The San Francisco call., 1895-11-01
Local Merchants Determined to
Secure a Foothold in
Utah.
THEY WILL FIGTH TO THE END
One of the Results of the Contest Nav
Be Bitter Freight.Rate
War.

There is now every likelihood that the
Traffic Association of San Francisco will
shortly have splendid opportunity of
demonstrating its value to the merchants
of San Francisco. Its first C contest under
the new regime, with W. B. Curtis as
traffic manager, arose in connection with
rates to Utah, the object being to place
San Francisco in a position where it had a
cerned, of competing for Utah business
with the Eastern commercial centers.
Under an old agreement with the East
ern lines running into Utah it was ar
ranged that the Southern Pacific should
charge from San Francisco to Utah COM
mon points not less than S51l per cent of
the rate from Missouri River points to
Utah common points. This made the
rates from San Francisco higher per mile
than they were from the Missouri River
points and thus initiated against the m er-
chants of San Francisco who sought to
extend their trade into Utah.
Coming to a realization of this, the
Southern Pacific some time ago cut rates
to Utah to such an extent as 10 give the
San Francisco people chance to compete
with the Eastern centers. But this did
not suit the Eastern roads, as every in
creased ton carried into Utah from the
West meant decrease in their earnings.
Matters were allowed to continue thus
for but short time, when the Trans
Missouri Traffic Association EN- mbracing
the roads west of the river, asked the
Southern Pacific to confer on the matter,
with view of coming to some amicable
arrangement. They asked that the con-
| ference be held at Chicago, but the South
| ern Pacific refused to send representa-
tive that distance; then Denver was
1CrOa hI1f hiS oil
| and 1t was tnally agreed to concede to the
wishes OF the Southern Pacific and have
| the conference at Salt Lake
Inls conference was in session for two
days, but adjourned without ANYTHING
| having been accomplished in the way of a
| settlement. The Southern Pacific repre-
| sentative, backed by Traffic Manager w.
| B. Curtis of the San Francisco Traffic
| Association, stood out for rate-making
| basis OF 20 per cent of the Missouri rate
| but the best offer made by their opponents
was 80 per cent, and this was accepted.
There will be another meeting of the
Trans Missouri Association at st. Louis
| on November IL, ana the Southern Pacific
has been asked to be represented. There
| is little hope, however. of there beng any
| adjustment of the differences even should
| the Southern Pacific decide to particinate
| IN the deliberations at st. Louis, and there
| is every indication that a crisis has been
lcdCHeui WHICH Will IN all probability
| precipitate freight-rate war to Utah.
| The next move will probably be on the
| part of the Eastern lines which run into
| or have direct connections with lines run
ming into Utah. AS the matter stands.
| the San Francisco merchant enjovs rates
| that permit him to compete with the
East, but should the Eastern railroads en-
| deavor to secure the former advantages
| for Eastern merchants, something they
are very likely to do, by cutting rates, a
| lively freight war will result.
| But the Traffic Association of this CITY
with the proper cooperation of its mem.
bers and other large shippers, have a
| power in reserve that is sure to be effective
if properly applied. All have considerable
| through freight business, which is carried
| in part over the roads that are now most
strenuously opposing the settlement ot
| the Utah question on the fairer basis de-
sired by the San Francisco people. It is
generally acknowledged that should these
| shippers route their freight so as to de-
| prive these recalcitrant roads of their Gus
tomary share of it their traffic managers
| would soon be scratching their heads and
be in more conciliatory mood
| This plan has already been mooted
among the merchants, but there is nat
ural diffidence about putting it into prac
tlce, except as dernier resort, but as such
| 1t is certain to be used