Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-04
AWAIT CONGRESS
ACTION ON RATES
FRUIT GROWERS REST ON
THEIR ARMS
Prefer to Use Persuasive Methods
With Railroads and VIII Take
No Drastic Measures Unless
National Assembly Falls

The chamber OF commerce and the
Fruit Growers association have de-
cided to do nothing more to secure
cheaper rates for shipping fruits un-
til the national congress has had a
chance TO take some action. IL congress
refuses to act on the question then the
allied fruit interests in Southern Cali
fornia will consider the proposition be-
fore them again and arrange for more
concerted action.
Secretary Virgins said last evening
that congress had been importuned and
the results of congressional action are
now awaited with a great deal of in
terest by the fruit growers and the
chamber of commerce as we'll
Francis Q. Story, who is a member
OF the chamber of commerce, and pres
ident Of the California Fruit Growers
association, said last night that every
thing possible had been done to the
present time. Mr.. Story was a repre-
sentative to the interstate commerce
law convention, held in Chicago last
fall, and together with General Man
ager r. A. Woodford of the same as
eociation, went to Washington and had
an interview with President Roose-
welt, in which the president promised
during the present session to take up
the question Of railroad rates. Joseph
II. Call, the legal representative of the
Fruit Growers association and also
member of the chamber of commerce,
still has the case in hand.
Cheaper Rates; Bigger Shipments
1--WE feel that everything has been
done that could be done UP to the pres
ent time" said Mr.. Story. at is the
policy of the chamber of commerce and
the Fruit Growers association as well,
to go at this question in rational and
Gispassionate way. We do not expect
to antagonize the railroads. Our busi-
ness relations are very close and there
IS no disposition to bring them to
swords points.
Up to the present time the railroads
have not seen fit to look at the ques-
tion as we do. It is human nature
when one has a good thing to hang
on to it. perhaps regardless of the fu-
ture The chamber of commerce and the
fruit growers think that in the long
run the roads would be much more BEN
Gifted In giving shippers cheaper rates,
In fact it can be demonstrated that a
big per cent of fruit that would be
shipped under a cheaper rate at pres
ent never goes to market, simply be-
cause the fruit men cannot make n
dollar out of the product on account
of the high rates and could only come
out even after paying freight. The
citrus and other fruit growing indus
tries at present pay about so per cent
of the entire gross earnings of the
Santa Fe railroad, and the Southern
Pacific gets the same amount, but their
proportion of receipts is not so large
because they have a shorter haul.
Await Action by Congress
ffrT5I-- Ill Il,
chamber of commerce and the Fruit
Growers association have done every
thing that it is expedient to do up to
the present time and are now awaiting
the action of congress. If the national
law makers do not do anything then
we will do more and take more active
and strenuous position, for some change
is bound to come that will not only
relieve the producers but in the long
run. will accrue to the benefit of the
railroads.
Public meetings and the passing OF
resolutions and display of fireworks
do no good. The thing that is needed
IS remedy that will correct existing
evils and be of mutual benefit to al
persons interested. The proportionate
increase in business that would come
TO the carriers would unquestionably
make up for any decrease in the rates
Wnlcn are now IN force. our l0eA Is
live and let live, so that the business
of fruit raising and fruit shippina
shall result in increased business to the
grower and the transporter as well
Our interests are ably represented ir
congress and we look for some actor
that will bring relief. but as l have
said, If congress does not do something
at this session, then a stronger and still
more concerted action will be taken or
the part of not only the Los Angeles
chamber OF commerce, but other simi-
lar bodies, in conjunction with the Cali
fornia Fruit Growers association.