The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-17
THE MAIN ISSUES.

There is danger that in the present
movement to purify the politics of the
City and remove the iron hand of the
Southern Pacific from the industries of the
State there will be. All overlooking of the
main issues involved and a diversion of
activity into less profitable channels. That
is danger which always attends reform
movements, and it is the part of wisdom
to avoid it.. These are the main issues
and they should be- kept constantly in
mind:
Reduction of transportation rates.
Preventing the seizure of the streets in
violation of the law. ;:
Removal of the railroad track from the
park.
Construction of the Valley road. -
These, taken all together, mean, first, that
the ability of the Southern Pacific Com
pany to use public officers as its tools in
securing streets aid other public places for
railway lines without warrant of law and
to the damage of public interests should be
destroyed, and, second, that all the avail
able means for securing the prosperity of
the State by the establishment of equitable
transportation rates should be employed.
The scandal brought upon San Francisco
by the Solid Eight of the Board of
Supervisors is so notorious that it requires
no discussion here. 1t is sufficient to urge
that this be kept in mind as vital matter
and that steps should be taken to exter-
inmate the evil. If the Solid Eight
were made answerable TO the law one great
cause of complaint against the Southern
Pacific would be removed
The matter of reducing transportation
rates may be approached in two different
ways. One is to compel the Railroad Com
mission to perform its plain, sworn and
much-needed duty and the other is to en-
courage the construction of opposition
lines. The principal one of these now
before the people is the Valley road.
Clearly it will have many advantages over
the Southern Pacific and offers the strong
est kind of hope that it will restore the
prosperity of the San Joaquin Valley.
What its ultimate purposes are with refer
ence to overland competition no one
knows, probably not even the directors
themselves; but no independent overland
line is likely to be constructed except with
such beginning as that which the Valley
road has made. Without reference to
that, it will bring an immediate benefit as
local line. 1t is recognition of this
fact and the exercise of aid in its construc-
ton that great benefit is evident.
Another excellent way of securing re-
duction of rates is to compel the Railroad
Commission to do its duty. The recent
earnest protest against the negligence OF
that body should be supported by an
active movement of the whole people
which shall prove irresistible.
Whatever the other grievances against
the Southern Pacific. they can be taken
care of after the main fight has been made
and won. And in all the steps that may
be taken to that end nothing but temper
ance and wisdom should prevail. The
best way to punish the Southern Pacific is
to bring it under the law and in align
ment with the Industrial needs of the
State. If properly managed it would be
the greatest and most beneficent of the
agencies which might be employed for the
upbuilding of the State. Anything like
bitterness or a spirit of unfairness or the
magnifying of comparatively unimportant
grievances to the observation of those
which are vital will only keep at a dis
tance that calm and just support which
wise and strong men are more than willing
To lend