The morning call., 1894-05-25
THE WAR OVER sUTRo HEIGHTS.

Whatever curious features may develop
in the pending controversy between Nj
Sutro and the railroad, il seems certain
that it must end in an advantage to the
people. Mr.. Sutr0 offers to donate his
splendid property to the public Oh condi-
ton that the Market-stUeet Railroad shall
carry passengers TO the beach from any
part of the city reached by their lines for
one scent fare. To this Colonel Croker
on behalf OF the railroad replies that "the
Market-street Railroad Company will give
transfer tickets at connecting terminal
points to any Of its lines now terminating
at or near the Cliff House; that is to say,
q single fare only will be charged from the
ferries to the beach," This undertaking is
coupled with a condition that the transfer
of Sulro Heights to the city shall be super
vised by a committee Of five chosen by MI.
Sutro from a list Of citizens named by
Colonel Croker.
This adjustment Of the controversy is
not satisfactory TO Mr.. Sutro If he gives
away his property he thinks he can super
wise the operation without the assistance
of Mr.. Crocker's friends, and he objects to
allowing the railroad company to control
the character aud extent Of the service il
proposes to render for the through scent
fare He prefers to build a railroad him
self from the Inhabited portions Of the
city to the beach, leaving it open whether
such line be operated by cable, electricity
or compressed air. and for a franchise for
such road he has applied TO the Board of
Supervisors. MIR. Sutro's objections ap-
pear to go to points of detail which are
susceptible Of friendly adjustment. Colonel
Croker probably does not insist on his
advisory or supervisory committee, and
might not be unwilling to bind his COM
pany to render a specific amount and
quality of service. On the essentials sub
stantlal uDanimity exists. Croker gives
the cheap fare and Sutro the land; the rest
is matter for the respective lawyers and
the city officials TO regulate after due dis
cussion.
MIR. huntington, who ntervenes in the
controversy from the vantage ground of
New York, appears TO be extremely anna
BILE on the subject. With the recollection
in his mind of two lunches of which he
confesses that he partook at Mr.. Sutro's
house, and which he admits to have been
excellent, he Is inclined to abound in Mr..
Sutro's sense. He allows that the railroad
service to the Cliff is not satisfactory to
him, and that it should be better than 1t is.
and, though ne thinks that fve-cent rate
is too low, he would not object to strain
point and accept it coupled with much bet
ter accomm odatOns. AS to his opinion
about the lowness of the rate, it may be
observed that Nh Huntington's notion al
ways has been that his rates are too low ::
his position always has been that he is
running his railroad from pure phiIan-
thropy, at loss to himself and his part
nerS But as 10 the practical points in the
controversy, he seems to agree with the
owner Of Sutro Heights-although it is not
always possible TO know what Nh. Hun
tington means from what be says.
The prospect is thus, on thawhole, en-
couraging TO the public, and it is not
easy to see why substantial gain should not
be realized. Mr.. Sutro seems to think
that Colonel Crocker's offer to run through
cars at five cents is an invitation to him TO
stop the fight" That he will not do. He
is like the man in the Bible who felt that
he did well to De angry. 1t is not certain
that he is wrong. An angry man is often
useful; his anger dispels the dull apathy
which is the normal condition of the peo-
pie at large, AMI keeps things stirred up.