The herald., 1898-06-11
Santa Monica Railway

General Manager Clark of the Santa
Monica Electric railway announces that the
double-tracking of the line will be virtually
completed by the 25th inst. There Is little
stretch of track which will not be dis
turbed this year, as it will soon have to be
entirely taken up and moved, as the right
of way has been altered since it was laid
but the remainder of the line will be sup
piled with two tracks by the time mention
ed. The time between Fourth street and
the ocean has been reduced from an hour
and quarter to fifty minutes, which will
probably be further lessened before the
summer schedule of half hourly cars is
adopted over the new line. The old line cars
will continue to run as they now are unless
travel should necesstate an increased SER
vice by way of Buena Vista street.
Mr.. Clark has just completed the contract
for the building of an immense pleasure
wharf at the beach directly in front of the
North Beach bath house. The plans call
for a structure of great length and of con-
siderable pretensions to architectural
beauty. Mr.. Clark intended to erect this
wharf at the foot of Railroad avenue, but
the Southern Pacific claimed this location
under an old franchise, and as the larger
company was inclined to stand on its rights,
Mr.. Clark accepted the situation and made
the change in his plans mentioned.
San Pedro's Water Front
The people of San Pedro are determined
to abolish the monopoly enjoyed by the
Southern Pacific company in access to the
water at the expense of the Terminal Rail-
way company, for by the present conditions
anyone who wishes to send any freight by
the little road has to haul his shipment for
a considerable distance in order to get away
from the Southern Pacific's water front.
and thus ferry the stuff across the bay or
else pay very high charges. A few days ago
the city trustees of San Pedro ordered an
assessment for the opening of First and
Fifth streets through to the water front
across the Southern Pacifcs holdings. The
increase of the tax levy will amount to
$500, but it will prevent the company from
making its own charges for loading goods
from the wharf which it owns. The matter
has been strenuously fought by the attor-
neys for Mr.. Huntington here, and 1t is
not likely that they have exhausted their
ammunition, but if the city of San Pedro
is willing to pay the damages the property
can readily be secured by condemnation
proceedings under the law of eminent do
main. against which in the case of pub
lie need, such as exists, there can be little
or no plea made which will avail.
Crushed by Stone
Section Foreman William Gleason of the
Southern Pacific lies at the Revere house
in Ventura. unless death has relieved him
from his sufferings, as a result of al most
painful accident, which occurred a couple
of days ago at Punta Gorda. 1t is at this
place that the company is riprapplng the
track with great masses of stone brought
there from the quarry near the Ojai, on the
branch line from Ventura. Gleason. with
several others, was working at an immense
boulder, when it slipped from the position
in which is was being held, and rolled on to
the unfortunate man. crushing his body fiat
at the thighs and otherwise injuring him.
His recovery is not expected.
Notes and Personals
Station Agent l.. o. Breedon of Santa Ana
was notified Wednesday by Superintendent
Muir of this division of the Southern Pa
cific that he had been awarded the decision
Of having his depot in the best condition of
any agent on the division. Pasadena and
Covna are said to be next on the list. The
awards are the result of a careful inspec-
ton made by Mr.. Muir some months ago,
in company with the other superintendent
of the road.
The Santa Fe is making Its grounds about
it's depot at Riverside one Of the sights OF
the country. as 1t is one Of the most beau
tiful examples of the landscape gardener S
art to be found in the state.
A suit has been filed in the circuit court
of the United States in San Francisco or
behalf of the government against the