Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-30
SAN PEDRO IN
FIRM STANDFOR
TERMINAL RATES
ASSOCIATED J0BBERS TO SEND
MEN TO SHORE TOWN
SHIPPING PROBLEM REMAINS AS
SOLE OBSTACLE
Port City representatives Ask foT
Exact Statement of Position
Of Los Angeles in Con-
soIidation
kkfTl HERE is not a member of the
chamber of commerce here who

kkIHy dERE is Hot iheHipel VI lho
II is opposed to annexation except
on the question of terminal rates" de-
clared e. l.. Blanchard, secretary OF
the San Pedro chamber of commerce,
last night before the Los Angeles con-
solidation committee at meeting held
In the chamber of commerce.
The meeting was fruitful of thor
ough discussion of the terminal rate
question as related to consolidation, II
nothing more. and the representatives
of the two cities at least approached
nearer an understanding on that point
than they have heretofore.
The committee of fifteen having in
charge the consolidation affairs know
exactly where the San Pedrans stand
as to the question of terminal rates,
and the business representatives of the
port city are fully aware now to what
extent Los Angeles merchants and
jobbers will go in order to secure these
rates in the event of consolidation.
Terminal Rates Condition
The San Pedrans asked that terminal
rates for San Pedro be made condi-
tion precedent to their support of con-
solidation. The consolidation commit
tee as far as possible, gave assurance
that as soon after consolidation as pos
sible terminal rates would be secured.
This was the only bone of contention
in the meeting, and it was picked as
clean as a rain-washed skeleton.
1t was decided that a committee
from the Associated Jobbers of Los
Angeles should appear before a meet
ing of citizens to be held next Tues
day afternoon at o'clock in the city
hall at San Pedro. M. j. Newmark,
president of the Associated Jobbers,
and Traffic Manager Gregson OF the
same organization will be among those
who will attend this meeting.
The committee from the San Pedro
chamber of commerce was composed of
Edward Mahar, F. S. Whitman, E. L..
Blanchard, George H, Peck and James
III. Dodson.
There were several members of the
San Pedro board of trade consolidation
COMMITTEE present. but they did not
participate actively in the proceedings.
The attendance of Los Angeles citizens
was larger than usual, and the debate
at times was spirited.
Ready for Canal
Chairman Jess stated in his opening
remarks that 1t was the hope of all
that by the time the Panama canal
was completed Los Angeles would be
receiving and shipping freight through
her own port at San Pedro He re-
viewed the consolidation fight. and as
serted that the benefit to San Pedro
would be measured in dollars, while
the benefit to Los Angeles would be
measured in dimes.
Mr. Mahar of San Pedro said the
people of the coast town wanted to
know what Los Angeles proposed te
do, particularly with reference to ter
minal rates.
Mr.. Blanchard, speaking for the San
Pedro chamber of commerce, said that
r.o n mi
posed to consolidation except on the
question of terminal rates, and asked
why the Los Angeles jobberS could
not first get the terminal rates for the
harbor city and thus clinch support OF
consolidation. Several other members
of the San Pedro delegation thought
that If Los Angeles would first have
San Pedro made a terminal point, as
an evidence of good faith, there would
be no trouble in getting the people to
consent to consolidation.
Mr. Dodson, who later declared that
he would accept the guarantee of good
intent Given, said that the people
wanted the outer harbor developed, and
he thought the Miner concession the
best place for immediate development.
Seek Jobbers' Business
Mr.. Blanchard insisted that Los An
geles jobbers bring the business to San
marked that when the business was
there the wharves and warehouses GER
tainly would be built.
Mr.. Dodson added that so long as
the work of improving the outer har-
bor was pushed it would be easy to
carry the consolidation ELECTION, but
If 1t stopped the people would not vote
for 1t.
Mr. Newmark assured the San Pc
drans that the Associated Jobbers were
trying to get the American Hawaiian
Steamship company to have it's ships
call at San Pedro, and would be able
to do so as soon as the harbor was put
in shape and consolidation with Los
Angeles effected.
After long discussion between Mr..
Newmark, Mr.. Stephens and others
of the Los Angeles committee, and
Mr.. Blanchard, Mr.. Mahar and others
OF the San Pedro delegation, 1t was
decided that the matter of terminal
rates should be taken up and dis
cussed at meeting in san Pedro next
Tuesday.
Traffic Manager Gregson of the AS
sociated Jobbers will be the princi-
pal speaker and he will explain the
question of rates. This is the only
barrier at present between the two
cities.
Chairman Jess said last night that
probably no more public meetings will
be held. The committee soon will be-
gin the formulation of plan of con-
solidation.