The morning call., 1892-12-17
WORSE THAN EVER.
Gigantic Scheme of the
Southern Pacific.
sOrlE RAPID IMPROVEMENTS.
How the Crocodiles of the Creek Ex-
pect to Retain Control of Oak
lands Water Front.

Minions Of the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company OF Kentucky went 10 work IN
dead earnest yesterday at the foot of Broad
way, Oakland. There were score or more
of them engaged in tearing up the wharyes,
driving piles and turning things upside
down at an alarming rate.
Why were they doing this in such hustle
and confusion?
That was the question had considerable
difficulty In solving. 0stensibiy the gigan-
tic, grinding corporation is improving its
Oakland water front facilities. La reality,
however, it Is only the beginning of one of
the most cunning schemes the Southern
Pacific ever shouldered. Ii is nothing more
nor less than gaining possession of the
water front of the 'Athens of the Pacific
by pretended improvements and holding it
against What would appear to be over
whe!ming obstacles.
You see, We are tearing up the
wharves and enlarging facilities" said
chief minion to me. "Be tier aeeOmmoda-
tions are required for the fret ght that is
accum ulatiug from Livermore and interior
points. New wharves, new depots, new
slips and new everything is what we re-
qulre to meet the constantly increasing
transportation facilities by the creek
route"
SO much for this mnion's explanations of
the hurried improvements" at the chief
landing place along the creek.
Now, listen to the true explanation of
another, and YOU will learn of tip given
by one who makes a livelihood in an office
at Fourth ana Townsend streets, San Fran
cisco:
"lfs all nonsense" said the man who is
eonyersant with the workings of the inner
circle OF corruption, about the Southern
Pacific desiring to increase its creek facil-
ties. have 1t straight that the company
has deeper motive in view. Often has
IHE CALL warned its readers of the dupli-
city OF the crocodiles of the creek. but the
public has still much TO learn.
why ire these so-calied improvements
being made on the creek? The explanation
is very simple. Ii is that the Southern
Pacific anticipate defeat in its present law
suit to control The water front. but is de-
termined TO hold possession. Tie COM
pany intends to put a double construction
upon the recent decision OF the United
States Supreme Court in reference to the
control OF ChlcagO's water front In the
face of this decision. so opposed to mono
poly, the big railroad corporation of this
State-and Neutrality-suspicious. TO work the
rulings of the highest tribunal in
the land into something in favor of
cover of these pretended improvements the
railroad company intends TO gradually
spread its wharyeS until ii covers all The ter
rltOry involved ia the recent dispute. Once
In possession, the corporation will cry that
II is proper that the State should control
Oakland's water front. Then it VIII seek
10 retain possession by the same means EN-
ployed on the other side Of the bay.
THAT, In brief, is the gigantic scheme the
unreienting corporation is now putting into
execution under the very eyes and guns of
its enemies"
SO saying, the man who knows lighted
fresh cigar and strobe rapidly away.
Upon this subject it is of interest to know
that The celebrated legal battle for the CON-
troll of tue water front will be resumed in
the Superior Court of Alameda County
next Tuesday.
Three well-known jurists-Greene, Hen
shaw and EisN ortfl-are to sit in bank on
that day, when is to commence the hearing
OF the defense in the suit of the Southern
Pacific Company OF Kentucky against John
l. Davie ct al. That evidence for the de-
Tense will not be heard seems a certainty.
liz view of the recent decision of the
United States Supreme Court it is a safe
be; Of dollars TO d0ughnuts that motion
viii be made Tor nonsuit and granted.
y es." said the principal defendant in the
suit To me to-day when questioned about
the case. sit is now evident that the case
VIII not be proceeded with by hearing
further testimony. Ii the Supervisorial
contest in the Fourth Ward does not clog
proceedings the case will be taken up by
the Superior Court ln the bank next Tues
day. On that day the attorneys for the de-
Tense propose 10 begin argument on a
motion for nonsuit There can be little
doubt about the motion being granted.
Already the ringleaders Of the Southern
Pacific Company heartily wish they had not
commenced his action"
Il veDtured TO ask Mr. Davie il he believed
in the present scheme of the Southern Pa
cifc to hold control of the water front
against all decisions to the contrary.
Ne" said he. II do not believe it. /
think the company would be more than
glad to let matters remain as they were be-
fore the audacious. impudent suit was
commenced.
mo. sir; the company would not dare to
push its nefarious scheme any further upon
suffering. grooming public. Every one
knows that twenty-four years ago ring
leaders of the Southern Pacific conspired to
sc re Oakland's water front. How they sue
corded is only TOO well known.
''Oakland's water front was never under
State control and never should be. 1t
properly belongs TO Oakland, aud the city
should therefore have supreme control over
it. Therefore l am convinced that the
Southern Pacific should not and will not
retain the water front under State control.
Their present scheme will be- barren Of
fruit
with my own experience with the ring
leaders of the Southern Pacific the readers
of THE CALL are familiar.
but / cannot forget how my property
has been fenced of, how for seven years
1 have openly battled for my rights, and
how n murderous crowd of siXty-five thugs
Was recently sent over here to fOrcibly de-
prive me of my rights.
Politically will warm the hides of these
rascally ringleaders next spring, and let 10
one dare TO stop mt" and MIR. Davie looked
as though he meant every word he said
BURNSIDE CROMWELL