The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-02
RESIGNATION OF LEEDS.
The Traffic Manager Leaves the Assoc
citation Quite Suddenly-His Work
Very Well Done.

At meeting of the executive committee
of the Traffic Association yesterday the
secretary read letter addressed to the
president, Isaac Upham, in which j. s.
Leeds, for the past two years and until
yesterday traffic manager of that body,
formally rendered his resignation.
The letter is given herewith in full:
| Isaac Upham Esq.,, President Traffic AssoeiG-
ton Of California, San Frdncisc0-DEAR SIR: l
hereby tender my resignation as tratile man
ager of the Traffic Association of California, to
become effective as early as your committee
can make IL convenient. ] have decided npon
this course after mature and careful considera-
| ton.
You will cali to memory that the unfavor-
able trade conditions of this city and State,
| which existed and were the inspira ton that
prompted the organization of the association,
were believed. almost universally by the ciu-
Zens of this community toexist wholly in the
organization known as the Transcontinental
Association, and to break that monopoly was
| the object sought. Doubtless it was this motive
| which promptedyeur committee TO secure my.
services. 1t is matter well known that the
Transcontinental Association was broken up
and disposed of and the Pacific. Mail subsidy
discontinued at the end of 1892
| You will also remem Der early advised the
| executive committee that the foundation and
basis of the great burden of transportation ex-
| pense which California has carried was con-
tanned in the high local rates within the State,
and the remedy was the Introduction and
/ VI OlHpetlJlOn, ana nave never
ceased to direct attention to that feature of our
work.
| 1 have up to this time taken an active part,
and to large extent directed the missionary
work which has eliminated in the present
movement to construct the railroad in the San
| Joaquin Valley The preliminary work in this
/ matter having been successfully done; my mis-
| sion here has virtually been accomplished.
Detail work may be carried forwerd by Others
! That which we labored for is now assured.
| 1t therefore, appears to me that my services
| can be dispensed with and may al this stage
| of the proceedings retire.
| have served the Traffic Association for a
| period of little more than three years. faith
| fully and according to my best judgment, for
| city OF San Francisco. My treatment of the
| questions we have been called upon to consider
has been without fear or favor. I am plainly
| on record touching all of the matters with
| which we have had to deal, and | am willing
| to stand upon that record for the future with
out further explanation or apology.
| My heart has been in:this work from the be-
| ginning, and will not lose interest in your
| success when have taken my departure. If at
| any time / can render assistance or advice, L
| will be glad OF an opportunity to serve you in
any way consistent with the service in which
may be engaged.
| In parting from the Traffic Association I de-
! sire to tender my thanks to the executive COM
mittee for the kindly treatment have received
| at their hands, and at the same time TO the
| press of this city for generous support, with
| out which it would have been impossible to
achieve the success which has rewarded our
| three years of persistent labor,
| 1 want to express my belief that the seed
| sown during this period Of our effort to intro
| duce competition in transportation for this
| State will bear good fruit and ultimately re-
suit in the commercial and industrial enamel
patton of California. Respectfully submitted.
Us. LEEDS, Traffic Manager.
This action of Mr.. Leeds did not create
| the surprise it would have caused had it
been taken three months or more ago. 1t
| is a we'll understood fact that matters have
not progressed of late entirely to the salts
| faction of the gentleman named, and that
! he became impressed with the idea that he
was being deliberately ignored.
! This was all due to the sudden enthu-
siasm awakened in the valley road propo-
| sition after Claus Spreckels and his present
| associates took hold of it. Mr.. Leeds
thought that he should have received some
consideration from the head promoters in
view of his past services in educating the
people to the necessities of the road and,
in conversation, plainly indicated that he
had been deeply hurt by his failure to re-
ceive this recognition.
The resignation was accepted by the as
ISOLATION, and that of the secretary, Hosmer
W.lLeeds, will be presented at the meeting
to be held on Wednesday.
At that meeting the important question
as TO the continuation of the Traffic Asso-
citation will be considered. In answer to a
ulreCG question: yesterday Isaac. pndIn,
president of that body, said that what
future action would be taken in this mat
ter he was unable to say; the meeting of
Wednesday would determine that. The
present offices will be given up and more
| inexpensive quarters secured in any event.
t. Mr.. Leeds owns a fine farm near Cincin-
natl, Ohio, and is said to be prepared to
spend some time at least on the property
President Upham said yesterday that the
resignation of Mr.. Leeds was entirely I'M
expected and was sent by telegraph. He
| had been granted vacation to go East,
and although they had long been aware
that he had several flattering offers from
the East it had not been expected that he
would leave the association at this time.
| Mr.. Upham said that the late manager
| had fully accomplished the work he had
| been employed to do and that the most
| candid well wishes of the other officials
would go with him in his future field Of
labor. wherever that might be-. "We found
| Mr.. Leeds able, intelligent and honest,
said Mr.. Upham.