The San Francisco call., 1897-03-27

of N. 7. Smith. Against him may be tn
four votes OF Charles F. Crocker. Will H.
Crocker. Russell J. Wilson and Charles
Lathrop.
The Huntington party. which had
crossed the continent IN a special train,
arrived on this side of the bay at 1:l5
P. NJ. The magnate ignored all thoughts
OF business, and at once proceeded to his
home on Mob Hill. where he remained
most of the afternoon and evening, sur
rounded by his business associates and
old-time friends.
He appeared to be- in his usual robust
health, despite the intimation which he
th rev out that he had come to California
for his health, and showed all his old-lime
vigor of mind anu body.
After he had relieved himself of the
sentiments that weighed most heavily on
his mind he turned 20 other matters.
''Oi course" he remarked. Sin timing
my coming l had some regard for the fact
that by making the trip now could be
present at the annual meeting" Atthe
time of the meeting last year, when Mrs.
Stanford's unexpected opposition mani
tested itself President Huntington was
absent in the East. The meeting this year
Will probably prove one of the most excit-
ing in the history of the great corporation.
Referring TO the recent decision of the
Supreme Court declaring illegal all rail-
road associations which had for their OBJ
ject the maintenance of rates and the ap-
portIoning of traffic, he said:
II see that the decision has provoked a
good deal OF talk and much conjecture as
to what will be it's effects upon the vari-
Gus traffic associations and the business CT
the roads generally. / don't think,
though, that there is any cause for excite
ment or alarm over the matter. 1t is not
my belief that the decision necessarily
means the disruption of all the associa.
tions. even though the trans NJ issouri has
been declared illegal. In any case, be-
cause a certain method OF accomplishing
desired and necessary results Is found to
be improper. it does not follow that the
same things cannot be otherwise brought
about.
"What l mean is that it is absurd to say
that because of this decision all proper
concert OF actio on among the various lines OF
road must necessarily be at once done
away with and reign of ruinous compe-
tition ensue. Some way. some proper
and legal way. will certainly be found to
prevent anything of tie kind and to en-
able the roads to do business on business
principles, in default of which. not they
alone. but, cltlmately. at least, the travel
ing and shipping public would be the suf-
ferers. 1t has always been my experience
that troubles such as these right them
selves, the necessary solution in due time
suggesting itself.
II certainly feel very positive on the
point that the 'ruinous competition
which has been spoken of is not going to
come to pass for there certainly is one
very good reason why all the companies
interested should do nothing tending to
such an end. This is that none of them
have any money to throw away on this or
any other foolish proposition. We have
not, and fancy we are better off than the
others, since our company, as you know,
is just about the only one which has not
failed once or twice.
"At present / look forward to the future
of the Southern Pacific with good deal of
confidence. In other words, think we
NAV claim to be reasonably prosperous,
all things considered, and | hope that
conditions may continue to improve from
now on for the general public as well as
for ourselves. The prosperity Of carrying
companies, as any one should be able to
see, depends on that of the communities
with which they are identified in busi-
ness"
Speaking of the completion of the coast
line from this City 10 Los Angeles, which
is to be eventually made the main line for
the Southern Pacific Railroad trains, he