Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-08-23
Closing the Santa Monica Railroad.

We learn from well-informed
gentleman that it is the purpose of
the Central Pacific Railroad short
ly to- close one of their outlets to
the sea from Los Angeles, and run
trains only to Wilmington. If
this programme is carried out, it
will be q severe blow to Santa
Monica.-Sdn Diego Union, 18Th.
AS Midshipman Easy would say,
let's argue the question. We don't
believe the above statement. The
"well informed gentleman al
luded to above may be a walking
encyclopedia and still know moth
ing as to the purposes of the South
ern Pacific Railroad Company. 1t
is true there have been rumors
afloat to that effect for the last week
or two-told In every conceivable
tone, from vague whisper to
blatant, loud-mouthed declaration.
But stalk is cheap" and we have
heretofore heard SO many random
statements, which amounted to
nothing, that we have learned to
treat with Indifference the irre-
sponsible statements that are
banded about from mouth to
mouth. Nor would we notice this
matter now had it not appeared in
a nsighboring journal.
The Railroad Company, to our
certain knowledge, have from the
beginning manifested the greatest
friendliness for Santa Monica. For
some time past they have distrib
uted four hundred copies, every
week, of the Outlook OH the Cen
tral Pacific trains running from
Ogden to San Francisco. Adver-
tisements, with Photographic
views of this vicinity, are hung In
all the overland sleepers.-to the
exclusion of other public notices.
The wharf has been kept in thor
ough repair. AS all know, liberal
rates have been extended to excur-
sionists to this point. Aud in va.
rious ways, by word and deed, the
Railroad officials have shown that
they regard Santa Monica as
place destined to become of some
importance.
The advantages of this port are
also we'll known. Four-fifths of
the year it Is as good as
any harbor. In receiving
aud discharging freight and pas
sengers 1t Is more convenient and
cheaper than any ether point;
while 1t is great accommodation
to ocean travellers in the way of
saving time. Those coming from
San Francisco often take the train
here and reach Los Angeles before
the steamer leaves the wharf for
Whining ton; and those going north
can spend sometimes a whole day
in Los Angeles, then catch the up
steamer here, and join those who
took passage at the lower port.
Nor do we wish to be understood
as saying anything disparaging to
Wilmington. That little harbOr is
a quiet place for the smaller sailing
vessels. and serves valuable pur-
pose. The resources of this county
and the back territory are such,
when we'll developed, that all of our
ports-Newport, Anaheim Land
ing, Wilmington and Santa Mon
ica-will be needed either for local
or general use. If anything, in.
stead of closing one Of these points,
others will be established.
For reasons best known to the
railroad managers themselves, the
quantity of freight discharged at
these two points etimes
more at Wilmington, at other
times more here. But there has
been nothing like practical aban-
donment at either point. And we
are free to say, in our judgment,
there never will be.
But suppose this ocean outlet
should be closed, the Southern Pa
cific Company well know it would
not remain SO. The right of way
has been granted for a railroad.
When this Is abandoned, it seems
to us, the land would revert to the
original owners, who would be glad
to contribute it for another road.
And as road-bed would be ready
for cheap narrow-gauge, we very
much mistake the temper of the
people, If they failed to utilize such
an important advantage.
But it is useless to multiply
words. The rumor bears every
mark of absurdity.-Outtook.