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Show PROPOSED INCREASES IN MESIMSSEO Freight Traffic Manager of Southern Pacific Company Gives His Views. G. W. Luce of S.ni Franeisoo, freight traffic manager of the Southern Pacific, is not averse to an increase in through freight rates to Pacific coast points, as urged by some cities of the western country. He admitted as much yesterday yester-day when he arrived in S:ilt Lake afuer an extensive tour through tho nat. Jn fact, he rather favors such a readjustment, readjust-ment, if there is to be, and while there is, no water competition. When there is water competition he wants rates to tho Pacific coast points that will permit per-mit the railroads to meet the rates made by the boat lines. However, he believes that the pris-ent. pris-ent. lack of strong water competition will be short lived. The majority ot the boats formerly used in the Panama canal trade have been diverted to the more lucrative trans-Atlantic anil transpacific trans-pacific routes. View as to Future. He is of the opinion that as soon as the European war is over water commerce will be not far diffei ont f rom what it was a couple or' years ago. "No carrier lias any objection to any movement thai will increase Its revenue," declared Mr. Lure, "and its Ions as llierc is a lark of waler competition an Increase In-crease in through r;itps to tui I'arlfir count would undoubtedly mean an in-crfase in-crfase In our en mln. .lust n s noon as rondillons nssunie a normal aspect, however, how-ever, water competition will not be lacking, lack-ing, find then to obtain enough business to permit the railroads to operate we must have rates that will allow us to meet that competition. "It is hardly fair, though, to nsk ua or the general public for a dianRe in rates benefclal lo a few to meet fluctuatlnf,' conditions con-ditions every time there Is -a fluctuation. Rut rate-ma It ins Is almost entirely out of nur hands at this lime. AN of us must depend upon t he dec I si our of the Interstate Inter-state commerce commission. Finds Business Good. Mr. Luce reporls industries of all classes, including the railroads, as prosperous pros-perous throughout the east. In California, he savs. business conditions are unusually tfood," and the Indications are that thev will continue so through the year. The war has brought about the development of mmiv lines of Industry in the west and also Is responsible for the development ol' considerable trade wil ii South A meriean countries, as well as I hose of the old world. The extent of the foreign trade at this time. Mr. Lure helievs. Is limited onlv by ihe waler transportation facilities. Mr. Luce Is accompanied by Mrs. Luce. They, will remain hero until tomorrow, probably until Tuesday. During his tour of the east Mr. Luce called on the representatives repre-sentatives of the traffic department of the Southern Pacific in practically all the leading: eit ics, and his -stop here was chiefly for a conference with C. L. Mc-Kaul, Mc-Kaul, district freight and passenger agent. |