The morning call., 1894-10-26
Grading Is Begun on the
SutrO Road.
CENTRAL AVENUE TORN UP.
The Competing Nickel Railway
Through Richmond.
TO BE BUILT IN FOUR MONTHS.
Transfer Arrangements Made With
the California Street System.
Promises of the Enterprise.

The work of grading the Sutro electric
railway began yesterday on Central ave-
nue.. where bituminous pavement was torn
up to make place for double lines of track.
Although there is an ordinance providing
that but one block may be torn up at a
time it will not interfere with grading in
other places while track-laying on the ave-
nue. is in progress. A contract for steel
rails has been let for the entire read, a
distance Of about five miles, but the ties
have not yet been purchased, though there
are many thousands of them ready for im-
mediate delivery when wanted.
Block $50 in Richmond was bought re-
Gently for power-house site. Building
will 60 on at this point simultaneously
with grading and tvack-laying, and it
seems that great activity in all branches
of construction will complete the road
within four months.
Already a transfer arrangement running
through term Of years has been effected
with the California-street line. This gives
the Sutro road direct connection with
North Beach. two points on Market street
and the ferries. The California road will
likewise have access to Golden Gate Park
and the Cliff House for nickel fare. The
route is as follows: Beginning on Central
avenue at Geary street, along Central
avenue TO California street. along Califor-
MIA street to Williamson street. along
Williamson street 10 Richmond avenue,
thence on Richmond avenue to First
avenue, along First avenue to Clement
street, on Clement street to ThiTty-third
avenue, along Thirty third avenue to Point
Lobos, on Point Lobos avenue to Forty
eighth avenue, to Point Lobos road, and
thence meandering through Sutro's land
to the baths. a branch line from Clement
street and Eighth avenue will connect
with the park.
1t is believed that an arrangement
whereby passengers may travel over the
Sutter-street lines and transfer to the
park or ocean for one fare will be effected
before the electric road is in operation.
The effect Of competition will be strik.
ingly illustrated in the Sutro road, which
will introduce for the first time nickel
fare from the ferries to the Cliff House
The Market-street system will be forced
as a measure of self-preservation of III
business to the ocean. to reduce its fare!
one-half. In this case San Franciscan:
will get the benefit of Sutr0's competition
"Our electric line," said Mr.. Sutro
"shall soon be a reality and there shall be
no compromise or buying by the Southern
Pacific Company. Our line is the peoples
line with the popular motto of nickel
fare to the ocean, It is 10 the fight IL
stay. Once in full operation the people
will come out to the ocean and enjov their
trip, for all can afford to see the Cliff and
beach and Seal Rocks and the baths there
1t is my intention to give every passenger
on the road either reduced ticket for thu
baths, or one giving him entree to TIT
Heights.
Last Sunday, when an immense crow(
went out to hear ScheePs Orchestra per
form 10 the bathhouse, thousands were
put to great inconvenience by the dis.
graceful lack of railroad accommodations
Two steam trains were run at long inter
walls, while the crowds waited Impatient,
and complained bitterly of the treatmen
to which they were subjected. One trair
broke down half way on its journey towari
town because the crowd was TOO great fo
It's engine. The locomotive of another
train went to its rescue and pushed it over
the grade past Strawberry Hill, afte
which this Obliging engine succumbeC
Itself. Then the trainload of passenger
had to walk long distance to the electri
cars on Ninth avenue and II street, souti
of Golden Gate Park.
With new electric street railway com
peting against the steam dummies people
will not trust themselves to broken
down engines. The better service for hal
price will be popular.