The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-29
THE SUGGESTION OF THE CALL"
MEETS WITH A MOST
HEARTY RESPONSE.
THE DIRECTORS ARE NOW
AT STOCKTON.
THEY WILL To-Day INSPECT TIKI
ADVANTAGES THAT CITY HAS
TO OFFER.

Isaac Upham, one of the members of the
board of directors of the valley road, said
yesterday that the idea of the CALL in en-
deavoring To obtain an expression from
shippers as to their intention regarding the
disposition of their business is a good one.
Anything which tends to work up public
sentiment and give the people an indication
ofthe benefit which will follow the construc-
ton of the road is certainly move in the
right direction" said he. This is a matter
of education, and while many of the peo-
pie may understand the importance of the
road the plan of keeping the subject con-
stantly in view will have the effect OF
waking everybody up and bringing all the
laggards into camp.
at is becoming generally understood
that this is the peoples road and that they
are to own and control it, and the more
people interested in it the stronger it will
make the organization. The road will not
be run in the interest of individuals, 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 obi
cation would be strong and, L believe,
lasting. We should be able TO obtain assur-
ances from large corporations and COM
panies in this way. The editor of the CALL,
in his speech before the board the other
day, said he could secure promises of this
nature from many of the large shippers in
Santa Clara County, and it will be only the
fear of possible serious consequences from
the antagonism of the Southern Pacific
which will be likely to handicap such a
move, as shippers will, in many instances,
feel that they might ieopardize their bust
ness. interests by making public promises
of this character.
eff 1000 shippers could be secured in the
valley who would pledge their support to
the road that would in itself be a great &C.
complishment. The interest in the road
is not dying out, for from every quarter of
the State we are daily receiving assurances
of support and good will from the people.
We have succeeded in placing the road on
a substantial basis, and it is now in posi-
ton likely to attract the attention of those
who have capital to invest"
The board of directors of the valley road
left the city last evening on the previously
announced trip to Stockton. In the party
were: President Spreckels Vice-Presidents
Whittier and Watt, and Directors Stetson,
Holbrook; Payson and Magee. Four of
the board were prevented from going by
press of private business, among them be-
ing Isaac Upham.
Regarding the trip, that gentleman said
H. ~ L.
the board could do what was necessary
with more dispatch than if the whole body
went along.
.'Mr. Watt has lived there" said he,
"and is thoroughly familiar with the whole
city. Captain Payson has, 1 am sure, done
engineering work there, and is, therefore,
also acquainted with the ground to be gone
over. Under the direction OF these gentle
men the board ought to be able to intelli-
gently look over the city's advantages. 1t
is the intention to view every phase of the
situation there and learn exactly what
Stockton has to offer. We want to know
all about the different conditions in all the
various communities before we can decide
where the line will go, and the only
way to obtain this information is to
look over the ground in person.
"We have absolutely made no promises
of any kind, and all this talk about the
line of route having been decided upon is
the veriest bosh. When we get all the data
before US We will take the question UP and
decide it upon its merits"
The lease of China Basin has not vet
been signed, but some action in this direc-
ton is expected Saturday, when the Cover
nor will be in the city.
In speaking of the lease yesterday, Secre-
tary Keegen of the Board of Harbor Com.
missioners said that no formal application
had yet been made to the board for such a
lease, and that, individually, he did not
see how that body could take action until
such application had been made
Charles Holbrook, one of the members
of the committee having in charge the
duty of selecting the names of trustees, tc
be presented at the general meeting, sale
yesterday that nothing had been done in
the matter.
The contract for the first 1000 tons O.
steel rails for the road was signed yester
day by John f. Merrill, whose bid was the
lowest.
PORN OF THE PLEDGE.