The San Francisco call., 1896-10-06

meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce in
San Francisco, when the giant of commerce,
Hon. Claus Spreckels, spoke in tones that
sounded the length and breadth of the State,
and when that master of finance, Thomas
Brown of the Bank of California, gave to Mr..
spreckels and to the project his support. II
was then we realized that the keynote had
been struck, and the belief was established
that the Valley road would be built. MT.
Spreckels has never put his hand to the plow
and turned back, nor has he ever been known
to speak until he is ready to act.
And be it understood that we do not under
value the ability and influence OF the other
gentlemen immediately connected with this
enterprise. No equal combination OF men has,
perhaps, ever been associated in single en-
terprise in this State. All are well and widely
known In the commercial history of Cali
fornia the names of Spreekels, Watt, Stetson,
Whittier, Hooper, Payson, Sloss, Hayward and
Upham are as household words. Through a
period of many years of close Identification
with the important industries of the State
they have been conspicuous, and their names
are synonym of business capacity, foresight
and commercial integrity.
The speaker prophesied the formation
of new State. with the present terminus
of the Valley road as its capital. Mr.
Briggs concluded as follows:
When the eternal reservoir which the Crea-
tor placed at the summit of the snow-clad
mountains, through natures arteries supplied
its waters TO all this great valley; when the
electric forces that have run riot through
canyon and forest and over mountain peaks
in the wilderness for ages have been chained,
as they soon viii be, and made to do the bid
ding of our mills, workshops, factories and
81 AL.
wealth and happiness of those fortunate
enough to live in so favored a land; when the
population of the valley shall have increased
tenfold and we have secnred ten instead of
Two railroads into Fresno. then, it is to be
hoped, this community will still hold in en-
during remembrance the day and occasion
we are here to commemorate.
Claus Spreckels was next introduced by
Chairman Reichman. As the energetic
president OF the railroad stepped forward
the people broke forth into long continued
cheers. One round did not suffice and
another was given. When the huzzahing
had subsided Mr.. Spreckels spoke as fol-
lows:
thank you very much for the reception you
have given us. When 1 see the people come
out so earnestly to receive this new enterprise
L
peoples railroad. It cannot be otherwise.
Where you have 100000 people in this
valley to-day you ought to have 100000.
The valley ought to have them. You have the
whole thing in your hands-whether this road
shall be success or so down. If we make 6
per cent interest on our Investments we will
be satisfied. If our income amounts to more
we will cut rates further, so that the rate of
interest fealized will be kept TO the 6 per cent
limit.
For the present we cannot go further with
the construction OF the road, but after the
election we hope to issue bonds and extend
the railroad. Let US not be afraid of each
other; let US stand back to back and fight the
common cause together; let there be no petty
jealousies and let the people be q unit, and
then we shall have 5000, 900 people in this
glorious valley.
AS Mr.. Spreckels retired, Governor
Budd, who occupied seat on the plat
form, arose and proposed three cheers for
the president of the Valley road. They
were given with will. General Attorney
E. f. Preston was the next speaker In
behalf of the directors of the road he
thanked the people of Fresno for the re-
ceptiou rendered them.
"The progress of the great valley has
been hampered," he said, "by barrier
between it and tidewater, but now that
has been raised. The road was built for
the people, and if they stand together, as
they should do, the San Joaquin Valley
will be the greatest section in the world. !"