The San Francisco call., 1898-03-10
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 CHICAGO, March 9.-There is a pos sibility that the trouble over transcon- unental rates between the Canadian Pacific and the roads of the United States may be settled next week.
 Chairman Caldwell of the Western Passenger Association received a joint telegram signed by Chairman Donald of the Central Passenger Association and Commissioner Farmer of the Trunk Line Association asking if the Western ~ roads would agree to meet the lines of the Central Association and of the - Trunk Line Association in New York next Tuesday. It is understood that the Canadian Pacific will also be repre- sented at the meeting. Chairman Cald- we'll replied for the Western roads to the effect that they would be repre- sented- Nothing further than this is known by the Western roads, but they say that they are willing to do all they honorably can to settle the troubles be- tween the American lines and the Ca nadian Pacific.
 The meeting of the Western roads called for to-day to consider the best thing to do in relation to the last cut
 
 did not result in anything of impor- tance. It was agreed that the Grand Trunk line shall be allowed to make flat rates from New England points to North Pacific Coast points for the pur- pose of meeting the competition of the Canadian Pacific if it desires to do so. This was the only thing done at the meeting, the balance of the session be- ing taken up by routine matters.
 
 Vice. President J. C. Stubbs of the Southern Pacific WaXes wroth when the criticisms to which his company have recently been subjected in the daily press are referred to. While not blaming the Pacific Coast Steamship Company for the stand it has taken in - the present rate war, and while ac- knOWledging that it is good business policy for the owners of the vessels to make all the hay they can while the sun is shining, he claims it is at their door, and not at the door of the South -ern Pacific, that the complaints of mer- chants who wish to see the Klondike travel come through San Francisco should be laid.
 The rates as they now stand be- twen St. Paul and Puget Sound ports 4 are $20 first class and $10 second class. AThe rates between San Francisco and St. Paul are $25 and $15 over the Can adian Pacific.
 Now, said MT. Stubbs, where does this S5 additional come in if it is not the steamer charge from this port to Vancouver? If the steamer rate is So between these two points, and the steamship people can make profit at such a figure, why do they charge a SIP and $6 rate from here to Seattle?
 Now, mind you, I do not blame them for so doing. But if the ner- chants of this city think they Have a right to complain, why don't they first a Ut people with the view of Lqualizing matters on water travel and then come to us for a reduction instead Of blaming US for not coming down to the cut rate level, when we would, by so doing. not only be obliged to cut as much off our regular rates as do the Northern roads, but to absorb the steamer rates as well, thus not only carrying people for nothing, but going down into our pockets for the SIP and s6 difference from here to Seattle?
 Have you made any proposition to the steamship people looking toward the equalization of things?
 'I have talked about this matter un- iii I am sick. but nothing has come Of It."
 While Mir Stubbs was speaking tel egram from Chicago was brought In, giving news of a rumor to the effect that on March Il the Canadian Pacific would institute still further cut from St Paul to Seattle, making rate or $5 between those points. If such proves to be the case it is a foregone conclu- sion that the American roads will meet it, and fares will have about reached bedrock.
 As matters now are, rates have been cut to nearly the lowest level possi- ble. and the Canadian Pacific, in order to maintain the differential, which has caused all the trouble, would have to pay passengers for the privilege of car rying them Consequently the war has resolved itself into question of stay ing ability, and 1t only remains to be seen whether the American roads will weaken and allow the differential, or whether the Canadian Pacific will be forced to agree to an equal rate.