The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-04
MOVING IN ALARM.

The most prominent evidence of alarm
which the Southern Pacific feels on account
of the San Francisco and San Joaquin Val
ley Railroad was manifested Tuesday when
Mr.. Huntington's company filed suits in
San Mateo County to force right of way
through small holdings in that county for
its cutoff line from Fourth and Townsend
streets to San Bruno. For many years the
company has owned-or at least claimed
right of way through South San Francisco
as far as the San Mateo County line, and it
has now begun suits to force right of way
to junction with the old line at San
Bruno. This will avoid the heavy grade
and long detour by way of Ocean View.
Although the company has held this
right of way through South San Francisco
for many years, it is only now moving to
put it to use. And yet this is the very
worst time, with reference to the financial
condition of the company, that this expen-
sive piece of work could have been under
taken. If it does not show conclusively
that the Southern Pacific Company has
become alarmed over the magnitude of the
revolution which is crystallized in the Val
ley road, we are unable to Judge the value
of evidence.
Its desperate action further indicates its
belief that line of the Valley road will be
run by way of San Jose, for evidently
this is a move intended to shut out or
greatly hamper that road from reaching its
terminus at China Basin. OF course, the
new road can reach that terminus, for the
shore contour would make an excellent
route, and there are still others; but the
Southern Pacific evidently deems it prudent
to monopolize as much of the ground as
possible.
Thus at last have the giants actually
crossed swords, and the splendid duel has
begun. The small affair of the Southern
Pacific's attempt to secure contracts from
farmers contiguous to its line in Kern
County was merely an insignificant skir-
mish in comparison with this. The fight
is now on in earnest, and the spectacle will
be brilliant one. On one side will be the
old monopoly-shrewd, wary, full of wis
dom, resourceful in expedients, rich in ex-
perience, full of daring and pluck, and
utterly regardless of any rights; on the
other is valiant band of earnest men, un-
skilled in the use of the railroad rapier,
Out ltlll VI lfldullucSoy llOp pc anu a oCuSC VI
right, and backed by the tremendous moral
force of unanimous popular sympathy.
If this last alone do not put the strength
of giant and the skill of fencing-master
into the arm of the younger combatant,
there is no such thing under the sun as
the prevalence of right.
1t is well that the issue has come. The
old fencer has merely made his first lunge
to test the metal of his opponents sword.
Soon we may expect thrusts of other and
various kinds, besides ingenious feints. In
a duel of this kind ingenuity is as potent
as strength and courage. The one i'm
portant feature of the case is that the
Southern Pacific has placed itself on the
offensive and sent out bold challenge to
the popular sentiment out of which the
Valley road has grown. In crossing swords
with the Valley road it has arrayed itself
against the wishes and necessities of the
people. It's assault is call to arms of all
who long to see its power broken. No good
citizen can longer hesitate. To come
promptly to the aid of the courageous
souls who are supporting the enterprise
has been made by this action of the Soutn-
ern Pacific the plainest duty that confronts
the people of California.