The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-30
WELCOMING THE PLEDGE.

The CALLS pledge from shippers to pat
ronize the new railroad has reused extra
ordinary enthusiasm. 1t may be taken for
granted that the few shippers who may re-
| fuse to sign it are those who fear the re-
venge of the Southern Pacific or are
| opposed to the relief which the new road
will bring. These latter, of course, will be
| known as the open friends of the old
| monopoly, and, if they have the courage
SO 10 declare themselves, they will deserve
all the credit that belongs to courage which
| is not supported by lofty principle. In
any event, an open enemy is far more adj
mirable than deceitful friend.
Those who do not love the Southern Pa
cific and its methods, and yet who
| are fearful of revenge if they declare them
selves openly for the people, will have no
excuse for refusing to sign the pledge.
The CALL will guard their signatures as a
sacred trust. 1t is only those who are
willing to come out in the open and an
nounce themselves the friends of Califor-
MIA whose names will appear in the
published roll of honor. 1t is not antici-
pated that any citizen who might be in a
position to travel or ship over this road
will be found either timid or recalcitrant.
The natural expectation is that every man
will do his duty and be proud to have the
fact known.
The following assertions made by Isaac
Upham, one of the directors of the new
road, should be treasured in the memory
1t is becoming generally understood that this
is the peoples road and that they are to own
and control it, and the more people interested
II
The road viii not be run in the interest of in
dividuals, but will serve the requirements of
the city and the country through which it will
pass.
That is an original idea of obtaining promises
of traffic from people in the city and interior.
While such promises would have no legal
strength, yet the moral obligation would be
strong and, believe, lasting. We should be
able to obtain assurances from large corpora
tons and companies in this way. If
1000 shippers could be secured in the valley
who would pledge their support to the road
that would in itself be a great accomplish
ment
1t is pledge based on manliness and not
on the law: and it is so broad that the in
genuity which could find an excuse for not
signing it must be of an uncommon order.
Here it is:
For the purpose of giving not only moral but
substantial aid to the San Francisco and San
joaquin Valley Railway hereby agree, rates
and facilities being equal, TO petronize the pas
senger service and forward over the said road
all freight may have for transportation.
Nance. ..............................
Address. Observation-Disclosures.
Adolph Kutner of the firm of Kutner &
Goldstein, one OF the largest houses of the
interior, announces that his firm will posi-
lively give preference to the new road.
This one house pays $150,00 year to the
Southern Pacific for freight charges, aad
its members are anxious to sign the pledge.
These are not alone among those who are
eagerly awaiting the receipt OF the blank
in order that they may sign it, but their
action is of tremendous importance and is
an example for others.
The preparation of the blank pledge is
being rapidly pushed, and in a few DAYS
every shipper will have an opportunity 10
sign one. AS it will be an exceedingly djf-
fcult task to reach them all by direct
means, headquarters for the distribution if
the blanks will be established throughout
regions affected by the new road, and they
will be announced in the CALL.
We shall send a request to each news
paper on the lines of the proposed road 10
cooperate with the CALL in securing sig
natures to the pledge, and we trust that
each and all will heartily join in the coed
work and do all in their power to Induce
their readers to sign.