The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
DESIRE
ALASKAN
Trade
San Francisco Surely the
Best 0utfitting Point in
the World.
MERCHANTS ARE NOW ALIVE.
Advantages Of the City to Be
Made Known to All Miners
and ProSpectors.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS ORGANIZE.
Joint Meeting of the Board of Trade
Chamber of Commerce and Mer-
chants Association Called.

Another meeting of merchants was held
in the assem- bly, room of the Mills build
ing yesterday afternoon to consider sug-
gestions and take measures to promote
trade between San Francisco and the
Alaskan country.
H. H. Sherwood, the chairman of the
meeting, was requested TO explain briefly
the objects of the Alaskan trade commit
tee. He said:
We all anticipate voluminous trade
next season. Seattle and Victoria are
turning every stone to secure the bulk Of
the business. Our plan Is to encourage
the dispatch of steamers direct to Dyea
and St. Michael from this port, and to
make the fact known throughout the East
that San Francisco is the best Quitting
point; that articles needed for an expedi-
tion TO the goldfelds can be purchased
cheaper here than anywhere else; that
supplies of all kinds are here In abund-
ance. and that the facilities for transpor-
tation are unequaled."
Mr.. Sherwood introduced to the mer-
chants J. ?. Cochran, manager Of the
Alaska and kiondike Bureau of Informa-
tion. MIR. Cochran briefly recited what
had been accomplished by individual ef-
fort. He had anticipated the demand for
information, and was In receipt OF many
letters seeking intelligence as to routes,
the cost of Quitting and the dates OF sail
ing:
'The greatest interest is manifested in
the East" said Mr. Cochran. Il have
bundle of letters here which l will trans
fer to your secretary. In the East parties
of FIVE, ten, twenty and forty are organ
izing. Fifty thousand people may come
here next year en- route to Alaska. L
know as a matter OF fact that Seattle and
Victoria are away ahead of Us in present
ing information to those who are talking
oil trip TO the goldhelds.'
Hugh Craig, president OF the Cham Der
of Commerce, ubmitted to the com mittee
a CODY of the annual reports of the Board
of Trade of British Columbia, which had
been Literally circulated in all parts of the
world. Special reference is therein made
to the advan tages in the matter OF exemp-
tion from duty that miners Quitting at
Victoria will enjoy.
"All around US" said Mr.. Craig, "are
active business men who are alive to the
benefits of the Alaskan trade. So far as
the Chamber of Commerce is concerned
can assure you that we are heart and soul
with you in this effort TO advance the
commercial interests OF San Francisco"
Mr.. Engelberg doubted the policy of re-
ferring in the circulars of the committee
10 any other point than San Francisco.
Special care should be taken to throw no
mud at Seattle, Tacoma or Victoria.
The suggestion was adopted as the sense
of the meeting.
The question of active cooperation of
the Board of Trace, Cham Der of Com
merce and Merchants Association
through the Alaskan trade com mittee
was discussed at length.
The names OF Hugh Craig and Mr.. Nick
elsberg were added TO the committee on
promotion and publicity. 1t was decided
to add to the transportation committee
one mem ber of the Chamber OF Commerce
and one member of the Board of Trade.
A resolution was adopted to invite a rep
resentation of the Ship-owners Associa-
tion.
Mr.. Sherwood believed that transporta-
tion companies and individuals sending
steamers direct from San Francis co should
have the support OF the comm ttee and
that ships dispatched by well-known and
responsible men should be listed on the
committees records.
Next Tuesday afternoon, at the rooms
of the Board of Trade, there is to be g.
joint meeting of the Chamber OF Com
merce Board of Trade and the Merchants
Association representatives.. The meet.
ing will be under the auspices of the
Alaskan trade com mittee. 1t is proposed
that districts should be mapped out and a
cam pdlgu lnSllIuIeu 10 raise money TO aQ-
vance the Interests of San Francisco in
the Alaskan trade.
As an illustration OF some of the wild
notions entertained in the East about
Alaska, Mr.. Nickelsberg handed to the
chairman an advertising poster of the Co
lumbia Trading and Navigation Company
of New York. The mall poster announces
The proposed sailing OF the steamship
"City of Columbia" from New YORK on
December l for South American ports,
San Diego. San Francisco, Portland, Ia
coma, Seattle and Alaska. The poster
says: THE first trip is direct to Skaguay
and Dvea. Through passengers are taken
by our river boats to Klondike gold
fields.'
Hugh Craig presented to the meeting a
series of resolutions In respect 10 the
memory of G. +. Smurr. The resolu-
tions express sense of the loss that the
commercial community has sustained in
the death of Mr.. Smurr. The memorial