The San Francisco call., 1908-11-26
CHARGE MADE
THAT BUREAU
IS INSINCERE
Merchants Exchange Body Is
Said to Be Working for the
Southern Pacific
RetOrt Is That Action Will Be
Taken After Rates Have
Been Investigated
Fruit and Produce Men TO Make
Move Against Rail-
roads

fruit industry of the state. have sent
out notices 10 their members and will
he represented at the meeting by large
delegations The chambers of COM
merce about the bay and in those coun-
ties where fruit is one OF the leading
industris have been invited TO send
delegates A large representation viii
come from the growers convention,
which VIII meet the day before in Sac
ramenS.
Al these meetings the proposed raise
in rates viii be discussed and plans
formulated to prevent it by every pos
sible means. AT the conclusion Of the
gathering steps viii be taken to or
ganize a state body which shall act as
the representative Of the fruitmen and
others in all traffic matters 1t is the
intention TO secure independent men not
amenable TO railroad dictation.
/. F. Graham, president. and H. c.
Rowley secretary OF the California
Gamers league, have co-operated with
Fienry P. Dimond. manager Of the Dried
Fruit association, in calling the meeting.
The detailed arrangements are being
made by Manager Bradley of the Cali
fornia traffic association.
Grainmen Interested
AT the same time Bradley is gather
ing the information necessary to pro-
ness TO which the new freight rates ap-
ply. He has had several conferences
with the bean and grain men. who have
complained that the proposed schedules
would cut out a big section of their
present market Bradley viii confer
with Attorney Cushing before determin-
ing positively on the action to be taken.
Seth Mann and T. c. Friedlander were
5n conference yesterday at the formers
Office and went over much of the mate
rial that has come in.
1t is my purpose said Mann, after
] have made thorough study Of this
material TO take the matter up with
The traffic officials Of the railroads /
VIII try TO show them that in many
instances they viii harm themselves
= by limiting the market for California
products. II I meet with no success
there I viii recommend that the matter
be submitted to the interstate commerce
commission"
The bureau OF the Merchants ex-
change has not yet committed itself to
the extent Of a decision to press the
matter before the interstate board. To
that suggestion, as well as to a query
as TO the possibility Of injunction pro-
eeedings. Friedlander replied that no
policy had been determined upon.
we. VIII cross each bridge as we
come to it," he added.
The affairs Of the bureau are in the
hands OF a governing committee
Of II composed of the following
businessmen: r. P. Rithet, chairman:
Joseph Durney. +. NJ Fenwick. J. O
Harroh, c. r. Havens, E. R. Lilienthai
J. 5. Littleheld, A. L. Scott, F. A. Som
ers. Samuel sussman and A. G. Towne
Fruit Interests Unite
The dried and canned fruit interests
have united in a protest against the
contemplated raise in freight raaes and
after making z study of the mater
have reported their findings. They
show that the change as pranosed
would act as a discrimination against
the products of this state. 1t is shown
speclncally that the market for the Cal
ltornla tomato would be greatly re-
stricted and the sale Of ali other f-,,f.
and vegetable products seriously i'm
peced. IT is contended that the pres
ent schedule nets a large revenue to
the railroad companies and that the
projected increase IS unwarranted
me report was drawn up and sub
mltted TO the Merchants excban.a !
tralnc bureau as the result Of q meet
lhS OF representatives Of the Gamers,
league and the Dried Fruit associa-
s.on- Inc Gamers were represented by
9. L. Tilden, G. H Bentley. Walter M |
Field, Andrew Griffin and 7 a unn+
and the Dried Fruit association hv |
Saftenlaub and D. J. Guggenhime. The
hnclnSs are in part as follows
Cslllornia packers have had their
leffitorY more and more confined -, |
competitive staple articles which -.
resent large volumes Of business n
diana and Missouri canned +oae |
are given the preference IN I[-e /
1ateS ana lower minimum rates -
CURED Tor carloads into New Mexico |
Baltimore is given A distinct 49,,
fage even as far west in Texss as
~ Faso, having a rate of So cents
per 100 pounds, against our presen9 l
rate OF - cents per I00 pounds ana ~
proposed rate of IS cents. C-olorsdo
has a lower rate into California tbs1
California enjoys into Colorado or /
competitive lines of canned goods
In the event of an overprodTctio-
occurring by reason of heavy crons or 4
depressed markets, transportation con-
panies have frequently reduced ~,
made emergency rates to move The 1
surplus figuring that such action uas
necessary in order TO move the sI1rnl,,s
and secure the normal production and
consequent volume Of business in slfS,
segment years.
In this connection It may be said 4
that we have a very bounfffal cron 4
IN California and a large pack of cal
ifornia canned fruits has been made /
The market. is depressed and TIE carry
over win be large in any event The 1
additional burden Of increased freight /
rates was not anticipated waen the
pack was made and only Increases the
difficulty. IT would seem to be an op-
perfume time for the Transportation
companies. in their own interests. to |
come to the RELIEF OF shippers and
make q reduced rate TO move f4e mack