Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-05-12
IRON HIGHWAYS.
Inside Facts Of Pomona
and ElsinOre Deal.
HOW IT WAS BROUGHT ABOUT.
Gould was not Prepossessed in
Favor of San Diego-East-
ern Roads.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HrnAID

ern Roads.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
SAN FRANCISCO, May 1.-The re-
ported sale Of the Pomona and Elsi-
more Railroad to the Southern Pacific
Company, which just became public,
has been the subject Of much comment
among railroad men in this city. To-
day an Associated Press representa-
tive was detailed to learn the
exact particulars of the transac-
ton. He first attempted to see
President Gird, but learning that
he and Engineer Treadwell had left
| for the South. he next sought an
interview with Mr.. Monteith, the a.
torney Of the road, who had conducted
the negotiations. He was found sick
in bed at the Palace Hotel and not
able to be seen. The Southern Pacific
officials were next approached.
They were extremely reticent, but
finally railroad man. fully con-
versant with the details ofthe transac-
ton, was induced to give what is
believed to be the first accurate report
Of the deal yet given to the public.
About year ago the late Geo. A.
Coules. OF San Diego, and Geo. w.
Monteith, at that time a resident Of
Riverside, conceived the idea OF
competing line between Los Angeles
and San Diego via Elsinore. After
canvassing the matter thoroughly it
was decided to try and induce ex-
Governor Merrill aud his associates,
who had previously incorporated the
Pomona add Elsinore line. to join 10
the undertaking. Monteith had an
interview with Governor Merrill.
the result Of which was that he and
his associates entered heartily into
the scheme. Monteith then went
East for the summer and, while there,
talked the subject over with the Mis-
souri, Pacific people, who at that time
had hardly decided upon entering
southern California. On his return
it was determined, if possible, to in
terest the Southern Pacific Com pany
in the project, and the matter was
broached to them. Stephen L.
Gage was then delegated to meet
Messrs. Cowles and Monteith in San
Diego, and in October an important
conference was had at the Florence
Hotel, and the formation Of the San
Diego and Elsinore Railway Company
determined upon. Mr.. Cowles' death
soon after caused some little delay,
but Monteith went to work and sue
ceeded in interesting Messrs. Bryant
Howard, K. w. Morse and Judge NJ
A. Luer in the enterprise. They,
with Governor Stevenson, of Nevada,
who went in at the instance of Gage,
together with Messrs. Merrill, Gird,
Joy, Heald and Palmer, OF Pomona
and Elsinore, now a company,
projected line from San Diego to
Elsinore, which, together with the
Pomona ami Elsinore road and the
Southern Pacific, made short and
eminently practical route between San
Diego and os Angeles, and at the
same time afforded the: Southern Pa
cific much needed connection with
San Diego. The San Bernardino
Central, merely branch OF the Els-
more line, was also organized during
the winter. However, the Missouri
Pacific, whose interest had been
awakened by Monteith's visit East,
began to repent Of what began
to look like lost opportunity,
aud made number of overtures
to the Elsinore people. The trouble
lay with the Pomona & Elsinore,
which, unlike the San Diego & Elsin-
and San Barnardino Central, the
Southern Pacific did not control, and
which controlled the invaluable Tenn
escal Pass. A great deal of time was
spent in negotiating, as Governor
Merrill because OF his great personal
friendship for Russell Sage, OF the
Missouri Pacific, was determined TO
sell to them. Last January, however,
Messrs. Merrill, Monteith and Palmer
came to San Francisco and after a
second interview with Charles
Crocker, verbally agreed to let
the Southern Pacific have the
road, provided G. P. Huntington
agreed to the terms of the same; and
it was further agreed to allow the
matter to rest until such time as he
would arrive. His delay in coming
made Governor Merrill impatient and
he went to New York for no other
pur pose than closing with the Mis-
souri, Pacific. The friends OF the
Southern Pacific now thoroughly
alarmed brought the matter to
Huntington's attention, and Gird and
Monteith, both of whom favored the
latter, we're delegated to come to San
Francisco. Monteith arrived first and
spent great deal of time in con-
sultation with Huntington. The latter
was unfavorable to San Diego and did
not want to effect such a radical
change in the long established policy
of his road. He spoke disparagingly
of San Diego's harbor and seemed
unable to see any good in the place at
all. Monteith, however, presented
arguments ard facts that he could
not combat, and by the time Gird
arrived the great magnate had con.
cluded to succumb to the inevitable
and build to San Diego. Grid had
but a few words with Huntington and
the transfer was finally consummated
five or six days ago, and the Pomona
and Elsinore became part and parcel
Of the system presided over by Stan
ford, Huntington and Crocker.
By the terms OF sale the line is to
be completed at once. In fact, orders
have been given to the construction
department to proceed at once with
the work. In six months trains
will probably be running to Elsinore
and at about that much more to San
Diego. The immediate completion
Of the line to San Diego is not yet def
nitely determined on for several res
sons. In the first place, not shove