Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-01-01
Los Angeles and independence Rail-
road.

L ne LOS AuBtltS anu independence llull-
road has been completed from Santa Monica
TO Los Angeles, a distance OF sixteen miles,
during the past year, and Is now In perfect
running order. In our last annual we chron-
icled the organization of this company and
advertsd to the benefits to spring from its con-
struction, and we are pleased TO now record
It's Incorporation in January and ON the first
OF November its completion to this city. AT
Santa Monica q wharf 100 feet In length has
been built, extending TO twenty-four feet wa
ter, affording accommodation TO the largest
vessels. The harbnr at Santa Monica has
proven even better than anticipated, no trou-
Bile or delay having been experienced In land
ing or discharglng freight. Being sixty miles
nearer to Los Angeles, this landing has be-
come the favorite with passengers going TO
and coming from San Francisco on the Good
all, Nelson & Perkins steamers which call
regularly. The opening of the road was also
speedily followed by reduction In the cost
of transportation TO and from the seaboard,
AND in the passenger fare.
The chief benefits, however, to aprng from
this road are to accrue after its extension to
Gated in the mining regions OF Inyo county.
The trade OF that section, a very valuable one.
formerly came to this city, but has been di-
rected 10 Bakersfield. Direct railway con-
nection will not only restore what we former
ly enjoyed, but secure much larger volume
OF business. The road is owned principally
by Senator Jones, who is also one of the
largest stockholders ofthe Panamnt mines,
and who is therefore directly Interested in
constructing the road. AS yet, however, 10
work has been done beyond this point.
A proposition is now before the people of
Los Angeles, inconnectiOn with a still more
importont railroad enterprise growing out of
the Los Angeles and independence Hallway
project, or rather emana.ing from the same
parties. 1t Is proposed to construct q road
from This point 10 Salt Lake city, Utah, to
connect with the Uulon Pacific. From Ogden
to Los Angeles Is $50 miles, less distance than
from Ogden TO San Franc SEQ, and the grade
is an easy one. 1t is said that Jay Gould, who
now controls complete line from the Allan
tic scaboard TO Ogden, beyond which he IS
confronted by the CentraI Pacific Railroad a
corporation too powerful for him to grapple.
aud too rich for him to obtain .rol or, is
looking towards Los Angeles for an outlet to
the Pacific. A road Is now, built South
through Utah 10 miles. Senator Jones pro-
poses, with the aid of the people OF Los An
geles, to build to the Mohave. l2O miles, Jay
This would give a through line to she East
and connect us with splendid minerar re-
gion whose trade would be very valuable. 1t
is proposed to have $iO0000 subscribed in this
city; and to ascertain the views OF the busi-
n,ss men and property holders, ~ mass meet
ing was held on last Monday night. Several
speakers addressed the aSSSTnD DIV dwelling
upon the importance of the proposed con-
necliOn and the necessity for a city situated
as was this one making every effort to extend
her railroad connections. A committee of
prominent citizens was appointed TO visit the
East and lay before jay Gould and other East
ern cap .talists the advantages of the propos-
ed road, and ascertain their Views upon the
subject. 4 finance committee was appointed
to solicit su descriptions to defray The expenses
of the committee, and also to the stock of
the road. The attendance to the meeting
was large, and much interest in the project
was manifested. That such a road would
greatly benefit Los Angeles cannot be ques-
toned. 1t would place this city at once al
most upon footing with San Francisco, en-
abiing us to compete for so large portion of
the trans-contnental trade and travel. The
matter is yet in embryo, however, and the
result of the negotiations in q measure doubt
full.
The depot ofthe Los Angeles and Indepen-
dence road is located on San Pedro street.
The building is in the latest sty lie ornate and
painted in gay colors, presenting O pleasant
appearance and seemingly we'll furnished
with accommodations 1or passengers and
freight. The road bed from here to Santa
Monica is well constructed, the rails being
tied with fish bars, and an ample supply OF
rolling stock Is being provided. The line of
the railway extends down a gently sloping
valley to the sea, so that the grading is light
throughout, and the road devoid of danger
GUS points. The proposed route beyond Los
Angeles has not been determined beyond the
fact that 1t passes through the Cajon Pass.