The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-12
SEVEN HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
THE VALLEY ROAD WILL EXPEND
THAT AMOUNT ON THE
MUD FLATS.
so SAYS CLAUS SPRECKELS
BIDS CALLED For ON THE SUPPLY
OF Rails FOR THE New
LINE.

The Legislature is just now the body in
which President Spreckels and the other
officials of the valley road are most
interested, and its probable action
regarding the bill now before it
affecting the important work now under
contemplation was the object of much con-
lecture yesterday.
Mr.. Spreckels called attention to the
present condition of the mud fats, while
discussing the matter yesterday, and
pointed out that the proposed lease OF this
property would transform 1t from its COM
paratively worthless condition into valu-
able holding for the city.
1.-THE improvements we contemplate
making there, provided we are authorized
to lease the property, will cost our COM
pany fully 500, 900" said he. Just what
these improvement consist of Mr., Spreckels
refused to state, confining himself strictly
10 the lump sum which it is proposed to
expend thereon.
Mr.. Spreckels said that it will not neces-
sarily follow that the road will not be built
if a lease cannot be secured. at is proba-
bic that we would 60 on with the work,
said he, "but it would in all probability
merely cross the territory between Bakers
field and Stockton, and 1 see no way in
which an entrance to San Francisco could
be effected
The directors of the road held another
meeting yesterday, at which the subject of
rails was the chief topic of consideration,
and after its adjournment -Presid ent
Whittier, following instructions gwen him
at the meeting, prepared a circular letter
which will be sent to manufacturers of
rails in the East and elsewhere, in which
bids for this material are asked for. The
circular is as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.
Dear Sir: Sealed proposals will be received
on the Goth day of March, 1895 at the office OF
The San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley
Railroad Company, No. 321 Market street, for
the delivery of ten thousand 100000 tons (of
224o lbs. each) of 6215 ID. steel rails, best
quality, on the wharf in San Francisco. Pat
tern 10 be submitted with bid.
Bidders are also requested to make bids for
$4,000 angle plates to fit above rail. Also for
$500 kegs $50 lbs. each) railroad spikes, size
51Ix9-16. Also for 10000 railroad track bolts
Ax31! hexagOnal nuts.
Terms: Cash less freight of bills and bills OF
lading.
The first shipment OF not less than one
thousand $1,000 tons will be required TO be
made within thirty 800 days after time of
placing the order. Shipments TO be made
thereafter at the rate Of not less than two
thousand 10000 tons per month until compile
tion of contract.
Right is reserved to reject any or all bids.
Yours very truly,
THE s. F. &s.Jv. RY Co.
It will be seen from the wording of the
document that it requires bidders to be
prepared to make the first shipment not
more than thirty days after the order has
been placed, which goes to show that the
road is to be pushed rapidly forward.
Engineer Storey has not yet outlined his
plans for beginning work on the prelimi-
nary surveys, but is getting all possible
data in shape for action.
Innumerable suggestions are being re-
ceived by the directors upon this subject,
all of which receive consideration, but it is
noticeable that the point which most in
terests these gentlemen is how they may
be able to get out of the city to the south
from China basin.
A gentleman who is we'll posted in rail
road matters yesterday suggested to the
board that the line cross the bay at Ravens
wood.
"At that point is the narrowest portion
of the channel" said he, "and bridge
with a single draw would answer all pur-
poses. After reaching the opposite side Of
the bay, San Jose to the south and Berke-
ley to the north would each be twenty
miles distant. The main line could fol.
low any route decided upon to the
south, while to the north the road
could run back into the country far enough
to pick up the trade of San Leandro, Niles
Haywards ana all the territory up to Wes
Berkeley, where the line of the California
and Nevada, if utilized, would give an out
let into Contra Costa County. The roac
would strike the immense coal beds in
that county, and from there proceed on tt
Antioch, and from there across the marsh
country to Stockton.
From Ravenswood, coming toward Thu
city, the line would parallel the coas
division of the Southern Pacific, and tax,
in all the towns up as far as Baden, when
instead of coming up the hill, it would
make straight cut out by Lake de |;
MERGED, and then follow the shore arounc
to the Cliff House, where tunnel about
third of a mile long would admit it to tn,
Preside reservation, through which acces
would be given TO the bay, where tract o
between twenty and thirty acres of Stat
land is available