The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-09
RAILROADS OF THE STATE.
The Political Plans of the League
of Progress.
s. L. G. Steele Talks Much About the Great
Information-Graves Returns.

Politics and railroads are close compan-
ions just now. and in the political campaign
of 1892 the reform and progress associations
viii cut no small figure.
The League of Progress seconded by the
Traffic Association has for weeks been
actively engaged in devising some definite
plan of action.
They have been approached by various
political factions who desire Endorsements.
but being non-partisan such action on their
part is entirely out of the question.
The committee on public affairs ap-
- pointed by the board of control Of the
League Of Progress. of which George II.
Puppy is chairman, met yesterday after
noen to discuss the political question once
more, but no positive plan has as yet been
adopted.
1t is, however, known that the league
will positively refuse TO indorse any candi-
dates for office on party grounds, Thew are
for individuals and not for parties. Their
mission is to do coed to the people of the
State regardless of politics.
A good many members Of the league pro-
pose 10 select - of the very best men in the
Republican party and y Of the some ealiber
among the Democracy and make them the
candidates for Supervisors
A PROPOSITION.
The league, in case of the plan being ap-
proved. viii 90 before the municipal con-
ventions Of both parties and viii ask that
the men Trey have selected be given the
nomination. If they meet with refuSals
they will consider the advlsability of running
an independent ticket. but il their nominees
ere accepted it will make no difference TO
the welfare of the people which one of the
parties is successful. for they will have good
men TO administer The city's affairs in either
case.
The same method is TO be applied to the
Legislative ticket and preparations in that
direction are being made.
The League of Progress and the Traffic
Association are very much in earnest about
these matters, aud, being composed Of the
brainiest business men in the city, they will
certainly be able 10 devise means to defeat
the Vaccinations of the railroad company
and their hiTelings.
One Of the most active members Of the
league. in explaining the situation 70
CALL reporter yesterday, said that since
the young business men have recognized the
fact that only by having pure and honest
men In Office, men who DO not owe allegiance
80 any bosses or rings. the city can be res
cued from its present stagnation there has
been an awakening from the customary
lethargv, and all the wholesale houses are
full OF clever enthusiasts, who are willing
to take off their coats, roll up their sleeves
and 60 TO work Tor the good Of the city and
tie State.
THE TRAFFIC MANAGER.
Traffic Manager Leeds, who is experienced
and careful IN relation 10 political questions,
In his own quiet way, admitted Yesterday
that the organization he represents doubt
less would gladly join hands with the
League OF Progress people, if the latter
made 1udIclous selection Of candidates for
Supervisors or the Legislature.
I'VE recognize the good that Will come
from an independent government, and one
not controlled by any BOSSES" said MI
Leeds, "aud we care not whether O man is
Democrat, Republican, or anything else
II he has a record for purity and honesty"
The organizing committee Of the League
OF Progress is sending letters to prominent
young business men throughout the State
asking them 10 establish branches 10 their
respective cities. Res pOnses to these letters
are already pouring IN, and to show in what
spirit they are received. the following para
graph ITom one of the answers picked up al
random yesterday IS given:
believe that organization in the manner that
monopolies, and directly to the benefit Of our
State.
A QUESTION OF TOLLS.
The Harbor Commissioners Will at their
next meeting. consider the complaint of the
League of Progress sent to them last week
Ia which the system now applied by the va
riOnS trans portati0n companies regarding
the 8 cents per ton toll on freight is found
fault with. The railroad and steamship
companies are charged cents on every ton
OF freight they land, aud il cargo is of
nature that il has 10 be distributed among
many merchants in small parcels they
charge every one OF them cents toll, no
matter whether he receives 10 pounds or a
ton. In this manner they manage to turn
what is intended to be a tax into d revenue.
E l.. G. Steele, one of the principal pro-
moters of the san Francisco and Great Salt
Lake Railroad. when seen yesterday did not
care TO speak about the projected road. 81
have been busy from three to four hours
every day for months with matters con-
necled with this railroad, and attn not to-
day in a position TO declare positively that
IL ever win be built" said Mr.. Steele, but
he Immediately moderated this statement
by saying that he had reasons to suppose
that the enterprise will be a success.
I'VE are going to build, If we build at
ALL" Mr.. Steele went on to say, via the
Beckwith Pass, where three CORDS Of en-
gineeTs are now working in our interest, TO
Salt Lake City and around Suisun Bay
through the foothills Of Mount Diablo to
Stockton. Later on we propose to build a
branch through the San Joaquin Valley"
Mr.. Steele got that far in his story and
then be stopped He seemed to think he
had already said too much for publication,
for he is an extremely cautious man. As a
matter of fact he had not told anything
but what has been known for months; but
afraid that he had made some startling dis
closures, be cautioned the reporter TO be
very careful in writing up that interview,
and to be sure not to make any misleading
statements
THAT PUBLIC STATEMENT.
From other sources it was learned that
the directors of the Great Salt Lake road
Will meet again this afternoon TO discuss
their tlans, and that they have rec0nsidered
their previous intention to make public
statement of their scheme They will not
issue any prospectus for some weeks yet,
and not before they are ready to go to work
In earnest.
The employe Of the Railroad Commission,
Colonel Richard 7. Morgan, is travelling all
over the State investigating railroads on the
strength OF the Shiyely complaint. The
Ohio colonel is cutting ridiculous figure,
and the Railroad Commissioners are max
ing a laughing stock Of their office in this
matter, because Colonel Morgan is looking
up the affairs Of roads against whom there is
no longer any complaint, Mr.. Shiyely haV-
ing withdrawn his charges against all rail-
roads and concentrated them on the South
eru Pacific Company only. Besides, DO
money having as yet been appropriated for
the pay Of Colonel Morgan by the State Off
eials, it looks very much As If he was 10 the
employment of the Kentucky corporation
and that the very people he is supposed to
investigate are paying his salary.
William Graves, the general manager OF
the North Pacific Coast Railroad, returned
on Sunday from his trip to Eng and, and
after quietly remaining over night at the
Palace lett Tor his SauSalito home early yes
terday, escaping all reporters. Mr.. Graves
has as yet not been near his Office, but will
probably be there to-day. He has been abb
sent several months, and the object of his
trip was to rearrange the bonds and fnan-