The San Francisco call., 1895-11-05
NEWS OF THE COAST,
Stockton Commercial ASSo-
citation and the Val
ley Road.
WILL KEEP PROMISES.
President Buell. Urged the Do.
nators of Land to Act With
Expedition.
CONDEMNATION SUIT PUSHED.
One Individual Found to Be Obstinate
in His Refusal to
Submit.

| STOCKTON, CAL, Nov. 4.-The Com
mercial Association held well-attended
meeting this evening. The principal topic
| discussed was in relation to the fulfllment
of the associations promises to the
| directors of the San Joaquin Valley
Railroad. President Buell. put the mat
ter squareIy before the members and
| urged, on behalf of the honor of the
city, some immediate steps toward placing
the company in possession of the various
blocks OF land promised at the time when
the directors visited the city and decided,
in consideration of the peoples promises,
to bring the line this way.
The members seemed agreed that some
plan must be put in execution whereby
such an end could be attained.
Blocks 19 and % remain to be pur-
chased, and mortgage must be lifted on
block %. The people have witnessed the
active construction work on the line, and
so fully has the company redeemed its
promises that the members of the associa-
ton seem thoroughly stirred up in the
matter.
A resolution was adopted authorizing
President Buell. to wait upon the directors
and ask, on behalf of the association, per-
mission to solicit from local subscribers to
the road a change from their stock sub
scriptions to cash donations, to the extent
OF about SIS, 900, in order that the land may
be secured without further delay.
This will require some work, as the SUBJ
scribers value their claim upon the stock
very highly. But it is believed that, in
consideration of the object to be attained.
enough changes to secure the amount
named can be brought about This is of
| course considered as means to an end, as
the company will soon need the land
| The association desires to clear up the
| land part of the promise at once, and to
this end the directors will probably be
waited upon tomorrow by the bearers of
| the proposition. By decisive vote it was
decided to prosecute the condemnation for
right OF way against P. J. Chalmers with
! vigor.
| DR.. Chalmers to-day tried to make the
| sale of the five and half acres involved
| for $4,000, with the intimation that he
would raise the price If the matter was
carried into court. 1t is reported that at
one time he placed valuation Of only $40
an acre on his land.
| At that rate the association could buy
sixty acres for S24OO, enough to take out
right all the land he claims the line will
damage. 1t appears that the railroad di-
! rectors made all concessions possible to
Mr.. Chalmers, and as fast as he was
| favored in one way he would make addi-
! tional demands.
The association is confident that the
court will cut his figures greatly. Ex-
! Congressman James a. Louttit was made
| chairman OF the committee on the new
postoffice building and H. J. Corcoran of
that on waterways. Both gentlemen are
we'll qualified to do effective WORK in the
two important positions.
Considerable surprise was occasioned by
the presentation OF bills from NJ. D. Eaton
and Fred Arnold for services in securing
rights of way for the association. The
claims were sent to the executive commit
tee for action.
The meeting adjourned subject to the
call OF the chair in the expectation that
Mr.. Buell. will render an early report on
result of his conference with the railroad
people at San Francisco