The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-30
A TRAFFIC DEAL.
Steamship and Railroad
Companies
AFTER PASSENGER BUSINESS.
Hundreds of Tramrs En- Route
to This city.
A PASSENGER TRAIN BESIEGED.
Only the Vanguard of Those Yet to
Come - Bad Washout on
the Santa Fe.
AFTER PASSENGER BUSINESS.
A PASSENGER TRAIN BEsIEGED.

The struggle Tor the control OF the pas
senger business coming by steamer from
Australia, Japan and China among the
various railroads running East has taken
9 decided turn in favor of the Union
Pacific, as it appears from recent develop
ments.
a contract has been entered into be-
tween that company and the Oceanic
/ Steamship Company, which is controlled
by the Spreckels interest. by which ii APP
pears that for the next ten years the Union
Pacific Company will have a practical
monopoly of the business.
The history of the fight for this traffic is
an interesting one and dates back to the
time when d. w. Hitchcock, the present
general agent of the Union Pacific on this
coast, was acting with the Burlington in
the same capacity here. By dint of hard
work Mr.. Hitchcock secured the bulk of
the travel for his line, and held it against
all corners up 10 the time he quit the
Burlington TO go to the Union Pacific.
When he transferred his services 10 the
latter road he naturally made an effort 10
carry the traffic from the steamship lines
with him, but he found the effort COM
paratively fruitless in its results as the
Burlington had in the meantime become
SO we'll known in the countries contributing
10 this class Of travel that it was looked
upon, practically, as about the only desir-
able route across the continent.
Mr.. Hitchcock quit the Union Pacific in
1879 or about that time, and was not with
the company for some years. When he
again entered its service he found that
during his retirement the Burlington had
effectually clinehed its hold upon the class
of travel under consideration.
I. D. Mckay had succeeded to the posi-
ton with the Burlington formerly held by
Mr.. Hitchcock, and had improved bis time
and opportunities to good purpose In fact
so well had he become known that travel
ers from China. Japan and Australia VOL
unfairly sought him out and gave him their
patronage. 1t was popularity said of the
genial Tom that he was personally ac-
Qualuted with all the poteniates OF those
countries. was able to call every ward poll
tlclan and School Director by name and
spoke their various languages with the
Huency and effectiveness Of a native born
The advantages which the Burlington
enjoyed IN the possession of such a man
were apparent every time party of any
size landed on these shores. The Chinese
Minister and his big retinue of aids and
other attaches who recently went East
took the Burlington, and so 1t has been in
the past with almost all similar parties
But the Union Pacific has not been
alone IN the night against the Burlington
in this matter. All the other transcOn III
Mental lines looking to this port for that
Tsss-ST travef have exhausted every meens
"a their power and utilized every method
imaginable 10 break the Burlington's grip,
but. as develol ments have shown, hereto
fore without avail.
The ten years contract with the Spreck-
els line will virtually give the Union Pa
cfc control of the business, as that COM
pauy is already largely interested in the
stock of the Decide ntal and Oriental Com
pany.
Under the new conditions tickets sold
from any of the countries heretofore men,
toned will be made out through TO dest-
nation. Heretofore this has not been the
custom, and the purchaser was permitted
20 choose his own line Of travel after reach
ing this country. OF course such a priVi-
lege will probably still be extended, but it
Will remain in the power OF the steamship
line TO make such Determinations in favor
Of the Union Pacific that travellers will, as
matter of economy, take that route.
The Burlington probably knew Of this
movement, or at least had some intimatIon
of it, some weeks ago. when 1t discon-
tinued its agencies IN all foreign ports.
The contract, it might be said in this con-
nection, is joint agreement including be-
sides the Union Pacific the Chicago and
Northwestern, Chicago and Alton and
Santa Fe lines.
ITO give you an idea Of the firm hold the
Burlington has for years lad on this busi-
ness" said gentleman thoroughly familiar
with the subject last night, Il will give
you an illustration. Several years ago the
Rock Island, North Yves tern. Milwaukee and
ST. Paul and Union Pacific com ned and
sent man to Australia to represent the
roads mentioned jointly. The gentleman
selected for this mission was chosen be-
cause of his peculiar fitness for the work
and his high order Of ability as business
man. He was given almost unlimited
= bower, supplied with ample means for ad-
VerIising and other purposes and departed
upon bis errand with high hopes of sue
cess, But the results we're Disappointing
in fact the representative didn't make
enough TO grease the wheels, so to speak.
and was recalled after some months OF
futile effort
''In addition to what you have already
written" said the same gentleman, you
might state that the new departure was
taken by tie Oceanic Steams hip Company
as a means of self-protection. The Cana
dian Pacific Railroad, since the establish
yuent Of its steamship line to Australia
two years ago. has cut into the business OF
the Oceanic line to a considerable extent.
and the management of the latter now
seek to cOunteract, as far as possible, the
injury its business has suffered.
The exact terms of the contract 1t was
impossible to obtain yesterday. Inquiry at
the office of the steamship company only
resulting in the statement from j. ID.
publication. But the foregoing is an out
line y0f the more material points I'D the
transaction.