The morning call., 1893-08-21

bright day in the compony's history was
before them.
How their expectations were more than
will tell, for after the first trip Of the
Alvira and Rosalie both steamers were
taxed TO their utmost ca pacity.
And what good-natured crowds they
were! From 10 o'clock until the last trip
of Doth boats men, women and children
we're crowded aboard in a compact mass.
Women with dainty bonnets and dressed
In fashionable attire uncomplainingly en-
dured the crush and lightly jested at the
discomforts which were unavoidably
thrust upon them.
On the Oakland side of the bay the crowd
Of sightseers who congregated at the wharf
as each boat came in and departed was
fully as large as those noticeable on this
side.
Hundreds Of citizens drove down during
the day in their carriages and watched the
sight, the like of which Oakland had d'never
before seen.
The experiences of the day demonstrated
one fact beyond controversy. and that is
that the Davie line cannot on Sundays
successfully handle the people on both
sides of the bay who are desirouS of pat
rOniZing the company in its efforts TO over
throw the power of the Southern Pacific
that is with its present facilities. Many
times during yesterday the gates on both
sides of the bay were closed against the
mass of people who were clamoring for
adnittance and whom the boats were ap-
solutely unable to accommodate.
To meet the requirements of the public
some OF the Davie line managers spoke
strongly in favor of procuring another boat
for Sunday traffic, and a week from yes
terday may witness the inauguration of
three-boat service for that day.
A feature of the days travel was the
absence of accident. Not single mishap
occurred among all the thousands of pas
sengers carried. The weather was quite
warm during the middle of the day and
passengers on the upper decks of the boats
found il somewhat uncomfortable, but the
satisfaction Of passing the Alameda as the
/ latter made her periodical trips and OBJ
serving her deserted decks and generally
desolate appearance more than recon-
pensed them for any little discOmforts.
The enthusiasm on 9th sides of the bay
was remarkab bic. Eager eyes were strained
watching for the first sight of the incom-
ing vessels, and when they ran up to the
docks the crowds both on board and
ashore gave vent to their feelings by pro-
tracted cheers.
In Oakland the Southern Pacific emissary
had sorry day of it. but he labored
faithfully for his line. The streetcar en-
plOyes were some Of them quite energetic
in their efforts to detract custom from the
Davie line by Misrepresentation and mac
curate information. A favorite trick was
to inform passengers on the cars while the
Alameda was at her dock that the Davie
boat had just gone. Several Instances Of
this kind occurred while the Rosalie was
lying at her dock awaiting traffic.
On this side of the bay dense crowds were
strung all along the Mission-street dock
from the middle of the morning until sun
set. The runners" out for both the
Southern Pacific and the opposition fer
ries were frequently in danger of personal
conflict and kept the police busy. Charges
are made that the efforts of the force were
mainly directed against the Davie line
men, and a colored boy distributing circu-
lars for this line was forcibly elected from
the dock at the point where the streetcars
run In. 1t is but just to say that when this
matter was brought to the attention of the
sergeant Of police in charge of that dis
trict he promised to see to the matter and
gave orders that no favortism should be
shown by his men. and that they should not
interfere except In preserving the peace.
The Alameda formed a striking contrast
to the boats of the other line. Up to l
o'clock yesterday she did not have q cor
poraps guard aboard her on any trip she
made. Many of those who took passage
on her up to that time did so out of Curl
osIty to see what the boat was doing. On
the o'clock trip the Alameda brought
over from Oakland by far the largest num-
Der OF passengers carried by her during
the day. When she left the dock in Oak
land she had by actual count just 2l1
people on board. outside of the crew.
Going over to Oakland Oh the same trip