The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-25
RAILROAD PROPOSITIONS.

The following paragraph having refer
ence to Oakland railroad atflirS has ap-
peared in different city newspapers, and
will doubtless be read with interest by
many of our citizens:
Considerable interest has been occasioned in
Oakland owing 10 the fact that President c. 2.
Huntington has stated that extensive Improve
ments are contemplated on the Southern Pacific
system in that city and vicinity. AT the invita-
tion Of MIR. Huntington number OF Oakland
gentlemen met hun at the Palace Hotel and
talked over railroad matters. Mr.. Huntington
said he was determined 10 break up the dead
head" travel on the SeYenth-sIrset local road,
which Is great nuisance aud Inconvenience 10
the regular paying patrons. He thought this
could be effected by having two trains one to be
known as a fast train, which would run from
the mole TO Broadway without stopping, aud
then continue to East Oakland; the other TO be
known as slow train, to be iun Oh about the
same time schedule now in use. By means OF
the fast train the Tip from San Francisco TO
Broadway could be made in twenty-lhreo min
uTes where 1t now taxes IhIrIy-fye minutes and
sometimes longer. Mr.. Huntington also said
that lie favored running Tie Seventh-street
trains 10 a cut in the street. after the fashion of
the New York Central Railroad. This would do
away, to a great extent with the noise ana loss
OF life and limb. The cars running along the
street Will be almost hidden from view and Will
b: lighted by tpeandescent lamps Mr.. Hunt.
ington said further that tie railroad company
intended 10 expend 100000 or SIS, 600, 900 i'm
proving tie service on the Oakland side OF the
bay.
What is termed ''dead-heading' has ref
erence 10 a provision in the grant to the
railroad company to run trains through the
leading street in Oakland, and contains a
provision which permits persons to pass
from one extremity of the city to the other
free of charge. This railroad, it will be
borne in mind, runs in connection with the
ferry, which is considered a most valuable
property. Whether the inhabitants of Oak
land will be willing to give up the right to
free passage on the railroad is question
for its citizens TO consider. We, however,
do not believe they will. As to running a
fast train which would only stop at Broad
way, where the owners of the Southern Pa
cifc have a cross road, it would of course
cut off some Of the free travel. AnO Their
question OF Importance to Alameda County
is eXpediting the trains 10 San LeandrO,
San Lorenzo, Haywards, Niles, the Mission
of San Jose, etc. Twenty minutes could be
gained in time, which would be Of impOr-
tance to the railroad company and TO the
people on the route. Another suggestion
of Mr. Huntington's is to cut down the
street SO as to have trains run below the
general Level, but to leave the track open
from above to be bridged. In London some
streets are disfgured in this way, but the
plan has not been popular with the public,
hence tunnels beneath the city have been
adopted. In New YOri: the Vanderbilt road
is partly open from above, aud partly COW
cred. Another plan has been adopted in
New York by the elevated roads for the
transportation of passengers. This system
gives quick passage. but it is fearful in
jury to property on the street, greatly depre-
ciating it in value. II is possible that in the
near future an effort may be made TO place
an elevated railroad ON Market street, on
which it is said individuals have already
got their eyes. Under such an aspect of
affairs the citizens Of San Francisco may
feel some interest in what is proposed to be
done in Oakland.