The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-11

promising so much and who have done so
little.
California must have new railroads
ne matter OF greatest Importance to our
people should not yapor away i'm idle talk.
1t is matter of moment. of gravity
1t is vital.
Nothing can be built Of talk. Talk will
not build hen-coop. and a million years of
It Will not build a railroad.
We have had good many years OF it al
ready, and the Southern Pacific Company
up to date has no competitor in the field, so
far as San Francisco is concerned.
Look at the map presented to-day BY THE
CALL.
What does it show?
That there are railroads running north
and railroads running south. and all built
within comparatively recent period, but
San Francisco remains to-day where she
was 20 years ago in the matter Of competing
overland lines.
What is the result?
a narrowing down Of our commercial
territory, Topping of of important eenters
that were tributary to this city, a shrink
age 10 trade, menace to real estate values
and to population. and feeling of distrust
in the homes OF capital
Must this sort of thing go on?
Emphatically, no.
We must have one or more connecting
lines of railway, and the sooner the better
for our trade and for our people, to say
nothing al all OF our appearance before the
world.
1t is shameful to onr sense of citizensh hip.
1t Is insulting to our local pride that San
Francisco should cut no better figure than
she does'in a railroad ma D OF the United
Af.fa nFK IL. u
There have been plenty Of lines projected
lines without number. A few of them,
or possibly one. may be built upon, but there
is really no assurance, even on that point.
Capital will not come in fir ON tie East or
from Europe and build an overland road
for us.
Whynot?
The answer is simple. There is just one
man who holds us back in this regard. He
| Is shrewd, sharp, selfish, scheming man
| a man who, though once a Californian
! would rather see California sink into moth
| ingness than that he should lose one of his
many. misgotten millions. Who is he?
| T.. L. Huntington.
Huntington's position in New York is of
| more Importance than a whole row of
| Stubs Ia San Francisco or Of Stanfords IN
Washington.
II Is strategic position.
lie Is there TO manipulate the stocks of
| the Southern Pacific and Central Pacific
companies, to use the spray-noZZle hose on
the companies paper, to keep tickling the
bondholders ana helping Congressman TO
do their duty IN the matter of land grants
subsidies and other little steals But more
than all that, he is there TO keep out opposi-
ton.
OF course, he cannot do this alone. he
has small army of men who travel about
In the East and in Europe. and they all
carry c. p. Huntingtons telegraph franks.
They send to him reports of everything
that Is likely 10 prove interesting, and par
ticularly do they inform him with reference
TO any new projects that are schemed in op-
position TO the Southern Pacific.
When such project is unearthed the
wires are hot with kilograms between
Huntington and his little men.
II il is heavy Eastern or European cap
italist hom a competing railroad protector
Is trying TO interest in his scheme the capt.
aist is so worked upon by Huntin2ton's
little men as TO discourage him from putting
in his money.
Huntington himself often uses lis per-
sonal influence with telling effect.
This is pretty good thing TO look at"
the Eastern capitalist says 10 himself re-
garding competing railway project for this
coast, but 1T would be good thing to know
what Huntington thinks about 1t. He has
railroad interests all over the United States
and even down in Mexico. He ought to be
able to speak impartially."
So he sees Huntington.
Now laying all business considerations
aside. and Speaking as a friend" saws
Huntington, 81 can give you e little inside
history that will keep you from throwing
away your money. You say this is map
of your proposed ronte. Why in eighteen
hundred and so and so our company pro-
Jeeted line over that very route. Why
didn't we build it?"
The genial Huntington smiles a wise smile.
III tell you why we didn't build IL. In
the hrst place II would cost so many million
dollars Tor tunnels, so many more millions
Tor bridges And cuts aud flls-you never
saw anything like it."
:, lie mis- paper full OF figures and shows
II 10 the confidentially advised man. who
ialrly staggers when he notes the sum total.
=, us no country TO buid a railroad
..nmIoueB, anyway, goes on Huntington
ny. my dear friend we have built rail-
ioaqs an over California. and, bless your