The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, August 31, 1895, Page 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURD MYSTERIES OF TARIFF - BUILDING ~ AIRED. Freight Agent Smurr Explains Something About Them. HOW RATES ARE BASED. | Factors That Control the| Charges Made in Differ- ent Sections. | HORIZONTAL CUTS ESCHEWED.% Declared to Be Impractical and to | Work Injustice in Thelr Application. With the exception of a few minutes at | the beginning and at the conclusion of the session of the Railroad Commissioners | yesterday morning, the en was | occupied in listening to General Freight | Agent Smurr, who s t, by submitting and explaining comparative tables of rates and by a craz 1t lecture on the mys- teries of tariff to impress the Commissioners wit 1stice of making | any further curtail the Southern P even as things are, verge of bank In the cou secure the Company, which, med to be on the | nxious efforts to eration of the | is company, Mr. t resist the temptation to | pper combine,” as he called | with the benevolent | rn Pacific to allow the | de more for his grain en getting in former years. :d that when the railroad had | made a concession to the interior wheat- | shippers in rates to tidewater the amount | o0 allowed was much more than absorbed the excessive price of wheat charters to Liverpool owing to the corner that existed | n ocean tonnage, due, as explained by sioner La Rue, to the Fair wheat | hile endeavoring to explain to the the various differences in the company’s own lines for the nce, it was clearly demonstrated t the lower rates in nearly every in- due to competition of some ier by waterways or by rival | It was demonstrated that by rea- | ndition of things those places removed from all kinds of competition were made to contribute really more than their re venue toward the main- nce of the Southern Pacific. missioner Stanton sought to justify } on to the proposed horizontal cut of 15 per cent provided for in Chair- La Rue’s resolution, which is the real the commission, by leading 4 ronse to interro- zontal cut was never 1and would work in- ons are always made g to the traffic manager's e most needed. er Ciark distinguished him- | celf vesterday, as he has done at the | Jus sessions of the commission, by | - seen-but not heard. ot a little intérest was created at the | he session by tie introduction | sern Pacific of a witness in the ion { tens issue before person of W B. Curtis, who is to sever his | ns with that company on the last ter the em- Traffic A n as its traffic . which position will require the e of his best abilities in opposition TS, ssion settled down to after 10 o’clock yesterday cretary read a communica- he Property-owners’ Union of or a copy of the laws of ated that the Atchison, 1ita Fe Railroad had failed | f that section of the er the line from San although the line kad subsidy of $6.000,000. A a portion of the road 1d never been able to get eka and Santa Fe to re- re line. They n the prem- as filed for the Southern could b hed. n forthe Southern Pacific yesterday’s session Mr. asked for some descrip- gh which the Or- ation Company’s line } isons had been made between rates on that road and Southern | Mr. Smurr could not com- | piy with this request. Mr. Martin stated that there w: gentleman present who could give the desired information. With the permission of the commission he ins troduced W. B. Curtis, the newly appoint- ed -traffic manager of the Traffic Associa- tion. In replying to a question asked by Dr. tanton as to his present avocation Mr. irtis stated that up to the end of the yresent month he was in the pay of the .loulh(—rn Pacific, but that on thelst of September he entered the service of the Traflic Association as its traffic manager. He explained by means of # topograph- jcal map that in Oregon there were some- what less topographical ditliculties in rail- road construction than in California: In the course of this work Chairman La 2ue reiterated his statement of yesterday that he thouzht in making his comparison of rates Mr. Smurr had selected roads and | points that would throw the most favora- ble light on the Southern Pacific rates. i “There is no road running to tidewater | that we are not willing to make a compar- | isor with,” said Attorney Martin, when | Mr. Curtis was through. General Freight Agent Smurr resumed | reading from his comr}arison_ol rates. ! in the course of a little side argument | with Commissioner La Rue, the Southern | I’aéific representative stated that before he | finished he would have compared rates on every road in California with those of other roads in the Uwmited States for the same distance, and that he would make any comparisons desired by the Commission. | He added that he was not endeavonng to ; conceal anything. s ! w.\ir. Smurr ha(lgread but a few items from | a new sheet showing comparative rates on | the coast division of the Soushern Pacific Company, the Oregon Railway and Naviga- tion Compan, road and roads running into Duluth. Most of these, for the shorter Diego to Bar: n grant:d a Attorn b Pacific rates. S C \ distance, were lower on the Southern Pacific. i % Chairman La Rue asked if it was not a fact that little grain was carried from these and if there was not water compe- tition which compelled the making of low rates. Mr. Smurr added these facts and caid the company had to adjust matters according to circumstances they found. When the rates from the Salinas Valley points were reached Mr. Smurr called attention to the fact that from there large shipments of grain were made. G / s Rue—Your grain rates inclide those cbl:rged for flour, glls‘ barley, ete. Why, the Eastern roads you quote charge & lower rate for fiour, oats and barley than for wheat. Smurr—They probably have a justifiable resson for making cuch a_differerice which points, they can probably explain; I cannot. s Commissioner Stanton sugguud at this point that all statemenis of comparisons of rates be submitted to the commission and that Mr. Smurr simply explain such portions as appeared to show a discrimina- tion on the part of the Southern Pacific. Both La Rue and Smurr objected to this, the iatter stating that the public were in- terested in the matter and that he would prefer to continue the full reading of his statements before the commission. This | be was allowed to do. Next Mr. Smurr read comparative rates | on the Southern Pacific and those fixed by the Iowa Railroad Commission. 