The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 12, 1896, Page 9

JERE LYNCH MND AEFORM O TOP, Hale and Norcross Stock Voted Against Mes- ser's Proxies. AN EXCITING ELECTION.| Economy Will Be the Watch- word of the New Board of Directors. HOW THE FIGHT WAS WON. New Officers in the Stock Exchange. No More Assessments—Smaller Salaries. ch and reform won the day at meeting of Hale & Norcross Messer's hosts were gathered They blocked the entire room ey tried to block the entire reform ement. As the secretary read off each name at the election yesterday the proxies all cried “Messer''—and how many proxies there really were. But stock is better than ies. It was stock that carried the day ynch and reform. When John Doe’s me was called and the proxy answered Tesser’’ there was always some one to 1 tock”'—*‘Lynch,” at the same time. r’s attorney formally protested stock being voted against proxies. n the Messer men lauched at the n, and the stock was nted. It took more than two hours to com- 1 3 but when the result was ful onessentup a was heard aown on the reet knew that Jere | ried the day. The ed along and soon ral. aresof stock in the e ana 107,000 of them v. The | 55,- | 1g cheer nd then gures will | more plainly would make largely stock. ely proxies. voch had but 9027 Messer_had proxies : Lynch fcrees Their hings of the election | at preceded it was the . A. Cachot of the old elected on the reform nd all sorts of reforms were prom- or him and by him. Yesterday Dr. t cast in his lot with the Messer w people are wondering just eformer he really is o s. to the reforms of the new administra there appears to be no sort of uncer- . Reform and economy are the tchwords and the work has begun al- The new president’s salary is a month. Jeremiah Lynch, the New President of | the Hale & Norcross Company. [Sketched from life by @ “Call” artist.) | R. U. Collins is the new secretary. His wili be $125 a month. His imme- edecessor, A. B. Thompson, was 00 for the same amount of work. | i become the superintendent and foreman of the mine, at a salary of $175 a month. Heretofore | there has been a superintendent at $200 a | month and a foreman at $175 a month. Mr. Tangerman’s engagement is a big { saving, but it is only a starter. Inside of | a month the new board of directors expect to effect a saving in operating expenses fully $1500. There is also to be a consiter- ble saving in office rent. 3 In ashort time the old guarters in the Nevada block, which cost $177 a month in rental, will be exchanged for new quarters in the Stock Exchange at a rental of $50. Heretofore the vice-president has received a salary of $50 a month. Hereafter the vice-president will serve for nothing a month. The new directors, who were chosen immediately upon the result of the vote being announced, are: President, Jeremiah Lynch; A. Krause, Thomas Mc- Donald, Ar}tlmr W. Moore, G. C. Sneider, Jid C. Barry and John L. Bradbury. What is more pleasing to the stockhold- ersthan anything else is the probability that the new board will abide by its pledges not only 10 reduce expenses a great dn{l, but to do away with the assessments. No more assessments! 15 the cry, and there are some good, strong men behind the pledge. “Ben Hur’ Illustrated. Borromean Council No. 129, Young Men's In- stitute, will be delivered by Paul B. Hay in Mission Opera Hall this evening. The subject will be “Ben Hur; a Tale of Cnrist,” and the lecture will be illuistrated by stereopticon pic- ures. THE OVERDUE RIO. No News of the Absentee—Reinsurance on the Vessel Begins to Climb Up. The Pacific Mail steamship Rio Janeiro is out thirty-five days from this port bound for Yokohama and no tidings have come in from her. The steamship Emoress of In- dia, which arrived at Victoria Tuesday night, reported that February 29, when one day out from Yokohama, she sizhted a steamer which was supposed to be the Rio. However, the Pacific Mail officials do not believe the vessel seen by the India was the n ing steamship, and they are getting more anxious concerning the fate of the big Pacific liner as the hours go by. Sti annot be considered hope- ral causes might keep her at and proiong her passage even into a danger length. A break in the machinery would force Captain Russell to depend.on his small sail power alone, in which case the clumsy Bioesoni creep over the ocean for daysunless found and towed in by some more fortunate steamer. But it must be considered that she would fare badly should the usual fierce Asiatic