The herald., 1894-12-29
THE BULLETIN HEDGES.
THE ORGAN OF THE C0NSER VA
TIVE ELEMENT TEMPORIZ ES.
San Francisco Fearful of Losing the
Trade of the San Joaquin
Valley Counties.

The San Fran cisco Bulletin, which has
been loud in its protests against South
ern Pacific aggression and full of sym
pathy for the unhappy condition of the
San Joaquin valley people, is now trying
to steer middle course. 1t observes
that the merchants and farmers of Cen
| trail California are in no mood for fur
ther daliying with the question OF a
competing railroad, and that in utter
desperation of securing did and comfort
| from San Fran c:aco they have resolved
to cast their lot with Southern Califor-
MIA at any cost The Bulletin is more
loyal to San Francisco than earnest in
its advocacy OF the interests OF the val
ley counties, and this probably accounts
for the following peculiar expression:
The merchants and peope of Fresno appear
to be in very angry mood. There is pei haps
roason for their irritation. They see the South
err Pacific daily absorbing all the profits OF
their business aud no co rp ting road from
San Franci co down the valley is yet distinctly
visible. In this emergency they think OF build
ing line of their to connect with the
Santa Fe, and of throwing in their 10. with Los
Angeles in def lnce of the Tehachapi range.
There is even some talk, in high key. about
seeding and setting up a new state In connec
tion with the seven counties, including Orange,
which have fallen under the sway of the weak
lunged of the east. 1t is evident that Fresno
is very mad. 1t Las 10 be said that there
a-e some reasons for that frame of mind.
The competing road down the valley does not
materia ize quite as quickly as the people OF
Fresno desire, or for that matter. as quickly as
the we'll wi shers of the state. no matter w here
located, think 1t ought. But indignant as the
| Fresnoites may feel, they are not going n fit
| OF wild anger. TO jump from the frying pan into
| the fire. connection with the Santa Fe will
no. solve any question whatever for that region.
That railroad is not in any sense benevolent
institution. 1t is not Iun on lines which will
enable it to suceor distressed localities. 1t is at
present in the hands of receiver. 1t will join
any pooling arrangement blind or otherwise
that it thinks will operate to its benefit, pro-
vided way can be found to cheat the law
Connected with the proposei Fresno branch, it
could take out of the people of that section all
that theJ made by their local road. The former
would have to stand in with the Southern Pa
cifio or stand the consequences of competition
at other points.
| Clearly there is no solution of the raisin
question in the Santa Fe. Even the disinter-
I ested sympathy of Los Angeles will not help
the scheme a great deal. What Fresno wants
connection with the bay Of San Francisco and
the open sea- 1t is on that line alone that it
can hope for the relief of which it stand go
much in need. To a very large extent San
Francisco has q fellow feeling for the region in
question. But feelings do not build railroads.
We wish 1t was in our power tc announce that
ground would be broken next week, or some
time In the early future. for the competing line
| in the San joaquin valley.