The San Francisco call., 1898-03-15
He Is Said to Own Stock in a Transfer Com
 pany.
All Kinds of FavorS Easily Procured for His
 Friends.
He Denies the Charge, but Admits He Is an Enploye of the
 Private Concern.

There is a general howl going up among transfer and delivery men along the water front over the actions of Chief Wharfinger Root, and the air Is filled with mingled threats and exc crations.
 About a month ago a new transfer company known as the San Francisco Transfer Company sprung into exist ence. The names of the proprietors of this concern appear in the County Clerks office as George Grunewald, A. W. Johnson, Lemuel Lucas and James Gaffeny. The transfer men, however, claim that Chief Wharfnger George Root forms a large part of the com pany in the capacity of a silent part ner, and that he prostitutes his posi- ton in the most shameful manner to throw business in the way of his fav- orite company.
 Many instances are cited of compa- nies holding the right of way on steam CTS and steam schooners, and then, when the vessel would arrive in port and their agents attempt to board, they would be confronted with an iron clad statement to the effect that the San Francisco Transfer Company had the sole right of way on board that yes sel. 1t is also said that a short time previous to the incorporation of the new company Root informed the cap- tains of various vessels that in a short time he would have a favor to ask of them, and 1t has been noticed that the San Francisco company now has the right of way on these vessels.
 The favors that can be shown a steamship company by the Chief Wharfinger, without their being notice- able, are innumerable, while he can also subject them to any number of petty annoyances and delays without the appearance of their having been done Intentionally. If it is convenient for ship to lie at a certain pier or in a certain berth, the Chief Wharfinger can either assign her to that berth or can find a thousand and one reasons to keep her waiting for hours or assign her to some other berth. It makes lit- tie or no difference to a captain or owner what company has the privilege of soliciting the baggage on his ship, and if he can throw this privilege in the way of man who can do him favors In return it seems but natural that he should do so. e
 MT. Root emphatically denied that he owned any stock in the company or that he had made undue use of the in- ftuence of his position to procure traffic for it. All 1 have to do for the com pany," he said, ''is that I hold a po- sition as secretary and bookkeeper for it at salary: l own no stock in it, and only wish did. MT. Johnson Is a warm friend of mine and I have introduced him among friends on the water front, who l knew could give him plenty of work. What have done for MT. John son l would do for any other friend. The company was organized about month ago, and I was employed as sec retary at a stated salary. All receipts and bills naturally bear my name, and I suppose this has given the impression that had an interest in the company. When l close my office here at o'clock my duty to the Harbor Board has ended, and I believe that I am free to go and do as I choose. l then go up town, where I have another office, and look after the books of the transfer company.
 "Of course as it's employe, 1t is my duty to throw any work I can in its way, and I have also done so whenever I could without using my position here to back me up in it. If I owned stock in the company I would not deny 1t, as there is nothing in law to prevent me from going into the transfer busi- ness if l choose I am only restrained from having interest in shipping, hold ing mortgage on vessels, or acting as an agent for marine insurance. com pany. If these people wish to complain about my actions after I am through here they are at liberty to do so, but l know that they would not be able to prove that l have misused my position