The San Francisco call., 1897-11-02
TO FIGHT FOR
COUNTRY TRADE
Aims and Objects Of the
Merchants Freight
Association.
Determined to Have Lower
Rates on Goods Sent
Over the Coast.
No Intention of Cutting Into the
Business of the Sister
Cities.

The executive committee Of the Mer-
chants Freighting Association held an in.
formal meeting last evening for the pur-
pose of discussing the outlook for putting
San Francisco on better basis as job
bing and commercial city; also to take
such action as to disabuse the minds Of
many as to the aims and objects of the
organization. 1t was explained that there
is no desire TO place a competing line OF
steamers on the coast to run opposition to
the old established lines but to take such
steps as are necessary to make the latter
modify their present high rates for
freight.
As one OF the committeeman said:
What we propose to do is to raise fund
OF sufficient siZs so that we will be in po-
sition to demand that the Oregon Railway
and Navigation Company modify their
rates of freight so that the merchants and
iobbers Of this city can at least compete
with those in the East. Now the people
of the North can send to the East and get
their goods cheaper than we, who are
thousands of miles nearer, can sell for.
The reason for this is that the eamshlp
lines complained of have their com blna-
tions with the railroads, and they actually
discriminate against this city in favor OF
the n northern termini- The same can be said
of the South. They pre- er to have their
steamers go empty rather than that we
should have the chance to sell outside OF
the territory they have allotted TO Us.
Now, what we propose TO do Is to tell
them, If YOU will not reduce the rates we
will subsid.z, other lines OF steamers and
red uce the rates ourselves This we are
now preparing to accom- plish. Ii we don't
,-;t ba hi0 Iau of
q commercial city. TO cite one instance
sho, costs ST per 100 pounds to send TO
San Diego. 1t costs 50 from New York
and $6 sent around the Horn. We want
to encourage intercoast trade and with
the fund that we are gathering as
guarantee fund we will accomplish
our ends. We have the promise OF $780,
900 and large amount OF this mas oeen
subscribed. This fund is simply 10 guar
antee any steamship company with whom
we do business against loss.
with a large mum Der Of subscribers on
our list we Will be able TO stand any cut
ting in the rates by the old lines that they
may make. What is the most desired is
that the present companies will see the
folly OF trying 10 dictate 10 this city how
far its merchants shall go in the way oil
extending their trade. Th, is not fight
against aav of our sister clties, but TO help
them bv ca ching heir overt1 Nv trade. IL
is fight that is purely i'm persona. and
does not move in favor of any line OF bust
ue.s, but is in favor OF all lines OF trade.
There were about a dozen me mbers OF
the com mittec present, and all approved OF
he expressions uttered. 1t was decided
that the committee should be segregated
so that those best ad apted should visit, at
once, the manufacturers, jobbers, real es-
tate dealers and property -owners, lnsur-
ance mep banks and all other branches OF
business and trade with u view OF geIiing
their support in the movement.
The report was made that the soliciting
committees had been very successful in
their work during the past week, and the
major part of the desired amount il now
in sight. However there is more work TO
be done, and to-day several committees
will start out and continue on the lines
followed recently. All seem thoroughly
in earnest and determined to effect the
desired end. The chairman was author
izad to secure all the help that is neces-
sary to rush the work along. Letters will
be sent TO al The leading jobbers in the
city with the object OF securing their CO.
operation in this movement.
The committee Is greatly gratified that
1t has secured the help of the Manufacture
ers' and Producers Association in this
work At the last meeting of this body
President Kerr was directed to appoint
committee 10 help, and yesterday he made
the following selection:
Mr.. Meese OF Clot IL Meese; Julian Sonntag
of the Giant Powder Company; Z. d. Code OF
Code Elfe,t d Co.; Lincoln Lawars o. the Cali
iornIa Ink ompany; J. II. Fisher OF the
Fisher Packing Company; V. Stow of Thomas
Day Company; N. Clark of n Clark 4 Sons;
E. t. Allen of L. T. Allen & Co.; Rudolpl
Mohr OF the Brewers Associ alton; Henry
Bohls OF Henry Bohls & Co.. ; A. l. Bryan of
A. L Bryan Shoe Company; Mr.. Mallett OF
Bush & Mallett Com psny; Mr.. Nckelsburg of
Calm, Nickesbur & Co.; j. A. Roster OF the
Caiifornla Barrel Company; Martin Holje OF
California Cotton Mills; Louis oaroni OF l..
Saroni & Co.; Claus Schilling OF C. schili 6
& Co.; Mr.. Newell of the S;lby Smelling
and Lead Works; NJ. H. Cook OF the II. n.
Cook citing Company; Thomas Thomson of
Thoms' Bridge Company; w. p. Fuller OF
W. p Fuller & Co.; Frank b. Sumner of Sum-
ner Tanning Company;J J. Mahony OF Mahony
Brothers; B. +. Garratt of W. I Garratt e. Co