The San Francisco call., 1899-12-03
BATTLE GROUND
TRANSFERRED TO
SAN FRANCISCO
St. Louis JobberS'
Fight for Trade.

There will be a general pilgrimage OF
representatives OF various lines OF Pacific
Coast business 10 this city during the
second week OF January. The hearing OF
the suit brought by the St. Louis jobbsrs
against the transcontinental railroads
will be resumed before the Interstate
Commerce Commissioners in this city on
Monday, January Is. according 10 the
present understanding. That is the news
that Traffic Manager II. ID. Loveland Of
the Pacific Coast Jobbers' and Manu-
facturers Association has just brought
back from the East. When the hearing
in 81. Louis was suspended there was
some doubt whether the engagements of
Commissioner Knapp, who is TO lecture
before students, would permit Of the
hearing earlier than March.
Traric Manager LoVeland returned
from the East Friday night Reviewing
the proceedings in st. Louis in detail,
yesterday he said that he saw no reason
for discourasement. In fact, he took a
decidedly cheerful view Of the situation.
The entire proceedings before the
date he said, prove that We under
stood the position OF the Middle West
Jobbers correctly. Their suit is brought
against the transcontinental railroads
pletely that they have no complaint
against the roads on account of trars-
portauon rates. All that they really are
after is 10 secure the help of the rail-
roads TO break into the Pacific Coast
territory and hand all the business over
10 them OF course, II they should sue
coed IN their suit, that would mean that
they would kill the business centel-s OF
the Pacific Coast. Pending the resur4p-
ton OF the hearing in this city the Middle
West Jobbers are doing all the mission
airy work against US that they can
through the agency Of their lobbers. A
strong attempt is making here TO get :he
retailers 10 side in with the Middle
West The result OF that. IL the re;aIers
took that course. would be disastrous 10
them in the long run. II the Middle West
lobbers could get the whole business in
their hands they would squeeze the re-
tai!ers whenever IL became feasible"
Mr. Loveland does not think that the
suit OF the ST. Louis iobbers can be de-
cided in many months. The Texas case
has not been decided, although il was
heard six months ago. After the taking
Of the testimony in this city the comn's-
sion viii adjourn. Then the rebuttal tes-
umony VIII probably be taken in WASH
ington, where the arguments will oe
heard. The ST. Louis people intimated
that they would have one witness 10 be
heard in San Francisco. The proceed
ings here Will probably occupy about ten
days. The work Of preparing the tes;i-
mony Will now be pushed with great en-
ergy. All lines OF business will be re:.re-
sented. all sections Of the coast will send
representatives 10 testify.
The Paciflc Coast lobbers and manufac-
turers are not concerned about the time
that may be consumed in the proceed
ings. Until the suit is decided the exist
Ing conditions. which are acceptable 10
them. Will continue. Mr.. Loveland saws
he thinks that the Pacific Coast will win
the case before the Interstate Commerce
Commissioners on the testImoy. Very
likely the Supreme Court OF the United
States Will finally decide. II the SUI, IS
decided against the ST. Louis jobbers
they will certainly appeal TO the Suprcr.e
Court. Assuredly the Pacific Coast peo-
pie will appeal II the decision is adverse
70 them, Upon the grounds previously
mentioned I'm The Call There will he
ten DAYS Of hard work in this city in
January.