The morning call., 1893-09-05

want.
Snell-According to Mr. Towne's prom
iseS the flyer is thing of the past.
thlnk theu that we had better proceed to
business.
DaIton-Towne says the railway COM
pany is willing to do for Oakland in the
future what il has done in the past. That
is just what the people of Oakland do not
want. He has given no good reason why
these ordinances read here tonight should
not be passed. Here is what Mr.. Towne
sad some time ago III communication to
this body, and you can compare it with his
promises now. he says:
I'VE learn that an application has been
made by Mr.. A. E. Davis to your honor
able body to grant to certain parties the
right to construct, maintain ana use
steam railway through and along Webster
street in the city of Oakland; and as
superintendent of the Central Pacific Rail
road, | would respectfully represent that
the Central Pacific tracks are laid through
First and Seventh streets at right angles
To Webster street; that 1t Is now running
ninety regular trains, together with many
specials, crossing Webster street over
these tracks daily. which will be increased
from time to time as business may
require that many of these trains run after
nighEfall and at times in dense logs which
prevail in that section at certain seasons
of the year Therefore il this charter be
granted | most earnestly recommend
that you consider the great importance
and necessity of requiring the new steam
railroad to be- constructed across our tracks
either above or below the established
grade, and hope you will give the matter
the attention il deserves, both for the
safety and security of your people aud the
employees of the road"
you see, Mr.. Towne then considered
the safety OF tho people when the Central
Pacific's interests we're at stake, but sluce
then he has been running trains through
our streets at the rate of thirty or forty
miles an hour regardless of the
safety OF ANYBODY. Do you think
you can trust to his promises?
Mr.. Towne says the company now pro
poses 10 fix the cars so that no one can
jump on and off them. | will quote from
an article that appeared a lew days ago
in THE MORNING CALL showing that
in the past two and half years
forty-seven people were Killed by the cars
in this city. and only two OF that humble +
have been killed jumping on and off the
cars, while forty-two were killed by being
run over by the engine. Mr.. TOwne had
better fix his engines and never mind fixing
his cars. His point In this matter see ms
10 me to be badly taken"
John p. Irish requested permission to
say a few words and spoke In favor of the
railroad.
Mayor Pardee-I have lived in this town,
man and boy, twenty-five years, and | have
seen everything regulated except the rail
road My business is in San Francisco,
but il have got 10 sacrifice the rights OF
our people in order to get 10 my business
AT the earliest possible moment | will let
my business 90. We are not legislatng for
San Francisco business men but
for all of the people of the city
of Oakland. l propose TO demand as long
as | am Mayor OF Oakland that the South
~ fNose, ha at In m
serve the public interests just the same as
any other business or corporation. This
is but justice, and justice we will and
must nave.
Attorney George Baker, did not ex-
pert to be confronted with the spectacle of
a Mayor coercing. by virtue of his official
pnsitinn, the memb ers of this Council.
Misses | sag it is unusual.
President Towle-I would like to know
Who You are and what you are2
Baker-My ame is George Baker, and
/ live and am raising family in the city
of Oakland. There have been a great
many remarks here tonight about the
grasping policy of the railroad, but it
seems to me-
President Towle - One moment. Are
you speaking in the interests of Fourth
and Townsend streets, or as a citizen of
Oakland?
Baker-As a citizen OF Oakland; and
now. in that capacity, l want TO say that
should the speed of the trains be slowed
down it wonld bs impossible to give salts
faction to the people. |, for one. want the
present service continued.
Mayor Pardee-Did | have permission
to address This assemblage? If so, have
no apologies 10 make to the gentleman.
Daltnn-I am afraid the good people
here 90 not know my good friend, Mr..
George Baker. the paid attorney of the
Southern Pacific Company of Kentucky.
He is here liz the interests of his company
and not as citizen Of Oakland.
Dr.. Ambrose advocate keeping dead
heads off the cars.
Daton-I made an error while ago.
Mr.. Baker tells me he is not the paid at
torney Of the Southern Pacific Company of
Kentucky. l supposed he was still in the
position he formerly occupied. [ am very
sorry for the mistake.
On motion, the ordinance providing for
the stopping OF all trains before crossing
the railway tracks al Seventh and Web
ster streets was read and brought up for
final passage. BaretOw moved that il be
laid on the table, as Towne promised to
put in derailing switches.
Manuel thought that Towne's promises
were not worth much.
Smell said he would vote to table the or
dnance, because he thought thu de-
railing switches better than flsgmen or
the stopping of trains. He said that
an ordinance had been passed four months
ago to compel the Southern Pacific to put
in derailng switches at this point and that
it provided for forfeit of $50 day until
it was complied with.
Manuel thought derailing switches were
not safe.
CapelI thought that If what Smell said
were true tho city of Oakland could collect
considerable back dues from the Southern
Pacific Company. He also favored the
passage of the ordinance and thought the
Council should not indulge in any more
tomfoolery.
Barnard said he would vote to lay the
Ordinance on the table, but not because he
was special friend Of the Southern Pa
cifc Railroad. He thought, however.
that the Southern Pacific had
made the city of Oakland. Kisses.
He urged that the citizens of Oakland
should consider their own interests and
not cut of the only thing that had made
the city what it is. He thought that some
members of the Council were voting for
the ordinance through feeling of
cowardice and because they were afraid
of popular opinion.
Dalton thoupht the CounniI had tba