The San Francisco call., 1898-10-26
Arrival of Santa Fe's
 President.
THE VALLEY ROAD COMBINES
IT BECAME NECESSARY ToMAKE
 THE TWO PROPERTIES ONE.
It Is the Intention of the Santa Fe to Complete Its Line to San Francisco by Way of
 Port Richmond.

E. P. Ripley, president of the Atchison system, arrived here last night from Stockton and went at once to the Palace, where he consented to be interviewed.
 Has your trip anything to do with the purchase of the Valley Road?" was the first question put 10 him.
 Incidentally" he replied. ''I wanted to see the Valley Road, never having seen 1t personally-though some of our officials have seen 1t. Yes. We have decided to take up the option. It requires the formal assent of the stockholders, to be sure, but I think there will be no question about that The transfer will probably be consummated between now and Jan uary."
 will you connect with the Valley Road by means of trackage arrangement with the Southern Pacific. from MOjave to Bakersheld?"
 That is entirely in the air. We had contemplated building through Tejon Pass; but the suggestion has been made that, as there Is no local business in those mountains, it would be foolish to do that. We are not satisfied yet in regard to that. ] do not know whether they will want us, or whether We want to go there. It is q matter for discussion. The intention is to complete our line to san Francisco by way of Port Richmond; and l hope that we will be in within year"
 How will it affect the people of Cali fornia?'
 There will be two roads instead of one. There is no more prospect of cOnSollda- tiOn than there is of alliance between England and America. We shall be in active competition with the Southern Pa Cific, though l cannot pledge myself, in advance, to reduce rates.
 The absorption of the Valley Road has been in our minds for six months. We were on 1t this morning, from Fresno to Eisalia and back. It is through very fine country, and the best new road l ever saw. It has evidently been built carefully, thoroughly and economically.
 Perhaps l ought to explain the condi- Valley Road. It was perfectly evident that we could not afford to build across the mountains, to meet the Valley Road, without assurance that it would always be a connection of ours and ours only; and nobody could give that assurance. The only way was to buy the stock. It was also perfectly evident that the Val ley Road could not build to us, across the mountains, and they could not tell what might happen to Us. Therefore, 1t critics one; and, of course, the greater ab- sOrbed the less. It is unquestionably better for California that 1t should be so.'
 How about your terminal facilities?"
 "I understand that those have been ar ranged for by the Valley people. Ferry boats for use between Port Richmond and this city, will be built as soon as pos sibIe."
 Accompanying President Ripley are Paul Morton. second vice president; c. NJ H!gginson, assistant to the president; w E. Hodges, general purchasing agent; James Dunn, chief engineer; Edward Chambers, general freight agent of the Southern California Railway, and w. G. Neyin. general manager of Santa Fe lines west of Albuquerque. The party will re- main here several days.