7These showed considerably in fayor of the Iows | rates and the railroad’s representative ex- plained by claiming the different condi- tions under which the various properties were operated accounted for this. La Rue—The Southern Pacific has made heavy recent reductions. May not some of stern Toads you are quoting have done me thing? Smurr—No. They are on our mumnfi list and we are on theirs, and thus all roads learn promptly of any change in rates made by any | one rond, and we have not been advised in this case of any such reductions. Commissioner La Rue interrupted the reading in two instances to state that rates he had secured from State commissions were lower than those quoted by Mr. Smurr. The latter said his figures were from the official tariff schedule of the roads in ques- tion, and if they differed from those fixed by the commissions that was a matter be- tween the commissions and the railroad; he could not account for it and did not be- lieve it could be so. Afterward Smurr read from snother ta- ble comparing rates on branches of the Southern Pacificand thoseon trunk lines. Commissioner La Rue asked why the Southern Pacific rates were higher on these branch roads, such as the Vacaville and Marysville lines. Smurr explained that on branch lines rates were always higher as the volume of traffic was much smaller in proportion to operating expenses as compared with trunk lines. e further stated thatany reduction made by the company would not benefit the farmer, as clipper rates would be advanced to Liverpool, the market for wheat. He then added: On the 28th of December, 1894, we made & reduction on wheat and thereby decreased our revenue $250,000. But instead of thus saving to the farmer the amount we gave up clipper charges were advanced to such an extent that the farmers got five times that amount less for the product, so our reduetion proved really no gain to the farmer. La Rue—Would this not have been the case ('_vcn,lf the railroad had not made the reduc- tion? Smurr—Not to the same extent. The clipper compact was never so strong as now, and it m&ies advantage of every chance to increase Tates. La Rue—Is it not a fact that the Fair wheat deal caused a corner in wheat tonnage and a consequent rise in the cost of transportation of wheat? 4 Mr. Smurr admitted that this was largely true. Chairman La Rue then called attention to what he called the discrimination in the case of Marysville, where for a haul of ninety-three miles to Port Costa the charge is $2 50 per ton. Smurr_explained this as being on a branch line, with a limited volume of trafiffc. He then went into the condition of the Southern Pacific,-ana claimed it would not be fair to ask it to make any re- duction in the amount of its revenue, as | they could barely meet expenses. If rates were reduced in one section they would have to be increased elsewhere, 8o as to allow the company to keep its gross in- come undiminished. Hedenied that there was any intention on the part of the South- ern Pacific to discriminate against any particular section. ‘When Mr. Smurr concluded the reading of the last comparative statement they were all submitted to the commission, and a recess taken until 2 o’clock. At the opening of the afternoon session Mr. Smurr produced sonte additional com- parative statements, which he explained Emd been prepared during the recess. The first figures quoted were comparison of rates on the :Southern Pacific to Port Costa, in the southern part of the State into San Diego and on the Atchison, To- peka and Santa Fe in Kansas City. Here the rate from Brentwood to: Port Costa, a distance of thirty-one miles, on the South- ern Pacific was 75 cents, into San Diego $160, into Kansas City $1 40, Chairman La Rue called attention to the fact, which was admitted by Mr. Smurr, that the rate from Brentwood to Port Costa was the lowest prevailing on the Southern Pacific system. A Smurr explained these low rates by saying they were due to comprtition. The same reason was assigned to explainwhy certain rates from Sacramento Valley }-oints to Port Costa over. the Southern >acific were lower in proportion to mile- aze than others. Mr. Smurr turther stated that tariff schedules were not based on mileage alone for reasons he had already partly stated. He said he would further explain the sysiem of making tariff sched- ules later. Another statement was then read by Mr. Smurr, showing the grain ton- nage received at the principal shipping points on the Southern Pacific during 1893 and 1894, In 1893 Port Costa received 7,000 tons, and 241,000 in 1894. The 1893 shipments cost an average of $2 83 to move, and those of 1894 cost $2 47 per ton. The same tariff existed during both years, ana the difference per ton was due to the different distances over which the crop was carried. The gross earnir:gs on these shipments for 1893 was- §$1,238,000, and $595,000 for 1894. Under the proposed 15 per cent horizontal reduction the revenue to the Soutnern Pacific Company would bave been $23,000 in 1893, and $456,000 in 1894. During 1893 the total tonnage of grain moved in California was 803,371, and in 1894 it was 456,000. The company’s gross earnings for moving wheat in 1893 were $1,816,818, and the shrinkage, if the pro- posed reductions were enforced by the commission, would be $543,404. This shrinkage would include the voluntary re- ductions made by the company since 1893 and the 15 per cent proposed by the La Rue resolutioc. For 1893 the revenue from all wheat moved in the State was $456,000 and the shrinkage on the same basis would be $244,000, of which amount $142,000 would be represented by the vol- untary reductions ef the company. Seventy-five per cent of all the wheat was moved from the San Joaquin, Sacra- mento and Salinas valleys. Mr. Smurr continued : Under the proposed reduction of 15 per cent the grain farmer would benefit to the extent of about 13{ cents per 100 pounds compared to the 1894 rates and a little over 1}4 cents com- pared to those of 1893. 