The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-09
THE MAN FOR THE PLACE.

\ OW that the elections are over and the politi-
n cal contests OF the year have been settled, the
people OF the Pacific Coast would better return
to the one issue on which all or ought to be
united-that OF procuring the appointment OF rep
resentave OF the coast to the vacancy the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
It is to be regretted that two candidates for the
Office have been put forward from the coast, but the
regret is not one which should cause much, il any,
hesitation The choice between the two is not diff
cult to make General Chapman has been nominated
as the candidate OF MI Stubs OF the Southern Pa
cfc; w R. Wheeler has been nominated by con
ference of the Pacific Coast Jobbers' and Manuiac-
turers Association at which there were representa-
tves of every important city OF the three States Cali
fornia, Oregon and Washington. The first candidate
has been Endorsed by his personal friends and by such
persons as are subject the pull OF Mr. Stubs The
second has received the Endorsement and support OF
every commercial and industrial organization OF note
on the coast.
Are we to have on the Interstate Commerce Com
mission the representative OF the railroad the rep
resenltve of the business interests OF all the people
OF Washington, Oregon and California?
1t is TO be noted in the first place that the coast
is entitled to a representative on the commission.
Commercially and ndustrially the Union is divided
into five great dvisions--the New England States,
the Middle States OF the Atlantic seaboard. the Mis-
sssipp Valley States, the Southern States and the
Pacific States There are five members OF the COM
mission. It was the intention OF the trainers OF the
act By which the commission was created that each
OF the great divisions OF the Union should have a
representative upon it. New England, the Middle
States the South and the Mississippi Valley have al
ways had representatives on the commission. The
Pacific Coast has never had one. 1t is an open Sc
cret that Southern Pacific influence has prevented
the coast from having representative Commissioner
in the past and Is determined either to have its
own man or none at all
The representative business men of Washington,
Oregon and California have last united make the
fight for the $bast. They have nominated for the
office a who for years has made study Of inter
state commercial questions, and who is recognized
as established authority all points involved in
such questions Whether the issues raised be OF law
OF fact OF precedent OF principle he understands
them and it IS foregone conclusion he would not
be the commission long before he would be
looked to for counsel and judgment not only on
Pacific Coast matters but upon all questions that
arise
1t IS to be noted moreover that there ought to be
upon the commission not only Pacific Coast repre-
sentative but versed in the affairs OF business
Most OF the issues the commission is called upon to
solve those of practical business as affected by
transportation rates rather than OF technical law AS
a member Of the commission Mr.. Wheeler would be
representative Of the business men OF the country
well Of our coast interests and IN double re-
spect therefore, would be exactly the right man in
the right place