The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-04

peting road. He inserted clauses bene-
fetal to the infant corporation and
scratched paragraphs which were inimical
to its interests. He made the greatest
fight for Mayor Sutro's now famous
amendment, and then by one suggestion
knocked it out, and the Mayor and his
clerk acknowledged that the Judgment of
the executive was supreme and correct.
Had it not been for a fatal recess the
lease might be signed this morning. A
chance was given to Mayor Sutro to get
his second wind, and when he returned to
the meeting in the afternoon he had his
bellows full, and went back entirely on
what he agreed to in the morning.
The meeting in the morning was a
stormy one, all on account of Mayor
Sutro's amendment. Mr.. Preston, attorney
for the Valley road, and his Honor had
high words, and the lawyer applied un-
complimentary epithets to the hackers of
the Mayors ideas. The same warmth of
feeling was exhibited during the meeting,
and at one time it looked as if the lease
would be abandoned by the Valley road,
when President Colnon of the board poured
oil on the waters by calling attention to
the fact that the Valley road was to be
the salvation of the people. few well
directed and pertinent remarks on the
part of the Stockton editor brought
the arguments up with a round turn.
He explained that when the movement
toward competing road was started
the people of California were unit on
the proposition. He begged to remind
those present that they were acting for the
people of California, and that in dealing
with the directors of the Valley road they
were dealing with the people of California.
His well-timed suggestions called halt to
the proceedings and created better feel
ing all around. Had the committee acted
then the lease would have been signed
but recess was declared. In the after
noon Mr.. Sutro got back to his original
amendment and declared that he would
not sign the lease unless his amendments
were Incorporated. Governor Budd showed
him where the amendment would throw
into the hands of the Southern Pacific the
strongest weapon they could possibly get
against the Valley road.
The Mayor was silent against the argu-
ment. Taylor Rogers, his attorney and
clerk, could not answer it, but still his
Honor was obdurate. and wanted to-day
and tomorrow to consider the matter. As
a substitute for the Mayors amendment,
the Governor offered a paragraph drafted
by T. F. Barry, which in the mind of the
ground, but put up a stronger barrier
against the entertainments of Huntington
than anything yet proposed. This propo-
sition set the Mayor to thinking, and he
said he would consider it over the Sabbath
and meet his colleagues at $3.50 o'clock on
Monday morning.
The meeting was set for 10 o'clock, and
when the clock struck that hour every
body interested in the proceedings was on
hand. There were present: Harbor Com
missioners Colnon, Cole and Chadbourne,
Attorney Ford of the board, Attorney
Stratton, Attorney E. +. Preston for the
Valley road, John d. Spreckels, Governor
Budd, Mayor Sutro and Taylor Rogers.
Governor Budd shut himself up with
copy of the lease as it had come from the
committee, and busted himself with its
consideration for nearly three-quarters of
an hour. During this time Mr.. Preston
and Mayor Sutro had passage-at-arms in
the ante-room. The gentlemen got into
controversy over the Mayors amendment,
which was knocked out at the meeting of
the committee on last Wednesday.
"Why, under the conditions of the lease
as it now stands" said Mr.. Sutro, 'the
road could be transferred to the Southern
Pacific in forty-eight hours"
Anybody who says that is a - fooll"
exclaimed Attorney Preston.
"Well, l have the opinions of several
attorneys in the matter" returned the
Mayor
81 don't care what you've got, retorted
Preston, red in the face with anger. "The
man who says that is an ass"
Half dozen lawyers said so"
1t is a reflection on the integrity of the
committee" exclaimed Preston. hotly.