The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-16
CHANGES IN THE BOARD,
Claus Spreckels Given a Leave
of Absence by the Valley
Road.
W. F. WHITTIER HAS RESIGNED.
Their Trip to the San
Joaquin.

The directors of the San Francisco and
San Joaquin Valley Railroad met yester-
day, although six of them had Just re-
turned from tiresome trip through the
great valley. Claus Spreckels occupied the
chair, but may not preside again over
meetings of the board for several months
to come.
He was granted leave of absence for
three months, as he goes to Europe Friday
for rest and the benefit of his health. In
his absence Director Robert Watt will oc-
cupy the chair.
As Director w. f. Whittier has gone on
an extended tour of Europe, which will
keep him away for five or six months, he
rendered his resignation to the board as
first vice-president, though still retaining
his office as director. His resignation was
accepted.
Robert Watt was thereupon elected first
vice-president and Captain A. H. Payson
second vice-president TO fill the vacancy
created by Mr.. Watts election.
Committees on surveys, construction
and equipment asked for further time to
prepare reports, having been occupied
with an inspection of the country through
| which the line is TO go. They were
granted continuance of time.
| Regarding China Basin the committee
| appointed to communicate with the
Harbor Commission reported that it had
notified that body of the rejection of the
lease and had received request from the
| Governor. Mayor Sutro and the Harbor
Commissioners that the board of directors
hold a conference meeting with them on
| Monday. The invitation was cordially
accepted.
| The directors expressed their regret that
Mr.. Spreckels was going to leave them for
a time and wished him pleasant voyage.
He responded by saying that every detail
of business connected with the Valley
road was in good shape and in good
hands, so he felt assured that the enter
prise would forge ahead and progress
rapidly in his absence.
! No decision was reached on the trip
through the valley, but that subject was
discussed informally and will be consid-
cred at special meeting of the board this
afternoon.
Each aud every one of them expressed
! himself as well pleased at the prospects in
| the San Joaquin Valley, and was greatly
encouraged by the enterprising people OF
| Fresno, Visalia, Hanford and the other
| places visited. The directors were unani-
nous in their conviction that the new rail-
| way has created very deep and wide
| spread interest in the lower San Joaquin
| Valley. On every hand they were greeted
| with words of welcome and assurances of
| liberal support from the people.
| Chief Engineer Storey stated that the
| engineers in the field moved their camp a
| few days ago several miles to the south of
where it has been located. They have
''staked" about two-thirds of the distance
| from Stockton to the Stanislaus River,
twenty-six miles southwark, and within a
week from to-day will have finished the
permanent survey over that portion Of the
route. Then they will cross over the river
| into Stanlslaus County and begin at once
on preliminary surveys across the country,
a distance OF twenty-five miles.
| 1t will be only matter of few weeks
now before the rails and other building
materials are at Stockton, and construction
will begin.
The second shipment of TO kegs OF
spikes, weighing $50, 200 pounds, was dis
| patched from New York week ago on the
packet ship Hy B. Hyde of Sutton & Co. IS
1 line.