3 I may add that the good intentions of the company, if I may claim good intentions for the company, in making the reductions in De- cember, 1894, were frustrated,as the farmer was not permitted to benefit from them owing 10 the heavy advance made in clipper freight rates from San Francisco to Liverpool, which, as the Liverpool market controlied the prite here, lowered the value of wheat at the point of production. The increase in the clipper rate more than took up the slack, if I may be per- mitted to use that expression, that was given the farmer by the voluntary reduction- of the company. In view of lhis(fhnse of the situation, and as it appears the desire of the commission to benefit the farmer, I would suggest that the commission turn its attention to controlking. if possible, the cliippef rates of vessels that come to this port. In order to bring about a lower a0 tariff to Liverpool 1 would farther suggest that the commission make it part of itsbusi- ‘ness to ccom{nush this by inducing the coming 1o this portof a fleet of ships to carry wheat. This is & most important point to conl{der and would certainly give the iarmer greater relief than any slight reduction that we might be forced to make. If the freight to Liverpool was_reduced but one shilling the farmer Would find a&s great relief as would be, afforded him under the proposed 15 per cent horizontal reduction of the commission. We recognize the importance of making such concessions as will preserve the whel.t-amwmg industry of the State, but of what beneiit is the use of our comparatively small concessions to the farmer when the commission ecannot con- trol the through rate of freight to Liverpooi on wheat? If theycould give us the assur- ance that any benefit we may concede to the farmer will not be absorbed by the clipper com- ht be more disposed toward mak- :::tn‘z:c:ll‘ ; but we do not care to benefit the clipper compact. Mr. Smurr here quoted from a sheet to show the grest increase that had been effected by what he called the clipper com- pact. In 1894 the average rate for iron ships was $6 62 and for wooden vessels §6 06, while the present rates were $8 64%or iron and $8 40 for wooden ships. It was admitted by the company’s repre- sentative that the depressed condition of things generally required the greatest economy on the part of every one, but he did not think it was fair to_make the rail- road bear the sole burden of relieving the distress of the farmer. Attorney Martin—What proportion of the wheat raised in the State and sthpedto for- eign ports in 1894 passed over the lines of the Southern Pacific Company? Smurr—About 43 per cent and a fraction. Stanton — What percentage of all freight earnin’gs of the company is derived from wheat? . Smurr—In 1893 we earned about $2,000,000, including the movementof wheat between in- terior points, and in 1894 about half that smount, owing to the short crops that year. Mr. Lansing, in presenting a statement of the finances of the company, will give you the gross amount of our earnings for these years, and you will then be able to calculate what proportion of them was earned in the carrying of wheat. La Rue—Do you in making your tariffs equalize rates so as to meet the conditions of the different localities? Smurr—Yes, sir, but we must take market and water competition into consideration. La Rue—There have been reductions made since that of December, 1894? Smurr—We have made no material redue- tions since then. La Rue—If it were admitted that a reduction was proper, would my method as suggested in the resolution be fair? Smurr—No, it would not be fair. At this point Mr. Smurr spread upon the table a topographical map of California, showing the lines of the Southern Pacific Company in the State. With the aid of this, he then proceeded to explain on what basis tariffs were made. He said: Tidewater points are the objectives. Port Costa, Stockton, South Vallejo and San Fran- cisco are the principal tidewater terminals. In response to a question by Commis- sioner Stanton it was stated by Mr. Smurr that a tariff based on distance alone was impraeticable, because of other conditions that must be considered. These were principally the distance from market of the locality known as market competition, and the competition created by water- ways. He further explained : In the San Joaquin Valley we have the San Joaquin River as a comg(‘lilive factor as far south as ¥resno. In the Sacramento Valley we have the Sacramento River, and in the Salinas Valley we must compete with the Pajaro Rail- road, which carries the wheat to Moss Landing, whence it is carried by water to San Franeisco. With such conditions to contend with a dis- tance tariff in regular arithmetic progression would not fit the situation. Nearly every- where we have to meet competition, either active or far removed. Our grain tariffs are on an arbitrary basis of rate-making for all points susceptible to water competition. Our December (1894) reduction was made on the representations of the grain-growers of the upver San_Joaquin Valley of the distress pre- vailing at that time, and if we had not made reductions at that time I believe the farmer would have fared as well, for_the clipper com- | bine would probably have had to take that much less from the grain-shipper. Stanton—Mr. Smurr, allow me to call your attention to a certain peculiarity I find in looking over certain comparative tables I have here.. I would 1ike yon th.explain; if.gan can, why different rates are charged for the same haul to Port Costa from different points. find that from Maxwell to Port Costa, a dis- tance of 102 miles, the rate is $2 05 per tom; trom Reed to Port Costa, a distance of 103 miles, $4 30; from Livingston to Port Costa, %2 30; from Volta to Port Costa, 103 i . $2 50. La Rue—The rate from Reed is due to its be- ing nearer to Marysville than the other points. Smurr—The difference is caused by the de- gree of water competition. _ | Stanton—Let us take Maxweli and Living- ston. Why 1s the rate $2 05 from Maxwell and 0 from Livingston? Smurr—There is a greater degree of water competition from the former place than from the latter. $ Ciark—Was the reduction made by