The San Francisco call., 1897-11-10
A PROTEST.
AGAINST DYEA
The Alaskan Trade Com
mittee Wishes the New
Port Closed.
Claims That American Mer-
chants Cannot Compete With
British Ones.
The Committee Will Start an Active
Canvass of the City This
Morning.

The committee of merchants and man
ufacturers which is seeking to boom San
Francisco as an outtitting point for Alas
kan miners net yesterday afternoon and
discussed the question generally in all its
different phases. A great deal of enthusi-
asm was aroused. the general opinion be-
ing that if the miner wished 10 outfit in
America at all he would come to this city
to DO sc-but here is just where the rub
comes in.
While supplies may be purchased just
as cheaply in this country as in Canada
the purchaser will be obliged 10 pay a duty
OF 20 per cent to carry them through the
British possessions, while on the other
hand the opening of Dyea and Skaguay as
sub ports of entry will allow him to pur-
chase them in Victoria and carry them on
to the mines duty free. This was consid-
cred a very serious matter, and the Secre-
tary of the Treasury was roundly scored
for the part he had taken. A committee
was appointed which will at once confer
with the authorities at Washington and
endeavor to have these ports closed. as
they rob the American merchant OF much
legitimate profit.
While negotiations on this phase of The
question are going on other matters Will
not be allowed to go asleep. Another
COMMITTEES will start out early this morn
ing to make an active canvass of the city
and every prominent business man will
be requested to subscribe something to
swell the amount necessary to success
fully carry on the work.
On motion OF Thomas J. Parsons the
following resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS. It is apparent that during the
coming year vast number of people win go
from all par is OF the world to Alaska and the
Klond ke gold fields; and whereas. it Is ex-
ceedingly important that SAP Francisco mer-
chants should secure q large portion of the
traffic that is sure TO result; and whereas
prompt and vigorous action is necessary
the refore be 1t
Resolred, That it is the sense of this meet
ing, composed OF representatives of the Boa d
of Trade, the Merchants Associatlou, the
Chamber of commerce, transpor a ton COM
panies, the State Board of Trade, California
development committee and otner organiza-
tions, that immediate steps be taken TO adver-
tise San Francisco as an outfitting point; and
be it
Resolped, That bureau OF information be
estA biished.
Resoired, That every one having the welfare
OF San Francisco at heart, whether directly
connected with the trade of Alaska or not,
should at this time 10 all poss bic to further r
the work of the committee; and be it still
further
ResoIued, That the Alaska trade committee
be ques ted to call upon every business man
capitalist and property-owner in the city to
subscribe literally to the fund necessary for
that work.
A letter has been sent out to the busi-
ness men giving a general history of the
movement since its inception and setting
out distinctly the great advantage it will
be 10 local merchants TO secure the drift of
this trade, which will certainly be enor.
nous, as it computes that at least 100. 900
men will go out in the spring with full
equipment, averaging about 400 pounds
ner man. The iett'r says:
Other cities are spending many thousands of
dollars to get the trade. II Is propOs ed by the
committee to es tab.ish an informa ton bureau
from VIII ch inquiries will be answered, and
all kinds of literature descriptive of the bene-
hts to be gained by purchasing outfits here
will be sent broadcast throughout the United
States and foreign countries.
II will also have on exhi bition at its head
quarters samples OF all kinds of articles needed
by those contemplating northern trip, and
it will be prepared TO quote prices, show how
packing should be done, assist visitors in get
ting what they want and prevent their being
imposed upon.