The San Francisco call., 1896-02-04
.FREIGHTS TO THE NORTH.
A Letter Of Suggestion Sent Out
by the Traffic Associ.
alton.
1t Points Out How Trade May Be
Increased in Oregon and
Washington.

Traffic Manager w. B. Curtis OF the
Traffic Association of California has issued
the following self-explanatory letter to the
members of the association:
The trade of San Francisco has for some time
felt that it was Handicapped in Ore
gon and Washington owing to the COM
petition of Portland, Or, and Seattle
to an adjustment of freight rates from San
Francisco not consistent with our position.
The difference between rates-say from Port
land, Or, to interior Washington and from San
Francisco to the same points-has been so
great as to almost stife competition from this
City; or at least make it next to impossible for
San francisco merchant to do business there
at profit.
This rate adjustment is brought about by an
agreement between the Oregon Railway and
Navigation Company, the Northern Pacific
Railroad, the Southern Pacific Com paaly the
Great Northern Railroad and the Pacific Coast
Steamship Company.
not be willing signers, but are swayed by the
majority.
Therefore, the best interests of the San Fran
cisco trade demand that some step be taken
to strengthen its position in the territory men,
toned, and we should therefore lend support
to the line or lines that would extend to US
helping hand
statement is attached showing the rates in
effect via the Southern Pacific Company's all
rail line, with the published tariff OF the Ore
gon Railway and Navigation Company, or the
Northern Pacific Railroad, as compared with
the rates obtainable by patronizing the steam
ers Alice Blanchard or Empire to Ka]ama or
Portland. plus the local rates of the Northern
Pacific Railroad.
The rates in effect on the steamers Alice
Blanchard and Empire apply upon weight or
measurements and at present time are 81 per
ton from San Francisco to Kalama or Portland.
For oil points shown in this paper you should
consign via Kalama, wnere transfer is effected
and delivery made to the Northern Pacific Rail-
road Company.
The Oregon Railway and Navigation Com
pany has put on steamer 10 ply between
freight at 81 per ton. This action is in direct
opposition to San Francisco's best interests, as
it serves to draw trade from this port
The North Pacific Steamship Company, own
ing and operating the steamers Alice Blanch-
ard and Empire, do not take freight SOUTH
bound from Portland to way ports at less than
So per ton..
lieye that any line can long continue to exist
at rate of ST. per ton from San Francisco to
Portland, yet when it comes to point where
the lines again agree to and do advance rates
we should aim to be in position to say that
rates shall not advance beyond a reasonable
figure, and to that end the support given to the
Alice Blanchard and Empire will work.
The rates named in the attached sheets are
made by adding 5 cents per 100 pounds-$1
per ton--to the local rates applying from Port
land inland. These rates will therefore apply
only when your shipments go at actual weight.
If taken by steamer at measurement your rate
will be increased by the dife renee in the meas
urement weight over the actual weight. Steam
ers OF this line sail from pier 13-VaIejo-street
wharf.-the next sailing being the Empire, Feb
ruary7, 1876.
The table referred to in this letter shows
that the differences in favor of the line
supported by the Traffic Association range
from 10 to Is per cent.