The morning call., 1893-08-21
TALK OF A SELL OUT.
VIII the Whitney Company Succumb
to the Monopoly.

III was stated by good authority in Oak
land yesterday that the Whitney Trans
portatlon Company had been purchased
oy the Southern Pacific and would soon
cease to exist as rival line, leaving only
the Davle Company in opposition TO the
great monopoly. The Information came
from one of the officers on the Grace Bar
ton, who told reporter for The CALL
that that boat would be Withdrawn from
the Whitney service within a few days.
The information also came from member
OF the Council. who, while refusing to
dlvulge his source of knowledge, stated it
to be an undeniable fact, and he added that
the deal had been completed two weeks ago,
and since that time the Whitney people
had been working in complete accord with
the octopus.
1t was two weeks ago that a man came
into The CALL Office and said he had in
formation that the aforementioned pur-
chase had taken place. He said that
representative of the Whitney interests
had met one of the powers that rule at
Fourth and Townsend streets in a room
at the Palace Hotel and that then and
there the money was transferred and
papers drawn up. The matter was care
fully investigated, but Frank McHugh,
secretary OF the supposed rival line. posi-
lively denied it and the story was dropped
for the time. But now it comes from such
reliable source as to leave but little room
Tor doubt, and in all probability this oppo-
sition will be withdrawn this week, pos
sibly to-day.
1t is fact that the passenger traffic on
the Grace Barton has been quite light. but
the quantity of freight carried by her has
been the thorn in the Southern Pacific's
side.
Captain Barron OF the Grace Barton, the
boat put on by the Whitney Company in
place of the Frank Silva, which 1t was
said was being laid off for repairs, stated,
when approached on the subject, that he
did not know whether the Whitney Com
pany intended to withdraw from the fight,
and he added:
II would not be bit surprised if it had
already"
"How long. captain, does your contract
run with the Whitney Company"
Two weeks-two or three weeks-may
be month yet"
Had you heard that the Barton was to
be Withdrawn tomorrow"
'No. had not" He added, referring to
the deal: Il have heard some talk of it,
but do not know for certain. In my own
opinion it IS So"
''Is anything being done with the Silva ?''
mo. l hear there is an attachment on
her boilers by some Sacramento or Stock
ton boiler men,
"You say, captain, that you would not
be surprised II the deal had taken place ?"
mo, l would not be surprised"
Captain Barron spoke as though be was
prepared for an emergency, and stated
that the Grace Barton would 60 back into
her old business, the salu-carrying trade.
Captain Bassett was seen at the Dayie
wharf. He stated that he knew nothing
about it; but friend of his had told him
that Stubbs had remarked In the Palace
Hotel few days ago that the Whitney
line was trying to blackmail ths railroad
company, but that they would have moth
ing to do with them, and took no stock in
the Whitney people-either McNear or
McGovern.
Mr.. Davie was too busy with fnding
room for the $500 people aboard the Alvira
to talk on the subject. He said, however,
that he had been told by one of the men
on the Grace Barton that that boat was to
be taken off the coming week.
Andrew j. McGovern, president of the
Whitney Standard and Oakland Transfer
Company. could not be found last night;
but Mrs. McGovern was interviewed, and
denied in toto the truth of the reports that
are being circulated TO the effect that the
Whitney ferry line has sold out to the
Southern Pacific.
She says the rumors have reached the
ears of her husband and annoy him exceed
ingly, and that he is very indignant over
the matter. There is absolutely no
ground for the reports." sheSsaid. EN- mphat-
ically; II would know it IL there were."