the’com- any in December, 1894, in the nature of a orizontel cut? Smurr—It was not. La Rue—If it were necessary to make say & reduetion of 10 per ecent would an injustice be done by making it general? Smurr—We would not think of making a horizontal reduction. We would apply the res duced rates to the localities where we thought they were most needed—for instance, to the place mast remote from tidewater. . The farmer Who is so near tide-water as to get & rate of $1 toitis not so badly in need of & reduction, even if his rate is 5 cents a mile per ton, as the farmer whose rate, owing to his distance from a shipping point, is $6 & ton, even if he is pay- | ing only at the rate 6f 1 cent a mile per ton. This is the view we take of the situation. Martin—I would like to call your attention again to the question of Dr. Stanton with ref- erence to the difference charged Maxwell and Levingston. Is it not due to the greater water competition at Maxwell? Smurr—That is what I stated. Now to return to my explanation of the basis on which rates are made. We take Port Costa, the great ship- ping point for grain, as the starting point. Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco are iven differentials that are entirely arbitrary. Stockton's grain rates are made under special conditions, fixed years ago by the commercial body of that city and the company. Stanton—There are some points from which the rate is 5 cents a mile per ton. Smurr—I have no doubt of that; and in some localities it is even higher, perhaps. La Rue—Yes; I find a raté here thatisas high as 715 cents a mile per ton. Smurr—That is due to the short haul, which, asIexplained before, it much more expensive in provortion than a long haul. It is also roE-bly due to the character of the road. Mountain roads are more expensive to operate than those in the valleys. In thecase of a short haul the 5 cent rate might apply, while 1 | centa mile might be & good rate from other | points. Where there is a difference in the | Tates there is always a good cause. Water | competition isnot always a factory In some | localities, where competition is keen, we are satisfied if we get something over the bare cost of hnullni the (rei{l\l. that is the operating expenses, but we take it 5o as-to lighten the burden of other portions of our roads in meet- ing the fixed charges. Ratemaking in a coun- try like this is by no means a scientific propo- sition. To run a road so as to compensate the owners it must not only return something over oycruing expenses, Put must leave a surplus after also paying the fixed charges. Our claim simply is that our rates are gns!muble on any standard that can be brought to bear on them. Martin—Does wheat bring the ratlroad com- pany any more of the share of the operating expenses and fixed charges than other commo- dities in proportion to the respective volume of each handled? Smurr—No, sir. Stanton—Is the gross revenue from wheat larger than from any other commodity? Smurr—The revenue from wheat is larger, but wheat is more cos(l{ to handle. Other commodities can be hahdled more readily and cheaply. Wheat frequently requires speeial service and must always bé moved promptly. In handling other commodities we can move them more to suit our conveuience and, conse- quently, more profitably. Wheat traflic also requires the return of empty cars. Rue—Are not empty cars sent back East by the company in which other commodities than wheat have been shipped. Smurr—No, sir. The time has gone by when California imports more than she exports. The movement of empty cars is now this way. The balance of trade is in favor of California and has been during recent years, If the bal- ce of trade could be maintained between the tand West rates could be made cheaper. Take the matter of fruit shipments in re- frigerator cars. These cars, which are twice the weight of ordinary ones, must be hauled back empty, and this costs money. Sunmn—flnes(l believe, are based on com- modities according to the volume carried of each, asnear as this can be ascertained. Smurr—If there were no water competition, if the exact volume of the various commodities could be ascertained, if the leni‘h of heul were known in advance and if there were no market competition we might be able to fix rates exactly as they ought to be, but this we cannot do. stanton—In other words, you can't make a forecast. Could not a distance tariff be adopted for wheat alone? Smurr—A distance tariff is not practicable. Martin—Would it not, so far as water lines distance tariff could not be appliedin this country. Sm\:rr—-‘l'herla gu t::ex;l lx‘ntlnnmz x:ll‘uo- tion in our freight rates in past years, but the volume of traffic has not increased momoz. ately, as our income has gradually grow- ing less. "fa Ruo—Have not your current expenses ‘been reduced ? Smurr—Our current expenses have only been reduced since-the recent periodof hard times. But Mr. Curtis can give you better informa- tion on that subject. Assistant Manager Curtis — Our expenses have not been reduced 1n proportion to the loss in earnings. The tonnage has not been increasing for the past five years in proportion to the reduction in rates, and consequently we are at present running ata loss. At the end of last year we had an actual deficit of $2,500.000. La Rue—Which is the larger part of your la- bor expense—high or low grade ? ] This brought out a mass of figures show- ing that the lower-class _laborers reeeived the larger share of the $12.000,000 distrib- uted annualli by the railroad. It also showed that the average for the fiscal vear ending June 30, 1894, for the lowest class of labor was $1 57 per day; for mechanics, $2 49; for clerks, $3 40, and for the general office employes, $13 76. Martin—Have you any.more information or explanation to oifer? ‘murr—No, sir. Martin — (Addressing the Commissioners) ficnt!?emen, do you wish to ask any more ques- ons; La Rue—No, sir. Has the railroad any more men1whom it wants to present facts or fig- ures Martin—We desire to present financial state- ments and would like to do so to-morrow, but if we had more time we could present them in more condensed form and thus save the Com- missioners considerable time in the examina- tion of