The San Francisco call., 1910-09-16
Low RATE MAGNET
FOR CONVENTION
Convention League Urges That
Railroads Grant Reduced
Fare to Delegates

Strong efforts are being made by the
San Francisco convention league to Sc
cure round trip rate of $3.50 from
Chicago to make sure that the National
Educational association viii be held in
this city next year Kirk Harris of the
Grand hotel, who has just returned
from the convention of the National
hotelmen's association in Chicago, has
brought back information to the effect
that movement is on foot to have
the executive committee of the educa-
tionaI association fix upon Chicago as
the place for holding the next conven-
ton. Harris, in discussing the mat
ter yesterday, said:
San Francisco has been quite sue
cessful in securing conventions, espe-
cially since the organization OF the
San Francisco convention league. This
success has been in a great measure
due to the Willingness of the terminal
lines here TO support the league by
granting the special rates necessary
to make a successful fight for con-
Ventions.
\ conference is now in progress at
Chicago al which it is understood the
rates for the National educational as
sociatlon convention. to be held mere
be hoped that the roads represented
al the meeting viii be able to grant
the $3.50 rate asked from Chicago
points without quibbling.
The railroad problem as applied TO
convention rates is the most serious
with which the league and the other
commercial bodies working for coloni-
ZatiOn and home seeker business have to
meet To attract large assemblages, or
people seeking rural locations. it is
necessary 10 offer inducements in the
way Of low rates in the same way that
any merchant offers some special article
for sale at reduced cost as a magnet
for business.
AS the success of our con-
bodies in securing conventions, colon
lists and home seekers largely depends
on attractive offerings in the way of
low rates it Is essential that the active
cooperation not only of the terminal
lines here be secured. but also those
of the middle west. 1t is a well known
fact that the middle western roads are
not wholly in accord with the princi-
pie of frequent special selling dates and
grudgingly make concessions. feeling
that they are sacrificing considera b. e
revenue in so doing.
On the coast a much broader view is
taken of concessions made to induce
western travel, for here the feeling
prevails that any loss suffered through
the granting of special rates is more
than made up by the volume of bust
ness. Another point that is overlooked
or at least ignored by our eastern con-
nectlons is the fact that only by induc-
ing colonists, home seekers and con-
ventions can the great vacant spaces
In the west be peopled. What is wanted
by our commercial bodies is the more
active cooperation of the eastern con
nectlons of the terminal lines here dur
ing the comparative quiet of the sum
mer months. There's is no disposition
to ask for any better rates than those
which now prevail. nor are these roads
asked to make any concessions during
the winter months.
What we want is that during the
period from June to September when
business. which could not be secured
otherWise, may be obtained bv grant
ing the special rates usually made for
large parties and that the middle west
ern nnes more warmly support our
EFFORTS to secure western travel With
better cooperation in this respect,
there Is no question that a great
amount of business, which now goes
elsewhere during the summer months.
VIII be attracted to the coast with the
ultimate result of peopling and devel-
oplng the western country and so pro
ducing increase of a greater permanent
business for the railroads themselves.