The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-06
OAKLA AND WAS
THROWN OUT OF
THE DIRECTORY
Secret of the Row in
San Francisco.
HOT REPLY TO CRITICS
BOARD OF TRADE HAS NOT BEEN
SILENCED.
War Over Freight Rates Between Two
Cities Produces Some kilograms
and Lively Core
spondence.
HOT REPLY TO CRITICS
BOARD OF TRADE HAS NOT BEEN
SILENCED.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call

Oahldl4u OIIlCe san + TdnClSCO \ ID
90S Broadway, June ..
The severe criticism Of the ManufaC
turers and Producers Association of Sa
Francisco Of the Oakland Board @
Trade, published in the Cali of last Satur
day, has brought out the following state
ment from the executive committee OF IN
latter body:
The information contained in this article
was evidently furnished by some biased
party. And the writer must have thrown
his heart into the matter. Judging from the
headlines and the conclusions drawn.
stu, an interested party, one whose
freight rates have been increased anywhere
from Slolo to SO 90 year by reason Of the
UanipulatIous OF last year. can get a great
deal of meaning from the article.
This is where organized bodies
representing a minority of the shippers OF
California managed last year 10 secure
mixed Carload shippers The 6stensibie
object was 10 enable the large san Fran
cisco jotbers TO sell in competition with
Eastern houses and 10 stop the present drift
OF the retailer and consumer to reach the
producer direct. even II the small jObbers,
the retailers ard consumers have 10 be taxed
millions of dollars Z year in order to &C
Coupli=h It,
Perhaps a brief history Of the proceedings
Va pe the best way TO put the matter be-
lore the public. 50 that they may draw
their own conclusions:
The first move that attracted the atten-
tlcn or the Oakland Beard Of Trade was
the 0usting or one If its members without
any cause or resignation from the directory
OF tho Manufacturers and Producers Asso-
citation of California and al the same meet
Ing electlCg Mr.. Everett to fill the vacancy.
This Mr.. Everett was made chairman of
the traffic committee Of that body. Soon
Mr. Everett developed the champion
equalizer Il freight rates before the
Western Traffic Association, which met al
Monterey ana adjourned to Milwaukee. So
successful was the san Francisco delega-
tion. under the evident leadership Of Mr..
f.Ferett that this gentleman telegraphed
back. California IS saved Soon the new
freight schedules made their appearance.
and 10. there was an advance Of 30 to 100 per
cent on less than carload shipments west
bound. The Oakland Board Of Trade about
this time received a communication from
the Les Angeles Merchants and Manufuc-
Iurers Association complaining of the dis
elimination and asking for support toward
securing redress by organization or other
wise. The matter was referred to a COM
mlttee in conjunction with the principal
shippers u this city. This committee asked
for q conference v-i-h Chairman Everett
In his place came Mr. Allen, who met the
Oakland shippers. Mr.. Allen gave a history
OF the overtures ana negotiations Of the
Producers Association OF California Of
which he was member He claimed that
81 made no difference what the freight rate
was provided II was the same for all ship
Tars IF the same class. We explained that
such was not the case. He admitted finally
t-at we had grievance. that II was not
far 20 tax the majority Of shippers 50
heavily for the benefit Of the few and the
transports ton companies. but that the lat
tor took matters in their own hands after
NEGOTIATIONS were once started
The Board OF Trade committee answered
the Los Angeles association that we would
i0in in any effort 10 remedy matters We
never heard from them after~ard. nor did
we learn why, There was great deal Of
murmuring all over the state on account
OF the new rates. but for lack of organiza-
tiCn nothing could be done
When the newspapers mentioned some two
weeks since that a committee was on its
way 10 -. Paul to induce the Great North
ern and Northern Pacific to restore the dis
WIN ne. ING Hvel 1ace
walkee. some OF our members saw an op-
purtunity to in some degree Ventilate the
grievances Of the mixed carload shippers.
The matter was referred TO our executive
committee with power TO act. brief state
roe0r was sent 20 three OF four other organ
lzatirns. our committee telegraPhed TO the
representatives OF the two northern roads
al ST Paul. stating that we hoped the dis
eliminating rates OF last year would be dis
Next day committee from the Whole
sale Hardware Association Of San Fran
cisco called TO demand that the Board OF
Trade rescind its action. They argued that
because the conference at St Paul was not
discussing rates generally we should with
draw our attitude in the interest Of the sue
cess Of the san Francisco iOhbers We were
anxious 10 see our nelghbors prosper. but We
year to the mixed carload shippers we could
not withdraw the telegram.
A few days ago the Manufacturers and
Producers Association OF California sent
out circular explaining their part in fran
ing last years freight rates They nd
nttted having petitioned for an equalization
OF rates. but discaimed any intention 10
discriminate. They secured an advance OF
90 10 100 per cent on westbound mixed car
loads while the advance on carloads was
practically nothing except a small lncreas Sc
In few instances. on the whole securing
for the transportation companies millions
more revenue. which win come from the
California merchants and consumers It
is possible that the Oakland Board OF Trade
cannot do anything To rectify matters only
10 protest. Even that privilege is some salts
faction under the circumstances.
As he Of 4ha Mo- rfo,4
and Producers Association of California