them. We would, therefore, ask for time until Monday to do this. Stanton—I object to any delay and want to et through with this matter at the earliest ay. I think we ought to meet again to- morrow. Mr. Lansing being appealed to said he thought he could bave bis statement in shape by this morning, and with the un- derstanding that he would appear before the commission with it to-day the session was adjourned until this morning at 10 o’clock. THEY CONDEMN STANTON, AY, TRYING TO' SHIFT TAXES. A Decision Found That May Mean a Big Change in the Levy. TEST CASE BEING PREPARED. Single-Taxers Hope to Force Prop- erty-Owners to Pay More Money. *The single tax advocates are hard at work on a test case which, if successful, in all Jikelihood will force the real estate owners of the City to contribute something like $1,000,000 more than usual to the mu- nicipal treasury. In a nutshell, the real estate owners pay county taxes on the levy made by the Board of Supervisors. The State Board of Equalization almost always raises this levy for State purposes. But the real estate owners never pay any attention to this raise when paying their county taxes. The single-taxers claim to have found a decision of the Supreme Court which holds that the rate fixed by the State Board of Equalization holds for both: State and county purposes. If this proves to be cor- rect real estate owners will have to pay the State rate on their county taxes. Last year the State Board raised the San Fran- cisco County rate 15 per cent. That means about $1,000,000. The single-taxers intend to wait until the State Board of Equalization has fixed the Btate rate, which it is now engaged in doing; then they will file a writ to compel the Tax Collector to gather whatever in- creased rate the State Board sets. All The Iroquois Club Calls Him a Traitor to the Demo- cratic Party. The Conduct of Commissioner La Rue Is Held Up to Public Admiration. The Iroquois Club held its regular weekly meeting at Pythian Hall last night. Max Popper, chairman of the committee ap- pointed some months ago te effect Demo- cratic organizations in each district in the county, reported that the work had been successfully accomplished. The commit- tee was then instructed by the club to pro- ceea with the permanent organization of these district clubs, the date of such action being left to their pleasure. The most important event of the evening was the reading of a resolution introduced by John Heenan, in which the conduct of Railway Commissioner Stanton was strongly condemned. It certainly voiced the sentiment of every Democrat present, and an effort was made to pass it then and there. The rules of the club, however, sent it to the committee on resolutions, but it will unquestionably be taken up and passed at the next meeting. The resolu- tion reads as follows: WHEREAS, The Democratic party is tho undy- ing enemy of corporate corruption, greed and avarice, whether National, State or' municipal, and hasat ali times been and shall continue the sturdy stay and support of the toiling indus- trious masses of our Republic in their just ciaim of their true and honestshare in the prod- ucts of their toil, without confiscation by in- dividuals or corpordtions under the guise of law; and whereas, gigantic corporation in ourmidst, éondemiing alike the laws of God and man and of their own ultimate economic weal through political brokers without party or principles and gangrened to the core with rottenness, is subverting the law of just return “to the producer, and is making industry un- productive in our State; and whereas, the fixed and enduring principles of onr glorious party, the lost' grandeur of the public liberties and rights, have been by one of our public servants, ele¢ted by our votes to the sacred trust of the Raflroad Commission, with unbiushing effrontery contemned and disdained: and whereas, said Commissioner, Dr. James L Stanton, has abjectly betrayed his immortal party, and has taken his direction from the political brokers of said arrogant and ruthless corporation; and whereas, said Com- missioner had shamelessly violated his solemn z:d sacred pledge of honor, now, therefore, it Resolved, By the Troquois Club of San Fran- cisco, that we denour.ce and’ condemn the sin- ister and oblique action of Railroad:Commis- sioner Dr. James I. Stanton in refusing to su ort the just Demoeratic resolution of his cllow and honorable Commissioner, H. M. La Rue, in relation to the reduction of freight charges on grein, admittedly now too high by reason of the state of the grain market and the slimness of the yleld for the season; that we consider him, the said Dr. James L Stanton, an unplushing breaker of his most solemn and sacred public, personal pledge and a recre- 2nt to the ennobling prineiplés of Democraey; that he is unworthy of bearing the name o Demoerat and should return to private life and ignominy; but that we turn with pride and pleasure to the npright coustitutional Democratic conduct of H. M. La Rue, the good and faithful public servant, and congratulate him on his open ah(mnf integrity and honor. That all the Iroquois clubs of this State smd City be requested to adopt like resolutions. That we call on Chairman Gould of the Demo- cratic State Committee to call said committee together to take meet action in this juncture of affairs. The annual outing of the Iroquois Club will be beld at San Leandro September 25, where an elaborate bullshead breakfast will be given. A SOUTH SIDE NIGHT. Grand Parade of Bicyclists to the Co- lumbia - Square Mass- Meeting. 