The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-15

rates. Tickets should be issued good for
thirty or sixty days. This would cover the
ground and prevent them from falling into
the hands of scalpers.
Another subject will be the adoption of
/ plan for the better maintenance Of east
bound rates and general reduction of ex-
penseS incident to securing business for the
respective lines. The establishment of
union agencies, to be presided over by COM
mlssleners, who will enforce a Just and
equitable distribution Of business, is prac-
tcabe; but as to the probability of this
plan being put in force l am not prepared
to express an opinion"
CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA.
The mystery surrounding the purchase of
the California and Nevada Railroad is still
unsolved. The new owners will not show
themselves, and Captain Smith is as silent
as sphinx. He has announced his inten-
tl0n of leaving the Athens of the Pacific
forever, when the spring time comes. and
returning TO Denver, where there is some
enterprise, and, TO use his own language
where business men are not under the
lash of single corporation"
The purchasers 0fthiS road, whoever they
may be, have commenced the work of con
stTuction in earnest. All the rolling stock
has been Oyerhaued in the little yards at
Emeryyllle. The cars have been repainted
and IN other ways put in good condition.
Since the first OF the month gang of men
has been put to work on the road putting ii
in good condition, ballastng it. strengthen
Ing the track, easing the curves and putting
II III good running order.
No further extension has been made, and
this work looks as if it is intended that a
daily train 20 the end Of the road should be
put on Immediately. The ferry company
has reoreanized and the former officers re-
signed and the new board has been elected,
but who they are interested ones refuse to
say. There Is one thing that the new owners
are willing to have go abroad to the world
That Is that the purchasers are not connected
with the Southern Pacific Company, never
have been and never will be.
CONCERNING TICKET sCALPING.
The fourth annual report of the Interstate
Commissioners has been issued and con-
tains the following concerning ticket scalp
ing IN some OF the large Eastern cities:
From various reports received by the commits
sion il appears that IN New York there exist
thirteen scdplng Offices, IN which, including pro-
piet0rs and clerks, about thiIty persons are en-
ployed, at an estimated expense for office rents
and clerk hire OF $4,000 10 $4,000 "A wear and
with an estimated annual profit from The bust
ness OF $4,000 TO 100000; that at Chicago
there are fifteen scdlplng Offices, whose combined
TO about $4,000; that at Cincinnati there are
nine scalping Offices, with annual expense for
rent aud clerk hire of about $40, 600 and that al
Kansas Cly lbere are seven scalplng offices,
with an estimated annual expense for rent and
clerk hire OF about $4,000 When IL is cOnsld-
cred that this business Is carried on In nearly all
the principal cities Of the country and that the
net profits amount probably TO four times the ex-
pense OF carrying 1t on, 1t is evident that The
profits from this iegitmate business exceed The
sum OF 81 ,O0O, 600 annually.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC LAND SALES
The land sales of the Southern Pacific
Company for the first thirteen days of Jan
uary amounted to $1,000 as, the price of
2l731 acres. AT this rate the great Fresno
tract opened up for sale few months
since, will be entirely disposed of before the
last day of January. The purchasers thus
far have been nearly all actual settlers-the
most desirable class. None of this land can
be obtained for speculative purposes.
charles Kennedy, General Agent of the
Rock Island at Portland, is due here to-day.
and Fred Thompson of the same line arrived
in the city yesterday from his station in Los
Angeles.
Carroll Hutchins, excursion agent for
Raymond d Whitcomb, who arrived here
recently from Boston, will open his winter
office today.