The San Francisco call., 1909-03-10
WARON Mill
COMPANY EXPOSED
Railroad COmmiss on Hears
Evidence Showing Fla
grant Discrimination
Lumber Firm Harassed for Fail
ure to Donate Land
for Spur Tracks

A hagrant case of discrimination.
showing the tactics used by the South
ern Pacihc TO harass a concern that re-
fuses 10 do its bidding. was presented
to the railroad commission yesterday
by the Danaher- Campbell mill and
lumber company of Los Angeles. So
plain was the case against the railroad
that Commissioner Boyeland was
prompted TO remark: Il only wish we
could read this complaint to the mem
bers Of the legislature before they vote
on the Stetson bill. 1t IS clear case
OF discrimination"
The lumber company has large
plant at Vernondale. a station near Los
Angeles. and has been the object of
continuous warfare on the part of the
Southern Pacific. because it refused to
deed an ample slice of its property to
the railroad for spur track purposes
In its complaint the company states
that the railroad imposed switching
charges, which were not assessed
against any other consignee at the
shipping point; that it refused to de-
liver freight billed to the company:
that it refused to handle lumber for
the company delivered by another line,
and, In fact, by its methods inflicted a
monetary loss amounting to $4,000.
GUERRILLA WARFARE WAGED
The complaint was filed by r. NJ.
Campbell and contains an interesting
recital Of the guerrilla warfare waged
against the lumber company It ap-
pears that the Southern Pacific was
careful in one instance. at least, go
avoid written record that might be
used against it. When it was forced
to remit $3.50 which had been col
lected in switching fees. it sent an
agent with the coin and refused TO take
voucher for the amount
Campbell says that he has appealed
to the railroad officials in vain and
adds: Recent developments at Sac
ramento have led US to believe that
there is railroad commission in Cali
fornia, and accordingly we present our
grievance"
TAKES No ACTION
The commissioners took no action on
the complaint. preferring to await the
arrival in this city of G. W. Luce and
H. A Jones, who are at present in
Chicago attending the conference of
the Transcontinental traffic association.
olil4 WISH we COulQ read this
complaint to the members of the Iegis-
lature this afternoon before they vote
on the Stetson bill.'' said Commissioner
Loveland yesterday at the conclusion
of the reading of the complaint 1T
is a clear ca4e of discrimination The
people can now see the necessity of
giving power to the railroad commits
sion"
The absence of Jones and Luce
caused the postponement Of action on
several matters that are now before
the commissioners. The complaint Of
the Ashland iron works of Ashland.
Ore, was referred to Commissioner
Loveland with instructions to see Jones
and Luce, as was the complaint of the
several meat companies, who fled a
Joint complaint last week in reference
to the raise by the Southern Pacific
company Of rates on cattle. A meet
ing between the commissioners, ship
pers and compliments viii be arranged
by LOveland, and an effort made to
adjust the grievances of the shippers.
The Southern Pacific is reducing
some Of its interior local rates, ac-
cOrding to schedules filed with the
( commission