The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-06
SAN LEANDRO MAY FIGHT,
Citizens Aroused Over the Oppo.
sition to Electric Light
Bonds.
SERIOUS TROUBLE LOOKED FOR.
The Old Gas Companies Attempt to
Defeat the Unanimous Will of
the People.

SAN LEANDRO, CAL, Feb. 5.-There is
strong spirit of unrest here that is liable
to break out at any time, against the cleo
trio railroad company. It is reported that
there are clubs and bombs stored in the
town that were intended for use should
the company have persisted in its attempt
to lay double track through the town. It
is likely that another use may be found
for them before long.
A few days ago there was a conference
between the railroad people and the Town
Trustees. and that the railroad people did
and said everything they were asked. The
surprise was great that the corporation
which has hitherto showed no regard or
respect for anybody or anything, should so
completely cave down the bank, after their
lawyers had advised them that they had
the law on their side. The action on the
part of the company was viewed with sus-
picion, which it now seems was well
founded.
About month ago the people of the
town decided by an almost unanimous
vote to issue $4,000 in bonds for the pur-
pose OF building municipal electric-light
plant. The town at present is supplied
with gas only, and the gas company is
practically the same as the electric road
company. The gas company decided to
fight the bond issue, as municipal cleo
trio plant meant that useless gas plant
would soon be on their hands. 1t was
realized that no one would patronize the
gas company after the electric-light plant
was working, and plan was decided to
prevent the issue, or at least to delay it as
long as possible.
AS the railroad trouble occurred soon
after the election and as the gas plant had
to be protected right away, deceltful lull
was permitted to settle over the railroad
affair and the fight against the bonds was
taken up.
When the Trustees met Monday night
to open the bids they were served with a
suit brought against the town to prevent
the issuance of bonds. The suit is brought
against the city of San Leandro and the
Trustees individually and the court is
asked to restrain them from issuing or
selling bonds for the erection OF an electric
light plant and also to enjoin the city and
Trustees from engaging in the business of
supplying electric light to the city or to
any other person for profit or otherwise
The nominal plaintiff, A. G.. Hammond
Jr., is an accountant in the employ of w.
j. Landers of the electric road, who also
owns the majority of stock in the gas COM
pany. In spite of the opposition Of the
carried by an almost unanimous vote.
The main contention OF the plaintiff is
that the Board of Trustees did not, before
the question of mourning said indebted
ness Tor the improvement was submitted
to a vote of the electors, have plans and
estimates submitted by competent engi-
neer or architect who had successful ex-
perience in such work.
The Town Attorney denies that compe-
tent advice was not taken, and says that
the suit is simply for the purpose of
harrassing and annoying, and has no
foundation in fact. Everybody realizes
now that the railroad trouble was only
ended SO smoothly for the purpose os
arousing feeling favorable to the gas
company, and the Indignation is higher
now than ever. 1t would not take very
hot-headed man to start serious trouble.
The report of the storing of the checks
and books has been sent in to the Sheriff
at Oakland, and he is investi eating the
case.
The Sheriff VIII Not Talk.
Sheriff White was seen tonight and told
OF the report from San Leandro.
81 cannot discuss the matter at all, :"
said the Sheriff. eff any more trouble
should arise l am quite able TO attend to
it. L have not considered it necessary to
station any permanent deputies out there. :"