The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17

poraticn. The figures are not at pres ent available to show what Los An geleS has done for the Santa F'e, but the fourth annual report of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Land and Town Company (the Santa Fe syndl- cate) which was made in 1890 and pub- lished in Boston in 1891 clearly shows that the company then had derived S1,- SS2,841 from the sale of one-third of the lands which the public-spirited people of San Diego gave in their generosity to the Santa Fe corporation.
 It is not wide of the mark of actual fact to estimate that Southern Cali fornia gave to secure the extension of the Santa Fe into this territory lands which have since been sold for a sum equaling the cost of the roads con- struction from Barstow to San Diego. The cost of building from Barstow to San Diego was $3,000,00
 Space is not available for a history of the events preceding the donation. Before the war a railroad was projected from Memphis to San Diego. After the war Tom Scott, with the Texas Pa cific, entered the arena and San Diego's hopes were shattered when Scott had to abandon his plans for continental road.
 When President Nickerson of the Santa Fe system came forward with promises, made in good faith, it is be- lieved, to establish and maintain great terminal facilities of his line on the bay of San Diego, the leading men of the city-in fact, citizens of all classes gave him everything he desired. In eff feet the people of Southern California built the road, and hence it came to be regarded as an institution friendly to the people. Sentiment figured in the receipts of the road. Passengers went out of their way to travel on the line, and shippers gave it business because the road stood in with the people.
 When the friendly attitude of the Santa Fe was changed to one of indif- ference the people of San Diego fancied that the new management under the reorganization effected by the Union Trust Company of New York had some special grievance against their city, but when they began to inquire into the facts and receive information In confidence they ascertained that the policy of the company had changed. They were informed that MT. Ripley did not favor the system of develop ment which was inaugurated when the road entered the State. It was ex- plained that he disliked excursions be- cause they punched the travel. AS for train accommodations, he would not provide them unless the volume of pas senger business justified the provision.
 Men who are in position to know what is going on inside are pretty cer- tain that C. P. Huntington has more to say in the management of the Santa Fe system than President Ripley. Things have come to such a condition that shippers cannot select the route of shipment. Recently Riverside shipper ordered several carloads of freight sent to Chicago by the Santa Fe. He was told that it could not be done, as the Santa Fe had had its share of business from that point for the pe- riod and the Southern Pacific was en- titled to the haul.
 Again, the Santa Fe has been in creasing rates on freight. When freight rates are advanced it is a pretty sure sign that Stubbs has infected the man. agement. Apart from any speculation as to Stubbs' influence in making rates for Southern California shippers, the fact stands out clearly that the pro- gressive policy of dealing with the pub lie which made the road popular and prosperous under the NickerSOn re- gime has been abandoned and Southern Pacific methods of melting ill will and public discontent have been introduced.
 There Is talk to the effect that the English stockholders who are supposed to control the situation here sought Huntington's friendly counsel and ad- vice, but this may be mere conjecture. It is probably nearer the mark to as- sert that MT. Ripley, whose genius as a railroad man is not exceptionally brill iant, is outclassed by c. P. Huntington.
 From an authentic source it is ascertained that the pool, so far as it related to orange shipments, was established to embrace the orchard product of Southern California for the season of 1897. A semblance of con- petition was put forward and to some extent it was genuine, as the refrig- orator companies contending for the employment of their respective cars had not been admitted to the secrets of the combine, and. therefore, so- licited traffic in 1897 with some vigor.