gale catch her in that disabled condition. General Agent Center of the Pacific Mail Company refused to be interviewed regard- ing the overdue vessel, and cannot give any information whatever. The first offer for reinsurance on the Rio was made in London yesterday morning, and 15 ver cent was paid in. The companies have fought shy of risk so far, but now that a start has been made it is thought that the reinsurance will goup to 25 per cent, and even hagher, to-day. The steamship China, which will sail for the Orient Saturday, will follow in the track of the Rio Janeiro and search care- fully for the dereiict during the passage across the Pacific. Tne City of Peking sailed for Yokohama subsequent to the Rio, but as she took the southern route it is not probable that she will see or hear of her overdue sister till she reaches port. She should reach Yokohama next Sunday. THE DRIED FRUIT TRADE L. R. Wing, the Chicago Dealer, on Its Condition in the East. Partial Failure of the Yield in France. Disadvantages of the Position of Growers. “The growers of prunes in California have had this year an opportunity for the iction of their goods in the Eastern s that would under ordinary cir- tances have cost them thousands of e partial failure of the French crop at a time when the market supply was comparatively light has placed within their reach the chance for the introduction of California goods in certain quarters which would ordinarily have been secured only after years of repeated and persistent effort on the part of growers and their brokers who represent them.”” T statement was made last night at the Palace Hotel by Luman R. Wing of Chicago, who has for alongtime been prominent dentified with the Califor- nia dried it trade in the East. “Every advantage has been taken ofthis opportun and the results are just what were anticipated at the outset of last sea- son’s business. California prunes have come into the market to stay, and the ground which French shippers have for- feited by force of circumstances may be re- garded as permanently lost; at least, so long &s growers here continue to maintain the standard which has characterized the consignments of this season. “Consumers are invariably conservative and disinclined to change from long and successfully tried markets, and though constant and persevering work would have gradually won for the products of this State the position which they hold to-day, it would have only been accomplished inch by inch and after a siege of years. “The outleok in the East at the present time for dried fruits from California is, in my estimation, most promising; and de- spite the constant report which comes from this'section as to the loss which the growers have suffered I feel confident that if certain conditions relative to the pack- ing, grading and discrimination in ship- ments are observed the losses suffered in the past will be well worth the experience vhich has been gained. Of course, we hear in the East about general dissatisfaction among growers e, and the reports of the repeated losses which it is said they suffer year after year can be directly traced to causes which can the it | certainly be remedied. ““A great deal of the harm from which growers suffer has been due to their fail- ure to discriminate in shipments. They seemingly failed to realize that the ifornia dried-fruit trade for the past few years has been passing through the stages of its incention, and that the early impressions formed by consumers have been the only guide by which they have been able to base future operations. “Instead of using care in_the making up of their consignments and in forwarding a class of goods representing a standard which this State could easily maintain, they have adhered to the old penny wise and pound foolish policy and sent forward to New York, Chicago and other Eastern markets, in company with their best goods, a big supply of low-grade material, the returns for which would hardly defray the cost of transportation. ““This stuff is, of course, sold. From the wholesale men it goes into the hands of the retailers and purchasers, who, in re- sponse to repeated solicitation to try Cali- fornia goods, get hold of it. Their first | experience is unsatisfactory and they in- variably form a prejudice which it takes | time to overcome. “*Anotber disadvantage from which ship- pers suffer is the disposition shown to ce their goods in the hands of irrespon- ble salesmen, who solicit consignments by giving promises