The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-20
THE VALLEY
ROAD QUITE
PROSPEROUS
Annual Reports to the
Directors.
SAME OFFICERS REELECTED
BIG IMPROVEMENTS MADE
DURING THE YEAR.
An Active, Progressive Policy Will
Be Continued by the Managing
Board-Some Interesting
Facts.

The annual meeting of the trustees and
directors of the Valley road was held yes
terday by the former for the purpose Of
electlng officers for the ensuing year, and
by the latter to receive the annual re-
ports of Chief Engineer Storey and Sec
rotary Mackie.
The trustees reelected the present
board in it's entirety to hold office for an
other year. The affairs of the Valley
road will again be under the control OF
the following: President, Claus Spreck-
els; first vice president, Robert Watt:
second vice president Captain A. H.
Payson: secretary, Alexander Mackie;
counsel, f. F. Preston. The remaining
directors are: John D. Spreckels, J. B.
Stetson, Charles Holbrook, Leon Sloss,
Alvinza Hayward, Isaac Upham, Thomas
Magee and James A. Hooper.
The financial report shows that the
road is in a very fourishing condition
1t is two years since the Valley road has
been in operation and the profits of this
years management show large increase
over the net gains of last year. The ex-
penses have been great, owing to the
vast amount of construction under way;
yet, with all the difficulties which the
road has met in its manipulation the
financial sheets show considerable net
profit.
The report of Chief Engineer Storey for
the year shows the extensive improve
mentS maze ana the present SLdluS Oh inc
road in regard TO constructions along the
different lines. During the year the final
selection for the road between Point
Richmond and Stockton was made. This
runs west from Stockton across the tule
marshes to the uplands on the west side,
then northwest, passing through a strip
of producing country to Antioch, where
1t passes along the water front from that
point parallel to Bay Point 1t then runs
south of that line to Pacheco, landing
at the head of the Pacheco Slough, from
which point it climbs the grade to Frank
lin tunnel, back of Martinez. From that
point it descends along Rodeo Creek,
crossing Pinole Creek, and then
runs parallel to the Southern racine
mile east to San Pablo station. Crossing
the Southern Pacific road at that point IT
runs to Point Richmond.
In the San Joaquin Valley all rights
of way have been secured. On the line
from Stockton to Point Richmond a large
number, OF the rights Of way have peen
obtained, more particularly where lie ths
out Negotiations have been pending for
the balance.
During the year the line was completed
to Nisalia and Bakersfield, and the heavy
grading from Visalia through Tulare to
q junction with the line south from Han
Iora Is very nearly completed; Nearly
far south as Hanford and on the line to
Nisalia are finished. Work is progressing
on the line from Hanford to Bakersfield.
doI great amount 81 Of ballasting has been
forty-eight miles of this work having
been completed during the year.
On the line from Stockton to Point
Rlchmond the heavy portions of the work
have been covered, especially on the
FRANKLIN tunnel. On this work the ap-
proaches have been taken out and con-
tracts let for tunneling. Satisfactory
progress has been made on both ends of
the Franklin bore, Contracts have been
let Tor road work six miles on each end
OF the tunnel, with the purpose of having
when that is finished. Work has also
been started on the unreclaimed fule
land west OF Stockton. Three large dredg-
ers are at work on this piece of the road.
extensions on the road southwark will
be followed as fast as possible by opening
the line for business. On September TO-
1897, the operation of the road to Visaita
was begun. On January 1, 1898, the en-
tire line to Bakersfield opened for bus;-
ness, 80 that now. there is daily nes.