The morning call., 1894-10-30
,AROUND THE CoRRIDoRS.s

c. II. Minturn of Cleveland, Ohio Is at the
Palace. He is connected with one OF the
largest electrical construction companies in the
country and visits this city for the purpose of
making some Investigations as to our present
telephone facilities. Mr.. Minturn is an enthu-
siast in the plan OF municipal corporations
raising city revenues through the disposal OF
privileges rather than by taxation anc believes
San Francisco has yet much 10 learn in this
direction. lie cites the city of Toronto as an
illustration of the succe SIS attending this plan.
"That city," said he, lis receiving more for
its municipal privileges to-day than any city in
this country and II does it simply by judicious
handling of valuable franchises. Within the
past three months an instance has occurred
there which shows what may be done
when the spirit Of competition is given a fair
chance. About year ago the City Engineer
of Toronto was instructed 10 prepare plans and
estimates for an electric light plant TO be owned
ana operated by the city. He estimated that
with such plant street lighting by electricity
would cost the city about SS2 per lamp per
year II was then paying S10S SO. Bids were
asked for building magnificent plant and also
for lighting the city by contract. The lowest
bid ou the latter basis was one for 2I1a cents
per light per night. or S74 SO a year for five
years. This was at least 80 per cent lower
than the city was paying at the time and con-
siderably below the estimate of the City En-.
glueeT. The day Of franchise giving in cities
has passed and taxpayers are beginning TO
realize that the revenues which could be de-
rived from this work would sustain ely gov
ernments and materially reduce tax levles."
w. Il. Hurlburt, general passenger agent Of
the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company,
is at the Palace. Mr.. Hurlburt was formerly
general agent Of the Union Pacific in this city,
being succeeded by Mr. Hitchcock. He went
grNs
same line of duties, and upon the segregation
OF the different lines in that system he went to
The o. X. & N. The latter company already
shows the effective work of which the gentle
man named is capable.
Ex-United States Marshal Long has returned
from trip to Kernville and other points 10
Kern County. In the locality mentioned, he
says, a large number OF Portuguese are set
tiers who have hitherto affiliated with the pre-
dominating Democratic sentiment which erst-
while prevailed thereabouis. A change has,
however, become noticeable In their political
belief, the Marshal says. aud they propose
almost to man to support the Republican
ticket this fall.
j. A. McMutrie. one OF the firm OF contractor
who constructed the Southern Pacific extension
| from Santa Margarita 10 San Luis Obispo. is
al the Palace. He states that the further ex-
bcusiOu Ol Tie fOdu Is prOcttullg SLOWLY. by
| the middle OF November 1t is expected thar the
road Will have been graded to the Santa Maria
| River, distance Of about sixteen miles from
San Luis Oblspo. This. however, does not in
| clcde the construction OF bridges.
| ". w. Phillips of Fresno, who holds the
] Traffic Ass ciation's Endorsement for Railroad
| Commissioner, Is at the Grand He was a
! caller at the rooms Of the organization men,
| TONED yesterday, and held a conference with
President Upham aud Traffic Manager Leeds.
State Controller Z. r. Cogan is guest at the
Lick. He has been paying more attention 10
| the duties OF his Office lately than 10 the re-
| qulrements Of the present campaign, but will
! put in the remaining days prior to the electio n
! In an active canvass among his friends.
G. ID. Mclean, the Grass Valley mining op-
orator, is at the Lick. His visit here at pres ent
| is for the purpose Of purchasing some valuable
machinery TO plac+ In his mining properties In
| the locality mentioned.
| A. NJ. Hanf0rd. an Eastern excursion agent
| was at the Occidental on Sunday. Indications
| OF heavy travel westward this winter are, he
| says, quite noticeable in the East.