The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-28

route between this city and Puget Sound
ports. The passenger rate was placed at
SO, reduction of s. from that charged
by the regular steamers of the Pacific
Coast Steamship Company, and a slight
reduction was also made in freight rates.
Business continued to gradually increase
Tor the Faralloni and soon she had all she
could carry. Her success, however, ma
terlally lnterfered with the revenue of the
old steamship company, which had previ-
ousIy had complete monopoly of the
trade.
About two months ago the latter COM
panY lnaugnrated rate war, hut it's cuts
were each time promptly met by its plucky
and daring rival with the result that pas
sengers can now travel by water to Seattle
and other sound ports in first-class style for
50 and 81 80 in the ,steerage whenever the
FGrallon sails, which is twice a month
On theehf1ing dates of the FaraIlon the old
line plJs its fare down to the same figures,
but on the intermediate sailing dates of its
steamers it exacts all the traffic will bear,
ranging from $40 TO SIS for first-class ac-
commodations TO IS to 81 50 for second
class.
OF late freight rates, too, have been
slashed into unmercifully. Where few
months ago not pound of merchandise
was carried for less than Sc ton, and as
high as SIS was paid, shipments can now be
made at the rate of 81 q ton. This is the
rate on the Farallon and on the steamers
OF the Pacific Coast line which sail on the
dates approximating these departures
of the Faralfon. At all other times the old
rates. are charged.
The direct result Of this warfare has been
to create an unprecedented current of
travel both to the north and to this city
as these rates hold good in either direction.
The Farallon is taxed to her utmost ca
pacity on each trip, as are also the vessels
OF the other line. The FaralIon people
however, refuse to sell tickets to more
passengers than can be accommodated
with berths, while the rival company re-
fuses no application for passage, allowing
the late corners to find sleeping accommo-
dations where best they can.
The resulting reduced freights have
greatly stimulated trade between this city
and the sound, more particularly in lines
of goods that it did not pay to- ship under
the old. rates. Among other things coal is
being brought here for 81 less per ton than
usual.
connection has also been formed by
the West Coast Steam Navigation Com
pany with the Alaska Steamship Com
pany, which operates the steamer Willapa
between Port Townsend and Alaska,
whereby they have forced a reduction in
the passenger rates to Alaskan points from
SO to $40 in the cabin and from $17 80 to
SO in the steerage: The great rush that
IS now being made for the Alaska gold
fields is. no doubt, in great part induced
by these low fares.
On next Saturday a new combatant will
enter the field, the third participant being
the Oregon Railway and Navigation Com
pany, which operates line of steamers be-
tween this port and Portland. On the day
mentioned this company will adopt a re-
duced schedule for fares, making cabin
passage $l2 instead Of &c. and storage So
in place of IS. They were unwillingiy
forced into the fight, as many people were
taking advantage of the cheap fares to
sound points to go to Portland, via Seattle
and Tacoma, thereby affecting saving on
the rate charged direct to Portland.
If the combat is maintained much longer
even the Southern Pacific may be drawn
into it, on the ground of self-protection,
against. the reduced rates of the Oregon
Railway and Navigation. On and after
Saturday intending passengers for Port
land wall have the chance of travelling to
that city at a cost of $40, exclusive of berth
and meals, on the Southern Pacific trains,
or for $12, including both berth and meals,
by steamer, the latter being virtual re-
duction of more than one-half