3 The South Side Improvement Club ar making great preparations for the big mass-meeting that will be held in Columbia square and Folsom street on the “evening of September 5. A large number of South- Side property-owners and those interested in the proposed Folsom-street boulevard have been selected as vice-presidents. H. B. Russ has been selected as president of the evening. Among the speakers will be Hon. James G. Magnuire. A. Branch and G. D. Shadburne. Other speakers will de~ liver addresses in favor of better streets and the bituminizing of Folsom street. There will be two bicycle parades, prob- ably such as has never been seen before in this City, and the two lines will meet.at the square. One division will be marshaled by Captain Burke of the Californias. In this division will be the California Club, Liberty, Polytechnic, Alpha (in bloomers), Mondrch, Lowell High School and South Side clubs. Accompanying wiil be many unattached riders. The line of the parade will be from Twenty-second street, down Folsom to Twentieth, to Shot- well, to Fourteenth, to Russ, to éolnmhh are concerned, have the effect of preventing competition? < Smurr—It would. It would wipe out all natural advantages, in all probability. We tried it in years past in different localities, but it had to be abandoned in each case. Martin—A distance tariff is ongo practicable where there is 10 water corapetition? Smurr—Yes, sir. ’ Stanton—If rates were made lower 1n. one lace by reason of competition hi water,would {hey be raised in some other I ity ? This was cleverly evaded by a disquisi- tion on the effects of competition and the impracticability of a distance tariff. Later Attorney Martin, un: called aftention to had not answered Dr. Stanton’s question. It was remnud by Mr. and Mr. Smurr repl o, #ir. ‘If we geteven 1 mill above the actaal cost of hauling we take the business, as however small the sum may be we do not lose aware of his sinning, the fact that Mr. Smurr ointed artin any opportunity of a‘source of revenue .for meeting the fixe x rges.” La Rue—1I have come to the conelusion thata juare. 'he other division will be under Marshal Korn, and will consist of _the San Fran- cisco Road, Bay Clt{ Wheel, Outing, Waverley, Royval, ‘mperial, Sunset, Golden Gate and Camera clubs, besides many unattached riders. All of the “'bikes”” will be decorated with Chinese lanterns, ribbons and Howers. There is the keenest rivalry between the two divisions to see which will be able to get 1000 wheelmen in line. —————— Labor Exchange in Line. The petition of the Union for Practical Progress to the Mayor and Board of Super- visors asking that a special election te called on the munieipal owneiship question, received the unanimous indorsement of the 'Lbor Ex- chenge at its last meeting in Golden Rple Hall, on Mission street, Thureday night. The uxchmY has now a membership of 850, with J. 8. Clark president snd R. F, Ryfkoge, secretary. i this is in line with the life work of the single-taxers, for the move forces the in- creased taxation onto the real estate owners, and that is just where single mxlern aim to have the burden of taxation fall. The figures for the last fonr years show that the difference between State and county taxes as set by the respective boards represents quite a handsome sum. 1In 1891 the Assessor’s valuation on county roperty was $311,566,079. The State %oard of Equalization raised this to $399,- $26,077. In 1892 the Assessor's figures were $316,224,706. The State Board raised them to $412,047,076. 1In 1893 there was no increase. In 1894 the figures were raised from $325,108,898 to $372,765,543, an increase of mnearly $50,000,000. This year the Assessor’s figures were $327,802,107. The Board of Supervisors fixed the rate upon this valuation at $1.5371. Under the old system real estate owners would pay this rate for county purposes irrespective of any raise the State Board of poses. Right there is where the single- taxers propose to step in and try to make them pay the State rate in both instances Nearly all people who have no real estate and who pay taxes on personal property will escape this raise, if there is any raise this year. The chances are that they will have paid their taxes before the test suit is brought. Mayor Sutro got an inkling of what the | single-taxers are aboutand set his lawyers to work on the matter. They are now ac- tively looking up all the points involved. Mayor Sutro is doubly interested, for not only will he be called upon to actin his official capacity, but he owns a great deal of land in the county. At the time of the Midwinter Fair it was stated at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors that he held title to nearly one-tenth of the land in the county. Most of it is located about the Golden Gate Park and the sandhills berdering the ocean. The suit on which the single-taxers will base their contest before the Supreme Court _is entitled E. J. Baldwin agamnst Asa Ellis, Tax Collector of Los Angeles County. It was an action to recover taxes alleged to have been illegally exacted. The main question was: ‘Has cr has not the State Board of Equalization the lawful right to increase or lower the assessment- roll of counties so as to affect taxesfor county Purposes?" It was maintained by “Lucky” Baldwin that the increase or re- duction affected the roll only so far as State taxes were concerned. The decision of the court is directly to this point and is in favor of the State board. In closing its opinion on the point the court said: Section 3627 of the Political Code enacts that all taxable property must be assessed at its fuli cash value. If the appellant’s theory of the law be a proper one, then there must be two cash valuations of the same piece of prop- erty—one for the State and another for county purposes. There can be no real need of a State Board of Equalization unless its main function be to ascertain and declare, as near as possible, the true valuation of taxable property. The object which the constitution seeks to attain isthat the assessments shall be made to accord with the true value in money. Wé can- not understand how it can be held in the light of such words that the true value in money means two true values in money, which seems to be appellant’s contention here. Tax Collector Block has ruled that the State board has no power to fix a valua- tion upon which county taxes shall be collected. STATE: HORTICULTURISTS They Meet and Talk-of a Dried Fruit Exhibit for Atlanta. The Zante Currant Revived and Re- ports Heard on Orchards and Auctlon-Rooms. Several topics of interest to the fruit- growers in the State were discussed at the meeting of the State Horticultural Society in Assembly Hall, Mills building, yesterday afternoon. Prgsident B. M. Lelong called the meeting to order, ard there were pres- ent the following members: E. W. Maslin, W. B. West, B. N. Rowley, .Gustav