The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-13
THE TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION
The Principal Officers Resign
and New Members Are
Elected.
Permanent Reorganization Will
Take Place at the Next Regu-
lar Meeting.

The reorganization of the Traffic Asso-
citation which has been talked of by the
members for some time past took place
yesterday afternoon, the principal officers
of the organization retiring from their po-
sitions and from the executive committee
and other members being elected to take
the places left vacant in the latter body.
1t had originally been intended that
those who retired yesterday should retain
their positions until the LIST of October, but
the conclusion was reached that if reor-
ganization was desirable, as had been init
mated by President Upham, it might as
well take place now as at any other time.
The secretary read designations from the
following: Isaac Upham of Payot, Upham &
Co., Robert Watt of the Langley & Michaels
Company, f. w. Van Sicklen of Dodge,
Sweeney & Co., Thomas Magee of Thomas
Magee & Sons and Alvinza Hayward. The
first three named were respectively presi-
dent, first vice president and second vice.
president of the association. In their
places the following were elected:
J. Curtis of Payot, Upham & Co., ii enry
Michaels of Langley & Michaels, B. h.
Schmidt of Tillmann & Bendel, A. J. Folger
of Folger & Co., Henry Williams of Viii
liams, Brown 81 Co., f. M. Dinkelspiel of
Dinkelspiel & Co.
Mr.. Upham's retiring address was pre-
sented as follows:
To the E1ecstiue Committee of the Traffic Asso-
citation = GENTLEMEN: Among others matters
enumerated in our bylaws as the objects of
this association are encouraging competitive
systems of railroads. When this association
was formed nearly four years ego we were COM
pletely hemmed in on all sides, so far as the
rates on overland freights were concerned.
The railroads were pooled against us, the Pa
cifc Mail Steamship Company and the clipper
ships were subsidized When the contract of
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and Pa
mama Railroad Company expired in the early
part of 1893 the Traffic Association raised
$500, 900, established the North American Nav
igation Company and entered into contract
with the Panama Railroad Company for COM
peting line to New York, since which time our
freight rates on irst-class goods are less than
alone has abundantly paid ms for our invest
ment and for all our time and trouble.
The overland question being satisfactorily
settled we next turned our attention to build
ing railroad through the great San Joaquin
Valley. After constant and persistent efforts
for more than one year we finally brought the
members OF this association and the capitalists
and large real estate owners together and the
result is we shall soon have competing rail-
road which will stand out in bold relief In the
history of this City as the browning work of
the Traffic Association of California.
1 have been honored with the position of
director of the Valley road and as this position
viii occupy all my spare time 1 hereby tender
my resignation as president OF the Traffic Asso-
citation and also as member of the executive
committee. believe you will have no diff
Guilty in finding plenty OF competent and loyal
citizens to fill the vacancies now existing in
the committee. You will find many very i'm
portant matters TO engage your attention.
propose to remain member of the association
and shall always be glad to render any as
sistance in my power. ] desire to thank the
members of this committee for the support
they have always given me and the many
courtesies extended while holding this honor
able position.
Resolutions thanking the retiring officers
for their efforts on behalf of the associa-
ton and the people of California were
adopted unanimously.
B. T. Durham, of the Durham, Carri-
gan e. Hayden Company, was elected tenn
porary chairman, and appointed the fol-
lowing committee to select nominees for
the offices left vacant by the designations
of Messrs. Upham, Watt and Van Sicklen
Messrs Curtis, Wheeler. Durham, Little
field and Michaels. The meeting adj
iourned to the call of the chair.
Mr.. Upham said after the meeting that
the association would permanently re-
organize at its next meeting, and that the
work which had begun so auspiciously
would be carried out.