that under the most srable circumstances cannot be fulfilled. y seem there are large s of consignors of dried fruits who to-day fruit houses and to others who are not with the trade, simply because representatives delude them by promises of returns which reliable com- mission - houses cannot conscientiously make. “The results are always the same; the grower suffers the loss which he has brought on himself and the reputable com- mission trade is accused of participation in a combine which has been organized pre sumably to swindle producers, “There are enquzh reliable commission- houses to handle all the goods grown in this State. growers can always secure a guarantee of the character of their sales by a comparison with current quotations,” -— NOTED SOCIETY PEOPLE. Governor Morton’s Daughters and Ex- Mayor Grace’s Son Arrive Here. The two oldest daughters of Governor Levi P. Morton of New York, formerly Vice-President of the United States, ar- rived here 1ast night and are at the Palace, They are accompanied by Miss Harvey and their maid. The young ladies are on a pleasure trip to California. J. B, Grace, son of ex-Mayor Grace of New York, also arrived here last evening. A mid-Lenten lecture under the auspices of He is at the Palace. | the part of Legislatures and courts necessi- A | rallways 1o be exempted from all danger re shipping their goods to green- | THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THORSDAY, MARCH 12, 1896 MR, HERRIN'S ARGUMENT| A Familiar Plea in Regard to Fixing Railroad Freight Schedules. AGAINST ARBITRARY RATINGS. Relying on the'Granger Cases for a Decision Favoring the Southern Pacific. Attorney Herrin monopolized nearly all of yesterday’s session of the United States Circuit Court in presenting, from the standpoint of the Southern Pacific, a statement of the case of the Southern Pa- cific against the Railway Commission. The fight for an injunction restraining the Railway Commission from ordering a reduction in the transportation rates for were conveyed across the continent over the lines of the Central Pacific at a cost which might be called insignificant in comparison with that which the original road had been obliged to sustain. At this point in Mr. Herrin’s argument an adjournmenc was taken for the day. st e i LAVEAGA'S LEGACY. Judge Coffey Has Allowed Him the Full Amount. Joseph Laveaga has been allowed the entire amount of the $20,000 left him by his uncle, Jose Vicente Laveaga. Joseph Laveaga was the illegitimate son of Jose Laveaga’s brother. In his will Jose Laveaga left several be- quests, which he made chargeable upon the sale of the Los Aguillas ranch. The ranch realized only about 40 per cent of what was expected, however, and an at- tempt was made to cut down all the legacies in proportion. Joseph Laveaga demanded his §20,000 iegacy from the gen- eral funds of the estate, and after carefully examining the will and the numerous | codicils attached Judge Coffey has allowed | this to be done. 2 Joseph Laveaga is fighting for one- quarter residue of the estate, the share his father, if living, would take, but it is claimed that an illegitimate son cannot be heir to an uncle, even though he has been acknowledged. This case is still pending. R Lost His Racehorse. wheat is being kept up with great per- sistency. Proceedings commenced with Ferris Hartman, the pride of the Tivoli, ob- tained a search warrant in Judge Campbell’s MR. HERRIN QUOTES DECISIONS IN FAVOR OF THE RAILROAD, a petition on the part of ex-Judge Hayne requesting the admission in evidence of certain affidavits and extracts from the testimony given by C. P. Huntington be- fore the Senate committee, in order to show that the cost of running a steamship line between New York and New Orleans was included in the operating expenses of | the Southern Pacific Company. Judge McKerna, after some argument on both sides, decided to admit the docu- ments in evidence, but no other portions of Huntington’s testimony. Mr. Herrin then commenced the open- ing argument for the company. He de- voted his attention to a consideration of the law governing the powers of Legisla- tures and Railway Commissions to reduce rates of transportation. He cited the Granger case, decided in 1876, wherein a principle was enunciated which was long | thought to imply that the bodies named | ¢ were endowed with unlimited powers in the direction mentioned. Judge Brewer, he said, was the first to attack this view by holding that these powers were to be | reasonably used. Mr. Herrin contended that the Legisla- | ture had the right to order that reasonable | rates of transportation be established, but | had no authority to fix any arbitrary rate | it might choose. It was not easy to esti- mate the value of railway property, and hence it was hard to fix upon a fair return for funds invested in the road and its stock. Aside from the actual value some re- gard, he claimed, should be had for the sums of money invested in the road, even though its value might have somewhat depreciated. 