The San Francisco call., 1897-03-26
Mr., HUNTINGTON
SLEPT At FRESNO
Taking Out All Heavy
Grades of the Line to
New Orleans.
Says He Was Not Surprised at
the Harbor Commissions
Decision.
President of the Southern Pacific Will
Be Here To.Day-In Good H salth
and Spirits.

FRESNO, CAL. March 25.-Collis 2.
Huntington, president of the Southern
Pacific Railroad Company, arrived here to-
night from Washington, D. c., on his spe-
cial train OF five coaches. He is on his
annual tour of inspection, and is accom-
panied by several prominent officials OF
the road and number of ladies. Yester-
day afternoon he visited San Pedro. and
on his return trip to Los Angeles stopped
at the new sugar town. Los Alamitos.
Last evening he made departure from
his usual custom of not travelling at night
and went to Santa Monica. There the spe-
cial train was placed on the sidetrack and
Huntington consented to see newspaper
men. He pretended dense ignorance con-
cerning the harbor matter, but talked vol
ubly and humo-ously.
II understand" said he, "that the re-
port has been made on the harbor ques-
ton. l have not read it yet, but in time
when / get to San Francisco. which will be
in few days-I shall read it, study up
the law and decide what shall do"
You know there is nothing so good as
quiet work / don't trouble myself about
yesterday or tomorrow. l simply work
by daylight, and when tomorrow comes
it is to-day"
"Do you intend to fight the decision as
to the harbor?
mo; am not fighting anything"
"Wlll you bid on the construction of
the harborP'
"Well, that belongs to the tomorrow.
1t is not advertised yet. We're out for all
business in our line. This harbor matter
may be settled tomorrow. It is in the
executive departm ent of the Government,
and when they've perfected their plans
whatever they decide on will go. | am
not interfering with the Government.
This report as I understand it, contem-
plates the expenditure of great deal of
money. The appropriation is for 81
900, 900, but it will take great deal more
than that"
"How about the affairs of the Central
and Union Pacifc?"
Central Pacific is all we'll enough-not
in default The Union Pacific is settling
up-going to be sold out. l think the set
tlement whereby the Government gets
SOS, 600, 900 is a good and satisfactory
one"
"Do you contemplate extending the
line to San Diego?"
"WeIl, there's nothing new about San
Diego. It's pIucky town. l don't think
of extending the line now. but we may do
it. We're common carriers and go where.
ever there is business. The work on the
coast line from San Luis Obispo to Santa
Barbara is going on all the time and the
road will be finished this year. Our
roads are in good condition, especially be.
tween here and New Orleans, and Is the
best service in the United States. We are
taking out some of the heavy grades, ana
expect that this year we won't have any
more than l Der cent grade"
When asked if w. F. Herrin, counsel Of
the road, was candidate for United States
Circuit Judge, vice Judge Nj Kenna, Mr..
Huntington said: mo, he's not candi-
date He would make good Judge, and
is very able man."
Were you not surprised at the decision
of the Harbor Commission 2"
NO" retorted Mr.. Huntington, mot
very much. The makeup of the commits
sion was somewhat strange. l am told,
however, that Colonel Morgan is a good
man.
In reply to a final question as to his
action regarding San Pedro, Mr.. Hunting
ton laughingly remarked: II am waiting
to see which way the cat jumps"
Mr.. Huntington is as jovial as ever and
in excellent health. On board his special
car are Mrs. c. P. Huntington, Miss c. NJ.
Campbell. New York; N. E. Dawson.
Washington, D. c.; II. E. Huntington,
General Manager Kruttschnitt and g. E.
Miles.
The train will lie over here tonight and
the party will start for San Francisco to-
morrow morning. The party retired early