The morning call., 1894-08-14

| presidents, it is apparent that but little
general interest is being shown in the
matter.
A. A. Watkins. president Of the Board
of Trade, is opposed to The movement
solely be cause be entertans the belief
tn at the Go vernment is Incapable Of con-
Duct ne railroad.
According to his theory, the change OF
m anagement every four years, such as is
experienced in all departments of civil
service, would be disastrous to ths main
tenance of low rates and the establish
, ment of better system than that already
in vogue.
Just imagine the hundreds Of thou
sands OF railroad employees who would be
turned out under every change of admins
tration and the hustle of the willy poll
/ tician with "a pull to secure job as
ain-dispatcher for worthless ward
striker, whose only mechanical KIN wledge
was derived from tapping beer kegs. No,
no! it would never d. and until we have
uniform system oil civil service reform such
\ a project would never thrive to the best
| advantages OF the country"
| Aside from this periodical inconvenience
! Mr.. Watkins could find. no material OBJ
| lection to the movement, but this alone is
| so strongly implanted n his mind that he
| has become true pie OF Mr.. Reilly.
w. A. Hocomb. president of tho Prod
uce Exchange, attributes the refusal Of
| the board of directors TO act upon the
| Mayors appeal to the feet that sufficient
! time for the consideration of such an i'm
portant question has not been granted. and
as Representative Reilly has announced
that action upon the Dill VIII be deferred
until the next session OF Congress the
matter will 10 the meanwhile be left on
the ia Bile.
Mr.. Holcomb expressed himself per-
sonally as being in favor of the compro-
mise measure and is decidedly opposed to
having the exchange take any action to
the contrary.
He maintain that being purely mer-
camille organization the exchange, as a
body, should refrain from engaging in
political movements in which the interest
of the State is not in the least concerned.
Mr.. Holcomb failed 10 see the benefit
which would be derived by California
we're the Government 10 control the Pac fic
railroa ads, claiming that the Railroad Com
missoners and not the corporations them
selves are the ones who are in the way of
lower freight rates. having full power to
establish and maintain schedule which
should be designed to benefit commerce.
Although opposed to the Government
! ownership of roads, he seemed to favor
| their control upon more sound footing
than at present. Private corporations of
such magnitude are necessity in order to
promote trade, he maintained, providing
| their operations are regulated to an ex-
! tent by iron-clad laws administered by
unpolitcal bodies IN whom public conf
dence can he vested.
General w. Ii. Dim0nd, president of the
| Cham Der of Commerce, was not prepared
TO express his views upon the matter
when seen yesterday. and protested igno-
rance as regards the sentiment of the
board OF directors.
which was adopted at a recent meeting,
as the only matter to be made public:
WHEREAS. The trustees OF the Chamber OF
Commerce have been requested by the Mayor
OF San francisco 10 take action the Reilly
funding bill now before Congress- therefore
be il
Resolved. That the question is too important
to be decided by the trustees, and should be by
them referred to the regular quarterly meeting
OF the chamber, especially as IL appears evil
dent that no action will be taken thereon at
this session OF Congress.
Mayor Ebert did not feel inclined to
criticize the action or non-action of the
commercial bodies heretofore referred to.
You see." he said, when this bill came
up Tor discussion felt that it vas of great
import TO our city. and that some action
| should be taken by our business men. SO
l sent letter TO these several associations
asking for some expression of their senti-
ments 10 regard TO this measure. A few
| have heard from. but only one has taken
any definite position. The Traffic Asso-
citation has signifed its willingness to
unite with the other associations, and
has declared that it is opposed to the bill
| However. understand that the Produce
Exchange and the Merchants Exchange
paid no heed TO the matter.
'As to the Board of Trade. Manufac-
| turers' Association and Retail Association
| have received no reply. The Chamber
Of Commerce took the same view of the
situation as | did. heard from President
A. A. Watkins and he said that the
! board of trustees thought the subject OF
such great moment that they had decided
to lay the matter before the mex. meeting
| OF the board.
!! speaking for myself. l am thoroughly