1t was not fair to expect| that men of wealth should wish to see their funds become unproductive, He earnestly contended that those whpse money had made the railways what they | ere should be considered entitied to a fair rate of interest on their investment. The feature of this case, he said, was the fact that there was no legislative provision for bad_years. The Legislature had fixed 2 maximum rate, and if the losses of the company in any certain year exceeded its profits the stockholders would be forced to make up the deficit from their own pockets without being al- lowed to reimburse themselves by tempo- rarily raising the rates. He cited a deci- sion of Justice Brewer in a similar case. He asked whether schedules established by railway companies might not be con- sidered prima facie reasonable in view of the points cited in the Granger cases. However, Justice Brewer’s decision in the Day case would seem to indicate that even this power of the Legislature had limitations. It had the right to fix reasonable rates, but not any rates reasonable or unreasonable. The power is limited to the establishment of reasonable rates. The minute any court or legislative body transcends this power and passes bevond the limits of its legiti- mate exercise its act, he maintained, would straightway become null and void and absolutely of no effect. This right on tates a correlative right on the part of the of being forced to charye rates so low as to be unjust to their stockholders. Mr. Herrin cited a number of cases to the effect that where rates of transporta- tion were so low as to preclude a railway making legitimate profit, and prevent its owners from obtaining a just and fair re- turn for their invested funds, the courts should have the right to fix those rates at a higher figure. There was no question that the rates should be high enough to enable the owners of the road to pay for proper service and meet the running ex- penses. Ordinarily speaking, he said, courts should allow the directors of a rail- way a certain degree of discretion in the matter of establishing rate schedules, and as a ruie, should not 1nterfere except in cases of evident malfeasance. Courts could not disregard the cost of a road in estimating the reasonableness of its rate charges. This invested capital seemed to call for a fair return, even though the present value of a road be less than the amount expended in its construction. He cited the case of the Central Pacific road which was built at a cost far in excess of the amount paid for the construction of any road subsequently put in operation, since materials for the first-named road had to be conveyed to places where they ) court yesterday. His racehorse, Una Qui Amo, ne sald had peen stolen, and hé had reason to | believe that it would be found at the Ingieside racetrack. He was not prepared to say who had robbed him of his steed, but he might be | in & position to do so when it was found. —_— e, Reception to Ondricek and Materna. A large number of people last night attended the informal reception at the Palace Hotel to Mme. Amalia Materna, the famous Wagnerian singer, and Franz Ondricek, the Bohemian violinist. The reception took place in the .Klrlurs of the hotel. The singing of Mme. | Materna was greeted with great enthusiasm and the lady received many encores. It was the same with Mr. Ondricex, whose renditions | on the violin pleased ev one present. The | reception lasted till 10 o’clock. 