The San Francisco call., 1898-01-18
AS SEEN BY
 HUGH CRAIG
A Years Progress Discussed by the Well-KnOwn BuSi-
 ness Man.
The Presidents Forthcoming Report to the Chamber of Com
 nerce.

The report of Hugh Craig, the reelected president of the Chamber of Commerce, has been prepared in advance, and will be delivered to the members of that body at the annual meeting which is to be held this afternoon. The document was written by the president just prior to his departure to Mexico, and in his absence will be presented by the secretary. MT. Craig in introducing his report, congrat- ulates the chamber in having success fully closed its forty-eightn year, and re- aliZed the hope of the opening for in- creased prices in agricultural staples. In addition he says:
 anee for home consumption, at reasonable prices. but have large surplus for export oil. The of hope is shining for the husbandman. To him the year has been Of exceptional prosperity resulting in the liquidation of mortgages and arrears of in- terest, estimated to be not less than 10 per cent of the gross farm mortgage liability of the State. Instead of being weary. Respondent and sick at heart the producer has taken a new lease of life. encouraged to work with will in achieving fortune by direct alliance with mother earth.
 Our bank returns affirm the jublate, show those off lsss o Our pf beet growers ana lecturers of sugar have enjoyed exceptional development and our midocean colony Is har vesting a phenomenal crop of sugar gladden. ing the heart of the seaman. the shipowner the lumberman and the commission agent.
 He stated that the fisheries have yield ed abundantly, and domestic interstate and foreign commerce have responded to the general impulse of prosperity The trustees have endeavored to forward the interests or the city and State, and the stand of the chamber has always been for international arbitration of all yexatious questions. Upon ,-le subject Of excessive pilOtage MT. Craig speaks thus: Your officers were active ct Sacramento in the interests of reduced pilotage without suc- cess however. Vested interests were too strong for us-a sad commentary on the State Legislature to admit; that twenty pilots ana their henchmen at Sacramento have for forty years blocked reform, defied the shipping in- terests of san Francisco and public opinion We hope for better success year hence.
 The position of the chamber is well known to have been for sound money. and this fact is forcibly brought to the attention of the members. In his report the president makes special reference to the Nicaragua canal, and the progress made that great undertaking, and particular stress is laid on the compliment paid to the chambers former secretary. Captain Merry, who was appointed as Minister to the Central American States
 Attention is called to the petition of the chamber to the Treasury Department to have the growing commerce of the coast better protected by the establishment of an efficient patrol along the Alaskan also reiterated in the matter of annexa- tion of the Hawaiian Islands. and a few pleasant words are spoken on the brighter prospects of the mining industry in this State.
 A passing word of congratulation for the success of the belt railroad on the water front and the enterprise of the To- cal merchants in reaching out for the Klondike trade are made, and, after mentioning the decease of seven mem bers of the chamber, Mir. Craig prophe- sies successful year for 1898.
 The reports of the secretary. treasurer and librarian will also be presented Af- ter the regular business of the annual meeting is over the new officers, elected last week. will meet and organize.