The San Francisco call., 1908-12-25
ANGRY SHIPPERS
MAY FORCE CUT
IN ROAD RATES
Stirred by Threatened Raise,
Long Suffering Merchants
Talk of Action
Sacramento Jobbers' Associa-
ton Takes Lead in Letter
TO Local Committee
People of Coast Suffered From
Depression Worse Than
Lines, They Aver

The attempt of the transcontinental
railroads TO raise their rates may yet
prove to be a boomerang. Since the
shippers of the state have begun a
united campaign to guard their inter-
ests a strong sentiment has developed
that the big lines of the country should
be called upon to reduce their tariffs
The inquiry conducted up to the pres
ent time has shown, according to the
shippers, that the earnings of the rail-
roads have increased while the Cali
fornia merchants and growers have not
derived a commensurate income.
One of the first bodies to take this
stand was the Jobbers' association of
Sacramento. which addressed a srtong-
ly worded communication to the local
committee. In the course of its letter
the Sacramento association said:
There is another way of looking at
it. Why should not the rates be low
cred because the shippers have not
made as much as usual?
SHIPPERS SUFFERED MOST
We feel that when the facts and
figures can be obtained they will show
that the manufacturers, growers and
shippers suffered more in proportion
than did the railroads and that these
shippers should at least have an oppor-
tunity to recuperate during the coming
year. inasmuch as the railroads did not
cooperate with lower rates during the
past dull season.
I'VE recommend a thorough investi-
cation of the earnings of the railroads
during the past several years a
basis for an application for lower.
rather than higher, transcontinental
rates.
''The Sacramento jobbers' association
vigorously protests because of the be-
lief that any raise in transcontinental
rates Will cause disaster to the various
interests in this territory"
The stand taken by the Sacramento
businessmen has been indorsed by many
of the local shippers and by the mer
camille communities In several sections
of the state. In fact the feeling that
the rates should be lowered and not
raised has gained such headway that
it will manifest itself in the mass meet
lnkS u DC nttQ OAA AdNS 06S. lhCAC 10
ample ground for the belief that the
big gatherings to be held throughout
the state will not only. be protests
against an increase, but a demand for
a decrease.
Should the shippers unite to demand
a decrease in the rate schedule they
will find the method of procedure SIM
pier than that which would follow
protest against a higher schedule. In
ha
would select such rates as they re-
garded as unreasonable and place a
formal complaint before the interstate
commerce commission. A full hearing
would follow, in which the finances of
the transcontinental lines would be
barred to public view.
The holidays will not be allowed to
interfere with the work of the shippers
committee. The wires have been kept
busy between the offices of the local
body and the representatives in the
outlying sections. Each city will have
a specially prepared program, and reso-
lutions will be presented which will
conform to the general policy already
adopted.
HAVE PACKED MEETINGS
There have been rumors that the
railroads would endeavor to pack the
meetings Such tactics have been tried
before In fact, it is fresh in the men,
ory of the people of the United States
that the transcontinental roads made
scandalous endeavor to pack the big
rate meeting held in the east a few
years ago. The Southern Pacific went
so far as to send a delegation from
California to prevent hostile action.
The eastern meeting took instant ac-
ton and simply barred the railroad
allies from the sessions. If necessary,
such action will be taken at the Cali
fornia meetings.
Members of the traffic bureau of the
Merchants exchange are looking for
ward eagerly to the time when William
r. Wheeler will come to the coast to
assume his new duties as manager of
the organization. Joseph Durney, who
with A. L. Scott is chiefly responsible
for the selection of Wheeler, was the
recipient of general congratulations
yesterday upon the action taken. Dur
ney predicts that the bureau will double
its membership in a very short time.
1t was pointed out yesterday that
the acquisition of Wheeler will give
the California shippers position sec
ond to none in point of influence. They
viii be aple to appear before the inter
state commerce commission or any
other body with a prestige that no
similar organization could command.
wheeler will leave Washington early
i'm March and will come to California
about the middle of the month. He
will at once arrange his affairs so as
to be able to devote his entire time to