Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-12-02
AEM.wsy nan d. an Am,aD'e L,sss

On railway topics, in the old
days, which we hope will prove to
have been, through generous and
liberal railway policy, gathered
into the wallet of time as an aims
Of oblivion, the people OF Los An.
geIes county have had q good
many pretty vicious fights with
Mr.. Charles Crecker, of the South
ern Pacific Railway. The HERALD
has always believed that these COL
lisions could have been avoided by
. little judicious moderation on
both sides. The experiences of
the past year. during which we
have enjoyed the substantial bene-
fits of the gigantic OUTLAWS In Gre
atlng a new Southern overland
route, show that an entente cor
diole between Los Angeles and
the railway managers who have
really done much, however much
they have forborne, for the dsvel-
opment of our city and county, Is
Q certainty of the near future.
However that may be, our people
cannot fail to have noticed with
pleasure that Mr.. Charles Croker
Is making generous and manly
use of portion of the large wealth
with which he has been so prodi.
gally endowed. His donation of
$4,000 to the California Academy
of Sciences was a graceful and
meritorious act, which we take a
pleasure in cordially recognizing.
Our hope is that other rich men of
California will be inspired by an
equally wholesome and public spir-
tied Impulse. Mr.. Croeker's letter
to the Academy OF Sciences will
really bear reproduction, and we
give 1t below:
GENTLEMEN: Desiring to make an &C.
the benefits conferred upon society
through the labors OF students and in.
vestigators in those branches Of science
that are popularity supposed not to be
you ia, 600 in Southern Pacific Railroad
bonds. 1t Is my desire that the money
TO be derived from these bonds at their
maturity shall be again invested by you
or your Successors in other safe and in
terest.bearing securities, SO that this
1900 shall be permanent fund for the
use of your society. The income from
said fund of $40 900 desire you shall an
nually expend in assisting in their in
vestigations in California, Oregon, Ne
vada and Arizona such worthy and sta
dious Investigators in any branch of
science as have by their devotion to sci
entihc Investigations and experiments
largely and necessarily excluded them
selves from acquiring support through
the ordinary avoeahOns of current IN
dustrial life. Very respectfu lly,
The learned body to whom this
munifcsnt gift was rendered re-
sponded in "a fitting spirit, and
thanked the donor "most heartily
for so thoughtful and munificent a
gift, whose benefactions will ex.
tend to future generations. and en-
able those who live after them to
continue in doing equal honor to
his nsme." By a formal resolu.
ton, the Society designated the en-
dowment as the Crocker Scientific
Investigation Fund.
The fact is that the HERALD has
always thought that an aDaende
honorable was due to Charles
Croker after his peculiar treat.
ment on a certain memorable visit
to this city, and we seize upon this
creditable incident to make it.
Whatever mistakes of railway
management have bsen made
during the past Eve or six year,,
and we think that they were eften
grave, personally he is a very amia-
Bile gentleman and q pronounced
Instance OF the article Ia which
Americans take such a great pride,
viz, the self-mnde man. Whatever
may be painted OF the black eide of
the man, he ia generous to fault.
In the same week In which he
gave $4,000 10 the California
Academy of Sciences, he gave
$1,000 to the Ladies' Home, In
Oakland. Some years ago he gave
the first money to the Authors
carnival, which, in two years,
Melted over 100000 TO the San
Francisco Benevolent Societies
Last week his ready check for $500
crested the appeal of the collectors
for the Veterans Home, and he ac-
oompanied the donation by the in
vitstion to come for more. The
fact IL that Croker is q good fellow
personally, and does far more than
his rich contemporaries to main
tain the proverbial reputation of
California for hospitality in enter
tairing the strangers within our
gates. Els friends say that he has
always honored labor and laboring
men, and has been himself thor
ough wopkingman until the other
day. Probably all AngeIefios have
noticed with pleasure his large in
vsstments In Los Angeles real es-
tate lately. They appear as loans,
but they are really alternative in
vestmsnts. He has helped out
Don Juan Forster, of the Santa
Mhrgarita ranch, San Diego ceun-
~. ne has aided in the develop
nent Of our Santiago coal mines,
and he has shown his confidence In
the value Of Mr.. e. J. Baldwin's
POopte ranch bv adva n ri mo g41o onA