The San Francisco call., 1898-01-22
TIN THE NEAR FUTURE"

~ NUMBER of citizens of Santa Barbara who \ contributed to provide right of way through that county to the Southern Pacific Company Tn order that it might close the gap in the coast line and give to Santa Barbara the benefit of a through line from San Francisco Los Angeles recently ad- dressed to Mr. Huntington petition requesting that the company fulfill its obligations and complete the road without delay.
 The petition with the reply have been published in the Santa Barbara Press and make interesting read ing The petitioners stated Our citizens taxpayers donors and purchasers of the right of way feel aggrieved that after securing your company this val uable franchise with all the advantages embraced in this free gft and after years of patient waiting no evidence exists to the approach of the time when the road will be finished from Surf to Ellwood Therefore we respectfully ask you for prompt re- cognition of rights and fulfment of your hon orable obligations by giving to the undersigned an assurance that further unnecessary delay occur in closing the gap.'"
 On behalf of the company Mir Huntington replied in letter of considerable length In the first place he said, T not surprised that you complain be- cause the road has not been filed but I am quite sure you would not complain of the builders of that road if you knew just what they have had to en- counter in the last few years" He then went on to say that the Southern Pacific has to be managed
 
 has Southern Pacific shares bought in the 'zos. on which he has never received any dividends; that in fact have never made any money could use out of building roads in California;; that most of his money has been made east of the Mississippi; that q can Say, and l think truly, 1 have never received any dividends other than from the Central Pacific shares on any road ever built or became interested in in California, excepting some street roads in cities"
 Thus discursively he proceeded to point out where he has made his profits and where he has made losses Finally he returned the subject of the peti ton and said very kindly, Your long list contains many good names and would do anything that could be safely done to accommodate them' He then adds, Things looking better now and we do hope we will be able to complete the gap in the near future"
 "In the near future" After seven wears of waiting that is all the answer given by the Southern Pacific Company to who out of their slender property gave money and rights of way in order that the road might be completed at once. It is by just such in- difference to public needs express promises and solemn obligations as this, that the Southern Pa cifc Company has reused against it the indignation not only of all whom it has injured but of all who love justice.
 The contrast between this method and that pur- sued by the Valley Road in laying track almost as fast as right of way be secured is too striking to need comment Seven years Santa Barbara has waited in vain. In less than half that time the Valley Road has laid its track from Stockton to Bakersfield That is the difference between companies that fulfil their obligations time and those that postpone tulhlment to the indefinite uncertain date of "tht near future"