The herald., 1897-06-04
RAILROADS AND WATER
A PRosPEcToR COMPLAINS OF
THE s. P.'S ACTION
Headquarters' Officials Will Investi-
gate the Matter-Work on the
Randsburg Road

Yuma, both In this state and Arizona
territory. over the charges made by the
railroad company for obtaining water
from ite tanks at different stations.
The latest kick comes from Fred Col
ton Of Vernon, who left this city last
February and made prospecting trip
which covered some 1900 odd miles. Mr..
Cotton Travelled along the Southern Pa
cif1c Line to Yuma, thence up the Colo
RADIO river to the Needles, and, swinging
nround some $50 miles north of this
place, returned southwest and reached
Daggett by way of Soda lake and then
this city through the Cajon pass and
San Bernardino, arriving several days
ago. Cotton is highly indignant over his
treatment by the Southern Pacific en-
ployes in regard to watereupplies.
'The railroad company said he,
claim that they make no charge for
water to prospectors. Between this city
and Yuma they simply go back on that
proposition. Why they should do so do
not know, because the report they issue
expressly states that the country could
mot be developed If it were not for the
exertions of the prospectors and that
they would be supplied free with any
quantity of water desired. am largely
interested in Arizona gold mines, and
during this last trip was out looking for
copper deposits along the Colorado river.
I wac compelled several times to pay
25 cents for watering a span Of ponies
ard another rs cents for filling a ten
gallon keg. desire to make an earnest
protest against such action on the part
of the company's employees, and If the
officials are not aware of these charges
being made 1t is time their attention was
called to them. When we reached the
Needles and got within the territory of
the Santa Fee system the state Of affairs
was entirely different. The railway peo-
pie let US have all the water we wanted,
and seemed anxious to aseist us in every
way possible in our efforts to discover
mineral"
Frank p. Prior, assistant division SUI
perintendent of the Southern Pacific
company, was eeen yesterday and asked
concerning the charges made by Cotton.
He said
Ever since the construction Of the
Sunset route it has been the invariable
rule of this company to supply all pros
pectors with water free along those por-
tions Of its line which pass through
the desert. We always charge for wa
ter given to emigrants or people driving
cattle through, but never to prospectors.
We desire to assist the prospectorr as
far as possible, because he Is the fore
runner of settlement and his exertions
in locating rich finds of mineral fre-
quetnly result In the building of towns
and cities, the traffic from which Of
course benefits our railroad think
the prospector who is making this kick
Is mistaken somewhere, and If he will
only come to the office and report this
infringement Of our rule we will do ev-
erything possible to remedy the occur
renee and see 1t does not take place
again in the future"
~. RAILROAD NOTES
The field covered by the round trip
low rate excursion tickets, which the
Southern Pacific company has been SELL
ing from points south of Bakersfield to
Southern California seaside points and
Catalina has been extended to all points
as far north as Fresno. This means
largely increased travel to Southern
California this summer.
Preparations are being made on
grand scale by the residents of Catalina
island for great demonstration on the
coming Fourth Of July. A display of
$500 worth of fireworks will be made and
the bay will be illuminated by water
procession lending UP in fiery bonn
bardment.
NJ B. Goldberger, passenger agent of
the New York, Ontario and Western
railway, with headquarters in New
York city. arrived in Los Angeles yes
terday noon. He left last night fol San
Francisco and the east.
T.. F. Fitzgerald, Pacific coast passen-
ger agent for the Texas Pacific railroad,
with headquarters in San Francisco, is
N town.
Lat Monday ground was broken at
Kramer by the contractors who have
charge Of the construction Of the North
ern California railroad. which will con-
meet the Santa Fe system with Johan-
nesburg and Randsburg. The work will
be vigorously pushed and as the grade Is
slight and construction comparatively
easy, 1t is anticipated that the line will
be completed and trains running by
autumn.
The Southern Pacific company has
made arrangements for the reduction
of rates between this city and the Yo-
semitic valley. which will only be avail
able to school teachers during vacation.
The company will shortly issue tickets
embracing tours of five. six, ten and fif-
teen days, covering all expenses. and
il a longer stay is desired. make special
arrangements.
F. w. Prince Of the Santa Fe, clerk
at the ticket Office at Second and Spring
streets, was married last night to Miss
Grace Lloyd Moffitt Of San Fernando.
He has the best wishes of all the boys
and good luck through the voyage of
Mfe. The newly welded couple will visit
the Del Monte, at Monterey, and then
San Francisco, before returning to this
city.
w. T. Hunter, contracting agent of
the Erie Dispatch, Pa, with headquar-
ters in San Francisco, arrived in town
yesterday noon. He will return north
next Monday
Edward Chambers, general freight
agent OF the Southern California rail-
way company. returned yesterday from
short business trip to San Francisco.
MRS. SHANNoN's PLUCK