The morning call., 1893-11-30
CHANGE OF POWER
Electricity May Be Used
on Howard Street.
Changes Contemplated on Other
StreetS-An Immense Electric
PoWer-HOuSe.

"The attitude of the city authorities
roads makes it impossible to give you the
information you ask" said high official
in the Market-street Railway Company
yesterday in reply to request that list
of all of the roads which it was proposed
to operate by electricity should be given
out for publication. 1--WE can't tell our
selves where we stand. If the action of
the Mayor should be upheld then electric
roads on some of the streets at least would
be an impossibility."
About the most interesting feature of the
gossip about stTeetcar company move
ments. possible and probable, is the state
ment that plan is under consideration
for making the Howard-street line an
electric road, and following the same plan
with the Valencia-street line. In the latter
case, if this plan we re followed, il would
necesstate turning the line on to Mission
street instead of Market. As matters
stand now Mission street will be the first
upon which an electric line will be placed
then will follow Third or Fourth street
whichever is thought TO be the best
adapted for the purpose-and the line out
into the PoIrerO.
The railroad company has purchased the
ground upon which TO build its power
house for the electric lines. The location
will be at the corner of Alameda and Bry-
ant streets. The building will be an i'm
mense structure and will have ample
boiler room and plenty of space for the
motors. The capacity Of the pc wer-house
will be sufficient TO supply all the lines
with motive force. Plenty of water is
obtainable and spur track will be built
to the house from the Southern Pacific
line.
THE question with u.s." said President
Croker, when asked about the proposed
changing of cable lines 10 electric power,
would. of course, be one of economy. If
we can operate some OF our cable lines al a
less cost by electric power, and that fact is
thoroughly demonstrated to our satisfac-
ton, we would certainly make the change.
There are some streets, of course, where
the introduction of electric power would
be impossible because Of the grades. AS to
the opposition we are encountering with
our proposed electric lines l think it is
unreasonable. The Metropolitan line has
been built quite while. and yet we hear
no complaint about Its being public null
sance. In fact, all over the country hun
dreds of miles of electric road have been
strung and are in successfuroperation and
meet with the approval Of the residents
where they are located"
The Southern Pacific Company has is
sued some large posters offering a reward
of $500 for the arrest and conviction of any
person conspiring against or njuring the
property of the company. This action
was brought about by the outrage last
Sunday, and it is hoped that it may lead TO
the apprehension of the miscreants who
caused it.
The City Passenger Association held its
regular meeting yesterday and accep pied
the withdrawal of the Rio Grande West
ern road.
The telegram from Freeport, H., in yes
terday mornings papers about the
rumored intention of the Illinois Central
road to build to this coast did not startle
railroad men in this city. 81 don't think
the Illinois Central or any other road is
going to attempt the construction of an
other road across the continent" said one
gentleman, Especially as one OF the big
roads is now in the hands of receivers. and
one or two more of them are doing every
thing in their power to keep out of the
same predicament. Times are too hard
and money too scarce for the opening of a
project of such vast magnitude at present"