The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-22
SEEKING NEEDED AID.
Valley Road Friends Will
Meet To-Day.
WILL TAKE FINAL ACTION.
The Project Will Fail if Support Is
Not Given 1t.
MEN WHO HAVE MONEY MUST ACT.
The Traffic Association Will Drop the
Matter if Substantial Progress Is
Not Made To-Day.
MEN WHO HAVE MONEY MUST ACT


the proposition to build road into the
San Joaquin Valley-so far, at least, as the
Traffic Association of this city is concerned.
The purposes of this meeting have been
set forth IN a circular, which has been sent
to large number of the most prominent
business men OF the city and with them
now rests the disposition that isto be made
of a project which has consumed many
months Of the time of members of the
Traffic Association and necessitated the ex-
penditure of large sums of money.
''The conclusion we have reached, ;" said
Traffic Manager Leeds yesterday, sis ex-
pressed in paragraph in the circular we
have issued, which states that this associa-
ton has carefully canyassed the mercantile
community for subscriptions to the capital
stock of the road, and while they express
a thorough willingness TO take a liberal
share we are satisfied they viii not do so to
any large extent unless the cooperation of
the real estate and financial interests are
secured.
I'VE expect to develop in this meeting
whether the real estate owners and cap
itahsts intend TO stand by the Traffic Asso-
citation and the mercantile interests in the
construction of this road or not. That is
our object. There have already been argu-
ments enough printed and reasons enough
put forth why San Francisco should con-
struct and own this railroad.
'"If I talk at all tomorrow l shall simply
say TO the people here that we have en-
deaYored to emphasize the necessity of the
road TO San Francisco for the reason that
railways are always governed by what they
conceive to be their interests, regardless Of
other conditions, and If San Francisco
secures such g railroad, judging by the
past experiences and policy which have
governed railroads that serve California
the city must build the road herself if she
expects 1t to be run in her interest,"
The opinion prevails pretty generally
that this will be the decisive effort OF the
Traffic Association in aid of the road, and
that If the interests now requested to come
forward fail to do so, the project will be at
once dropped. A member OF the associa-
ton said yesterday that If to-day meeting
was productive of no assurances from the
men who have the capital and who in
reality are or should be, just as much in
terested in the building OF the road as any
other class, that they would give 1t sub
stantial aid, he would make motion that
the Traffic Association cease all efforts in
that direction.
In the circular referred to are words of
Francisco, and herewith are reproduced
some Of the most striking facts therein pre-
secuted:
I'VE regard it as a necessity TO enhance
and sustain values of real estate, and at
the same time become an insurance upon
the mortgage loans both in this city and
the country; a necessity also for the in
creased business it viii create and bring to
San Francisco TO sustain and improve
waning commerce, to which the large num-
Der OF empty stores, offices and houses and
the declining rents and values on realty
bear testimony, and present an argument
more potent than any words we can
utter.
1.-THE situation in the State north of
Tehacahapi is too well understood through
out our whole country to admit of the ex-
pectation that immigrants of intelligence
will seek to make their homes in the San
Joaquin Valley, to become the poems of
the Southern Pacific Company, or that
capital will further seek investment in this
city or that valley under such conditions
as exist al present. TIE Southern Pacific
Company has discounted the future of
California too far IN advance.
We believe the necessity is urgent and
the situation for this city critical We
assure you that it makes q vast amount of
difference to San Francisco as TO who
builds the road in the valleys of California,
involving absolutely the future prosperity
or adversely of this city. Another road in
these valleys governed by the same in
stincts and incentives which prompt the
one we now have TO sacrifice everything to
the long overland haul and to discriminate
against this city as they do when they
charge more for the movement of freight
between San Francisco and the valley than
is exacted for ten to twenty times the same
service in the opposite direction, would
= IL
servient and make them the suppfcant for
such favors as it might serve the interests
Of such roads to grant"
In the organization and construction of
this road 1t IS proposed that 1t shall be
capitalized for no more than enough to ac-
compliSh the construction and equipment
so that its fixed charges shall be held at a
minimum, the object being to create a
legitimate railroad under d legitimate
capitalization, which shall be operated on
business principles for the upbuilding of
the country through which it runs, as well
as for the benefit and improvement of the
country through which it runs. Careful
study of the subject confirms the belief
that such a road will not only be very
profitable but will serve to bring relief
from the old transportation organizations
whose arbitrary rates and discriminative
methods have seriously retarded the
growth of the State.
Down through the valley in the sections
through which it is proposed that the road
shall penetrate the people have time and
again expressed their willingness TO con-
tribute to the project Just as soon as the
citizens of San Francisco gave them some
assurance that the road would be built and
displayed more than passing interest in
its success. These people have quite
naturally become weary of the dilatory
methods of San Francisco in the premises.
Only a few weeks ago one of the most
prominent savings institutions in the city
came forward with a proposition to sub
scribe $50,000 to the capital stock if other
institutions would take similar step.
This gave renewed hope TO the friends of
the road in the country, but they have
waited and watched in vain for sfurther in
dications of this progressive spirit. Los
Angeles sees its opportunity and the peo-
pie of the interior are only prevented from
turning to that city for relief by the hope
that San Francisco may yet assert itself.
The wonderful development of the San
Joaquin Valley within the past few years,
although but small area has as yet been
brought under cultivation, shows it to be
the most inviting field in the State in
which TO build competing line Of road.
It is the intention to reach as many of the
trade centers as possible by the main line,
and later on to touch others as well as de- |