New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-07
PACIFIC RAILROAD LEGISLATION.

BLOCKED BY UNREASONABLE OPPOSIIloN III ifir
SOUTHERN PACIFIC IN CALIFORNIA
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: A recent visit to California has revealed
some obstacles in the way OF common-sense lee's'a
ton not enumerated in your admirable editorial OF
to-day One obstacle groundless prejudice EVERY
intelligent Californian admits that the greatest need
OF the State g more population and vets its poll
tcians and it's press are active IN opposing every
plan of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company to
further the increase Of population on the fachc
Coast The company Is expanding its money lavishly
IN the interests of the people, and yet politicians
popularity be measured by the fervor or his
abuse of railroad officials reasonable running
bill would enable the railroad company 10 use
millions OF dollars In increasing the facilities for
Transportation to the State and within II, and yer
the most violent opponents OF reasonable Dill are
the people whom Ii would most benent
The only plausible explanation given for this
short sighted opposition Is because they hate Hunt
ington" Although most OF the prominent patrons OF
the road arc friendly 1t is fashionable TO speak OF
"the extorton that prevents growth The accusd-
ton is always indefinite but took pains to ascer-
tain some particulars OF this extortion 81. Green
fruit Is carried with profit whatever to the trans
portation companies. A quart can OF peaches ana
other fruits Is carried more than 5000 miles-from
California to New York-for a cent and hair Inc
Central Pacific road is so extortonate as 10 exact
It's pro rata OF one cent pound for Transporting
tea from YOkOhama TO NeW-lOrh lHese aie o"'
samples what II Is fashionable to call extorton
Nine-tenths OF the opposition in California to the
Southern Pacific Railroad is either mercenary or
malicious while large proportion OF the other
tenth comes from prejudice and ignorance.
Although Huntington. like other strong men, may
have been aggressive and may have made MISTAKES
nevertheless he and his associates have done more
| 10 benefit California ten times than all OF his
opponents Furthermore, Huntington is no longer
supreme In the company, and his advanced age
will doubtless soon require him to retire from MS
official position At the recent election two OF the
directors voted for General Thomas H. Hubbard OF
| New York To all who know General HUBBARD II
is quite unnecessary TO say that should ne succeed
Mr. Huntington will carry with him into the presi-
dency OF that great corporation the integrity ana
| ability that have been conspicuous in his hfe HIS
election to the second vce-presidency ard william
Kruttschntt's election to the position OF general
that the purpose Of the directors Is to manage the
company fairly, which can only be done by protect.
ing Its interests that II may be able 10 protect
| the Interests OF It's patrons. - .
The people OF California might learn lesson from
| the history Of Southern Connecticut For years II
was the fashion here to oppose every interest," OF tne
New York and Haven Railroad ana 10 AID every
nroiect for a parallel line Wiser counSeS prevailed
and have resulted In doubling the capacity Oh me
| road and the number of trains, increasing speed,
lowering cost and In giving patrons the dement, OF
stone ballast attractive stations, etc When COM
munity learns that its interest and that or ts rall-
ways Identical. that 1t Is its patronage ina.
gives their railways support. that legislation mat
benefits lines transportation lessons the burdens
| OF the people, II learns useful lesson w. H. D.
Stamford Conn. May 6. 1886