The morning call., 1894-10-27
MERCHANTS ARE APATHETIC
The Traffic Association Not Dis
Outraged, Though.
CANDIDATES TO BE PLEDGED.
Letters VIII Be Sent to the Various
Congressional and Legislative
Nominees.

The members of the executive committee
, of the Traffic Association are beginning to
realize that the majority of the business
men of the city, while opposed TO the
brigandish methods of the Southern
Pacific Company. are very slow IN enter
ing into the plan by which they can be
released from the bondage in which they
have been held for years.
When the matter of the San Joaquin
Valley Railroad was first taken up by the
association promises of support were many
in all quarters. Business men told the
members of the association to go ahead
and prepare their plans and means would
be forthcoming.
The executive committee has worked
after the manner of Trojans and finally
got things into shape. neutrality-suspicious.
were opened and all arrangements made
for the sale of stock The idea through
out was tosecure funds from local business
men who were interested in the new road,
in order TO start the building of the road.
Up 10 date, however, the business men
who were relied upon to fulfill the prom
Uses of support which they made have not
come forward in that enthusiastic way
which was anticipated.
a short bat energetic canvass was made
yesterday morning by the committee and
Manager Leeds among the downtown
business men, but the result was not en-
couragng. The merchants were all will
ing to promise TO do all that was possible,
but they wanted time before promising
any money. Nearly all wanted to wait
awhile.
1t was this apathy on the part of promi-
nent mem bers of the business community
that engaged the attention of the commit
tee when it met at , o'clock in the after
noon. The general impression was that
something must be done 30 arouse more
interest in the enterprise among those who
are really to receive the benefit OF il.
Manager Leeds reported that subscrip-
tons were coming in slowly. and that men
who could afford to take large quantities
of the stock were taking only small num-
Der of shares.
The matter was discussed in executive
session for over two hours, but no final
conclusion was arrived at.
One plan which was agreed upon was
that of interesting the candidates for the
State Legislature aud Congress in the
matter. Action was taken in deciding
that it would be good plan to communi-
cate with each candidate and secure
uledge regarding his ideas and principles
in relation 10 the railroad question as ii
affects this State.
The following letter will be sent TO the
Congressional candidates:
Dear SIR: The eXt-uSion of the time Of pay
menr OF the Government lien on the Central
Pacific Railroad would permit the reorgauiZa-
lion OF mat company with an enormously exag
gerated capital stock and bonded Indebtedness
which would constitute, in effect, a mortgage
GU The resources and industry of the people of
this State for, probably, S150,00O.000 or more,
and extending over more than generation 10
come. 1t is a question of such tranScendant
importance to California that the opinions on
1t, of all the candidates for Congress, should he
thoroughly understood. Gu behalf OF the
Traffic Association OF California, therefore, we
respectfully request 20 be Informed what will
be your course on that question, should you be
elected TO Congress? 1t Is not a question of
terms or details. but Will you favor or oppose
any extension whatever? We are, dear sir,
yours very RESPECTFULLY,
~