The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-02-15
FEDERAL STEAMER
LINE IS FAVORED
Merchants Exchange Endorses
Project and Denies Conflict
of Opinions

In order to clear up misunderstand-
ing that has arisen in commercial
circles. the governing committee of the
Merchants exchange traffic bureau has
addressed a circular letter TO its mem
bers explaining its attitude toward the
proposed steamship service TO Panama.
1t is pointed out that the bureau has
always preferred privately owned to a
government line. but confronted BY a
pealed 10 the federal government for
transportation facilities. The letter to
the members bears the signature OF
L. 2. Rithet. chairman OF the governing
committee II follows
A some misunderstanding has arisen as 10
the purport and meaning Of resolution passed
at the meeting of The governing committee Of
this body OF the list day Of February. 1910.
the fun text of the resolution passed on that
date together with that Of the resolution on the
same subject passed January 90. 1899. is ap-
pended hereto. We respectfully submit them.
believing that fair reading OF these resolutions
NiH disclose no conflict whatever between the
position nOE taken and that affirmed in the
resolution Of January. 1863.
We may further say that the instructions to
Mr. Wheeler, as conveyed by the remarks Of the
members of the committee present were strongly
IN Favor Of his using his endeavors further
me inauguration of a privately owned line: and
that ne has appeared az Washington at the re-
quest II the chairman OF the senate committee
for the purpose OF giving Information the
subject.
The resolutions passed February /.
1910, and in pursuance OF which Will
liam r Wheeler and Attorney Seth
Mann are now in Washington. are as
follows:
Whereas. this bureau. on January 26. 1854
placed itself record a being strongly in IA
Tor Of the maintensnee Of efficient and .cxpe-
ditious service between tie Atlantic and Pacific
coast ports via the Panama ronte. and or
posed 10 the establishment Of government
owned line Of steamers between Panama and
Pacihc coast ports until every effort 10 secure
steamship service under private enterprise had
been fully exhausted: and
Whereas. year hss elapsed since said resolu-
ton was passed without any privately owned
line engaging in said service: and
Whereas. 70 the opinion Of this body there j.
no likelihood Of any privately owned steamship
line engaging in this service long the Pa
cihc Mall steamship COMPANY fthe control Of
Whose stock vests in the Southern Pacific COM
Psnyl engages in this tr ifhc: and
Whereas the United States government main
isiDs efficient steamship service between New
York and the istHHius Of Panama. ny reason Of
which service practically all of the supplies used
in the construction OF the Panama canal. and for
the .sustenance Of the employees tinciuding meats.
fruits, vegetables, cereal products and other
foodstufIs, as well as nay. grain and FODDER are
purchased 10 New York and other Atlantic sea
board markets "a the exclusion of the producers.
manufacturers and merchants OF San Francisco
and other Pacific coast cities; and
Whereas. the establishment OF an efficient serv-
ice by the government between San Francisco
and Panama would bring to this coast a large
volume of this business. TO the advantage of the
government well TO the advantage Of the
Pacific coast producers, manufacturers and nier-
chants: now, therefore. be II
Resolved that this bureau, while continuing to
be opposed TO the principle Of government owner
ship of such utilities. realizes that
froited by condition and not 4 theory. and
therefore in justice 10 the shippers. producers.
manufacturers and merchants OF San Francisco
and other Pacific coast cities. urges that the gov
eminent inaugurate such transportation facilities
between San Francisco and Panama as will re-
move the existing discrimination in favor of the
Atlantic seaboard. and al the same time provide
prompt aud efficient through service al rea-
soneble rates Of freight, between san Francisco
and New York and be il further
Resolved that the manager and the attorney
of this bureau hereby authorized and directed
covering this subject. called by United States
Senator Frank =. Flint of California. at Wash
ington. February 10. 1910. and there voice the
views Of this bureau as expressed herein.
The resolutions of February 26. 1909.
opposed a federal steamship line until
every effort TO secure a steamship serv-
ice under private enterprise has been
fully exhausted 1t is the contention
that these efforts have been made with
out success and that the bureau can.
therefore. with complete consistency
ask for the federal line. The resolu-
lions of January, 1909. follow:
Resolved, that the traffic bureau Of the Mer.
chants Exchange. while strongly in favor of the
maintenance Of efficient and expeditions serv-
ice between Atlantic and Pacific ports by the
Panama route is opposed to that portion of
the California senate joint resolution No. lines
81 TO ~. fnculsivet urging the establishment OF
government owned line of steamers between Pan
and Pacific coast ports until every effort 10
secure a steamship service under private enter
prise has been fully exhausted.
Resolved, that the traffic bureau does strongly
favor the general government granting aud ex-
,endans eveTy assistance 70 private enterprise
Resolved. that copies Of this resolution he
sent TO presiding officers in the senate and as
governor