The herald., 1897-02-19
A FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION
Transcontinental Railway Re.
vision Recommended
METAL MEN IN COUNCIL
Protection of Interests, Not COmbina.
tion, Their Object
Essays and Papers Upon Timely Topics-Re-
ports OF Ofiicers-Visiting Dele
gates Banqueted

The Pacific Coast Hardware and
Metal association met at the West
minister hotel at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning.
In the absence of President Dunham,
who was detained at San Francisco by
the serious illness of his wife, the meet
ing was called to order by Vice Presi-
dent Reynolds of this city.
Both morning and afternoon sessions
were held and considerable business
was transacted.
Resolutions were passed recommend
ing to the transcontinental railways a
revision of classification metals, hard
ware and stoves, from that covered by
the existing tariff
A number of essays were read prom
inent among them being one upon How
to Improve the Condition of the Metal
Business" and How to Reduce the Ex-
pense of Handling Goods"
The report of the delegate who re-
Gently attended the annual meeting of
the national organization held at Chi
cago was presented.
Among the important papers read was
one upon How to Improve the Services
of Travelling Statesmen and the Mini
mum Expense Upon the Road" Nat
urally much discussion followed. an es-
sential point being how to reduce pas
senger rates. This subject will be taken
up at todays session, and an indorse-
ment given to the plan recently adopted
py many eastern roads for the issue of
an exchangeable mileage ticket cover
ing 5000 miles
1t was determined to increase the ex-
ecutive committee by three, and the
present committee was empowered to
select the new members.
The present secretary. Mr.. Frank l..
Brown, rendered his resignation, which
was not accepted. the association being
10th to dispense with the valuable SER
vices of Mr. Brown. But as the secre-
taryship is an honorary position, the eX-
ecutive committee was authorized to
employ an assistant secretary at
stipulated salary to relieve Mr. Brown of
the detail work.
At the meeting of the association held
last November at San Francisco. Mr..
A. c. Rulofson was appointed delegate
to the national association, it being the
desire of the Pacific coast organization
to cooperate with the national body.
Yesterday much time was given to the
consideration of the report of this dele
gate. embracing recommendations for
action on the lines of the national asso-
citation.
Next year 1t is expected that large
number of eastern delegates will meet
with the Pacific coast members at Port
land.
The members now in convention here
are very desirous of having it known
that there is no combnat ton, and no
intention of advancing prices. The aim
of the association is for the exchang,
of opinions upon the best mode of con-
Quoting business by reducing expenses
wherever possible. consistent with best
results. and to protect the trade in
various localities from encroachments
without the natural territory. The main
object is the exchange of ideas upon bus
mess matters. AS natural sequence
social Intercourse is encouraged.
Last night the visiting delegates were
the guests of the Los Angeles merchants
1T q banquet given at the Hotel Van
Nuys
The San Francisco gentlemen were
both surprised and pleased by the ex-
hibtion of good fellowship shown and
the hospitality showered upon them by
their Los Angeles brethren. Mirth and
wit ruled the gathering until the small
hours of the morning
The press committee is composed of
Messrs. RulOfson of San Francisco and
Wigmore of Los Angeles