The San Francisco call., 1908-12-31
SHIPPERS COMBINE
AGAINST RAIL WAYS
More Than Twenty Cities Unite
in Protest Against Advance
in Rates
Growers, Merchants and Manu-
facturers. Agree to Protect
Their Industries

threatened advance in freight rates
the shippers Of California were welded
into a solid unit yesterday TO contest
the action OF the transcontinental rail-
roads.
In 20 cities enthusiastic meetings
were held From the upper counties
10 the southern boundaries growers.
merchants and manufacturers Joined in
the common cause TO protect their IN
dustries against the eXactions which
the railroads seek 10 impose 1t was
the strongest protest that has emanated
from the commercial and agricultural
community Of the state. It's message
viii be sent 10 the White House and
TO tile halls OF congress and the Call
fornia legislature
There was dignity in every meeting
and firm determination that the ship
pers viii not rest upon an artful re-
fussl or offer OF compromise from the
railroads
In every city where the meetings
were held strong resolutions were
adopted not only protesting against the
raise in rates. but advocating inlunc-
tiOn proceedings. calling for an in
vestigation by the state legislature,
urging increased power for the inter
state commerce commission and the
state railroad board, and in some in
stances calling upon the government
10 operate q federal line of steamships
between san Francisco and Panama.
REPORTS FROM MANY CITIES
Reports were received last evening
OF meetings held in the following
cities. san Jose. Ssfta Rosa, Stockton,
Santa Cruz. San Leandro. Santa Bar
bars. Chico, Redding, Santa Ana, Red
lands, San Bernardino. Riverside, Col
ton, Pasadena. Santa Paula, Fresno,
Marssville. VacavilIe. Visalia, Red Bluff
and Naps- It IS expected that reports of
other meetings viii be received to-
day.
The San Francisco meeting was held
December s. Yesterday, however, the
local executive committee met in the
rooms OF the California traffic associa-
tion and adopted set Of strong reso-
buttons. At the same time the COM
mittee assisted the out Of town ship
pers by wire.
Not only was rate day made
notable success. but further action was
taken yesterday by the traffic bureau
Of the Merchants exchange A COM
mittee called upon G. ". Luce OF the
Southern Pacific and Edward Cham
hers of the Santa Fe and discussed fur
ther the question of rates
The merchants exchange bureau is
greatly pleased AT the action Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt in asking William r.
Wheeler TO inspect and report upon the
Panama railroad. The local shippers
have for some time been displeased with
the method Of rate making in vogue on
the isthmus, complaining that it was
based on a comparison with the trans
continental haul
REIMBURSEMENT EXPECTED
u is claimed that Wheeler viii be
able 10 obtain a readjusfment Of rates
over the isthmian line which viii work
10 the advantage OF California shippers
: "a he vii hr in
tion 10 report on the advisability of a
government steamship line between this
city and the isthmus
Tho sentiment is growing that the
most feasible solution Of the whole
problem lies in the proposed steamship
service Strong pressure will be brought
10 bear upon the president and con-
gress TO grant this service, Some of the
local shippers have been in correspond
ence with Secretary Luke Wright of the
war department. under whose jurisdic-
tion such a line would fall and they
have been greatly encouraged by his
attitude.
The shippers viii acquaint the rail-
roads with the result Of the rate day
meetings Immediately. In Los Angeles
the railroad interests were active and
no meeting was held. No meeting was
held In Sacramento. but the ground had
been covered there in a previous session
NnGfe a
meeting was scheduled il was held ac-
cordins to program and vigorous reso-
lutions were adopted.
RESOLUTIONS ARE SIMILAR
one set Of resolutions was adopted
by practically every meeting. 1t was
framed by the shippers executive COM
mittee, who also ADOPTED it at their
session here yesterday. These resolu-
tions follow:
freight bureau. in behalf of all the
railways sharing in the transcon-
tlnental railway traffic TO andESrom
California terminals announces an
Increase Of east and west bound
1905 and
Whereas. the plea has been made
that the transportation companies
require larger revenues. be ii
therefore resolved. that the follow
ing statement be declared our de-
First-That the relations be-
tween carrier and shipper should
oe based upon mutual understand
ing and protection, and that the
proposed radical changes were
agreed upon by the carriers. who
make up the transcontinental
freight bureau. without giving ade-
Quate hearing or consideration TO
the producers. merchants shippers
and consumers of California
ECONOMIES ENUMERATED
ceCOIQ--I.lat many obvious econ
0mies have been ACCOMPLISHED in
the maintenance and operation of
railways since the present tariff
went into effect-such as the re-
duced cost Of fuel in the extreme
western and most expensive part
OF the haul; in the reduction of
grades and curves. in the improve
ment 0f roadbedS of the railroads
motive power and eQuipment-
while. on the other hand. the earn
ing power Of the railroads has been
largely improved by the increased
requirement Of freight necessary TO
enjoy the minimum carload rate:
by the enormous development OF
Californias trade; also by the ef-
feet OF the interstate commerce
law. inhlbiting rebates and passes
Third-That If the railroads are
operating at a loss. the shippers of
California. who have serious bur
dens 10 bear at this time of de-
preston. and who are now 10 be
taxed ia order that the dividends
OF the transportation companies
may be continued. propose TO as
certain by an exhaustive legal in
Quiry what the deficit is and in
what instances and 10 what ex-
tent the earnings Of the railroad
companies have been impaired.
FBRnV'EST Il TNn0ngEn