New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-30
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
RAINS ON THE COAST-CLIFF HOUSE
"REMINISCENCES RAILWAY NOTES.
ICY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l

10y TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEI
San Francisco Dec 29-Seldom has San Fran
cisco had such long term Of cold and disagree
able weather as during December The mercury
this month has ranged from SO down to AZ de-
rrees and the unusual cold has been made more
noticeable by a bitter east wind blowing from the
sncw-covered Sierra Nevadas. In the Interior
the cold is severe than on the coast, as
the temperature at Sacramento fell degrees
below the freezing point Thursday. Rain
along the coast has been exceptionally heavy.
San Francisco has had fourteen inches to date,
against nine inches last season for the same
period. Sacramento reports eleven inches,
against five last year. and throughout Northern
California the fall has been equally great In
The southern counties the rainfall has been
lighter. but IT has come in frequent showers. so
that there will be an unusually large acreage
of barley The crop outlook for the whole State
is excellent. Even in the dryest parts of the
San Joaquin region there has been enough rain
to justify large sowing of wheat. Nurserymen
say the orders for fruit trees larger than for
several years and they predict unusual pant
ing Of all kinds of fruit
The news of the burning of the Cliff House
was probably read with regret by thousands OF
tourists who retain pleasant recollections of
queer antics Of the seals on the famous rocks.
The house was old and not in the best repair
but it had been the scene Of more lavish hospi-
tality than any similar resort on this coast The
breakfasts that were given there under the
management of old Captain Foster would have
commended themselves TO Lucullus. and some or
the bills for wines and eatables would have
staggered even that noble Roman. The Cliff
House did its greatest business during the big
bonanza days. when spectators who had made
a thousand a sudden turn of the mining
stock market devoted share of the days profits
10 a luxurious spread the ClinS Veranda.
Probably the most reckless waste of money ever
seen at this place made by an opium SNUG
gler and dealer in Chinese return certificates
named Whaey. After an expensive lunch he In
sisted on a champagne bath. and despite the pro-
tests of his companions he had 800 bottles of the
best wine broken into a tub. and then disported
In the costly bath. Adolph Sutro. the owner OF
the Cliff is having plans prepared for a large
hotel TO take the place Of the old house One
feature will be a large observation gallery at the
top.
1t looks as though the Pacific Insurance Union.
which has maintained rates here for several
years would go under Five companies have
seeded or given notice Of retirement. and unless
some radical changes are made in the rules,
trouble has grown out OF open violation OF
pledges by certain members. who have not been
expelled. The dissolution Of the Union would
result in a rate war, which Is dreaded by all
agents.
TIE fact that Los Angeles capitalists are be-
stirring themselves to build railroad from the
San Joaquin Valley to their city may stimulate
the slothful San Francisco merchants to push
through a project which has been considered for
nearly two years The farmers and fruit grow
ers Of the San Joaquin have complained bitterly
Of high freight rates. yet when IL is shown that
the small sum of s350,0O0 would build new road
up through the valley to this city, they failed to
come forward and subscribe. Rich merchants
here who have clamored against the Southern
Pacific Company equally slow TO produce
their coin. Hence the enterprising Southern city
may build the road and get large share OF the
trade Of this rich interior valley.
In an interview Sir Charles Rivers Wilson !
makes the significant statement that although |
the accusation has frequently been made that the |
Southern Pacific has diverted business from the /
Central to the Sunset Route, he has been I'M |
A ble to get any definite instance Of such trick
Sir Charles says he has obtained much valuable
Information from AdOlph Sutro. and he mas d. |
gested a mass Of printed matter He declares
that he feels well repaid for his trip
The holiday trade was better this year than last
season Shopkeepers had two days or clear |
weather, and the crowds that thrOnged the Dig |
stores were very large.
Everything in a theatrical way runs TO me |
spectacular except at the California where Sadie |
has made a hit in comedy.