The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-20
MERCHANTS MUST RALLY
The Traffic Association Ap-
peals to All Californians
for Help.
STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER.
Lessons Of the Past Should Urge
More Vigorous Measures for
the Future.

The Traffic Associations executive COM
mittee met yesterday afternoon in special
session. The object of the meeting was to
consider an address to the merchants of
California. The end of the associations
fiscal year is close at hand and its stanch
supporters seek to rally help from the
ranks of all citizens interested in the
problems it seeks to solve. The following
appeal was finally decided on. to be sent to
merchants in all parts of the State:
To the Merchants Of California The Traffic
Association of California is organized to secure
to the merchants OF this State the best possible
terms for the transportation OF their goods,
wares and merchandise.
The people of the Pacific Coast are to-day en-
joying the fl uits of the achievements of this
of patronizing the line of clipper ships plying
between this port and the Atlantic ports of the
United States, or the Panama line, in cOnnec-
ton with the Panama Steamship Company, in
the work of construction now being pushed on
the competing line-the San Francisco and
Joaquin Valley Railroad-which line is des
tined soon to play an important part in the rate
adjustments within this State.
The foundation of a great building has been
laid; the superstruction is also up, and it now
rests with the association to put on the finish
ing touches and to properly round out this
great undertaking.
We are still confronted with the local rate
question, and the same is bound to receive at
tention at our hands-it may be as whole or
in given commodities-and then on the border
of the same arises that other wall that Califor-
mia must break down before she can be eman-
cipated; e., the high rates at present existing
to the several territories naturally tributary to
the trade centers of California We refer par
ticularly to Arizona and New Mexico, both on
the line of the Southern Pacific Company and
that of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, also
leaving the line of the Southern Pacific at
Benson, Ariz., on the line of the New Mexico
and Arizona and Sonora Railway as far south
as Guaymas, Mexico.
Rates as they stand to-day to the City of
Mexico and common points and to other points
in inland Mexico are placed on a basis con-
sistent with our position, the same rates being
in force from San Francisco a. from st. Louis,
but to other points mentioned are unfairly
against us.
Rates from California to Texas ALSO deserve
our attention. California manufactures rarely
reach that market.
To the east and north of us in U tab, Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington are
markets, the bulk of whose trade should flow
to and from this direction instead of the East
If the merchants of California cannot look
for and secure the trade OF their nearest neigh
bors, their failure to control it must lie in the
existing rate adjustments as between the sew
eral carriers.
We should naturally look for the trade of the
Pacific Coast of Central America. 1t is patent
fact that during the period of active competi-
ton OH the part of the North American Navi-
CATION Company that trade to and from this
should be directed toward encouraging that
measure of competition necessary to closer re-
lations with that section.
OF greater importance still is the trade with
China and Japan. San Francisco is the natural
entrepot of this Oriental business to the United
States, and the pioneer Pacific Coast port in
that trade and yet to-day over two-th1rds of the
trans-Pacifc business passes through the ports
to the north of us-Tacoma, Wash, and Van
couver, B. C. OF the tea alone imported into
the United States from China and Japan only
about II per cent per annum passes through
this port. We see rice and other merchandise
destined to San Francisco coming via the Paci-
tic Coast Steamship Company, having travelled
from China to Tacoma and there tranShipped.
We see the cotton from the Southern States
travelling ST. Paul. Mimi, and over the
Northern Pacific Railroad to Tacoma and from
there to China and Japan. In all of this there
is something wrong, which should receive our
early attention in the endeavor to hold to San
Francisco her natural prestige.
We shall endeavor to make the office of the
Traffic Association place OF interest to the
members, in that they will find there full and
correct information regarding rates of freight
and other matters pertaining to freight bust
ness, not only to and from California gener-
ally but also as to rates from all Eastern
points to and from the several States
and Territories wherein California completes
for business, and by keeping in touch with the
great number of transportation companies in
the State or to and from the State, also coast
wise and foreign, aim to be in position to ad-
wise you by bulletin OF changes i'll either rates
or routes, which cannot fail TO be OF interest to
the mem bers or their patrons.
1t behooves the merchants of the State of
California to lend their moral if not pecuniary
aid TO every competing line, be 1t great or lit
tie. by water, mule team or rail, organized to
transport freight within the States borders or
to or from this State.
San Francisco has practically lost the trade of
oregon and Washington and Portland has
been the gamer. but when you contrast her
position with that of San Francisco it ceases to
be cause OF comment and becomes one OF
atca-o ion Snt, ri Cd ~ tod Cc,Q
is on one of the finest harbors OF the world, and
yet for fifteen years her ocean waterways were
practically closed to her, and with her one per-
ceptible overland railway-while as to Port
land, we find her with six independent lines,
affording through transportation to and from
the East, and no restriction whatever on her
ocean waterways, placing her in an independ
ent position. In view of this it is evident that
there is inherent In San Francisco some vital
recuperative power which enabled her to keep
on under steady Roadway, Notwithstanding
the loss of trade in one direction, curtailment
in others and disbarment in more yet, and
this is mentioned that you will at once realize
the immense change in San Francisco possible
when we can boast OF six independent outlets
for our Eastern trade.
natural desire of the merchant is to do
business with every one on business principles
and on those lines would endeavor to impress
on the transportation companies that in favor
ing California with better rates than her COM
pettors to the same territories, lies the great
est promise for future and permanent prosper
ity for it.
The advent of the San Joaquin Valley Rail-
road into this port will be momentous day
for San Francisco. That advent is much more
portentous than appears on the surface. 1t will
be the nucleus around which will spring up
| new systems of steamship and sail COMPETE
ton, both coastwise and foreign, and the
cheaper grades of ocean freights instead of
seeking other channels as now lowing to the
glut of better paying loads because of present
| circumscribed facilities) will travel through
this port, and every ACKNOWLEDGMENT of this
| nature of the port of San Francisco means an
increased measure of prosperity to the State at
| large in additional channels for the further
distribution of her natural produc and man
ufactures. These are the signs of the times, and