The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-20
BY WAY OF REMINDER.

THAT the Wells-Fargo Express Company Is
trying to evade the payment of its just share Of
war taxes has been related. To the story needs
only to be added that there is much indignation
this fragrant act of unpatriotism. People were slow
to believe that vast corporation, protected by the
Government, making additional profits by reason Of
the war; would refuse to pay its share of the
penses, while citizens in every walk OF life pay
ing and making no protest and asking questions
But it is even So Wells-Fargo, rich and growing
richer declines to contribute Is there law greater
than Wells Fargo? Is there statute superior to
the will Of J. J. Valentinee
Records show that 90 per cent of the profits OF
the Wes-Fargo concern comes from California pa
trons and that most OF the stock held in the East
While the matter is national rather than sectional it
is irritating circumstance that institution de-
pending largely upon this State for its income should
demean itself in so small and contemplate.
In way its course is reflection upon the State,
and yet in responding to every demand made by its
country for and money, California has been
prompt and willing 1t touches the popular pride
that concern so thoroughly Californian should be
derelct 1t Is fair to say that the blame for this
attitude OF greed rests upon President Valentine.
Some of his associates recognize the fact that he
wrong in principle, and that the law is directly
against him, but they are helpless.
ter to test. The express company contends that
patrons must pay the tax which Congress declared
the company must pay Let somebody offer
package for carriage and refuse to pay for the
nue. stamp. Then, if the company decline to comply
with the regulations OF Congress, complaint be
made, and the question brought to speedy issue.
Of course the company is wrong, and of course it
is of this fact but have rebuked, to have
the prescribed penalty imposed, would tend to expel
it from the path of error and at the time afford
lesson to others prone to sneak out OF response
bility. Wes-Fargo has not much as the back
ing of technically. Its position is VIGOROUSLY
contrary to the letter and spirit of the revenue
bill 1t simply defes the law, because none has had
the, courage to bring it to terms. The courts are
open and the first to have the company hailed to the
bar will be doing his country service. And when
the corporation has been ordered to bear its portion
of the common load, there will remain to it the duty
of refunding the sums illegally taken from the people
who have patronized it.
But ingrattude as we'll as lack of patriotism, can
be charged against Wels-Fargo. 1t has enjoyed
special privileges and has not seemed to appreciate
them. 1t is within the province OF the Legislature
to exact from it a license. In some States this
license is per cent OF the profits Nothing of the
kind has been done here, but the attitude of the
company is such to invite unfriendy legislation.
A percentage OF profits would be no small Inquire.
The Wells Fargo Company organized with cap
ital of S6ooo,ooo and upon this sum paid dividends
of per cent until 1894 although only 100000 had
been paid in. At that time the capital stock
arbitrarily raised to ooo and since then per
cent has been the annual to stockholders. Be
sides this, it has accumulated reserve fund Of
100000. Yett does not want to help swell the
war fund. Ingratitude most unreasoning and
foolish
To such selfish procedure is due the hatred Of cor
porations the howl of the anarchist the Coxey army
Yet Wells Fargo had been held in high esteem. 1t
wantonly sacrifices its reputation. Already, in
Southern California, steps have been taken to pros
ecute it crimnally and civilly, and radical has
been the change of feeling the company would
have done we'll to cultivate everybody in California
will be glad to see it fined for sharp practice and
branded as public offender.