The herald., 1897-03-25
COILS is
CALLOUS
At Least He Pretends That
He Is
HE HAS NO CARES
Is Not Fighting Anybody or
Anything
HE Is A MUDEL PHIlUSUPHtR
WHO TAKES DEFEAT WITH
RARE NONCHALANCE
Half an Hours Chat With the Presi-
dent of the Southern Pacific,
in Which He Conceals
His Thoughts

Coils p. Huntington, president of the
Southern Pacific railroad and a few
other things, arrived in Los Angeles yes
terday on his special train of five
coaches from the east Mr.. Hunting
ton rarely travels by night, and accord
ingly the train was side-tracked at Indio
Tuesday evening. About $40 o'clock
yesterday morning the journey to San
Francisco was resumed, the next stop
being made at Riverside, where Mr..
Huntington and members of his party
took a drive along famous Magnolia
avenue and then boarded the special
and were whizzed over the new Covina
branch to this city arriving here at 2.30
o'clock. A little later the special con-
tanning the great railroad president
made a run to San Pedro, and after a
short stay returned to this city, stopping
on the way to run over the new Alamitos
branch, a portion of the road which Mr..
Huntington had never seen before. Mr..
Huntington invariably spends the night
at Santa Monica when in this part of the
country, and last night was no excep-
ton. But to do so Mr.. Huntington was
forced to do little riding after dark.
1t was impossible to leave the city until
1880, and the train arrived at the sea-
port town an hour later.
IN GOOD SPIRITS.
Mr.. Huntington was in excellent
spirits and readily consented to meet the
representatives of the press, who had
boarded the train. To Mr.. Miles, his pri-
vate secretary he jocularly remarked,
when informed that trio or reporters
were awaiting him, "Well, 1 think I'll
see them; perhaps I can learn some-
thing"
He told this when the reporters were
ushered into his presence, and one OF
them remarked that was what they
were there for. "Well, gentlemen said
he. Il don't know that have anything
to say that you want
STRICT CONSTRUCTIONS
'I understand that the report on the
harbor matter has been made. Well,
the government people are strict con-
structionists, and if a report has been
made they know what they can do. l
have not seen the report but Mr.. Miles
has a copy of it. In time, during the
next few days, when get to San Fran
cisco, I shall read the report, and study
the law, then shall decide what will
do There is nothing so good as good,
quiet steady work. l don't trouble my
self about yesterday or tomorrow. l
simply work by the light to day, and
when tomorrow comes it is today.
SANTA MONICA DEPOT.
At this juncture a local newspaper
man asked Mr.. Huntington If the road
proposed to build a new passenger de-
pot at Santa Monica. He urged the
need of such a structure, saying that in
the opinion of most Santa Monicans the
lack of such depot detracted great
deal from the business of the road. This
called out from Mr.. Huntington a state
ment regarding rates and railroad. busi-
ness in general. II don't know about
that" said Mr.. Huntington. Rates
are too low now and travel Is light.
Just at present we are devoting most of
our efforts to keeping the rolling stock i'll
first-class condition. / recently rode
Their rates are as high as ours and they
pay only 81 cents ton for coal, while
it costs us Sc ton"
THE CENTRAL PACIFIC.
When asked about the Central Pa
cific Mr.. Huntington said:
1.-THE Central Pacific is all we'll
enough. The road is not in default. You
can't tell what may come, though The
Union Pacific is settling up. 1t is going
to be sold out, and / think the settle
ment is very good and satisfactory
one to the government. 1t is to receive
$2S, ,000, ,000."
SAN DIEGO.
''How about San Diego?" asked the
reporter. DO you intend to extend the
line to that point?"
1.-THE town is still there" rejoined the
railroad president. Il don't contem-
plate extending the line just now, but we
may We are common carriers and go
wherever there is business. The work
on the coast line from San Luis Obispo
to Santa Barbara is being carried on all
the time, and it will be finished in the
course of the year. Our roads are in a
very good condition, specially between
here and New Orleans, and 1t Is the best
service road in the United States. Over
most portions of 1t there is no discom-
fort in riding at the rate of sixty miles
per hour. We are taking out some Of
the heavy grades, and expect this year
to have no grades Of more than one per
cent"
NO FIGHT.
do you intend to bid on the construc-
tion of the San Pedro harbor or to fight
the decision?" was asked.
NO" was the reply to the latter ques-
tion, I'VE are not fighting anything, al
though we are credited with it. About
the construction bid, we'll, that belongs
to tomorrow. 1t isn't advertised yet.
We are out. for any business that is in
our line. The harbor matter may be
settled tomorrow. 1t is now in the ex-
ecutive department of the government.
The report, as understand 1t, contem-
plates the expenditure of a great deal
Of money. The appropriation, believe.
Is for $4,000, 900. 1t will require much
more than that amount The govern
ment will look the matter over, make
its plans, and whatever they decide on
will go. am not interfering with them
at all Nothing ever disturbs me.
take matters as they come and act ac-