The San Francisco call., 1908-12-09
HARMONIOUS ACTION
AGAINST INCREASE
All Organizations Interested Viii
Unite in Opposing Higher
Freight Rates
Executive Committee Asks Rip
ley and Hartman Not to
Change Tariffs at Present

The executive committee of Is, ap-
pointed at Saturdays mass meeting of
businessmen, met yesterday morning to
cooperate in the campaign against the
threatened increase in freight rates.
The meeting was held in the rooms
of the California traffic association in
the Kamm building in Market street.
After an informal discussion of the
subject, subcommittee was appointed
to devise method of procedure. Be-
fore adjournment, kilograms were sent
to President Hartman of the Southern
Pacific and President Ripley of the
Santa Fe, asking that they take steps
to prevent any increase in transporta-
tion tariffs at this time.
Only one member of the committee
was absent and the large attendance
was taken as an indication of the de-
termination of the men who have unit
ed to resist the additional burden
which the railroads are endeavoring to
impose. Those present included: G. III.
Bentley, chairman of the committee;
c. j. Bradley, secretary; Albert Castle,
F. 7. Hubbard, E. A. Howard. Thomas
w. Collins, Louis F. Samuels, George
Hermann, NJ. J. O'Riley, Herman Kull-
man, Colonel Philo Hersey of San Jose,
Senator George w. Cartwright of
Fresno, Samuel w. Backus, E. d. Beard
of Napa and r. r. Switzerland of Col
ton.
EFFORTS HARMONIOUS
The committee took special pains at
the outset to make it clear that its
efforts We're to be harmonious with
those of the traffic bureau of the Mer-
chants exchange and the California
traffic association. In this way all
interests will be brought together to
wage the battle against higher rates.
With this in, mind letters were ad-
dressed to H. "A. Jones of the freight
department. of the Southern Pacific and
Edward Chambers of the freight de-
partment of the Santa Fe, stating that
the California traffic association had
indorsed the protest ofAthe Merchants
exchange, and asking that the confer
ences to be held include representatives.
of the California traffic association.
This conference will be arranged as
soon as Chambers recovers from his
present illness. 1t will include rep
resentatiyes of the two railroads, rep
resentatives from the two traffic bodies,
and members of the special committee
which met yesterday.
The subcommittee named yesterday
to report on a further method of cam
l.
Samuels, H. Kullman, c. II. Bentley and
G. J. Bradley.
SAVE BY ENDING REBATING
During the general discussions which
have been precipitated in commercial
circles by the rate agitation, 1T has
developed that the railroads have saved
vast sums since they abolished rebat-
ing. In fact it is stated that the
Southern Pacific has saved nearly
s1,000000 by this means since the re-
cent investigation of the state railroad
commission.
Pending the decision on the freight
rate question work is progressing
quietly toward the establishment of
government line of steamships be-
tween San Francisco and Panama 1t
is understood that matters have so
shaped themselves that the subject
will be presented to President Roose-
welt in case the railroads persist in
their desire to increase rates.
Files Briefs in Rebate Case
Attorney General Webb filed briefs
on the part of the state in the Santa
Fe rebate case with the railroad COM
missioners yesterday The railroad
company has 10 days to file its briefs,
after which the attorney general must
file his answer.
1t was decided by the members of
the commission to call for the briefs
as soon possible in order to render
a decision before the first of the new
year. Colonel II. D. Loveland said
yesterday that decision undoubtedly
would be handed down by Christmas
day.
A suggestion, submitted to the COM
mission by r. p Schwerin, vice presi-
dent and general manager OF the Pa
cific Mail steamship company, that the
commission allow the railroad COM
panies to make special rates for ma
terials to be used in the construction
of public works throughout the state
was laid on the table by the commits
sion on account of an opinion handed
down by the attorney general to the
effect that such a discrimination would
be illegal.