The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-08-05
Japanese Steamer Men Examine
San Francisco Bay
WILL SUBMIT PROPOSITIONS
After Another Conference With the Har.
Dor Commissioners
Railroad Commission at Work on the TemecuIa
Route Observation-Disclosures Of Grain
Rate Manipulation
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated fTeSS special wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, aug. 1.-THE har-
Dor commissioners today had talk with
the Toxic capitalists who are looking
up and down this coast with a view to
deciding on a terminus for the new
Japanese steamer line to be known as
the Oriental Steamship company. Pres
ident Sorchiro Asano acted as spokes-
man for the party of Oriental visitors,
and in good English explained the mis-
sion of himself and comrades in this
country. They We're endeavorins to as
certain which was the best port for their
steamers to enter.
President Colon stated that every pos
sibe advantage of San Francisco har-
Dor would be afforded the Japanese bust
ness men at the lowest possible rates. If
a location on the city front were select
ed by them the harbor commission would
equip it with such structures as were
desired and at the very lowest rental
The Japanese seemed pleased with the
reception and treatment accorded them.
Mr.. Asano is now entertaining propo-
stion from G. w. McNear, who has
offered the Oriental company the free
use of his wharves and docks if it would
make Port Costa its terminus. II is said
the Japanese are giving much consid-
Grafton to Mr.. McNears plan, as they
expect to engage largely in freighting
business. President Asano left for San
Diego this evening. to give the chamber
of commerce of that city hearing.
THE TEMECULA ROAD
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 4.-The railroad
commissioners resumed the hearing to-
day in the matter of the abandoned
Temecula branch If the Southern Cali
fornia railroad.
F. G.. PERKS, chief engineer of the COM
pany, testified as to the washouts that
had occurred in the Temecula canyon
and the cost of repairing of the damage.
X. II. Wade general manager of the
Southern California railroad, explained
the company's reasons for not repair
ing and operating the abandoned line.
He said that the Temecula branch did
not pay and it would take $20O,O to
put it in permanent running shape. This
closed the testimony and the arguments
were begun.
The commissioners will leave for the
north tomorrow afternoon.
JUGGLED GRAIN RATES.
CHICAGO, Aug. 4.-The interstate
commerce commission held an adjourn
ed meeting in this city today, to investl-
gate the grain rate manipuations at
Kansas City in connection with the re-
consigning practice at that place.
Freight Agent COPYRIGHT of the Alton
and A. G. Bartlett of Fraser, Bartlett &
Co, grain merchants of this city, were
to-
sioners Morrison, Clements, Knapp and
Yeomans were present and Judge Day
of Washington was the attorney for the
government. The object of the nvesti-
cation is to find out just how the re-
consigning practice at Kansas City
serves to cut the rates on grain. All the
witnesses acknowledged the existence
of this practice, and the two railroad
officials said also that the scheme was
open to illegal practices. The commits
missioned Joint Agent Maegley of Kan
sas City to appear and produce all
books, correspondence and other docu-
mentary evidence of his office to show
the modus operandi of this practice. AS
Maegley's evidence, if given, would, it
is said, be to the disadvantage of several
railroads, he is reported to have been
instructed to absolutely refuse to pro-
duce the documentary evidence asked
for on the ground that he is not a rail-
way officer but an officer of railroad
association, and that the commissions
juridiction does not extend to railroad
associations. If Maegley refuses to tes-
tify the commission will have an oppor-
tunity to assert it's acquiesced authority
under the Brown decision by commit
ting him to Jail.
The st. Louis and San Francisco road
has given notice that it will withdraw
from the Western Passenger associa-
ton August 81, on account of the re-
fusal of the Missouri Kansas and Texas,
the Fort Scott the and Plttsburg and
Gulf roads to join the organization.