The San Francisco call., 1896-11-17
Desires to Direct the Movements
of His Forlorn Hope at
Short Range.
CRoCKsR's INTERESTING VIEWS
Says the Corporation Prefers Gov
ernment Ownership of the Cen.
tral Pacific.

Coils P Huntington, president of the
Southern Pacific Company, whose custom
1t is to visit California at this season each
year, has decided to defer his coming
until spring, despite the fact that his ele-
CANT residence on California street has
already been prepared for his coming.
His change of plan is due to his desire
to personally and at short range direct the
fight for the passage of the Central Pacific
refunding bill during the short session OF
Congress which begins on the first Mon
day in December and lasts until the 4th OF
March. 1897, when the newly elected Pres
ident is inaugurated and the new Con-
gress comes into power.
1t is admitted on all sides, prominent
Southern Pacific officials included, that
the last hope for securing an extension OF
the Central Pacifc's Indebtedness TO the
Government lies in this meeting of Con-
| gress. Failure here means the abandon
ment OF the project to avert foreclosure.
for it is conceded that there will be neither
time nor opportunity to put refunding
measure through a new Congress-
Huntington fully realizes this, and
while not exactl in position TO lead the
forlorn hope himself will pest himself
where he can be close to the contending
where and to whom it is most necessary.
He is reported to have an advance guard
already at work at the Nations capital
laying his side of the question before the
mem bers of the House as fast as they
arrive.
With the refunding bill defeated the
energies of the Southern Pacific VIII be
directed toward bringing about Govern.
ment ownership and control of the Central
PACIFIC Railroad. as this, according to
Vice-President Charles F. Crocker, would
be preferable even to any scheme OF re-
funding.
I'VE would be perfectly satisfied to have
the Government take over the Central Pa.
chic Railroad" said Colonel Crocker yes
terday- None of those railroad dema-
gogues, such as Senator White and Con-
gressmau Mcguire. of this State, are
really sincere when they talk of Govern.
/ ment ownership of railroads. They
simply talk ior effect. Why we would
will ngly turn over the Central Pacific in
payment of the debt due the Government
if the United States would accept the
property atits fair valuation. In fact we
would rather have the Government take
possession than secure the passage of re-
funding measure"
Mayor Sutro, whose interest in the fate
of the refunding bill remains undated, is
watching the progress of events as closely
Is
interview he spoke as follows:
Il have no doubt that the octopus will
make last desperate attempt to get the
funding bill through. L don't believe
however, it has the least chance of sue.
cess, though stranger things have hap.
pened in Congress. The coming session
will have but sixty working days, and in
that time the fourteen appropriation bills
providing for the expenses of government
must be passed, and this alone is enough
to occupy all the time OF the members
But most OF the Congressmen has some PEI
measure of local importance and these are
usually rushed through at this session. Sc
really don't see how Mr.. Huntington is
going to induce Congress 10 give him an.
other hearing. for as soon as any measure
which threatens protracted debate i.
placed before the House at this time, it i:
apt to be summarily voted out of the way.
Still the situation should be closely
watched by the friends of the people, for
am confident one more last attempt will
be made to get the funding bill through -