The San Francisco call., 1908-12-23
Noted Expert May Head lm-
pOrtant Branch OF the Mer-
chants Exchange
Regarded by President RoOse-
welt as One of Strong Men
in Official Life
Will Add Force to Mercantile
interests Fight Against
High Rates

HE report was current in mercan-
hle circles yesterday and generally
regarded as true that William r.
Wheeler, assistant secretary Of
commerce and labor. had accepted the position
of manager of the traffic bureau of the Mer-
chants exchange While the members Of the
special committee of the bureau. who had
the power of appointment have refused 10
diyulge the name of the person selected. other
members Of the association declared freely
that they understood that Wheeler had agreed
to act 1t was common knowledge that the
committee had been negotiating with Wheeler
for some tme. but ii Is only within the last
few days that an understanding has been
reached
Would Aid Organization
Ia Is recognized on every hand that the
selection Of Wheeler would give the traffic
bureau of the Merchants exchange foremost
position among similar organizations through
out he United States. Wheeler Is widely
known as an authority on traffic matters In
fact it IS doubtful if there Is In the country
man better versed in all dat pertains 10
the question of transportation
The salary Of he new manager will be
about l2.5O0 year. He will come 10 San
Francisco as soon as he can arrange his
affairs IN Washington This Is Wheelers
home. and through long study of conditions
in California he has gained an acquaintance
with traffic conditions on the Pacific coast
such as no stranger could acquire.
The appointment has been made by com
mittee consisting of A l. Scott. Joseph Dur
ney and Arthur c. Towne. Scott has been
In the east and has carried on the negotiations
with Wheeler. Towne has been absent from
the city and the local end of the task has
been looked after by Durney. 1t has re-
quir-d great degree of diplomacy to secure
the services of Wheeler. and Durney has de-
sss.ncy and enthusiasm
Wheeler Best Equipped
as the best equipped man in the United
States to carry on the work of the rsfhe
bureau Other names were considered. in
cludins some Of the highest traffic officials of
the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe. but
the opinion prevailed that Wheeler. not bound
by any previous a6ilia6on, could work more
n Il IL -
man
l, Is said that the committee was prepared
to pay whatever sum should be necessary %
get the man they might finally decide upon.
Il was stated that some of the most eminent
trafhcmen In the country were considered
before Wheeler was approached Among the
names said 10 have been considered were such
as William SprOule. Edward Chambers and
r. A. Graham
Joseph Quincy refused positively yesterday
to give out the name of the new appoiniee.
but the replies be gave to pointed questions
indicated that Wheeler was The man.
The man we have chosen. said Durney.
when pressed for information. has lived in
San Francisco and IS an expert on traffic
matters"
Durney had previously said that he was
known throughout the country and enjoyed
high national reputation. Durney admitted
that he was in public hfe. This indicated
either Franklin K Lane or William r.
Wheeler. but Durney eliminated Lane in the
statement that the appOintee was not
lawyer.
Best Man for Place
We are satisfied" said Durney yes
.erday, that we have the best man that can
be secured for the place. There has been
some sharp criticism at our inactivity in the
past. but believe people will now realize
that we mean business.
Ii is expected that Wheeler will resign
from his pos, in the federal service and come
to San Francisco about the FIRST of the year.
He IS believed to have completed all arrange
menis with A. L. Scott of the local commit
tee Scott reached home last night. but de-
clined to give out the information.
Wheeler acted as general manager