The herald., 1897-09-22
THE FIRST TRIP
MANY MERCHANTS VISITED SAN
PEDRO YESTERDAY
To See the Steamer Albion, Which
Takes the First Shipment Of
Goods to Mexico


chants and Manufacturers association,
among them many of the most promi-
nent business men of Los An
geles, accepted the invitation Of
the Terminal Railway company
yesterday ard journeyed to San
Pedro in a special train. In the cars
provided for the guests, there were at
tentive walters presiding over huge
punch bowls and piles of succulent sand
wiches, which beguiled the excursionist
upon the way.
The cause CT the junket was the leav-
ing of the steamer Albion for Mexican
ports. This boat is the Columbus of Cal
ifornia- Mexico trade. and her initial trip
means good deal more than appears
at first glance. BY strenuous efforts the
Terminal officials and the Merchants
and Manufacturers association sue
ceeded in making San Pedro the north
ern terminus of the line. instead of San
Diego. as was first proposed. The mer-
chants and manufacturers of Los Arge-
les are going to use this boat as vehi-
Gle for spying out the land, and have
sent emissaries to report upon the con-
dition Of trade in Mexico, the class of
goods desired, the prices the Mexicans
will pay, the terms of credit, in fact, to
make a thorough investigation of trade,
so that much of it may be diverted to
Los Angeles. Consequently. many Of
the merchants and manufacturers are
N in nj
the trial trip of the Albion.
All the visitors showed a commenda-
BILE spirit of curiosity regarding the ton
mage and general appurtenances of the
ship, peering into cubby holes. and as
suming nautical attitudes upon various
portions of the vessels framework A
party, headed by Max Meyberg, climbed
on the foredeck and were photographed
Captain Milton Thwing, who is in COM
mand, was kept busy answering ques-
tions, and proudly pointing out his own
cabin, roomy apartment about Aka
Captain Thwing displayed an ingenious
arrangement whereby, when he retired,
he could put his head out of one port
hole, and his feet out Of the other, and
thus always keep his extremities cool.
This he considers great point in the
climate he is seeking. He also passed
around a box Of Mexican cigars, the
receptacle apparently having been
struck by cyclone when he sadly re-
turned it to the diminutive cabin.
The Los Angeles firms who have con-
tributed the seventy tons of freight
shipped from the Terminal wharf are
Wigmore & Co.. Craig. Stuart & Co.,
Kerckhoff, Gunner Lumber company,
and Baked iron works The shipment
includes various kinds of furniture,
groceries, wagon and buggy material
and lumber, both rough and finished.
In addition, Maier & Zobeleir, Simon
Maier, NJ A .Newmark & Co., and the
Los Angeles Soap company, (Forthmann
to look UP the trade conditions from
Mazatlan to San Benito.
The ship Albion will touch at the var
ious ports along the coast, Ensenada,
San Quintin, where 1900 sacks of flour
will be shipped, Mazatlan, Montenillo,
Acapulco, Salina Cruz and San Benito,
being the most important places, be-
sides stopping at a number Of small m
termediate stations.
The round trip, it Is expected, will
occupy about thirty-six days. On the
second trip, several of the Los Angeles
merchants expect to go to Mexico.
though this depends entirely upon the
reports brought back to each firm by its
agent.