Eisen, R. P. Rixford, H. Overacker, E.J. Wick- son, Theo Deming, Ed M. Ebrhorn, Frank A, Kimball, T. Kamsey, F. W. Crandall. Dr. Gustav Eisen spoke on the subject of “The Grapes of Corinth and Their Rais- ins,” discussing the Zante currant and the suit now pending in the United States Cir- cuit Court, in Which 8. L. Jones & Co. are contesting the duty on a shipment of that fruit. John P. [rish followed Dr. Eisen, and en- couraged the members with a hopeful out- look for the sustaining of the duty. A. P. Van Duzer, attorney for the im- rters, was invited to speak. He did so, ggt did not make much impression on his hearers, as he was not on their side of the fight. xWhile the Zante currant question occu- pied the largest share of the time, the roposition to popularize California fruits n cfi% East was the subject of practical interest. D. M. Carman spoke to the sub- ject. He said it was a mere question of making California dried fruits popular in the East in order to get the Eastern trade. He suggested a cooking school with head- uarters at Chicago and a branch at the tlanta Exposition, and asked if the State Horticultural Society were not the proper body to take up the matter and carry it to fin-fmcom lishment. R. P. Rixford said he was a member of e e e Baking Powder Equalization should levy for State pur- the committee that had been appeinted to take up the matter of an exhibit in the New York fair, but that he wasnot aware that the chmmittee's duty went beyond that plan, which had been abandoned. President Lelong favored the idea of a ractical exposition of California dried ruits in the East, and agreed with other members who declared that the usual ex- hibit of fruits in cases and glass jars had become rather stale. “It is only necessary,” he said, “to show the people of the East what can be done with our {fruits when put overa fire by a skillful cook. This plan will be exhibited at the State Fair at Sacramento, and I am heartily in favor of the matter being pushed by this society of placing our fruits prngerly fore the people of the East.” The subject was further discussed by several members, and the president was empowered to appoint a committee to take the matter in hand and report a plan which will result in the populmizing of California fruits at Atlanta and elsewhere without the necessity of advertising any gzower. The idea prevailed that contention tween growers would be avoided by plac- ing the control of the exhibit in the hands of the society, who would arrange to pay the growers for the fruits carried East to be used in the demonstration. The com- mittee named is composed of C. H. Allen, H. P. Stabler and H. Overacker. A tesolution was presented favoring the holding of the Btate Fruit-growers’ con- vention in Novenber at Sacramento. But no action was taken in the matter. B. N. Rowley and E. J. Wickson, the committes appointed to investigate the subject of ‘Profitable life of fruit trees in California” submitted a report stating that very few responses had been received to its requests for information owing to the fact that most of the orchards had not attained sufficient age. H. Weinstock, Pre:ident of the Califor- | nia Fruit-growers’ and Shippers’ Assqcia- tion, reported that the association has suc- cessfully carried out the reform in the direction of issuing daily bulletins show- ing the fruit in transit in order to prevent glutting the market. But the idea of con- solidating the auction salesrooms in Chi- ;:agtognd New York has largely been de- eated. CARPENTERS AND JOINERS New and Important By-Laws Were Adopted Last Evening. No Member Allowed to Work With a Non-Union Man—The Labor Councll. The Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union No. 22 held an active meeting last evening and initiated 125 new members, making a mem- bership of over 750. It was the last meet- ing at which new members could be ac- cepted on a 50-cent initiation fee. With but little discussion the new by-laws that will be added to the old were adopted. The new provisions will have an impor- tant bearing upon the work in the carpen- ter line. In the first place, the working- card system has been adopted, and all members in good standing must be pos- sessed of the little red pasteboard showing that his dues are paid, at least one month’s on each quarter. No member will be al- lowed to work on a job with non-union men. and the standing of any one can be easilv determined by the working-card. Under the new by-laws eight hours will constitute a day’s work, and the rule will be strictly enforced. For-‘all work done overtime must be paid for by what the carpenters call “time and a half”’ For Sunday work double time will be charged. ! AIL fractional parts oi a day, instead of be- | ing paid for by the hour, shall be paid for | at the rate of a quarter, half and three- qnarters of 2 day. These rules will go into effect on Septemiber 15. The four carpenters’ unions in this City control five-sixths of the carpenters, or about 2000 members. The carpenters state that work is fairly good, and this fact be- coming known throughout the State, where there is but little being done in the building trades, has caused an influx of carpenters. The City is now fiooded with members of the craft who are sadly disap- pointed. As fast as possible the new- comers are being taken into the fold. The American Painters’ and Decorators’ Union was last evening granted a repre- sentation in the Trades Council of this City. The latter body indorsed a resolu- tion recently passed by the Union for Practical Progress, and” which was pub- lished in TreE CaLy, which advocates municipal .ownership of telephone, tele- %mph. gas, streetcar and water systems. he Musicians’ Union complained that the Golden Banner,a Swedish organiza- tion, is hiring a non-union band for its &:nies and picnics. The matter was given o the executive committee with instruc- tions to do missionary work with this society. % ( One Bank Less. The Bank Commissioners have received a notification from the Bank of Fallbrook of San Diego County that the bank ceased Staking deposits on August 24. The cashier has been instructed to wind up the business of the con- cern. The capjtal stock is $25.000, and $18,- 000 1s due depositors. The reason for the bank closing its affairs is because there is not busi- ness enough in that locality to warrant its con- tinuance. The bank is solvent. For Land Deeded to a Niece. Mre. Bridget Martin, 80 years old, is suing to recover property at Douglass and Nineteenth streets from her niece, Catherine N. Hernan. She deeded the property to the niece, but she claims that the latter took advantage of her age to induce her to do so. STRICKEN WITH PARALYSIS. From the Industrial News, Jackson, Mich, Myron L. Root, & worthy workman, has lived for mearly twentysfive years in the ecity of | Jackson, Mich., at 234 Adrian ave., where he | ownsa happy home. His health had failed | him for some years back, and the loss of his | wife two years ago filled his cup of misery to'| overflowing. Grief and worry soon brought on | 8 stroke of paralysis. A few weeks later he had a second stroke, which totally disabled him. | He could neither move a'limb nor his head and had to be fed like a baby. The best medi- cal aid was furnished him, and his friends did all they could for him, but human hands seemed powerless to give him relief. Both physicians who were treating him told him, after & consultation, that there were no means of helping him. He was then but a mere skeleton, without power to move and scarcely menfm enough to expresshis wishes. Death was truly much preferable to a lingering life of such misery and helplessness. The marvelous cure by Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills of a woman afflicted similar to himself, which lwmned in the Industrial News, was read to_him, and although only a lingering spark ot hope existed he consented to give the medicine a trial, but insisted that another Ehlliehn be called, in order to lay the matter efore him. The physician was summoned, and after & thorough examination of the pa- tient and learning the history of the case, said that he could promise no relief and advised him to try Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills, which he had often known to succeed when everything else had failed. The pills were procurex, -nS he took them according to directions, with the most wonderful result. At the end of two weeks he could walk and at the end of four ‘weeks, nl:wu'h weak, he was perfectly cured and is now able to do all kinds of light ‘work. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills contain, in a con- densed form, all the elements necessary to give new life and richness to the blood and restore shattered nerves. They are an unfailing pecific for such diseases as locomotor ataxia, partial paralysis,” St. Vitus' dance, sciatica, heumatism, nervous headache, the of 1a grippe, palpitation of the En and sallow complexions, all forms ess either in male or female. Pink Pills are sold by all dealers, or will be sent Ppost paid on recelpt of price (50 cents & box, or 8ix boxes for $2 50) by addressing Dr. Williams® Medicine Company, Schenectady, N. Y. University of California—$40,000 to Loan. LANK APPLICATIONS WILL BE SENT No appiication for less than 8. 8 Berkeley, Cal., August 23, 1895. NEW TO-DAY. And Still Another Mothers’ a The great success of our ‘“Mothers’ Days has not surprised us. Our goods and our prices are such that they command success. To-day we shall redouble our efforts and offer still greater values. Fire and water sales are expensive to the buyer. What appears to be cheap turns out to be dear when you get it out into the daylight. Buying in our store is buying in BROAD DAY~ LIGHT. Best lighted store in San Francisco. Here are a few of the many things we offer to- day: BOYS’ SUITS. Blue, Brown and Gray Cheyviot and. Serge Reefer Suits, ages 4 to 8. $3.00 Strong School Suits, ages5 o 14, dark e A L 51,78 Blue and Black Serges, double-breast- ed and square cut, Long Pants, ages 13 to 19... $7.50 CORDUROY PANTS. Special value in Gray and Brown Corduroys, ages 4 to 14, just the thing for school, will wear like 75¢ CAPS AND BLOUSES. Boys’ Yachting Caps. 25¢ Boys’ Yachting Caps, gold and silver trimmed. vecsnys B50c Blouses, fancy trimmed, 3 to 7 years. 5o0o TIES. New line of Windsors and Bows....., 250 H. ROMAN & €O. Cor. Fifth and Market Sts. C; en till 10:30 to-nizht. REDUCED TELEPHONE RATES. SERVICE No. 1. 01d, $9 50 New, 85 50 Per Month. WITH NICKEL-IN-THE-SLOT AT- TACHMENT. Reduction over 42 per cont. THIS SEKVICE, NOW GIVEN FOR 85 50 PER MONTH, INCLUDES: Individual Metallic Copper Circuits (Two Wires) Long Distance Telephones Forty City Switches SERVICE No. 2. 01d, $9 50 New 84 50 Per Monh. WITH NICKEL-IN-THE-SLOT AT- TACHMENT. Reduction over 52 per cent. THIS SERV.CE, N W GIV 4 50 PE.C INCLUDES: i« TH, Combination Line Metallic Coppez Circuits (Two Wires, one_subscriber on each wire) no bell-ringing interference Long Disiances Telephones Express System Forty City Switches SERVICE No. 3. 0w, 8950 | New, 82 50 + Per Month. WITH NICKEL-IN-THE-SLOT AT- TACHMENT. . Reduction over 73 per cent. THIS SERViCE, NO GIVEN FOR ®2 50 PER MONTH, INCLUDES: Party ng’e Hlet“]!lx‘c & : Coj T rcuits (Two res, TS Pon each wm)( VA #besEie Long Distance Telephones Express System Forty City Switches (to each subscriber) Three hundred subscribers are now connected a§ this $2 50 rate. L. H. JACOBI, Contract Agent. 216 Bush st. SAN FRANCISCO, August 8, 1895. LI PO TAI JR’S Herb Sanitarium, No. 727 Washington St, Cor. Brenham Place, above the plaza, San Francisco, Cal. Office hours—9 A. M. to 12 M., 1todand btos Express System —— > = 8N FRANCISCO, June 1, 1895. 619 Geary street. After three vears of acute suffering from bron- chitis and insomnis and having been treated dur- ing this time by physicians of both the old and new schools without the slightest improvement I con- sulted Dr. Li Po Tai Jr., who at once found the direct cause of the troubie. After & course of treate ment with him I can_pronosnce myself cured. [ feel I owe my life to his skill. DORA LONG. WALL | £2 WINDOW PAPER 3£ | SHADES Largest Stock and Lowest Prices. G.W.CLARK&co. 653 Market Street. SAMPLES SENT. 'STHEVERY BESTONETO EXAMINE YOUR oyes and fit them to Spectacles or Eyeglasse ents of his own Invention, whosa ualed. My success has of my Office Hours—12 to 4 . M.