The San Francisco call., 1896-04-04
The Land Company Writes to
President Foster of the
Donahue Line.
FERRY SERVICE MUST REMAIN.
If Any Change Be Made Belvedere
Will Protect Itself in
Vigorous Fashion.

The Pelvedere Land Company has
thrown down the gauntlet for whoever
pleases to pick it up in the threatened
fight between the Donahue line and the
North Pacific Coast Railway. The chal-
lenge is said to have been directed at Sid
ney V. Smith, though no mention is made
of has name. Since 1t was his purpose to
consolidate the two railways, which would
leave Belvedere without proper transpor-
tation facilities with San Francisco, the
inference is plain.
This action of the land company is a
confederation of THE CALLS announce
ment that Belvedere had risen against en-
croachment on its rights. It contained a
direct statement of the facts of the case in
letter to Mr.. Foster, president of the
Donahue railway.
feet that unless Belvedere be considered
in the railway contest the land company
would stand by the people of the island
suburb for mutual protection.
If the present service were withdrawn or
curtailed this letter means that an inde-
pendent ferry steamer would be estab-
lished between San Francisco ana Belve-
dere on plan already published in THE
CALL; and also that an electric railway on
the light country style would be built to
San Rafael to connect with the ferry de pot
at Belvedere. Mr.. Foster was rather
pleased with the communication for it
could be used as powerful argument in
favor of his side of the controversy as
against the proposition to consolidate and
run all local San Rafael trains via
Sausalito.
In discussing the matter K. K. Ryan,
general passenger agent of the Donahue
road, said: People who build homes and
invest more money In developing the
country through which railroad passes
have rights which the railroad must re-
spect. There is in fact an unwrltten con-
tract between them and the railroad COM
pany. The people put their money and
time into the country, which they would
| not have done were there no railroad in
their section.
This development takes place under the
influence of regular and we'll understood
service. Withdraw that service and the
people are irretrievably injured; their
homes and property become practically
| valueless. What is to hinder railroad men
to discontinue recognized standard ser
vice, and then buy in the property and
land along the line for a song, replace the
service and sell out at great profit? II
seems to be no more than common-sense
that people have rights in this respect
For that reason l believe that BeIvedere
WOulu nave ROOu cause WIN Wnlcn TO re-
sist an attempt at sidetracking it."
Hatch Bros. have offered a boat sim ila1
to their fast steamer Monticello for ferry
to Belvedere. 1t has been computed that
the business of Beivedere and Tiburon in
freight and passengers would support a
ferry without the aid of an electric road to
San Rafael.
I'VE find now that we can be indie.
pendent if we want to-" said J. D. Max.
well, who has been one of the active mer
in the fight. s'If sldetracked we would
drop MIR. Smith altogether. OF course we
would not make any move unless com
PEELED to act, and if that should come we
know what to do"