The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-17

probable in tie event that the company's
Eastern transcontinentaI connections,
concerning which there is already an
understanding, are carried out.
There is no doubt that the transconti-
mental line with which the Valley road
will effect connection is the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe. The western ter
minus of this great railroad system is AL
bnquerque, N. Mex, and from Albu-
uueroue the Atlantic and Pacific extends
to Mojave, Cal. The Southern Pacific
built the Mojave-Needles portion of the
Atlantic and Pacific, and leased II to the
Atlantic and Pacific for ninety-nine years,
with the privilege of purchase. The lease
was executed IN 1886 or 1888. A cond ton
of the lease is that The Atlantic and Pacific
shall not build into Ca ifornia except on
giving the Southern Pacific five years
notice.
The Atlantic and Pacific is the connect
ing link between the Valley road and the
Santa Fe. 1t is in the hands of receiver
and is to be sold some time this month
The Santa Fe people have been buylnE up
all the Atlantic and Paclfic's SIC 0OO.OOO OF
bonds they could get, and have long had
their eyes on this link of the chain that Is
to bring them into California in direct
and complete ompetition with the South
ern Pacific Company.
From Mojave to Bakersfield is stretch
of about sixty-eight miles. All that re-
mains to be done TO connect the San Fran
cisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad
with the great Santa Fe line, the eastern
terminus of which is Chicago, is for it or
the Santa Fe to build an extension be-
tween Bakersfield and Mojave.
AS published in THE CALL few days
ago, the Valley Railroad will be running
trains into Bakersfield some time during
next June, it HAVING been decided TO put
a force of 400 to 500 men al work in the
next two or three weeks on this extension
from Fresno, the right OF way having
been virtually secured.
The condition of the Southern Pacific
lease to the Atlantic and Pacific In regard
to five years notice if it builds an extern
sion west from The Needles though an
obstacle on its face is not an obstruction
at all as a matter OF fact. There is moth
ing in the condition which can prevent
the Valley road or any other independ-
ent corporation from building the link be-
tween Mojave and Bakersfield or any
other point on the map.
The plan of the Valley road will prob
ably be, when the Santa Fe construction
is effected, to come into San Francisco
first on this side of the bay, with its ter
minal facilities at tldewater at China
basin. The extension, in this case, would
leave the line of the Valley road already
constructed at or near Lankershim, oppo-
site MADEIRA On the Southern Pacific and
come through Merced Comfy, the Pache-
co Pass and the Santa Clara Valley.
First Vice President Watt of the Valley
Railroad said yesterday afternoon:
Point Richmond is only one of the
points that has been considered as Ter
minus. 1t is not more favorably consid-
cred than the other. points. 1t has its adj
vantage of deep water and its disadvan-
tage of steep grade behind it and being re-
mote from population. Other points con-
Sidered by US are San Pablo, MaIata, Dunn
barton and location south of the narrow
gauge pier. There the expense of piiing
would be heavy, but We would get some
ferry business.
mo complete survey has been made
over any proposed route, and not foot of
right of way has been purchased between
here and Stockton.
eve may come into San Fran cisco on
this side of the bay by way of the Pacheco
Pass and the Santa Clara Valley, but
nothing definite has been decided upon
and will not be for some months to come.
I'VE propose to effect an Eastern coz
nect:on with the Santa Fe system. If we
come into San Francisco on this side Of
the bay there will be no rail extensi on OF
our road from Stockton to San Francisco.
The heavy freight will go that way, while
the passenger business will be moved via
Inc Pacheco Pass"