New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-23
SUTROS ANTI-RAILROAD WAR.
THE PEOPLE FAIL TO TAKE HIM SERI-
OUSLY.
BUSINESS INTERESTS or CALIFORNIA OPPOSED TO
THE SAN FRANCISCO MAYORS ATTACKS on
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC.


THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.)
San Francisco. Jan. 22.-The wild sacks or
Mayor Sutro upon the Southern Pacific Company
and its president and managers have no real
backing here among reputable and conservative
C3fornans The literature which ne has sent
to Washington and with which he has Hooded
Congressman is not distributed mere for the simple
that 1t would ne ridiculed There Is no
general feeling in San Francisco or throughout
the State against the Funding bill. In some DIS
tr.cts notably the San Joaquin Valley. where hos
ity to the railroad has always existed this hatred
takes the form of championship Of every scheme
that Is calculated TO injurc the southern racine
The Funding bill has been viciously attacked,
but this is not done from any sympathy WIN the
cause. but wholly to worry the railroad In San
Francisco and throughout the state wherever
people are wei informed. the sentiment Is that
the Sutrc movement is a selfish design to eject
the presen. owners and give men Ike Suiro
a chance to acquire tho property. The proof OF
this il found the dismal failure of an Ani!-Fund-
ing Bill Convention held in this city last saturday.
Sutro was the head and front Of this convention.
but though ten days notice was given of II. only
= corporals guard met. and IT not representa-
tive old politicians who have been retired were
most conspicuous. Scarcely single prominent
Republican attended, but men were In evidence
who trying 10 excite popular prejudice against
the railroad in order TO secure Office. II sup
posed to represent all counties In the state. but
Of the nfty-threc delegates who answered to
their names thrty-nine, thrce-fourths, were
from san Francisco ana Alameda County
California Republicans regard SutTo's movement
against the funding BIZ Democratic side-show,
from which Mayor Sutro hopes to get sufficient
prestige float him into the Governors chaT'
Hence they can no scnse in helping him 10
make his fight Among the better class OF Demo-
Gratis there is also no sympathy with the move
mcni The agitation against the funding bill Is
purely socialistc and reform" and is main adj
vocatcs are men who have been down for years "a
single tax and anti-monopoly men. What has hnr'
this movement more than anything else among the
reformcrs Is that IL has discarded the element OF
Government ownership This * largely responsible
for the failure OF the convention last SATURDAY
Many Californans especially in the country, are
warm advocates OF Government ownership OF rail
roads. huf large business men and managers OF
large enterprises fear the policy OF turning the
Southern Pacific over to tho Government, as my
think u would lead other railroads 10 discriminate
against san Francisco. Among prominent business
men there seems 10 be no strong FEELING against
the funding bill. These mon declare that II MAKES
or not They think Sutro j. injuring san Francisco
and the State by his Incorporate attacks on '9'-
dent Huntington and tn" railroads. ono h'lC"""'
voiced the general sentiment when ne Sald.
We know Sutro and know that ne mas shout'i
against the octopus. he calls the southern "a
ciiic until he has the anti-monOpoF mononahla:
Every one who opposes him in Administrations ol
municipal affairs he abuses a ne abuses iiul.nlt
ton. In fact. he has become such "A chrome scOiu
that no one pays any attention to him.
Sutro has also developed the mama Tot lsS"l"e
manifcstocs. and lately he has pccl turn"'f ga,
much literature which is 80 bitter in its attacks on
the railroads as to defeat his purpose but mere ne
and his pamphlets are not seriously conSidered as
he represents no real public sentiment