The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-26
ated at a disadvantage, they are giving it a

"In my case" remarked bystander. Il
patronize the Davie lire whenever IL 10
convenient for me to do so; ana wnen IL IS
not buy a round-trip ticket over the old
line. 1t costs me trifle more eacn month.
but the satisfaction 1 derive by assisting
in the upbuiIding of competing line fully
compensates me-"
''Boss. If that little Rosalie keeps up her
present lick and gets the assistance OF an
other boat we won't be able to earn our
SALT" said one of the -porters OF the
Piedmont. "A few weeks ago we carried
large crowd every trip, but now we only
do good business in the mornings and
evenings when the commuters are crossing.
The transients are patronlZlng the new
line"
The passengers on the Piedmont gath
cred on the dock to watchthe little opposl-
tion steamer. and it seemed strange to
hear the words of commentator bestowed
upon it by the patrons Of the old line. A
CALL representative determined TO learn
the reason for such inconsistency, and be-
gan to ask questions.
One bright little lady said: "Why am l
riding on the Piedmont instead OF that
pretty little boat? Well, 1t is because l
have Communication ticket for this month.
and cannot afford TO lose the benefit of it.
just as soon as the 1st of next month ar
rives you can depend that Will patrOnIZe
the new boat.
'For several years l have been employed
as stenographer in law office in San
Francisco, and nave witnessed thousands
OF poor laboring people pay twenty-five
cents for round trip, when l telt conf
dent that they needed it 10 buy better
clothing, if not food. Of course it is cheap
enough for me. buying Communication tick
cts as do. but l have a fellow-feeling for
those who are not so well off in this worlds
goods.
II am fully satisfied that such high
price has not been necessary to enable the
railroad company to make running ex-
penses and fair profit, and l am willing
to inconvenience myself little in order to
assist the poor instead of rich corpora
ton"
you want to know why said hurrah
for the new ferry?" said a business man.
then l will tell you. In my pocket
carry pass over the Southern Pacific line,
and for fear that its spoilers might catch
me travelling over the other line l patron
ize the railroad ferry. can afford to pay
for riding on its ferry. for / get a large
amount OF travel on its railroad free of
charged
Every passenger ad dressed gave rea-
son for patronizing the old ferries, and
with few exceptions they announced that
as soon as the Davie Company furnished
more steamers they would give it their
patronage.
On the Piedmont there was not to ex-
coed 100 passengers, while the Resale
upon the same trip was carrying fully 300.
This condition exists at all times. with
the exception of few trips In the day
when the commuters are returning home
from their work.
On the Mssion-street dock there was a
scene of animation. Before the depar-
ture Of every boat the space allotted for
passengers was crowded wit h people who
were full of exultation over the Oppor-
tunity afforded to spend their money
where it would not reach the pockets Of
the millionaire owners of the Southern
Pacific.
For fifteen years l have resided in
Oakland. and almost every day of that
period l have been compelled to pay
tribute to the greed of the Southern Pacific,
and you do not know how happy it makes
me to be- able to change the programme"
said one passenger. Just look at the
crowd. | am sure that not One-tenth of
them are coming this route in order to
save money, but solely for the purpose of
crushing a monopoly that has oppressed
them for years.
''In New York, where I came from,
cents is all that is asked for ferry
fare. and an additional two cents would
have been sufficient for the Southern
Pacific. But it has not been satisfied to
accept reasonable profit. but has robbed
the people until forbearance has ceased to
| be virtue"
Il would have liked to have gone home
an hour ago, but rather than neglect an
opportunity to aid The opposition ferry l
have waited" said another passenger.
IF the Davie Company will put on one
or two more steamers it will secure nine
tenths of the business between San Fran
cisco and Oakland" said one passenger.
Under the present arrangement it is often
| very inconvenient to wait two hours if
you are unfortunate enough to miss your
boat. When that is remedied the people
OF Oakland will be happy"
Il am compelled to walk several blocks
out OF my way in order to patronize the
new ferry. hut would be willing to walk
| even mile" said one passenger. UNLESS
| you live In Oakland and are compelled to
make frequent visits to San Francisco you
cannot realize just how glad we feel over
the establishment of an opposition line"
Upon all sides could be heard words OF
praise for the Rosalie and condemnation of
the Southern Pacific, ana the good will of
the passengers was fully sustained by the
cheers Of the waiting crowd at the Oakland
| dock.
On the 9Th inst the Rosalie began run
ming between San Francisco and Oakland,
| and up to the 23d inst. she had carried
S641S passengers, representing S4324 for
1873 round trips. This also represents for