2 Pty For Unemployed Women. The board of lady managersof the French Christian Union of California will hold a par- | lor meeting attne residence of Mrs, G. Barstow, 927 Pine street, on Friday, March 13, from 3 to 5 P. M., in behalf of the home for unvm&floyedl girls and women, to which is added a depart- | ment for convalescents of all creeds and n: tionalities, The programme com poses speeches and musie. ————— A German paper states that 521,000 shells were discharged by their armies against LIGHT TRUST DELAYED, Legal Obstacles to the Pooling of the Electric and Gas Companies, THE PROMOTERS VERY SHY. Edison Plant May Be Duplicated for Half the Sum the Gas Com- pany Pays. The news about the formation of a big trust in light, published in yesterday’s CaLr, created widespread interest in the City. Inguiries were at once made to ascertain if the details of the consolidation of the San Francisco Gas Company and the Edison Light and Power corporation had been adjusted. The promoters of the **big combine’ had another meeting yesterday afternoon. J. B. Stetson, who represents the electric company in the pending negotiations, was seen yesterday, but positively yet kindly declined to be interviewed. “There is nothing to say at present,” pleaded Mr. Stetson. *I do not want to withhold information from THE CALL, and as soon as- anything is settled I will cheer- fully tell you all about it. So far nothing definite has been accomplished, and own- ers of stock are excited by the rumors which have been published.” Mr. Stetson was asked to mention the names of the gentlemen who were con- ducting the negotiations, but said he could not do so in justice to his associates. Mr. Stetson also declined to express any opinion as to whether the object of the trust was to acquire small electric plants throughout the City and thus consolidate all the light companies. P. B. Cornwail of the Mutual Electric Conipany was seen at the Black Diamond coal office. He said the company with which he is associated was not a party to the consolidation. What he knew of the negotiations was derived from THE CALL. Mr. Cornwall said: ‘I do not know of any pian to form a trust. Electricity now is about as free as air, as al! the patents for its use have expired.” “Do you apprehend a monopoly in the business of supplying light?"’ “Notas long as Iam in the business,” responded Mr. Cornwall, “‘and I am in the business to stay.” The information comes from authentic sources that the chief cause of delay in concluding the terms of consolidation is due to the deliberation of attorneys in ex- amining the articles of union. It also transpires that the overtures for the pooling of interests come from the Edison Light Company. The leading stockholders of the gascompany have not exhibited special desire to consolidate. A capitalist whois well informed on the subject said to a CaLL reporter last night that the gus company could duplicate the | electric plant for half the money which it is proposed to pay for the property of the electric company. If the plant were du- plicated the competing light company would still be in the field. Stockholders of the gas corporation seem unable to understand why the Mu- tual Electric Company is not considered as a dangerous competitor. From all that can be ascertained no overtures have been | made to bring into the trust this com- | pany, of which P. B. Cornwall is the man- | ager and Alvinza Hayward the chief | backer. There is also another gas company to be considered in the future. Some timeago the old Central Gaslight Company, now the Pacilic Light Company, of which Al- bert Miller is president, pooled issues with the San Francisco Gas Company fora term of seven years, the basis of agreement being that four-sevenths of the combined profits should go to the latter and three- sevenths to the Central. The other gascompany (the Central) has a plant, mains and the full equipment for conducting the business of suppiying light. Herein may lie one of the obstacles in the path of forming a new trust. It is regarded as a foregone conclusion that the negotiations to establish a trust will be successfully carried out. Some few days may elapse before announcement of the fact is officially given to the stock- holders. After advancing from 8114 to 8414 Tues- day forenoon San Francisco Gas stock has since fallen down to 81. There were large sales within that range. Yesterday some stock sold as low as 80. Four hundred vessels pass through the the French fortresses in the war of 1870-71. Straits of Magellan annually. were needed by means of expensive and cumbrous modes of transportation, whereas the materials for other roads NEW TO-DAY. e e e e e A e e e e A, They go “the straight and narrow path.” These bicycle riders—the straightest path they can pick out to the wholesale district, where they save from $2.50 to $5.00 on their suits. Not a small retail stock, but a great manu- facturers’ product tochoose from. ALL-WOOL CHEVIOT BICY- CLE SUITS—dust-proof colors, square cut, military collar, patch pockets, double seats, $7.50 at 're- tail stores—here $5.00 suit. Other gradesaeviot $6.50 and $7.50. FINE CORDUROY BICYCLE SUITS—tan or brown, cut in the most approved styles; retail stores ask $12 or $14—our whole- | sale price $9.00 suit. SEPARATE CHEVIOT BICY- CLE PANTS $2.00, $2.50, $3.00, $3.50. BROWN B&ros. & co, Wholesale Manufacturers. Proprietors Oregon City Woolen Mills. FINE CLOTHING RETAILED At Wholesale Prices. 