The morning call., 1892-07-13
RAILS And SWITCHES.
The Union Pacific's President to
Arrive To-Day.
Speculation Rife as to the Cause of His Visit
ers Probably His Main Object.

The gay and festive railroad man, the
ever joyous ticket seller and the speculator
in the probabilities OF the future, amused
themselves yesterday by discussing the
probable results which may arise out of the
visit of S. II. II. Clark. the president of the
Union Pacific Railroad, who will be In this
city to-day.
Mr.. Clark was expected yesterday, but he
is travelling with his family and found it
convenient TO stop over for one day at
Castle Crag in Shasta County on his way
from Portland.
What he will do when he comes to San
Francisco and what will result from his
work here can only be conjectured.
As matter of course the merchants hope
that Mr.. Clark has only one object in view,
and that they expect to be the selection OF
the most feacible route by which to connect
San Francisco with his road. but as mat
ter of fact it is almost certain that the Union
Pacific presidents mission is for an en-
tirely different purpose.
While Mr.. Clark will probably meet and
converse with several people who have rail-
road schemes on haud, he VIII hardly do
more than talk the situation over with
them, as lie has done before, because Mr..
Clark Is known In railroad circles to be a
very careful and calculating sort Of man.
The discontnuance of the Upton steamer
line between Kobe Japan, and Portland,
Or, is said to be the principal cause Of Mr..
Clarks visit. 1t is supposed he comes 10
confer with the Southern Pacific magnates,
who represent the Central Pacific road in
all matters concerning Oriental traffic.
The contract existing between the Central
and Union Pacific roads and the Oriental
and Occidental Steamship Company needs
renewing, altering or strengthening now
that the Upton line has been wiped of the
face OF the earth by the L niOn Pacific, and
that Is what Mr.. Clark will probably talk
over with the autocrats of Fourth and Town
send streets.
L. St. John, one of the best known and
most popular railroad men in the country,
arrived yesterday morning in this city en-
route 10 the Yosemite Valley, where he
hopes his vile, who ACCOMPANIES him on
the trip, will improve her health, she having
been an invalid for some time.
TO THE PARK.
Mr.. St. John is the general manager of
the Chicago and Rock Island road, and ne
left Chicago on June %. The party arrived
In pr yate car at 8:l5 A. NJ yesterday, and
were immediately after reakfast conducted
to the Park aud Cliff House by Clinton
Jones, the local general agent of the Rock
Island road. Returning In the afternoon
Mr.. ST. John, accompanied by Mr.. Jones,
left for the Yosemite He said while here
that his trip is entirely for pleasure and for
that the railroad situation in California in
terested him greatly, and that he considered
the building of competing road aneceSsity.
Traffic Manager Leeds is just now greatly
interested in the political possibilities for
the near future. He knows well that the
only remedy for the present high rates in
freights and fares lies in legislation for the
good of the people. but how TO bring about
the passage Of laws which may be desirable
is what troubles Mr.. Leeds.
1t is quite probable that the Traffic Asso-
clation will insist on every legislative can
ddale signing a pledge TO support such
measures as may be introduced during their
term OF Office. and which, in conformity with
the declaration of principles published last
week, will give the people of California the
laws regulating railroad affairs as they
ought to be regulated.
The San Francisco and North Pacific
Railroad Is making special rates for picnics
and excursions, and they are meeting with
encouragement in the matter. Several large
affairs of this kind are booked ahead for the
next two weeks, and some others have Sc
cured dates as far ahead as September.