The San Francisco call., 1910-10-23
FRESNO BANQUETS
MERCHANTS PARTY
Enthusiastic Welcome Is Ac-
corded Special Train of
San Franciscans
Businessmen, on Way Home,
Decide TO Make Similar Ex=
cursiOns Through State
[Seeeial Diseatch 10 The CnIll

excursion into the lower San JOAQUIN
came TO fitting conclusion here to-
sat IN the heart of the valley. The
special train OF the Merchants associ-
alton Of San Francisco, carrying 100
businessmen, reached Fresno this after
noon ana tarricd through the day and
evening. Tonight the special is speed
ins northward and homeward.
Eoday's travels included the grow
ing cities of Dinuba, Reedley and San
scr. In turn they extended lavish
hospitality. The san Franciscans were
sAown the rich orchards and presented
with their bounty
Fresno and San Francisco clinked
glasses at q gala banquet tonight at
the Hughes hotel The directors of the
local chamber of commerce were guests
Of honor. Expressions OF mutual esteem
and good VIII were exchanged by the
representatives OF the two cities.
ROBBINS PRAISES ENTERPRISE
n u. Robbins Jr, president of the
San Francisco Merchants association,
spoke in part as follows:
AS we stop IN Fresno on our way
home we feel that we have indeed Wis
iteG the land of milk and honey. Every
man Of our party is filed with deep
pride in the great growth and progress
OF the unexcelled San Joaquin valley.
From the early days of California
san Francisco has been identified with
and financially interested in the great
work OF its development. Foreseeing
IN measure, but as time has proved
only small measure, the possibilities
OF the San Joaquin valley, our San
Francisco men furnished the money TO
buy the land in the early DAYS But
that in itself was inadequate, so the
san Francisco merchants built the San
Joaquin Valley railroad, so as to make
il possible TO bring the future products
10 your natural market, and in return
TO carry reciprocal shipments of COM
modities consumed by you.
one step in development leads a
progressive community into another,
and so we put money with you to con-
struct your great packing houses and
canneries. Your energy and progress
have been a marvel TO us all. The
next step is to foster and extend our
commercial interests for mutual benefit
and profit
SPEAKS OF EXPOSITION
San Francisco is leading your fight
for the exploitation of the states op-
portunities by preparing for great
exposition. Think of the extent of the
exhibit Fresno county will make five
i assure you that San Francisco is
alive 10 the mutual interests that link
II with Fresno. Now that we have the
most modern and well built city where
rail and water meet, we offer you our
facilities and trade"
William J. Wheeler. manager of the
traffic bureau Of the Merchants ex-
change. spoke for a navigable water
way clear to Fresno. He said:
i am pleased to learn that the busi-
nessfnen Of Fresno have organized a
traffic bureau. 1t is in line with prog
ress The traffic bureau of San Fran
cisco extends its greetings, its best
wishes, and offers TO you its facilities
at all times.
FREIGHT RATES DISCUSSED
The question Of freight rates is one
Of deepest concern TO every citizen.
When rates are exhorbitant the coun-
come out Of the producer and the con-
sumer. Il is to the interest of the
merchant that reasonable rates apply
so that the purchasing power of the
producer and the consumer may be in
creased.
Resort to commission to adjust rates
Is long, tedious and expensive pro-
cess Let effective water competition
be applied and rates are brought down
with rattle and bang that is start
ling
Fresno is ideally located in the heart
n the san Joaquin valley TO become
the metropolis OF that valley. All you
need is water competition to make you
the great distributing center of this
valley.
ADVOCATES A CANAL
1T IS now UP TO you men of Fresno
70 see that the San Joaquin river is
nearest practicable point to your city.
This can be brought about by the CO.
operation of the ngressman repre-
senting the San Joaquin valley, and 1
believe ] can promise you the hearty
cooperation Of the congressman repre-
senting san Francisco. with a view to
securing the necessary federal ap-
preparation during the coming session
OF con gress.
You people Of Fresno and the en-
tire San Joaquin valley should aug
ment this by building a canal through
your alluvial plains from this head of
navigation, be it's Firebaugh or a point
nearer, that viii enable steamboats, to
come TO your very doors.
This is necessary If you are TO reap
the full benefits arising from the COM
hence. Otherwise rail rates on your
products, dried fruits, raisins. canned
fruits, or even fresh fruits may be
maintained between San Francisco and
Fresno as TO offset the low rates offered
BY vessels sailing through the canal
WOULD LOWER RATES
while your rate today on dried
fruits and raisins in carload lots is
s572 per ton, and on canned goods
$3.50 per ton, with the San Joaquin
river made navigible and connectin g
canal 10 Fresno. your rates should not
exceed 50 per ton.
This viii make Fresno port and
the shipping center. not alone of her
own products. but of the entire San
Joaquin valley south Of her. Men of
Fresno, IL is up to you to take the
initiative in this movement. and l be-
lteve I am safe in saying that you viii
have the hearty cooperation not only
Of the Merchants association, but of
every commercial body of that city
At the conclusion of the dinner l. M.
King. secretary OF the Merchants as
sociation, was presented gold watch
nv his colleagues on the excursion.
7 II AlacIlafferty made the presenta-
ton In a neatly termed verse
Before the departure an informai
meeting was held on the train. Ine
beneffts of the trip were discussed, the
opfnion prevailing that the ADVANTAGES
were so great as to warrant regular
expeditions OF the same sort INTO All