The San Francisco call., 1898-07-12

travelling public as well as for the cor porations that make use of it. There was no trouble with the other two ferry companies and the people who patroniZe them can enjoy the benefits of the mod ern building
 What made the commissioners partic- ularly incensed was the fact that in the construction of the section of the depot in- tended for the Southern Pacific Company our architect and superintendent of con- struction advised with the representatives of the company as to the arrangement Of the rooms, entrances and all matters af- fecting the convenience of the corporation as well as the comforts of the public. These upper floors, on which are the su- perb waiting rooms and retiring rooms for men and women, are the finest things in the great structure, the apartments for palace car; where they can fix their halr, see that their hats are on straight, and make themselves more presentabie on ar rival or departure from the city.
 We had just cause for anger at this presumptuous action of the company, par ticularly in view of the fact that it did not show us the small courtesy to say by your leave or offer any explanation for the astounding move. couple of weeks ago we notified these people that there would have to be readJustment of the rental, and they replied that they would take the matter up after July 4. The way they took it up caused us to suspect that they had concluded to dodge the rent of the upper floor for while on the ground that they did not need 1t. However, we did not leave the matter long in doubt, and with the removal Of the barriers notified the Southern Pacific Com pany to stay where they were in the old ram-shackle cattle-pen until further 1n- structionS from the board. The way they had matters arranged the people would have found even worse accommodations than they now have in the old shed, and that seems impossible, but they would have found 1t necessary to temper them selves to the foggy, dusty zephyrs in the corridors instead of enjoying their rights in the comfortable waiting rooms. All be- cause the company found 1t inconvenient to make things convenient for the public The inconvenience lay in the fact that they might have to employ a couple of and take up tickets On the other hand. 1t looks as though they would not need as many employees. It all comes back to the proposition that for some small matter that could be readily adjusted the com pany deliberately fenced the people out of their own property and went about it's business as though that were an end of H. The board does not propose to submit to any such autocratic work, as time will prove. We propose to see that that build ing is devoted to and used for the purposes for which it was intended"
 There was consternation at the head quarters of the Southern Pacific Company when the action of the Harbor Commis- sioners was learned. and as soon as pos sible General Superintendent Fillmore, accompanied by Division Superintendent Agler of Oakland and Agent White. hur-
 
 conference. The private consultation lasted for a long time. the full board be- ing present. Upon the departure of MT. Fillmore, President Colnon. speaking for the board, said that Superintendent Fill more had proposed a temporary compro- mise, which had been accepted. upon the understanding that 1t would be strictly observed.
 MT. Fillmore's explanation of the ac- tion of the company" said President Col non, lis that the ferry-boat Oakland is laid up for repairs and that the Newark is not fitted for taking passengers on the upper deck; also that a new steamer will not be completed for two months at the least. He proposed. however. that his company take a boat from the Alameda line and operate it on the broad-gauge route until the Oakland was refitted By this means the company could operate the Oakland line during the daytime up to ' o'clock D. m., and give the public all the advantages of the use of upper and lower deck entrances and reception rooms, This