The San Francisco call., 1896-12-24
Its Half-Rate Passenger Fares
Surprise the San
Joaquin.
FIRST TRAIN LEAVES STOCKTON
UNHERALDED.
People of the Valley Look Forward
to Fight That Will Change
Old Conditions

The first regular passenger train of the
San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley
Railway went down the valley of the San
Joaquin yesterday.
Its departure from Stockton was not
attended by any demonstration; there
were no crowds to bid the handsome train
bon voyage as the engine, screaming
warning to all, rushed from the channel
passe niger depot on its southwark flight to
the land of grapes and oranges. The en-
gineer opened the throttle the bell
changed clear on the morning air, passen-
gers waved adieus to their friends, and
that was all. The depot agent was at his
post with his assistants, everything ap-
peared conventional, a PLAIN business-like
affair, or would be so regarded in railway
circles, and nobody gave Mum Der 1"
second thought. 1t was just train leav.
ing as other trains had done at the same
place.
But this incident is typical of the whole
management of the peoples line, the
popular VALLEY road" which has cut
passenger fares in half and reduced freight
rates in the great San Joaquin Valley SO
per centum. The men who in the face of
tremendous odds made the enterprise a
possibility and then grand success cared
little for demonstrations about their work
All they wanted was to succeed and 20 be
able to say to the people, 'every promise
we have made has been fulfilled" In this
spirit the work was begun and carried out
and now when the first regular passenger
train goes into service the event so full of
meaning to California is allowed by the
Valley railway managers to pass with as
little ado as if it were the mere printing of
tickets.
So the pioneer of the regular passenger
service Left Stockton and sped down the
valley. Only people who knew all about
it, who had watched every line published
in the newspapers about the progress of
the Valley railway IN their eagerness to
learn what directly concerned their well
fare, stopped and saluted the train.
In the field the farmer and his men for
got their task for time as the streak of
smoke on the horizon told them of the
approaching train, and they watched the
speck grow, with long cloud tretching
afaT over plains of wheaton stubble
and meadow lands and orchards until, at
last, the first regular passenger train was
near. They cheered and waved their
hats as welcome and a mark of good
wishes, and as the train passed away in
the dim horizon to the south they heaved
a sigh of relief; for this fleeing procession
brought hope and new courage. 1t opened
tc them the outside world, which before
was denied by high rates and fares that
were forbidding. But now there was an
assurance of a new order of things-a
daily train TO carry people up and down
II Ill Al
cost.
The train made good time to Fresno,
the temporary southern terminus of the
road, where it was met by large number
of people. 1t was not so full of passen-
gers, indeed, az the railway deserved; out
then. this was the first trip and the public
was not aware of its presence.
Returning in the evening from Fresno
the train was Number 2" the first re GU
lar passenger train from the valley to
Stockton. 1t carried the last of the ex-
eursionists who attended Fresno's citrus
fair, whose tickets expired yesterday.
The ride was all that could be desired,
weII-constructed, high-class roadbed unit
ing with an elegant and high-grade equip
ment to make it comfortable, and even an
inducemen: for passengers to travel over
the Valley road again.
The first regular passenger train to
make connection with the San Francisco
steamers at Stockton will be in service
to-day, and thGt is the opening of a daily
passenger service between this City and
Fresno at one-half the old rate. The pas
senger may leave San Francisco in the
evening, enjoy bountiful yet dainty din
ner on the river steamer and a deliphtfn
night sail. IN the morning he can have
breakfast on the boat and Immediately
afterward take the train at Stockton for
Fresno, where he will arrive at p NJ, in
good form for luncheon.
STOCKTON OFFICE BUSY.