The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-02-04
WILL CARRY GOODS
TO EAST AT COST
Canal Commission Makes New
Offer TO Aid Merchants in
Fight Against Railroads
Shipments VIII Be Transported
at Rate Merely TO Cover
Expense of Haul

The Emitted States government
through the Panama canal commission
made further offer yesterday 10 CO.
operate with the businessmen OF San
Francisco for better transportation
facilities IN its latest proposal the
government practically undertakes 70
carry at cost freight shipments from
this city. The commission VIII receive
the CargoeS AT Panama and has eT
pressed its willingness to transport
them across the isthmus and up the
coast TO New York for the mere eN-
pense Of the haul
The trade possibilities which this
offer has opened have appealed to
every big shipper in the city. Great
interest was manifested Yesterday in
The published reports telling of the
willingness Of the canal board to CO
operate with an Independent line Of
steamships from San Francisco to the
isthmus. An active campaign to
launch the independent service was
begun Immediately
ARRANGING NEW SERVICE
DEFINITE informa ton as to the new
line viii be brought 10 san Francisco
by IT. :. Bates OF the shipping firm
Of Bates & Chesebrough Bates has
been in New York and Washington
making arrangements for the indie
is known that William r. Wheeler
soon 10 become manager of the traffic
bureau of the merchants exchange, has
interested himself in the matter
The canal commission made known
its desire TO cut rates 10 the mere
cost Of the service in a letter 10 T. G
Friedlander, secretary Of the traffic
bureau Of the merchants exchange
Friedlander had written TO the canal
board. protesting against its system
Of making rates. The commission has
no set schedule of tariffs. but makes
a through rate of 80 per cent under
the transcontinental railroad rate on
carload lots and so per cent under the
transcontinental tariff on less than car
load lots.
The traffic bureau of the merchants
exchange wired to the canal board
asking the cancellation Of the existing
tariff and the establishment of spe-
cine rate. Friedlander received the re-
ply yesterday. which is in part as fol-
lows:
II should be stated that where the
pcrcentages noted fail TO secure the
business the initial carriers. l. e.. the
Pacific Mail steamship company on the
Pacific side. and the Panama railroad
company on the Atlantic side, are au-
rhorized 10 make reductions IN rates
necessary TO secure cargo. down 70
point which does not produce an .actual
loss TO the carriers for It's transporta-
ton
Tn maintaining its rate at a certain
pcrcents &c OF the transcontinental tar
in it followed naturally that when the
railroads increased their through rate
the canal boards rate also advanced.
Tn its letter TO Friedlander the commits
sion makes it plain that its rates are
elastic and viii be put down TO any
point necessary 10 handle business as
So
WILL DIVIDE THROUGH RATE
In communications TO local shippers
the canal commission has offered to di
vide q through rate equally with an
Independent line Of steamships between
san Francisco and the isthmus. The
division viii be on the basis Of so per
cent for each carrier, and not 40 and
so per cent as was previously reported.
The California traffic association has
been particularly active in arranging
FOR an Independent service by way Of
the isthmus. In a letter TO G. J. Brad
ley, manager of the association, Secre-
tary RosbOttom Of the commission ex-
planned at length the facilities which
the board can offer.
II appears that the boats of the COM
mission make better time than the pri-
vately owned liners. Shipments could
be made from San Francisco to New
York IN % days or less.
Speaking Of rates, the secretary of
the commission writes:
The through rates from New York to San
Francisco have been for some years past quoted
Tor convenience On a basis OF 80 per cent and 20
per cent reduction from the transcontinental
tariffs. but when II is necessary TO secure cargo
our traffic department is authorized TO make
through rates down 10 q minimum OF IS per ton
the lowest that we have yet been able 70 in
0uce our cocarriers on the Pacific coast between
san Francisco and Panama TO participate in as
they claim that when this rate is reached the
proportion they receive go per cent on San
Francisco business) out Of which they must
pay handling and wharfage charges at San
Francisco and Panama, is barely sufficient 10
pay expenses.
Rates from San Francisco TO New York are
by agreement, made by the initial carrier, with
authority 70 make any rates necessary to secure
business down TO this agreed minimum Of SIS
As Tar as the Panama railroad and its steam
snip line are concerned II is always willing 10
accept It's agreed proportion OF any rate which
the initial carrier finds Il necessary to estab-
llsh in order 10 secure business
Any steamship line operating on the Pacific
coast n connection with our road at Panama
ana engaged In traffic 10 and from San Fran
cisco and ports beyond. including of course
Central America and Mexico would be entitled
unoer our open door policy to the same treat
ment from Us as Is accorded TO the Pacific Mail
steamship company; and II such steamship line
found u necessary 70 quote through rates OF less
than s. per ton, II could either shrink its own
proportion covering the haul 10 and discharge at
Fsnamas OF Induce this company to pro rate any
lower rate Necessary 10 secure the business: and
IS Tor many years past the policy OF the COMPANY
has been to allow initial carriers TO make neces-
sary rates there is every reason 10 expect
continuance OF such policy This however. could
De covered In any negotiations with our company
lot me esta enlistment OF such g line