matters Pertaining to Other Business
Given Preference to the Freight
Rate War.
THE VALLEY LINE BOOMING.

The rate war is commenced, but 1t is be-
ing fought by biz guns with smokeless
powder.
TIE North American Navigation Com
pany and Traffic Association have not as
yet turned their rapid-fring cannon on the
enemy. but " hen they do the Southern Pa
cihc's smoothbores will be silenced
The changes in the railroad eompany's
westbound schedule which went into effect
yesterday did not even cause a ripple of
excitement in the business mems pool, and
the even surface of competitions ways is
as placid and unbroken as ever.
The reduction of the railroad rates on
commodities is yet TO be met by the Panama
people In New York.
The reduction averaged about 40 per cent
On the old schedule
On hardware Qess than carloads) the old
rate was 81 10; new rate. 81 25-a difference
OF 50 cents. On wire the new rate per hum
dred is 40 cents; old rate So cents-a differ
ence Of 40 cents.
Rates on canned goods have been reduced
from 50 cents to 30 cents per hundred. and
manila and straw paper from 81 20 to 70
cents.
Dry goods and clothing in boxes Qess than
carloadS), old rate, IS 70; new, S3-a reduc-
tion OF only 70 cents.
very slight reduction is made on goods
not handled to any extent by the new
steamship line, while on close rates the
taT!h Is the same for goods from New York
as Is The cost OF transportation of the same
from chicago named In tie tariff of the 11th.
The amount Of goods offered for ship
ment by the 81. Paul was not decreased in
The least yesterday and merchants generally
expressed their determination to support
the Traffic Association in the coming fight.
The rate war Was a matter of secondary
consideration with the association, and husi-
ness pertaining to the establishment of the
new valley line and the proposition of the
Merchants Frelghting Association was
given precedence.
1t is understood that nearly all of the
necessary coin has been guaranteed for the
establishment of the new line of coas ting
steamers and the status of its affairs will
shortly be made public.
Relative to the Stockton line word has
been received that more than the required
bonus can be raised in the valley, and that
already there is talk of other extensions.
Mr.. Hinton Of the Panama Railroad says
that MS line Will meet any reduction neceS-
sary 10 secure the business and is in ;he
light to stay, while Mr.. Leeds assures the
public that the North American Company
can well afford to make a long fight and
suffer no i'll effects.
As yet the Canadian Pacific has not been
heard from. but it is not at all improbable
that IL Will prove very important factor in
The coming race for supremacy. If north
coast steamer rates are placed in such
shape that che sound can be reached cheaply
II may be possible that the Canadian will
lake slice at the Southern Pacific not only
in freight but passenger rates.
Nj. Stern, the cOmpany'S agent here. said
the other day, IN speaking of passenger
rates, that lie did not think his people con-
templated any reduction, but. of course. he
could not speak definitely on that subject
AT present their frst-class passenger rate
from here is sos 80 to Chicago being ouly
81 less from Vancouver.
For some time past The Canadian line has
had It's eye on California freightS, and if a
god opening was presented there is no
doubt but that they would Try to down the
Southern Pacific and its allies.
The rumor to the effect that the Canadian
Pacific and North American Navigation
Company are contemplating entering into a
traffic agreement IS stOutly denied.
gentleman from Portland said yester-
day that the idea Of coast line from the
north to Eureka had originated with the
Union Pacific, but such is not the case
The question was originally agitated by
Edward Flynn Of Portland, wealthy real
estate dealer who attempted to interest
capital in the line with view to booming
the town OF Grants Pass, in which ne is In
teresled. The gentleman was not inter
ested TO the latter extent, however.
Mr.. tlynn'S plans were submitted to the
Union Pacific, but that line had its hands
lusl win the 1uBet SOunQ extension at the
tine and could not entertain any propo-
snlons. Merchants are figuring as to how
to get around shipments for Boston and
ether Eastern cities. as the railroad Teduc-
tlons only cover New ork.
1t may be possible that they will have to
turn their goods over to the railroad for
these points, as the cost of reshipping them
at New York would be greater than the
railroads tariff.
Several leading wine merchants when
questioned regarding future shipments
stated that they were going to give their
goods to the steamers.
One firm has several hundred casks for
New York and some for Chicago which they
declare will be given to the North Amer-
can Navigation Company even IL the rail-
roads offer 10 carry it for nothing.
TINS statement was mentioned to an off
Ger of the Traffic Association, who replied
That Is the spirit which will win the
fight for the shippers. When the Southern
Pacific and the TranscOntinental Assucia-
iion see that merchants are determined to
secure fair play then they will agree to do
business or a business basis. and not follow
eutthroat policy which will benefit neither
factl0u coupprned -