The San Francisco call., 1909-12-11
AUTO MEN LINE UP
FOR RATE BATTLE
Dealers Form Organization for
War With Railroads Over
Freight Charges
Propose to Carry Conflict to
Commerce Commission
If Necessary


met yesterday afternoon in the rooms
of the San Francisco motor club to
consider the proposed raise in freight
rates by transcontinentaI lines. The
situation was thoroughly gone over
and those present, representing most
of the heavy shippers to the coast, de-
cided to fight the raise and if neces-
sary to carry it to the interstate COM
merce commission. 1t was decided to
organize an association for this pur
pose and this purpose only. to be
known as the automobile freight rate
association. George F. DIETRICH of the
Automobile trade association was elect
ed chairman, and upon motion c. A.
Hawkins. Fred ]. Linz. j. w. Leavitt.
! C. s Howard, A. f. Hunter and Calvin
c. Eib We're appointed a committee to
draw up the necessary articles of per-
manent organization.
! 1t is proposed to issue today a petit
tion to be signed by those dealers who
We're not present so that the move
ment will have the backing of every
, automobile dealer in San Francisco
/ When this is done the petition will be
sent throughout the state and princi-
pally to Los Angeles to get the sigma
lures of all others interested. At the
same time the chairman was instructed
northwest, suggesting that they form
a similar association there. and that
these two bodies unite in the move
/ ment.
Ways and means for the carrying out
of the plans were discussed and il, was
suggested that funds be raised on
/ basis of a percentage of the shipping
expenses paid by each member The
amount of this percentage will be
settled at the next general meeting
! that will be called some time next
/ week.
In the general discussion at the
meeting it was clearly shown that the
| rate proposed and even the present
1 rate was excessive as compared with
other commodities. From opinions eX-
pressed during the meeting it was
/ thought that the dealers have a good
case when the grounds for their claims
are considered in comparison with
those of other shippers who have re-
ceived redress at the hands OF the
| interstate commerce commission. From
the stand taken at the meeting it looks
as If the autOmobilemen will not stop
until their claims have received con-
sideration by the last court of appeal
Burkhard & Crippen. agents for the
Lexington cars, are preparing for their
New Home for Los Angeles. and
| Lexin~ton Car the ground will be
. :. -o broken on Monday
next for one of the
| most commodiOus and handsome affairs
of the kind in that city. 1t will be 80
| feet front by $50 feet deep to an alley
! 20 feet wide. and the building will be
! located at the corner of South Grand
avenue and PicO street. one of the most
prominent corners in-the city. 1t viii
be completed within 90 days.
Word has been received that the
dealers of Los Angeles to the number of
% met at the Of
New DeoIers. flee sof Ralph G.
4ssocIation Hamlin recently
G. -.s. and completed the
details of what in
] future is to be the governing organiza-
ton of the automobile dealers of that
! city. The name of the Organiza ton is
/ to be the Licensed Dealers association.
| and is to be corporation. with
| president. vice president and officers,
! including a board of directors.
| The organization is at present in the
l hands temporarily of committee.
| which is formulating the details. and
| Just as soon as the Incorporation has
| been fully effected the officers will be
chosen and the institution sent on it's
way rejoicing.
1t is not known what the exact policy
! of the new organization will be toward
! the cars which today are unlicensed
! but rom the drift of affairs throughout
! the eastern cities the tendency is TO
! tighten up the lines on the unlicensed
! cars.