The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-01
THE CHEAP FARE.
Why the Monopoly Came
to Time
IN THE OCEAN ROAD FIGHT.
Their Course Means a Victory
for the People.
FORCED BY PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
Friends of the Proposed San Joaquin
Valley Road Say IT Is an
Opening Wedge.

The official ukase regarding the fare to
the Cliff House, and fixing it at cents
from all city points, which was issued by
the management of the consolidated rail-
road companies, otherwise known as the
Market-street Cable Railway Company
(also recognized by the all-powerful name
of the Southern Pacific Company. was
topic of public interest which was pretty
we'll discussed yesterday throughout the
city.
Affecting as it does the greater part of the
adult population, it could not fail 10 be
pertinent subject. Aside from the fact
that it means pleasant trips TO the ocean
beach at nominal cost, there yet remains
behind it all the unalterable fact that the
people have at last won victory over the
erasping corporation that has for years
ruled with All iron hand its valuable con-
cessions granted by the grace of corrupt
Boards of Supervisors in the past, and
have so long dictated the price of pleasure
and enjoyment for the poor.
The high standard of rates at which
these pleasures has been held is at last
broken, and virtually the railroad mana
gers have acknowledged that for years
they have been mulctiDg the pockets of
their patrons.
The first opening was made in the grasp
| ing policy of the monopolists when Adolph
! SutrO inauguratsd mis- warfare against the
corporation which has the monopoly OF
| the streetcar business OF the city. The
proposition of a competing road which
| would iniure the business of their spreading
branch lines to the park and ocean beach
was at first poOh-poohed by the railroad
officials. While they would give longer
ride by a system of transfers throughout
| the city, the railroad magnates held out
for all there was in sight in the direction
where they had cinch, as they thought.
When the millionaire of the heights,
however. threw down the gage OF battle,
and followed it up with the backing of
| community that was smartlDg from the
sting of extortion. the railroad Otficl ais
were somewhat startled. 1t is known tn al
several conferences were held between
them regarding the matter, and after con-
siderable discussion it was decided TO
await further developments before taking
any action.
1t was only when actual work was begun
last week that the Southern Pacific peop e
begun TO realize that they were dealing
with no myth. They no longer looked
with mild compassion upon movement
| which was dear TO the heart OF the people
and fastened themselves TO Offset the new
enterprise. They realized that they were
confronted by a real danger-one which
touched them in vital spot and threat
ened to cost them considerable revenue.
The usual obstructionist methods were
adopted in the courts, and their failed In
their results. a determined enemy was in
| front OF them backed by the irresistible
force of public opinion.
Many long and anxious consultations
were held to determine upon some course
Of action calculated to eXtricate the rail-
road company from the unpleasant pre-
| dicament in which it found itself.
There was only one course left, and that
was to take advantage of their facilities
and give the public the benefit of that
which the new road promised. Then fol-
| lowed the ukase after Mr.. Sutro had
thrown open the Cliff House, the baths
and the heights to the public.
Their action was clever scheme to win
credit for something which they would
never have done had not public sentiment
| forced them TO IL.
About the city the universal impression
| prevails that the railroad company has
met with its first serious defeat. Now
! that the public has ascertained that the
railroad is vulnerable and not irwin chile"
| said gentleman In speaking OF the matter
| last night, I'VE who are so strongly in
favor of a competing line through the San
Joaquin Valley can go forward with the
work with renewed confidence.
Pear of the power of the Southern Pa
| cifc has been one Of the greatest draw
backs with which we have had TO contend
| in soliciting aid from the merchants of
this city in particular. They now have an
| object lesson before them, ana its favor
able influences upon this project we feel
assured will make themselves manifest in
a few days"
Work upon the Sutro road on Central
avenue. between Bush and California
streets, was temporarily suspended yester-
day. owing to the Injunction proceedings,
but on the other parts of the road work
was going on as speedily as possible.
There has been considerable stock sub
scrIbed Mr.. Sutro says, and no time will
be lost In getting the road in operation.
He does not anticipate that the stand taken
| by The Sut;er-street people will interfere
with the progress of the work.