The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-29
FOR THE NEW LINE.
Merchants Who Have Decided Opinions OF
Sh;pman+s

Merchants Who Have Decided Opinions on
Freight Shipments.
The San Francisco and San Joaquin Val
ley Railroad, when built and equipped and
ready to carry freight and passengers, will
not be left to languish for the want of
patronage. The merchants of San Fran
cisco who are extensive shippers of goods
both ways, up and down the valley, have
been sounded on the subject of their pref
erence when the new road shall be in oper-
alton. Many of them were interviewed
yesterday, and they were found to be unan-
imous in favor of patronizing the Compel
ing road to the utmost possible extent.
Many of the heaviest shippers, however,
declined to be quoted, saying in explana-
ton OF their position that they do not at
present wish to antagonize the Southern
Pacific Company-at least not before the
competing road shall be ready for business.
Much of the freight patronage of the
valley road will have to be determined by
the merchants in the cities and towns along
the line who buy their goods in this city.
The wholesale merchants, as expressed by
many of them in yesterdays interviews,
must of necessity ship orders as directed
by the purchasers. But the general opin-
ion is that the purchasers will be only too
glad to have their goods shipped by the
competing road in preference to the South
ern Pacific, rates being equal.
One of the largest mercantile firms dong
business in the San Joaquin Valley was
definitely and emphatically heard from
yesterday afternoon. Adolph Kutner,
senior member of the Kutner-G oldstein
Company of Fresno and other towns, was
in this city yesterday, engaged in making
heavy purchases. This firm is Incorporated,
and conducts general merchandise stores in
Fresno, Selma, Fowler, Hanford and Lee
moore. Grain, nuts and dried fruits of
various kinds are shipped in vast quantities
by this firm from all the points where their
stores are located. In the course of an in
terview Mr.. Kutner said:
We want the San Joaquin Valley Railroad
built al once, because our people have been
robbed too long BY the Southern PaS 1a com
to the competing road in every possible way
thatwe can. You can say that, and sayi loud:
For years past we have paid an average of
$150,000 year freight charges to the South
ern Pacific Company. OF course we ship goods
both ways. The goods we sell in our part of
country are shipped mostly from San Francisco.
The produce that we handle is shipped here.
The freight charges that we and our customers
have been forced TO pay to the Southern Pacific
Company are something shameful.
Four years ago we shipped 10000 tons of
wheat in one season from Fresno TO San Fran
cisco. The freight charges were 81 ton. You
see, that made quite neat sum in itself-$l20,-
600 just for wheat. Since that time the rates
on wheat have been slightly reduced but not
enough to burt the Southern Pacific Company,
can assure you. You can write our firm down
as future patrons OF the San joaquin Valley
Railroad. And there are many other mer-
chants in our section of the country who feel
just as l do about this matter
L. Dinkelspiel of the firm of L. Dinkel-
spiel IL Sons, 81 and SO Battery street, said:
OF course would glvepreference in the ship
ment of freight to the valley road. By so do
ing shall only be looking out for my own
interests. As to our customers down in the
valley towns, their preferences in the matter OF
shipments must be respected, otherwise they
would think we were trying to dictate to them.
Levi Strauss, who is one of the most &C
tive promoters of the new road, said:
OF course 1 shall give preference to the val
ley road. 1t is line in which l am personally
interested. / shall do all in my power to throw
business in its way.
H. Levi of the firm of II. Levi & Co., III
and 1i9 Market street, said:
OF course shall give preference in shipping
goods TO the valley road so far as can. But
our customers wishes in the matter must be
respected. l think however, that they Will
stand firm by the competing road, all things
being equal
S. L. Jones of the firm of S. L. Jones &
Co., commission merchants, 205, 207 and
ZU4 Can1Ornla street, SAID.
Will we give preference to the San Joaquin
Valley Railroad2 Well, should say So every
day in the week. The valley road is the thing
we want.
s. Koshland, 900 California street, said ::
am an old-timer here as q merchant and
know how the merchants, the farmers and the
consumers have been squeezed by the Southern
Pacific Company. Yes, most decidedly l will
give preference to the competing road. That
railroad will be great thing for San Fran
cisco. | expect to see the great wheat ship
ments that are now sent to Port Costa trans
ferred to this city. Big warehouses viii doubt
less be built here and hundreds OF men in this
city will be given employment.
Ferguson, Moor & Co., grain shippers
80 California street, expressed themselves
through Mr.. Ferguson as follows:
The question as to whether or not we will
itself. OF course we will give it preference
when we can. There can be no hesitation
over choice in the matter However, it seems
to me little early to go on record.i
Isaac Upham of Payot, Upham & Co.
said:
My position in this matter is so well under
stood by the public that it is almost needless
for me to make an expression. will say, how
ever, as business man and in the interest of
such, that any competition which the new road
supported by my house. We ship many thou
sands of dollars worth of goods down into the
San Joaquin Valley every year, and should
rates be even, which they surely must be, the
new road will have our trade. 1t must be re-
membered that the question of shipment of
! goods does not rest alone with US. Our Gus
toners can demand the route and how they
shall be shipped; but in view of this, re-
quested my statesmen in the valley to ascertain
! the feeling on this same proposition, and the
merchants say that the new road will get their
| trade.
| J. 81. Neustadter of the firm of Neu-
stadter Brothers, jobbers and importers OF
clothing and mems furnishing goods at
| Pine and Sansome streets, said:
| I will support the new road-our new road
| on every occasion. You can even say that
should rates be higher will lend every effort
! in my power to advance its interest. I do a
| large business down in the valley and have
many friends. / can answer for nearly every