The morning call., 1890-07-29
ALONG THE RAIL.
Possibilities of Another Sweep
ing Rate War.
Huntington Silent Concerning the Coast
Line - Fast Time TO the East The
Milbrae Depot-Personal Gossip.

The Denver and Rio GIande was to have
been opened in connection with the Colo
RADIO Midland as a standard gauge on the
10th of the present month. but in making
the connection the management has expert
enced greater difficulties than was at first
anticipated In all probability it will be
the last OF August before the line will be in
operation as through route. There is
long tunnel at Malta. near Leadville, Colo,
which is as yet unfinished. Also gap Of
twelve miles to close short distance east
Of Ogden. The President of the road re-
Gently stated that the work was being
pushed as rapidly as consistent and that
the Goth of August might see the line
opened. At all events it cannot be de-
layed much longer. There is q deal of
speculation among railroad men as to how
the line, when opened for business as
standard gauge, will meet the fast time of
the Union Pacific. For several reasons it
is deemed an impossibility for them to
make the same time that is now made by
the Union Pacific's fast train.
1t is hinted that the management of the
latter line believes that when the Rio
Grande "Opens as a through line it will be
the strongest competitor for through freight
that they have ever worked against. The
Union Pacific, realizing that they must dI-
vide their enormous freight traffic with
rival line, it is claimed that they have de-
termiued to Ietaliate by getting the lions
share of the passenger business, which can
only be accomplished by making time
which the rival line cannot met. Besides
difference of PA miles in the total mileage
the Rio Grande has heavier grades than the
Union Pacific, and has, moreover, many
miles of new road over which for some
time to come it will be impossible to run
fast trains. In view of these facts it is
said that the Rio Grande people will ask for
a withdrawal of the fast train service now
operated by the Union Pacific between this
city and Chicago, aid if the demand is not
complied with they will adopt the usual
plan in such cases and meet the refusal by
making lower rates, which course would
enlbroIl all of the tranScontinental roads in
another rate war. The opening of the
aforementioned line Is looked forward to
with good deal of interest by railroad
men, who argue that the event may create
trouble OF no ordinary kind.
HUNTINGToNS SILENCE.
One of the projectors of a scheme formu-
lated at the convention held at San Jose
about month since, for the purpose OF in
ducing the Southern Pacific Company TO
close the gap IN their line between Ellwood,
in Santa Barbara County, and Santa Mar
garita, in San Luis ODispo County, was in
tervlewed yesterday concerning Mr. Hunt
ingt0n'S failure to take action on the prOpO-
sitlon as submitted by Colonel Croker, and
also regarding tile probability OF another
convention being called.
The gentleman interviewed seems greatly
disappointed, not so much at the silence of
Mr.. Huntington and his associates on the
subject, as at the lack OF enthusiasm mani
tested among those who were crying loudly
for convention only month ago, and who
now seem to have forgotten their own eff
foIts TO give birth to "a project which is now
dead beyond resurrection.
In the course OF the conversation, the gen.
tleman said: q do not believe that an
other convention Will be called. The
scheme is dead. Those who month ago
could talk nothing else are now silent. |
believe, however, that Mr.. Huntington, if
allowed to use his own judgment in the
matter. would be in favor OF closing the
gap on the terms offered by the convention.
lie Is surrounded and influenced by horde
of advisors, several OF whom have offices
AT Fourth and Townsend streets, and the
objections Of these ADVISORS to the plans of
the convention were forwarded to MIR.
huntington, and had, ii seems, sufficient
weight 10 Induce silence on his part, which,
of course, means refusal to build the road
at present.
Il know it was decided to call another
convention in the event OF an unfavOrable
answer, but it will not be done-at least,
such is my opinion. The gap will be closed,
| suppose, at the pleasure of the Southern
Pacific Company and not before. | am dis
gusted with the half-hearted methods pur-
sued by them, pretending to he deeply in
terestcd, and Tor one shall take no part in
measures which may be proposed in the fu-
ture for construction OF coast line, indie
pendent or otherwise"
To BE REBUILT AT ONCE.
The recent fire, which entirely destroyed
the depot at MilDrae, on the Coast Division
of the Southern Pacific, was caused by
spontaneous combustion in the store-rOom.
The loss is estimated at about $500. The
erection of new depot will be commenced
at ouce as this Is an important station,
more milk being shipped from this place
than from any other station on the South
ern Pacific system.
CALIFORNIA ON WHEELS.
Land Agent Mills of the Central Pacific
says that the u 600 acre tract purchased by
his company in Tehama County is being
cut up into small farms and rapidly dis
posed of to a very desirable class of settlers.
He reports california on Wheels" at Nap
panee, Ind, and says that he is in almost
daily receipt OF communications from citi-
Zens residing in towns visited by the eXhib-
ii, asking for information concerning Cal
ifOrnia and her resources. Mr.. Mills is
convinced that the exhibit is doing good
work in the East and believes this the only
method of arousing inquiry which tends To
a knowledge of California, more especially
Of her agricultural advantages.
FAST TINE TO CHICAGO.
On the 18th of last month the Union Pa
cifc issued a new time-card for its second
class passenger service between San Fran
cisco and Chicago. Holders of second-class
tickets via this line now leave San Francisco
at 8 o'clock In the afternoon daily and arrive
at Ogden at 3 80 o'clock in the secoud morn
ing. They leave Ogden at 9:j5 o'clock in
the morning and arrive at Green River at
5 40 o'clock in the afternoon of the same
day, when they are attached to the fast
mail train and reach Chicago on the fourth
morning after leaving San Francisco, which
is five hours and twenty-five minutes better
time than is made by holders of first-class
tickets leaving San Francisco at s o'clock
in the evening daily.
The Union Pacific people state as their
reason for this great reduction in time that
they were compelled TO meet the fast time
adopted some time ago by the Santa Fe, and
the new service as now operated they claim
TO be the quickest time between this city
and Chicago.
PERSONAL GOSSIP.
Amos Burr, Travelling Passenger Agent
for the Vanderbilt lines, returned on Sun
day from Los Angeles.
L. a. Mudgett Of the Chicago, Burlington
and Quincy left yesterday with his family
for a vacation at San Diego.
The Northern Pacific has booked 40 peo-
pie for the Grand Army excursion which
leaves here August 1st
John Clark, Passenger Agent for the
Union Pacific, returned on Sunday from
Los Angeles.
A. c. Bassett, Superintendent of the Coast
Division Of the Southern Pacific. arrived
here yesterday after months sojourn in
Shasta County.
d. A. Bender. General Passenger and
Freight Agent of the Carson and Colorado
Railroad, arrived in town yesterday.