The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-13

SOfU 10 men, VINO KNOW nOInlng ABOUT law
Why is it that you have gone about whis-
pering in the ears OF your clients?"
Il deny, sir, that L have whispered in
anybody's ear in regard to this matter.
You cannot name one. P"
''Well, how about Thomas of Nevada?"
Cross hesitated. Then he explained that
Thomas father was foreman OF a mine of
which he Gross was the attorney and
that they talked about that
But you told him the bill was uncon-
stitutional?" persisted Preston.
well, I believe it ISL Cross answered,
virtually admitting the charge. ~ think
is is unconstitutional, and will continue
to say So"
Eyes, interjected Preston, because you
are paid to do SO.
Cross then declared he would like to
have the bill referred to committee and
have it argued there.
81 don't doubt you would" exclaimed
Preston, "but we don't want the bill
smothered in committee. l would like
TO meet you in joint debate before the
Senators, and then [ could show how ut
terly without foundation your assertion
is"
Preston then protested that the South
ern Pacific was not making fair fight in
the matter. He referred to their having
got DeYine to move reconsideration and
thus tie up the bill for twenty-four hours
longer in the Assembly.
''You say you want to give the Senate a
chance to investigate" Mr.. Preston con-
tinued. at is very consistent for you to
hold back the bill in the Senate by mov-
ing to reconsider. 1t shows how anxious
you are to give the Senate a chance
TO see the bill. Another proof is the way
You had Reid OF Trinity obstruct the pas
sage of the bill with amendments"
Reid is one of the most honest sincere
and truest of men," protested Cross.
"He is entirely disinterested in his action
in this matter. He came into the State
library this morning and we had discus
sion thea, and he told me why he thought
the bill was unconstitutional
This statement on the part of Cross was
particularly interesting, as Reid had this
morning fatty and openly denied having
talked with any Southern Pacific Rail
road representatives in the library or
having obtained any points from any
friend OF the great corporation upon this
matter. Cross launched into a personal
discussion of Mr.. Spreckels and some of
his many enterprises. 1t was noticeable
that his arguments were almost identical
with those advanced by Reid in the As
sembly till he was cut off by a point of
order for not talking to the question
This is either a remarkable instance of
mental telegraphy or else Cross must have
given Reid additional information at the
interview that Reid so earnestly denied
having had. Then Cross started on an
other tack. He was overcome by a fear
that the State might lose some of its tolls
and wharfage.
If the San Joaquin Valley road gets
this lease" he said, there would be moth
ing to stop ships going to their piers and
unloading without spending a cent of tolls
TO the State.
"NOu seem to be very tender-footed when
the good of the State is at stake" retorted
Preston. You seem to have forgotten
that since the conveyance is to be a
lease and not a grant, the Harbor
Commissioners will be able to restrict
the kind OF buildings to be erected on the
mud fat and the class of business to be
done. To be sure ships will dock at their
piers, but" he added, sis it not advisable
to get the ship and the car as near together
as possible?'
THAT is not the question, - said Cross.
1.-THE ships will come to those piers. Your
company will get the wharfage and the
tolls, and the State won't get a cent"
do not most of these ships go to the
Port Costa piers?" asked Preston.
"Well, some of them do"
ftE hat do tbpv 70
tolls?"
Cross saw he was cornered and finally
said, Nothing"
Preston followed up his advantage by
asking: Suppose, now, you succeed in
driving us across the bay from San Fran
cisco for our terminal, what tolls would
the State be able to collect2''
The crowds that had gathered around
laughed, and Cross had to say None"
Now, tell me, what tolls and wharfage
do vessels at the Third-street wharves pav
the State, " asked Preston, still on the de-
fensive. Cross admitted there were none.
And what wharfage does the steamer
Transit pay the State?"
Again the answer was, ''None."
"Now, why is it that under the circum-
stances you oppose the granting of priv
leges much less than those | have. named
for our company"
Cross declared that it was because thew
thought no other road should be willing to
start on an equal basis with the Southern
Pacific.
IAN equal basis?" queried Preston
scornfully. "An equal basis? Why, if
You should pile this room four feet deep
with $50 gold pieces and give them all to
the Valley road that corporation would not
be on an equal basis with the Southern
Pacific Company.
NOW, you say you are really working in
the interest of the people. 1 wish you
would name one man, woman or child OBJ
posed TO the proposition put forward by
the valley road other than the Southern
Pacific or their paid lobbyists"
Cross mentioned the Examiner. Preston
declared the Examiner had announced
editorially that it was in favor of giving
the valley road anything it asked for. Its
only fear seemed to be that the Southern
Pacific would steal something through the
provisions of the new bill.
"Is there any one else?" Preston asked.
Cross asserted his ripht m ob;oo+ q, =