The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-07
COULD NOT GET TITLE.
Why the Fulton Folks Didn't
Go to Oakland.
A STAB AT CARPENTER.
What James G. Fair Has to Say OF the Full
ton Company's Change Of
Mind.

The articles of incorporation Of the Full
ton Engineering and Shipbuildng Works
were filed to-day with the County Clerk.
! The new company will take over the old
contracts and conduct the general engineer
| ing business carried on for some years past
| by Messrs. Hinckley, Spiers & Hayes.
and better known to the public as the Full
| ton Iron Works.
There is, however, an element. outside the
mere launching of new corporation on the
business world of San Francisco, connected
with the newly formed company which ex-
cites keen public interest. The new foundry
| was TO have been built upon the Hays
property on the Oakland water front, but
now that far rasping octopus. the Southern
Pacific Railroad, has laid claim to the
major portion of the water front across the
bay, threatened and actually commenced
| litigation TO GUST the legal occupants there
| Of the business men connected with the
! Fulton Iron Works considered that the &C
| eeptance of any title to the disputed prop
erty would involve them in very unde sirable
risks OF lawsuits with the all-powerful rail-
| road company.
When, therefore, ex-senator James G.
| Fair, grasping the situation with his usual
acuteness, made an offer Of his waterfront
| property near Harbor View as the site for
! the new iron works. it received immediate
consideration and prompt acceptance, de-
| spite the fact that $1,000 had been paid to
| bind the purchase OF the proposed site in
! Oakland.
Ex-senator James G. Gair was seen yes
terday by CALL reporter on the subject.
'The accounts already published of my
association with the new incorporation
which has taken over the business OF the
| Fulton Iron Works." said he, "are practi-
caliy correct. My reasons for granting ex-
| ceptionally easy terms to the gentlemen
identified with the business Ia question for
the acquisition Of my property at Harbor
| View are various.
I'm the first place have great faith in
the successful working of the iron industry
in this city. and my confidence has been
shown by the fact that l have taken no less
| than 1900 500 shares in the concern In part
| payment tor my land Secondly, aid not
! like to see such prosperous business lost
TO San Francisco. The removal OF such a
! large and successful branch OF manufacture
| to Oakland or anywhere else would mean
| that lots of money would be taken out OF
! this city, where business is already dull and
| overdOne, and spent elsewhere. Thirdly,
| consider the HsrbOr View site FAR more
suitable for the prosperous continuation Of
| the works than the one selected on the
| other side of the bay.
These reasons, take il, are alone sutfi-
cient to show yOu that the proprletors OF
] the works were. 10 my opinion, justified IN
| accepting my offer and feOpening their bust
ness in its now form and on our side of the
bay. No man or business lrm wants to
take any chances of a legal fight with the
railroad people about the title to land or
anything else. by deciding 10 locate at
HarbOr View the new company will be freed
from any such annoyance. My title is be-
yOnd dispute. For twenty-seven years ii was
vested in the North San Francisco Home
stead and Railroad Association, and | was
very careful before purchasing 1t to have
the same thoroughly investigated, guaTan-
teed and perfected. 1t is a good thing for
the city, and for all parties concerned, that
the works remain over here"
James Spiers, member of the old firm,
and one Of the directors OF the new COM
pany. was seen, bat declined to express his
opinion as to whether the title TO the Oak
land waterfront property was invalid or
not. He admitted, however, that the recent
litigation, and consequent doubtful position
of the title had greatly influenced himself
and his associates in accepting the offer of
ex-senator Fair He considered that the
success Of the enterprise under its new aus
pices is assured.
The directors of the new company are.
Daniel b. Hlnckley, Fruitvale; Daniel f.
Hayes, Mil Valley; James Spiers, Berke-
ley; Frank A. Huntington, Oakland; Rich
ard ID. Chandler. San Francisco; L. c.
Bresse. San Francisco; Henry T. Christie.
San Francisco.
The capital stock is $1,000. coo. divided
into 10000 shares. sos. 500 of the amount
actually subscribed. Hnckley, Hayes,
Spiers, Chandler, Christie and James g.
Fair have each subscribed SIS, coo; Hunt
ington $1,000 and Bresse $500.
1t is therefore once again demonstrated
that wherever the grasping hand OF the rail-
road monOpoists is placed there trade will
be ruined and enterprise crushed out. The
loss of the I ulton Iron Works to Oakland is
q great one and should prove another lesson
to the citizens of the City of Churches that
a grand and concerted movement must be
made to throw off the chains of hateful
bondage in which Oakland is enthralied.