The San Francisco call., 1909-01-08
RAILROADS LIKELY
TO RESTORE RATES
Canned Goods and Dried Fruits
May Go Back on the For
mer Schedule
Southern Pacific and Santa Fe
Seek Further Light on Two
Industries

The officials of the Southern Pacific
and the Santa Fe have asked the ship
pers of the state for further informa-
ton as TO the effect OF the Increased
freight rates on the canned goods and
dried fruit Industries. In accordance
with this request Joseph Durney has
sent out on behalf of the Merchants
exchange traffic bureau a circular let
ter to all Gamers and fruitmen of the
state asking for the desired informa-
tlon 1t is felt among the shippers
that the railroads have practically de-
clded to restore both canned goods and
dried fruits to the basis prevailing be-
lore the advance went into effect.
The Gamers and the dried fruitmen
made very strong presentation of
their case before the raiIroadmen. In
fact, 1t was demonstrated that the
transportation companies were injurin g
themselves as well as these two indus
tries. Figures were submitted show
ing that profitable markets would be
entirely lost to California, and that a
large traffic would, therefore, be lost
to the railroads.
NEED EMERGENCY RATE
further point made by the Gamers
and fruitmen was that the large sup
ply on hand in the form of a carry
over crop called rather for an emer-
gency rate instead of an advance. The
ures that they might learn just how
heavy surplus remained to be moved.
The shippers are now gathering this
information and have sent out requests
to the industry generally to assist.
From private sources it is learned
that the railroadmen are seriously con-
sidering an amendment to the new
schedule which will place the canned
goods and dried fruit industries on
their former plane. 1t is not expected
that the alteration will be made at
once, but the change is looked for
within the next so days. The confer
ence of the transcontinental lines has
been set for January %, and 1t is pos
sible that action will be taken shortly
after that time.
RELIEF FROM NEW LINE
An Independent source of relief for
the shippers may come with the COM
pIetion of the Kansas City. Mexico and
Orient line, the road promoted by e. A.
Stillwell. The suggestion that this line
would afford relief came yesterday,
when it was reported that agents of the
company were in San Francisco maxim &
preliminary arrangements for a steam
ship line to operate along the Pacific
coast and across the water to the
orient.
The Kansas City, Mexico and Orient
railway runs from Kansas City TO To-
polobampo on the gulf of Mexico. 1t
is being constructed in sections, and it
is stated that it will be completed
in another year. A portion of the line
is already in operation. Through trains
Will be run next week by connecting
with the Southern Pacific by way of
Sweetwater and Ell Paso.
After the road has been opened
through it's entire length line of ves-
sells will be placed in operation along
the Pacific and will also carry cargoes
to and from the far east.
ACTION ON FULTON BILL
Great interest has been manifested
among the local shippers in the action
taken by congress on the Fulton bill
The measure provides that new rates
may be suspended by the interstate
commerce commission pending an in
quiry into their reasonableness. Wash
ington dispatches stated that the COM
mittee on interstate commerce had re-
ported adversely on the measure. Local
shippers were discussing yesterday
some means of forcing favorable ac-
tion. 1t is understood that appeals will
be sent to congress asking that the
matter be given favorable considera-
ton
The Gamers league is deeply inter-
ested in this subject. and will take it
up at it's annual session called for jan
barry IA Notices have been sent out
calling the meeting, and they contain
the information that one of the sub
jects to be discussed will be the pro-
posal to increase the power of the
interstate commerce commission.