The San Francisco call., 1899-08-13

ar meeting of the citizens executive
committee held yesterday morning at the
office of Mayor Phelan. The session was
in the nature of a conference between the
committee and the following ladies, repre-
senting the Red Cross Society: Mrs. w.
p Harrington Mrs Arthur Cornwall,
Mrs. f. G. Sanborn and Mrs. John f. Mer-
rill
The ladies stated that the burden OF
nroyiding for the unfortunate soldier, VINO
had been parted from his money, and get
ting him out of the city, so that ne would
rot become care upon the public 1ell
largely upon them Mrs. SanbOrn said that
their work had been hampered in great
measure by the greed of the Southern "a
cifc Company By its efforts the Trans
continental Association had increased the
soldier rate from San francisco 70 MIS-
souri, River points from go 70 9o' oV, anu anu
even at the latter rate re1uSeu lheIh
choice of route while the Eastern roads
have made a universal rate to soldiers OF
one cent per mile -
alton of the committee in inducing the
railroad company to restore the former
soldier rate of $25 To prevent the trans
portation companies from being imposed
tpon it was suggested that 1t be hXed as
a Red Cross rate, and made aVallaple oIlly
upon the presentation Of certificates IS
sued by the society.
LAS / understand this matter, said the
Mayor 1.-The railroad stands in the posi-
ton of trying to grab what Httle the SOL
dier earns, and the same time blocking
the very work for which this commit
was organized. l suggest that we make a
united demand on the railroad association
10 grant some concessions in this matter.
Vice President Crockcr and Manager
Kruttschnitt of the Southern Pacific Com
pany had been invited to confer with the
committee, but they were both out OF
town Robert A. Donaldson assistant
general passenger agent, appeared before
the committee by request. Inc Mayor eX-
l. ff.aT
'.This is not a matter of which our com
pany has control, said Donaldson. we
cannot act for the Transcontinental AS
sOciation | am not even prepared to say
that we would consent to the reduction
asked for if all the other companies con-
sented. The Government makes me men
an allowance of travel pay, which is
nearly double what The railroad charges.
so they ought TO be able to take care OF
themselves. Although corporations are
credited with having no souls the South
ern Pacific has done much in the interest
of charity as these ladies will TESTIFY, and
l think ii would have been showing the
| proper courtesy to US for past faVors IL
! they had come to us first with their grew
ances instead of adopting the method
| they have followed. This is our first in
| timation that tney deSlreo any cohces-
| sions."
Donaldson insisted that he would take
| no notice of the matter unless the COM
mittee and the Red Cross made their re
! quests in writing 1t was decided to adopt
the latter course.
The matter of appropriation for decora-
tions for the reception to the returning
/ California volunteers was considered and
it was decided that the decoration COM
mittee be allowed to eXpend sum not to
exceed $4,000. Chairman Martin of that
committee expressed the opinion that the
desired effects could be produced for that
sum.
John Ginty was appointed to take
/ charge of the soldiers bank, which is to
/ be established at the tent in Union
( Square 1t was decided that the books or
certificates TO De issued would be made
! non-transfera BILE.