The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-24
TRADE LIMITS OF SAN FRAN
CISCO SOUGHT TO BE
EXTENDED.
RATES ALONE IN THE WAY
THE TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION AND
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC TO
COOPERATE.

Ali the efforts of Traffic Manager W. B.
Curtis of the Traffic Association are now
being concentrated to bring about such
changes In transportation rates as will
open the Territory of Utah to the mer-
chants of this City.
AS showing the disadvantages San Fran
cisco is under in her efforts to compete
in that Territory with Eastern rivals, Mr..
Curtis has caused to be prepared sched-
ule of rates from San Francisco to Ogden
and Salt Lake in comparison with rates
from the Missouri River, St. Louis and
Chicago to the same points, and a copy of
this schedule will be distributed among
all the members of the association within
the next few days.
The proposition is to have the Union
Pacific and the Rio Grande Western make
such rates between Ogden, the Eastern
terminus OF the Southern Pacific, and Salt
Lake, the distributing point for Utah,
as will give San Francisco fighting
chance to compete with rival Eastern
cities for the business of Utah. All that is
asked is that the through rates between
San Francisco and Salt Lake be placed on
basis that will give San Francisco ship
pers the same rate per ton per mile as is
enjoyed by Eastern cities shipping to
Utah. The relative distances are approx
mately as follows: San Francisco to Salt
Lake, $40 miles; Missouri River points to
Salt Lake, 1900 miles; st. Louis and
Chicago to Salt Lake, 1870 miles.
On Friday next Mr.. Curtis will leave for
Salt Lake where a conference of the trans
Missouri roads will be held on the 28th
inst. to consider this matter. There will
also be representative of the Southern
Pacific present to make fight for San
Francisco, and thus for once the influence
OF the mercantile community and the
railroad will be joined in the interest of
San Francisco.
Speaking of the situation yesterday Mr..
Curtis said:
The contest will be to get such concessions in
rates between Ogden and other points in Utah
from the Union Pacific and the Rio Grande
western as will permit of rates from San Fran
cisco to Utah common points, which will place
San Francisco in the proper place relative to
that Territory.
The Southern Pacific has line to Ogden of
1888 miles, and the mileage of the Union Pacific
and Rio Grande Western from Ogden to Salt
Lake Is 80 and 81 miles, respectively. 1t is to
the interest of the Southern Pacific to do bust
ness to Utah from this end, for the reason that
they get much the longer haul OF all such
freight.
OF course, the Union Pacific and Rio Gronde
Western get only small slice, but that is due
to the popularity OF their position, which they
must put up with under the circumstances.
But they want to get the long haul from the
East
The Southern Pacific has taken the stand
that better rates should be made from Callfor-
mia to Utah, and, although they do not reach
Salt Lake, they do reach Ogden, and have cut
rates to Ogden to basis which they believe
consistent and which is satisfactory to the
merchants of San Francisco. They acknowl-
edge that San Francisco should be considered
the metropolis OF the coast, and TO that end
will stand in for reduction of rates on the
| basis of their being adjusted to be the
same per ton per mile from San Francisco to
Salt Lake and Utah common points as they are
from the East to the same points.
The Southern Pacific should stand in with
the merchants of this City to aggrandize this
port, for therein lies their best interest.
The manufacturing interests OF San Fran
cisco have sprung from insignifcance to the
production of manufactures to-day valued at
800, 900 600. This country is no longer q
distributing territory for the importers goods.
II has become a manufacturing well as a
producing center. The merchant of San Fran
cisco is no longer content with the trade in the
prescribed area within which he has been
compelled heretofore TO do business. He feels
that an extension OF his trade limits must be
made, and that it is his just due, and therein
is the chief aim of the Traffic Association.
Utah is the first good opening that has
offered, and we propose TO prospect it to the
fullest extent.