The herald., 1896-06-20
The Octopus Once Again Shows
Its Tentacles
A MORTGAGE ON MINISTER'S
A New York Newspaper Violates the
Rules Of Courtesy
And Indicates That II Either Is Owned by the
Southern Pacific or That II Attempted
to Bisckmall That Corporation

All &C iiluIltlS dSO, dl Ter NlSll TO odn-
ia Monica, where with the critical eye of
an expert the Rev. DR.. John A. b. Will
son viewed the prospective harbor site
and was compelled to say that it would
cost more than $1O0, 200, 900 to put a har-
Dor there. He, however took no part in
the local debate then raging and did not
give the benefit of his information to
any party to the controversy.
Shortly after, however, the Marine
Journal of New York came to him with
long letter from a steamer captain
lauding this roadstead as an excellent
harbor, in which the writer had ridden
out two gales Of wind, and commencing
it as the place where the government
harbor ought to be.
The representations were so outra-
geous that Dr. Wilson at once wrote
reply correcting the Misrepresentation
of the letter and said that $100,000,0 900
would not be sufficient to make a harbor
in the place where nature had done so
little, there being no natural barriers of
island or shoal to break the force of 5000
miles of rolling Pacific water.
AS week after week passed and the let
ter did not appear 1t dropped out of the
doctors mind, there being no wish on
his part to pursue the subject.
Three weeks ago, however, DR.. Wilson
was called upon at his home by repre-
sentative of the Southern Pacific to ac-
count for his letter to the Marine Jour-
nal. The doctor inquired what his ques-
toner knew about it, as it had not ap-
peared in print.
He was informed that it had not ap-
peared in print and would not, as it had
been forwarded to the Southern Pacific
authorities and was in their possession.
DIR. Wilson asked, "Why should it inter-
est them? 1t was not an attack upon
them, but only called down pretended
expert who was giving absolutely false
testimony"
But you are an expert in such mat
ters yourself, and coming from such a
source the statement that it would cost
500, 100000 to put a harbor there we
think is calculated to do harm to our side
of the controversy" was the reply.
The gentleman expressed himself as
satisfied with the interview and de-
parted.
Later DR.. Wilson requested that the
Southern Pacific do him the favor of
furnishing him copy of his own letter
to the Marine Journal or permit him to
make a copy. This request met with a
courteous response.
A few days later the doctor called up
telephone, inquiring about the copy of
his letter. and was curtly informed that
they were under no obligations to sup
ply it.
They received the startling reply that
they were dealing with a man not a syc-
ophant and that he wore no corpora
ton collar; that if the copy was not
forthcoming within two hours the whole
story would be given to the press.
Then there was CONSERVATION and a
hunt for Mr.. Crawley and the informa-
ton was given that the letter and all
papers pertaining to the same had been
sent to San Francisco, and time was So
licited to write to San Francisco for the
letter before the matter was exposed.
The doctor replied that he would wait
About a week later, having heard
nothing, he again called up the office
and asked for Mr.. Crawley, who was
reported out. A threat to Immediately
call up one of the newspapers of the city
secured a prompt return Of Mr.. Craw-
ley, who came to the telephone and
begged for further time to write to San
Francisco.
The outcome was that a request for
time until Wednesday afternoon was
granted, and though called upon since
at his office, he was as usual conven-
iently out, according to the report Of
his subordinates.
DIR. Wilson, therefore, put his threat
into execution. and late last evening
called up The Herald by telephone, re-
questing that a reporter be sent to him.
To the representative of The Herald DR..
Wilson substantially related the facts
as above stated.