The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-11
IT RESTS With
THE LEGISLATURE.
WILL THEY GRANT THE VALLEY
RAILROAD TIDE LAND FOR
A TERMINAL.
OTHER ROADS MAY USE IT.
WHAT JOHN D. SPRECKELs SAYS OF
His TRIP TO SACRAMENTO IN
THE CAUSE.

A concession which means much to the
San Joaquin Valley Railroad is now in the
hands of the State Legislature for its ap-
proval or rejection. 1t is embodied in As
sembly bill 709, and under it the HarbOr
Commissioners are granted the power to
lease fifty acres OF the mud flats around
South San Francisco to the new railroad
for term of fifty years for depots, ware
houses and other purposes which may be
necessary for the terminus of the railroad.
The bill passed to its third reading
final passage in the Assembly to-
day. That it will pass there is hardly
room for question. 1t is matter that is
so strictly in the interest of the people that
there is no room left for doubt as to how
the peoples representatives will act.
Claus Spreckels and his son, John D..
Spreckels, were in Sacramento last week
doing their best in the interests of the pro-
posed measure. They returned on Satur-
day, and both feel very confident that the
measure will pass with no opposition-or
very little, anyhow.
In speaking of the matter and the work
which he had done in Sacramento, John
D. Spreckels said last evening:
There is no denying that some members
of the Legislature are opposed to the bill
introduced, but they are acting in the in
terests of the Southern Pacific Company.
I am glad that there are only few of
these, for l do not see how any legislator
can, with a clear conscience, vote against it.
"Why, look at the number of poor peo-
,,1n ID A.
begging for bread. There is no work for
them to do, but when the managers of the
valley road show how hundreds may be
employed it is hard-hearted legislator
that will vote against measure that will
conduce to such benefits that all idle men
may be employed.
AT the very start our valley railroad
will give work to several thousand men.
There are the mud fats where our bay
terminus will be located. They will have
to be reclaimed, with proper buildings,
wharves and other things. Such an enter
prise will require men of all kinds, from
the laborer to the skilled mechanic
while I was in Sacramento" continued
Mr.. Spreckels, 81 saw the Governor, and
he expressed himself as heartily in favor
OF the measure. If it passes the Legisla-
ture [ am sure that he will sign it. l do
not think that one legislator will have the
hardihood TO oppooe the measure. If he
should 1 do not see how he could possibly
look one of his poor constituents in the
face. There are many men who are seek
ing work throughout the State in order to
keep alive their starving families, and
these are the ones who will primarily re-
ceiYe the benefit of the new road at the
start.
''As soon as this bill passes authorizing
the Board of Harbor Commissioners to lease
the fifty acres of tide lands we will begin
work under the advise of our engineers,
and any suggestions which our stock
holders will make will receive considera-
ton. There is no bug in this road of
ours. We ask for no State aid, and all that
we ask is lease for fifty years of certain
tide lands. On this land we will put up
buildings and other improvements, which
after the fifty years is up will revert to the
State"
The intention of the present stockhold-
ers, according to Mr.. Spreckels, is to pool
issues for a number of years-say ten or
twenty-and under this agreement no one
could sell his or her stock and thus give
the Southern Pacific Company a chance
to buy in and control the companv's
affairs.
This is not rich mans road, said Mr.
Spreckels yesterday, because the stock
holders range from 500 to $4,000 as to
their monetary investment in the road. II
is the first time in the history of the coun-
try that poor man was able to buy stock
in a railroad.
''There is another feature to the tide-land
grant proposition. 1t is not a selfish re.
quest. If such site is granted for ter
minal facilities any other railroad coming
into the State and incorporating under on
laws may have the benefit of it. If the
Atlantic and Pacific, the Atchison, Topeka
and Santa Fe, the Northern Pacific, or any
other road, will come through to our CITY
they can have the privilege of this grant
by incorporating under the laws of oul
State.
"As far as I could learn when at Sacra-
mento the majority of the members of the
Legislature were inclined to stand by the
people in this matter realizing that the
great body of the people wanted the act
passed. [ cannot believe that any man
who has been elected to an official position
as lawmaker can be subservient to the
interests OF q corporation, either the South
gill StSAiAN VI OlllSI DOQN. against q
proposition which he must know will be
for the everlasting benefit of his State.
do not believe any one of them will be false
to his sacred trust.
"Why, to show the interest which is be-
ing taken IN the valley railroad, 1 have in
my, pocket an authorization to sub
scribe $4,000, which 1 shall do a!
trustee. / have not turned it ovel
yet because [ went to Sacramento
and did not have the time. We have ne
cause to complain at all at the way
the people generally have taken hole
objects we are striving after. We do no
ask for a cent in the way of financial aiC
from the State. All we want is the priv
lege of a terminal, which, if granted, viii
more than repay the State in the long run
AS soon as that is granted. as it will be,
do not doubt, we will begin to improve i
and make it suitable for our purposes"