121-123 Sansome Street, Between Bush and Ping Streets. ALL BLUE SIGNS. NEW TO-DAY—DRY GOODS. SPECIAL BARGAINS TO-DATY XIN ——NEW— SPRING GOODS! Although all offerings throughout eur magnifi= cent new stock are Bargains when taken in com-= parison with prevailing retail prices, we offer our to-day’s patrons the following and many other EXTRA SPEGIAL ATTRACTIONS! PARASOLS! PARASOLS! At BO Cents. CARRIAGE PARASOLS, in gloria, in black only, unlined, will be offered at 50c. At 78 Cents. CARRIAGE PARASOLS, in gloria, rufled trimmed, unlined, will be offered at 75¢. : At $1.00. CARRIAGE PARASOLS, in silk gloria, lined in black, will be offered at $1. At 81.50. CARRIAGE PARASOLS, in silk gloria, double ruffle, in black, will be offered at $1 50, At $2.00. CARRIAGE PARASOLS, in silk gloria, double and treble ruffle lined, will be offered at $2. 4 $1.50 to 87.50. LACE PARASOLS, in gloria, surah and gros-grain, trimmed with chiffon and French lace, from $1 50 to $7 50. At 81.00. LADIES’ 24-INCH BLACK SUNSHADES, paragon frames, natural handles, will be offered at $1. At $S1.78. LADIES’ FANCY SHADED PARASOLS, with natural handles, this season’s im- portation, will be offered at $1 75. WHITE PARASOLS. WHITE PARASOLS, in cotton, China silk and lace trimmed, in all the latest shapes and designs, from 75¢ to $6. BLACK AND COLORED PARASOLS. In ruffle, shad ed, striped and lace trimmed, in all the latest styles, from $3 to $10each. LACE DEPARTMENT! At 15 Cents a Yard. CREAM NORMANDY VALENCIENNES AND POINT DE PARIS LACES, 4, 5and 6 inches wide, regular value 25c. Cents a Ward. SE LACE, 5, 6 and 7 inches wide, regular price 45c. a Ward. LY LACE, all silk, 5, 6 and 7 inches wide, regular EMBROIDERIES! At 15 Cents a Yard. CAMBRIC GUIPURE EMBROIDERY, regular value 25¢. HANDKERCHIEFS! At 12 Cents Each. 1000 dozen LADIES’ WHITE SCALLOPED EMBROIDERED LAWN HANDKER- GLOVES! GLOVES! At 35 Cents. 700 pairs 5-HOOK AND 4-BUTTON KID AND UNDRESSED KID GLOVES. odd sizes and slightly soiled, colors and black, regular value $1, will be closed out at 35¢ a pair. At 458 Cents. 800 pairs 5-HOOK UNDRESSED KID GLOVES, in tan, mode and slate shades, value $1, will be closed out at 45¢ a pair. 3 At SO Cents. 750 pairs BIARRITZ KID GLOVES, colors mode and slate, regular value 85c, will be closed out at 50¢ a pair. : At 25 BUTTER NET-TOP POINT VENT At 25 Cents CREAM AND BLACK CHANTIL! value 40c. regular At 75 Cents. 600 pairs 5-HOOK KID GLOVES, in tan, mode and brown shades, value $1 25, will be closed out at 75¢ a pair. At 9O Cents. 500 pairs 4-BUTTON KID GLOVES (large buttons to match gloves), in colors and black, regular value $1 50, will be closed out at 90c a pair. MEN’S : BOYS’ FURNISHINGS! At 25 Cents. 150 dozen BOYS' CALICO AND CHEVIOT WAISTS, made with two pleats in back and front, in a variety of handsome patterns, worth 50c, will be offered at 25¢ each. At 88 Cents. 75 dozen Boys’ FAUNTLEROY BLOUSES, in very handsome patterns and all sizes, worth 65¢, will be offered at 35c each. also black, regular At B Cents. 75 dozen MEN’S FANCY TRIMMED NIGHTSHIRTS, made of good heavy muslin and trimmed with silk and embroidered trimmings, extra value for 75c, will be offered at 50c each. 18 Ceni At ts. 9 dozen MEN'S FULL-FINISHED MERINO SOCKS, in assorted vicuna shades, worth 25¢, will be offered at 15¢ a pair. At 20 Cents. . 150 dozen MEN’'S FULL-FINISHED IMPORTED COTTON SOCKS, with double- spliced heels and toes, in assorted tan shades and black, worth $4 a dozen, will be offered at 20c a pair. a MEN'S UNDYED ACSiRariam Or MB'S-WO ozen MEN’S UN ALTAN LAMB'S-WOOL UNDERSHIRTS AND DR.AW)::RS,A warranted thoroughly shrunk, worth $1 50, will be offered at LADIES’ WAISTS! 100 d LADIES' WAISTSAfi Bfo ‘ljerl:.tb--k in f ozen S , made of percale yoke back, in fancy stri laundried collar and cuffs, price 50c. . 2 % (G pen and eheaks, % At 81.00. dozen LADIES’ SHIRT WAISTS, made of fine lawn, French percales and dimi- ties, laundried collar and cuffs, regular price $1 50, will be offered at $1. 100 Markel Street, corner of Jones, SAN FRANCISCO.