The San Francisco call., 1899-10-29
Coasts Birthright in
Danger
SITUATION WELL DESCRIBED
TRAFFIC MANAGER LoVELAND
GIVES FACTS.
Jobbers Of Middle West Hope to Get
a Decision That Will Destroy
the Advantages of Geo
graphical Position.

The representatives Of the Pacific Coast
Jobbers' and Manufacturers Association
who are 10 go TO st. Louis TO tight out
the battle before the Interstate Commerce
Commission for the trade OF the Pacific
Coast will leave this city on November I.
In the meantime there is a vast amount
of work TO do and Traffic Manager Love-
land and Attorney Pillsbury are in fre-
Quent conference. The contest in behalf
OF the Pacific Coast will be made upon
broad general principles. 1t is evident that
the geographical position of the Pacific
Coast entities It to receive rates based
upon the sea competition. So much inter
est has been taken in the rate question re-
Gently that Traffic Manager Loveland was
interviewed upon the principles that con-
troll the situation,
The trouble with the jobbers of the
Middle West" said Mr.. Loveland, lis that
they do not recognize the handwriting on
the wall that points to the TACT that the
tendency OF the age is TO localize jobbing.
There is law Of compensation as Wei
as localiZatiOn and the trade which New
York and San Francisco have lost by the
building up of other Jobbing centers has
been in large measure compensated Tor by
the increase in population OF territory
naturally their own.
''St. Louis, Chicago and other jobbing
CenterS are not even asked TO surrender
the territory that was once their own.
7
gtble to build up the jobbing centers on
this coast justifies our right to remain
3obbing centers owing to our geographical
location. We are accessible TO a highway
made by a higher power than man by
which our merchant marine can land at
our doors the products of all Climes and
countries We in turn distribpe these
products TO our agricultural sections and
mining regions with whose upbuilding and
prosperity our Jobbing centers have ever
been and are 50 closely identified By
this same geographical location we also
Justify the railroads in giving US rates
and dlfferentials to which our friends Of
the Middle West strongly object How
can the transconunental roads expect to
get our business except by giving US rates
that, when quickness of delivery. liability
to damage, etc, are considered, will en-
able to compete with ocean carriers?
I'VE were sea shippers before the rail-
roads reached the coast. We are still sea
shippers and will be more so should the
time come when transcontinentai roads
are so short-sighted as to lend their aid
TO the scheme Of the Middle West to rob
us Of our natural geographical advan-
that they have based rates upon water
competition. Therefore they are, geo
graphically, at a disadvantage.
I'VE admit freely that We would not
have now IL we were not located on the
coast. Just as frankly we say that as
we are so located the railroads must
grant US those rates, differentials, etc, in
conditions with reference to rates, differ
entails and groupings have been brought
about by natural adjustment. st. Louis
asks that all this shall now be changed.
Why? Simply because she wishes to do
business in this territory and is not geo
graphically located to DO So"
The Interstate Commerce Commission
Will meet at st. Louis November 13.