The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-02

of way for the narrow-gauge road, and the
right to charge fares on that line has
never been questioned. But so far as the
broad gauge is concerned, it is in a deli.
cate position. 1t has the right of way, but
is shy franchise, and, therefore, it is
claimed by high legal authorities, has no
right to charge fares on the trains of that
line within the confines of the town.
at is the opinion of those who are well
versed in the devious ways of the great
and INSCRIPTIONS corporation that it's
latest indication of solicitude for the well
fare of its patrons is nothing more than
prelude to new pull on the einch. They
expect to see the gates go on the narrow
gauge trains shortly, and then the inaugu-
ration and enforcement of the drastic
Oakland remedy for train accidents, with
all it's Inconvenience and financial bur
dens"
City Attorney Taylor, in speaking of the
matter said:
81 know of no franchise being in ex-
istence for the running OF trains on Rail
road avenue on what is known as the
broad-gauge line. | have made diligent
search of the records and ordinances and
can ind no mention OF any. The COM
pany, L understand, claims it has the
right-of-way owing to possession and
ownership"
as there any franchise for the narrow
gauge line down Encinal and Central
avenues" was asked.
Eyes, " replied Mr.. Taylor. son look
ing over the records | found that in May,
1877, when William Robinson was presi-
dent and Judge Ellsworth clerk, a fran
chise was granted to the Bay and Coast
Railroad Company to construct, main
tain and operate a line OF railway upon
and through any avenues and streets run
ming east and west south OF the north line
of Encinal avenue, provided the railroad
should not CT oss Central avenue. Before
this ordinance went TO passage the name
was chan ged to the South Coast Pacific
Railroad Company. The franchise was
for twenty-five years. Again, in 1885
January 80, | think-the San Francisco
and Colorado River Railroad Com
pany applied for a franchise to use
the wharyes ships. depots, tracks, ETC., of
the Bay and Coast Railroad Company and
all the rights and grants for which that
company was incorporated. The exact
lines OF streets they were TO use l cannot
tell, as the designation marking them
would have to be plotted out by COM
petent surveyor. This franchise was also
for period of twenty-five years"
lis there any mention made of an agree
ment not to charge fares for the franchise
given the company"
None that | can find"
"Can they put gates on the trains there
fore and charge fares ?"
There is nothing to prevent them that
| can see on the narrow-gauge, for [ sup
pose the Southern Pacific Company has
acquired the rights of the San Francisco
and Colorado River Company.
President J. J. Forderer OF the Board of
Town Trustees. when interviewed on the
point, said that the railway company
might put on gates, but they could not
~ no n
charge fares, he said the company must
have franchise for that line, and added
that it had none. He did not think it at
all probab BILE that the company would
charge fares on the broad-gauge.
A prominent citizen, who does not wish
his name 70 appear, IN discussing the mat
ter, said:
81 think it IS quite time this matter was
settled once ana for all. 1t is continually
cropping up and affects property values
very much. The City Trustees ought to
take steps to let our people know where
they stand. My own opinion is that the
railway people want TO put on gates, and
want to charge fares, il not at once, then
in the near future, for 1t has two detectives
in view. The Alameda Driving Associa-
ton is constructing mile track on the
com pany's land at the foot of Sherman
street. Ii that is a go, then it will be
leased and enclosed and highly improved.
Then again. on the other side of the
peninsula, on the narrowgauge track,
some of the Alameda cyclers and Olympic
Club boys have an option on large hold
ing for the construction of bicycle track
and the railway company is to enclose
the same and make it the finest and long
est track on the coast. This will mean
increased travel from across the bay and
by the residents. So any one can see that
if the gates go on the question of fares is
only matter of time. The citizens will
have to get together and pull together if
they wish to stop the company in time"