The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-09
The Valley Roads Attorney
States His Objections to
the Lease.
IT'S RESTRICTIONS SAID TO BE
TOO SEVERE.
No Chance to Bond the Road OIL
Float a Debt Under the Pro-
visions.

To say that the chief executive of the
State was angry yesterday would be to put
it mildly. Governor Budd was full
of wrath. 1t was not because politicians
assailed his point of vantage. either. There
were very few seekers of places present
at the meeting of the Harbor Commission
ers yesterday morning. Governor Budd
had announced that he would not see any
body at the Office of the Harbor Commits
sioners, except the representatives of the
Valley road. Much to the surprise of the
gubernatorial mind, not even representa-
tive of the road was present to meet him
yesterday morning, and that is why the
Governors face was flushed. The Cover
nor had read the morning papers and be
saw therein that the directors of the Valley
road had refused TO accept the lease OF
China Basin as drafted by the Harbor Com
missioners and amended by Mayor Sutro.
"Where's Pres ton P' asked the Governor,
as so on as the meeting was called to orher.
"I'm here" said Commissioner Cole.
"Me too," SAID Commissioner Chad
bourne, and then the Governor looked hard
at the Mayor.
1.-THE first thing want to know" said
Governor Budd. is what the directors OF
the Valley road mean by rejecting this
lease; upon the grounds upon which they
have seen fit to take exceptions"
"Well, you had better wait awhile" said
President Colnon, "until Mr.. Preston gets
here"
This meeting was called for 10 o'clock
this morning" replied the Governor, with
a shade of annoyance in his voice, land
why is it that every body is not here?"
We'll, I'll tell you, Governor" said Mr..
Colnon. you remember Mr.. Preston left
the meeting on Monday before we had
adjourned, and it is possible that heidi
not know when we were to meet again"
Ring Preston up by telephone sug-
gested Chadbourne.
The suggestion was taken up. and a mo-
ment later Colnan was in communication
with the attorney of the Valley road
through the telephone.
"Mr. Preston was not aware that there
was a meeting this morning" responded
President Colnon little later, ''but he is
coming right down"
Attorney Preston arrived at the meeting
about an hour late profuse in his apologies
for keeping the board waiting.
81 did not know that there was to be a
meeting this morning, gentlemen" he
said, for l had not been informed that
there was to be a meeting by your secre-
tary. Good morning, Governor
GOOD morning" returned the execu-
tive. Look here, Preston, I've been down
here for week trying to get this matter
of the lease settled, and now we are Just as
far from conclusion as ever. You re-
member the conversation you and 1 had
at the last meeting?"
Eyes, L remember, Governor; you in
suited me, and PrestOn's rubicund visage
was wreathed in smiles.
whats that?" queried the Governor,
his hair standing on end. Insult
be hanged. Oh, yes; 1 remember. 1
called you down CD that old story of
yours"
And then the Governor and the attorney
laughed and shook hands, and then again
the Governor said:
Look here, Preston, what is the objec-
ton to this lease? You and John D.
Spreckels sat here in our councils, heard
all We had to say, and everything we did
was subject to your amendment. Why
didn't you make your objections then2"
81 was only at the meeting of the board
of directors of the Valley road yesterday