The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-11
Gamers League Is Aroused
Over Local Freight Tax
Convention Plans
Campaign for
Regulation

Chief among the questions Of general
interest discussed by the members OF
the Gamers League OF California
whose convention was opened yester-
dav afternoon at s32 Sansome street
was that Of local freight rates as al
fectiEg the business Of the Gamers OF
the state. AT tOday's executive session
the matter will be taken up in detail
and a committee viii be appointed to
look after the leagues interests in the
railroad world.
Another point TO which Vice Pres
dent Isidor Jacobs devoted considerable
attention I'm paper which he read be
fore the convention and which viii be
taken up by the special committee on
freight matters. relates to interchange
switching.
officers viii be elected today also and
such other business as viii be neces-
sarv TO close the convention VIII De
transacted.
President Graham called the oonVen-
ton TO order at . o'clock and after a
brief preliminary address, introduced
State Labor Commissioner STAFFORD
who read a paper on child labor IN the
canning factories Of California, out
lining the law as passed by the last
Legislature and making evident the
fact that ne intended TO enforce II IN
detail. lie laid stress upon the fact
however. that he believed il was gOo1
for children over the age OF twelve
wears TO seek light employment during
the vacation months and that the can
heries afforded excellent opportunities
for them TO do so. This. he stated, was
allowed by the law as il stood and he
warned the Gamers 10 refrain from
meddlinC with new legislation upon the
subject because the vacation clause
was really all that they could expect
10 secure and that might be modified If
the question We're reOpened at the
capital
PEACH BLIGHT GAINING
one Of Commissioner Stanord's OBJ
Eervations was that the child labor
law was violated Invariably in sloppy
ranneries. while in the clean and or
derby factories there were no viola
tons.
Professor r. f. Smith OF Berkeley
followed the Commissioner with an ad-
iress upon peach blight its history in
The state and the experiments that are
being made for its suppression. He
rated that the blight had gained great
teadway. especially in the San Joaquin,
me Sacramento and the Suisun valleys,
Ind that early experiments in spraying
10 check the disease had failed, in his
opinion, because the spraying was done
too late in the season to be effective.
he recommended applying the solution
~ lime. salt and sulphur as early as
October, even Of such strength as 10
iestroy foliage.
Professor Waite OF the United States
Agricultural Department. stationed at
Berkeley, had been invited to read a
paper on the subject OF pear blight,
but as he was compelled to go to
Washington the ADDRESS was read by
secretary Rowley Professor Waite
vas pessimistic in his views regarding
The fight against the affection of the
bear in this State. and they We're sup
Giemented by Professor Smith. who de-
Haired that only strenuous action on
he part of the growers could save the
.ruit from obliteration.
JUGGLING OF RATES
Vice President Jacobs then took up
sis subject OF freight rates and other
ihipping matters. pointing to the Hep
Surn law. effective January ] Of this
tear as an act that would benefit Cali
iornia shippers particularly.
Jacobs severely criticised the State
Board Of Railroad Commissioners, de-
aaring that for the last twelve years
he members had done nothing except
% draw their salaries and maintain an
Iffce" Recently in Investigating this
iubiect, he stated, he questioned the
lecretary Of the commission, who said
nat there had been no complaints or
protests filed with the board.
Il believe" said Jacobs, that the
railroads have during this time vir-
lually been doing as they pleased with
local rates and conditions in this State
and ] know much Juggling has beer
lone with tariffs and that il has meant
4 large amount OF money out of the
pockets of shippers, producers and con-
lumers"
Jacobs called attention to the benefits
10 be derived by California shippers
from the new enterprise known as the
fehuantepec Railway. launched Jan
sary j. which. so far as water trans
bortation is concerned. would bring
new York 1900 miles nearer San Fran
DISCO than would be possible by the
Panama canal
LEAGUE MEMBERS ENTERTAINED
Upon the conclusion Of Jacobs re-
marks a general discussion of freight
rates and facilities was precipitated
but this was cut short by the sugges-
lion that the matter be taken up in
Executive session today. when a com
hnittee would be appointed TO formulate
SLAMS for improving conditions in time
Tor a session OF the Interstate Com
nerce Commission, which, il was re-
ported. would be held in San francisco
turing the last week Of this month
commissioners Lane and PrOuty have
been appointed to hold a special hear
hg in Spokane Monday for the discus
lion OF terminal rates and il is be-
heved another meeting will be held
tere soon after the completion of that
Investigation.
Last night the members OF the league
we're given a dinner at the Palace
Hotel by the American Can Company
md tonight they will be the guests OF
he United Can Company at the Davis
theater.
-rnrr nECTnnVC TrNTTErn