The San Francisco call., 1903-12-04
HARB0R BOARD SHOWS D|SAPPR0VAL OF PRODUCE RING
BY REV0KNG PERMITS OF FOUR COMMISSION HOUSES
Unlawful Combination, Forbidden Under Woodward
Act, Causes Loss by Merchants of Privilege of
Selling PerishabIe Goods on the State Whaves

The Board Of Harbor Commissioners
yesterday revoked the permits pre-
viously issued to four Of the largest
commission houses in San Francisco
to sell perishable products on the State
property in this city under the terms
OF the Woodward law. These firms are
Wolf & Sons, 32I Davis street; L. Sea-
tena & Co.. 1O4 Washington street; Nc
Donough & Runyon Of 416 Davis street.
and Wetmore Bros. Of AS Washington
street
This was the outcome of a hearing
instituted by the Harbor Commission
ers 10 determine how the Woodward
law is being observed by the commits
sion men and others doing business in
this city on the States wharves. The
action Of the Commissioners was to-
tally unexpected and tremendous SEN
sation was occasiOned in the section
where the commission men are nu-
merous
The hearing before the Commission
ers began AT 1890 a. m. At that hour
there was a score Of men in the room.
These men We're prominently connected
were also some others, who as citizens
watched the proceedings with the ex-
pectation that the views Of the Com
nissioners would be developed. In this
they were not disappointed. The
board. when il met with denials relat-
ing 10 its Jurisdiction TO act under the
law and with refusals on the part Of
the holders Of permits to sell relative to
Of = he 1arva
forbidding conspiracies or agreements
in restraint Of the sale and purchase Of
nerishable products, moved swiftly and
with decision.
A resolution was adopted in which
the revocation of the permits Of the
four firms that have been mentioned
was effected and the secretary of the
hoard was instructed TO notify the chief
v-harfinger that they must not be al
lowed 10 do business on the States
zvbarves or other State property in this
city.
DENY VIOLATING LAW.
Very little testimony was secured
from the representatives Of the large
commission houses whose representa-
tives had been cited to appear Al the
outset Of the proceedings the poaro
was confronted with the following COM
rnunication from ". H. Wolf, j. A
Eveleth. J. G. Wetmore, A J. kunyon
and A. Gianninl-
To the Honorable Board Of state Haroor |
~-,-----,fssir-ers Cfty-Dear Sirs: The under /
.s--s5 bsve received a notification from your \
t.-o-sble bodv. dated November p, 10 ap- I
,ssr before you on Thursday. December S lot /
~, rurpose of investigating the alleged VIOLA
-, ~ .,s provisions of the law regulating /
the sales Of Derishable products on me "haiNes
and other state property in this city
We se,ersny state that neither OF US has
,io,ste5 such law and no one Of US knows OF
any such violation ,
While this denial might, and We believe
should be sufficient. we beg 70 say that We
arp-ecfste the fact that your honorable oooy
rse heard statements and rumors (Which nave /
teen given considerable circulation by a news
rsner of this city, which might be considered /
: reason Tor your board 10 ascertain the truth /
in regard 10 the charges made, ana we wei /
,.~rre the opportunity 10 prove that the under /
-frres and he commission merchants gener- /
ally Of this city have in no regard violated
the law referred to. nor pursued any course 4
not in the best interests OF the great produce /
industry q our State.
Pr+ we believe Il would demean both your /
hororsbIe body and ourselves and result In no /
good for YOU 70 investigate for US 10 under /
take 10 answer general slurs and loose impu- 4
fstions which have been falsely showered on /
us recently
We therefore respectfully request that your |
honorable body should proceed in this matter /
according n the usual American method /
the method u all civilized countrfes-and that 1
Tho connIainant should file with your hon |
orable body written specific charges Of the NO /
lations he complains Of. giving time, place and 1
circuusta ncos, and that we should be given /
cory OF such charges which will be glad /
L. answer on twenty four hours notice.
With no other desire than 10 aid in bringing /
out the truth in the best and quickest way. i
We hope that your honorable body will appre |
ciate the advantage and even necessity Of act
ing in the usual course Of judicial procedure, |
especially where 50 great an industry the /
produce business OF this State is concerned.
REFUSES TO CONSIDER.
Commissioner Kirkpatrick said, after /
this had been read, that the board would |
have TO refuse TO consider the commu-
nication on the ground that the board /
had right to summon and examine, 1
At any time, any person holding the /
permit Of the board TO sell perishable /
products on the States property.
". H. Wolf sat at the table with the |
Commissioners at the beginning of the |
proceedings. He was questioned by |
Attorney Davis for the Commissioners. /
Wolf pleaded for time TO put the case i
of the merchants on paper Commits
sioners Spear and Kirkpatrick refused |
70 wait. Commissioner Mackenzie was /
not present.
Mr. Wolf. have you at any time |
been party to any agreement, under /
standing or conspiracy in the selling of |
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