The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-09-18
MERCHANTS OPEN
WAR TO REGAIN
ALASKAN TRADE
Local Men Wage Crusade
in Opposition to the
Seattle Jobbers
CAMPAIGN PLANNED
Steamships VIII Be Run to
North and Many Scouts
VIII Seek Orders
LARGE MEETING HELD
Commercial Leaders Decide
to Win Back $15,0oo,0o0
Worth of Business
LARGE MEETING HELD


San Francisco merchants declared
war yesterday on the jobbers of
Seattle to regain the $ls,ooo,o0o a
year business Of Alaska. The cam
paign was opened with the authori-
eaton OF = committee representing
all the big shipping firms affiliated
with the chamber of commerce to
negotiate for the establishment of
direct line of steamers to Nome and
The southeastern points in the terri
tory.
When that is accomplished a horde
of eommmercisl scouts will be turned
into the northern territory TO win away
the trade which the washington cstv
has grabbed since the discovery of
goId.
Wholesalers. stearnshiprnen and rep.
resentatives OF transcoutinentai rail-
roads discussed the plan at a meeting
~ the chamber OF cosnnserce yestSr5sv
afternoon. ard e vas agreed that the
running expenses OF a steamer Tine
would be guaranteed untn the csIifor-
MIA houses had gained foothold. The
principal difficulty in the way is the
fact that the Seattle men have all but
bottled the Alaskan trade through the
purchase OF interests in nearly all the
big firms In the territory. BY means
OF this and shipping contracts under
which transportation companies grant
~~A.4Ne ~ &c -,r,~b - % - -,
have compelled the shipment OF the
bulk OF Alaskan business from Seattle
Sut II vas demonstrated that there are
enough frscependent firms TO keen p
San Francisco line busy, provided the
same rates were given This Captain
John Barneson OF the Barneson-E5ib-
berd line promised to do
Captain Barneson gave statistics
showing that where few years ago
san Francisco enjoyed practically a
monopoly OF Alaskan trade, its bust
ness with the northern territory had
dwindled until 1t could claim but
si,ooe.ooo Of the s15.ooo.ooo trade with
Alaska last year
Captain Pierce Of the Pacific Coast
steamship company. Captain Robert
Dollar OF the Dollar line and Captain
1datson. who runs oil steamers north.
corroborated Barneson in the claim
that trsnscontinental freight could be
shipped cut. OF here cheaper than II
could from Seattle.
There were about 40 representatives
Of Wholesale shippers at the meeting. |
They we're unanimous IN the BELIEF |
that cheaper rates could be made out
Of this port, and Assistant Freight
Traffic Manager Anawslt OF the Santa
Fe promised that all the sssfstanee the
railroad could give in the way ct
switching and water front storage
facilities would be rendered.
All the merchants asserted that most
Of the 5obbers OF Seattle bought here |
and then restfpped at their home port.
From this they argued that the freight /
cost between here and the northern |
port could be Topped or by the San
Francisco merchants dealing direct
II was feared. however, that the in
terests the Seattle men hold In nearly |
All the large houses IN Alaska would
be su fnsurmountable obstacle 20 San i
Francisco regsining it's lost position as
the supply center for the north, but /
reports were read showing that the
independents were eager 70 deal |
through this port. because OF the fear
that their action in keeping the Seattle
men out might result IN reprisals
which would force them to the wall.
The Seattle spirit which is being
fostered assiduously IN the Yukon
was brought forward as an
other obstacle. But this was dropped
when Charles q. Bentley gave it as his
opinion that the Seattle spirit would
not make profit proof the Jobbers who
deal through houses here. when di-
rect line invited them to cut their
charges. The motion to
authorize special committee to open
with steamer company
then was made. Baker Hamilton
offered to share with any number Of
other shippers the risk Of insuring
against loss the steamer owner who