The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-08
WESTERN CLASSIFICATION.
Smurr DeHounces Leeds Proposed
TraffiC Schedule.

SmurT DeH0unCeS LEEDS proposed
Traffic Schedule.
SACRAMENTO, Feb. &c. F. Smurr, gen.
eral traffic manager of the Southern Pacific
Railroad, appeared before the Senate Com
mittee on Constitutional Amendments this
evening. lie presented an argument
against the Leeds amendment He said 1t
is ludicrous and presumptuous for person
to try 10 evolve IN twelve months uniform
distance tariff. An infeXible classification,
not 10 be changed in two years, is an eX-
tremely reckless policy. Contrary to the
statement Of Mr.. Leeds the changes in the
local classification of the Southern Pacific
Company have been very numerous. He
cited the history OF the Western classified
ton schedule From the start it could not
be relied upon entirely by the companies
using it. For this reason commodity rates
in great numbers have been adopted. The
varying conditions of productions neeessl-
tated flexibility Of Classification.
The statement that the Western classlh-
cation was in partial use by the Southern
Pacific Company is technically correct
When the Santa Fe entered the State it
brought the Western classification. AS a
classification the Southern Pacific Company
has no material objection TO the proposed
tariff. bur only to its rigidity as = statutory
provision. The Southern Pacific Company
has 10 compete directly with water freight
age nearly over the entire State. This,
coupled with the fact that large portions OF
the State are mountainous, should make
clearly evident the impoSsibility Of fixing
apv rigid distance tariff in this State. In
der the terms of the proposed amendment
the Southern Pacific Company could not
make any reduction of any independ ent
commodity 4 uniform distance tariff does
not meet the commercial requirements In
any community, and the Santa Fe and other
roads using this classification have indie
pendent commodities.
G. /. Lansing, secretary and controller
OF tie Southern Pacific Company, was next
heard He told the experience Of the
! Kansas railroads, upon whose classification
this is said to b. based. He compared the
cost per mile of operating the Southern Pa
/ cifc Company, amounting to 12.169 cents.
/ The proposition of Mr.. Leeds that half a
ton of coal here performs the work Of ton
| in Kansas has no foundation in fact.
Owe have an itemized statement" be
| said. "of the actual cost Of the Chicago and
-
| sol 600 per mile. This WAS built under the
most favorable conditions The average OF
other Kansas roads is $4,000 per mile,
while the Southern Pacific lines In Califor'
MIA is but SIS, 700 with its mountain grades,
tunnels, snowshedS, etc
"Our company can only prosper by pursu-
ing business principles, and these have
| guided us in the past.
In the past ten years through freig ht:
/ have been reduced 10 per cent and the loca
| traffic 70 per cent, while the passenger
! traffic has been reduced 36 per cent. Thi:
has meant So 500, coo per year. This la:
been owing to the prosperous growth OF
| California, and l believe that no other road
| In tie United States has made so greatloca
! reductions per year"
| The committee adjourned TO meet next
Monday evening, when the Traffic Assoca
ton will be heard.