The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-05-24
COAST LINE To
Be COMPLETED
All Obstacles Are Now
Removed.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SANTA BARBARA, May 23.-It now
seems that all distractions to the COM
pletion of the Coast road have been dis
posed of. Some time ago l.. q. DreyfuS
announced that a satisfactory agreement
had been made with him b. the Southern
Pacific Company. To-day the last of the
obstructionists, the HOLSTER estate was
placated. The arch that the HOLSTERS
demanded from the railroad company in
front of their ranchhouse 0here is long
fill of forty-two feet directly in front of
the ranch buildings, ubstructing the view
and neceSsitating grade in order to get
out of the ranch), and which Superinten-
dent Hood estimated would cost $4,000, is
to be put in. Hood in his figures evidently
made a mistake and upon investigation
1t is ascertained that the cost will not
exceed $4,000 The company will agree to
build this and the HOLSTERS will grant
the right of way for distance of twenty
seven miles through their ranch.
These facts were made known at to-
days railroad mass meeting, called by
Hon. Ellwood Cooper. The opera-house
was crowded by property-owners along
eral counties. Hon. Marion Cannon, eX-
Congressman from this district. led the
delegates from the outside counties.
Chairman Ellwood Cooper made a short
address, in which he outlined the purpose
of the meeting. He said:
This call has not for its object the increase
of the income of the Southern Pacific Com
pany but it is to help ourselves. If we Want
the railroad, we want 1t quickly; and as intel
igent business men we should do everything In
our power to insure rapid work If we stop
to consider the circumstances motives that
have induced the railroad company to build
this line or reflect upon past grievances
whether they be real or imaginary, we make a
serious mistake These questions are oeyona
our power to know. We do know, however
what our duty Is ana thau IS 10 Io az
earliest possible moment. Our interests do not
stop even at the completion Of the gap. We
Will want accommodation facl1tles TO trans
port our products passenger accommodations,
the good will of the company, harmony IN all
our dealings with them. The company is on
the ground with all the paraphernalia for rapid
work: it is ready to place camps on every
ranch where there is much work to be done,
able degree of economy. We must bestir our
selves to insure these facilities.
Ex-Congressman Cannon hearing that
the people of Santa Barbara County had
agreed to give the Southern Pacific Com
pany free right of way through the
entire county and including free depot
surprised and perplexed He thought the
company was now receiving too much
from the citizens. He spoke at some
length. A committee of five property
owners was appointed and given power
to investigate and If possible settle all
grievances on the part OF property mold
ers along the. line, After greal deal
of discussion the following resolution was
adopted:
Resolved. That We the citizens of the city
and county of Santa Barbara, In convention
assembled this 23d day of May, 1899, hail with
pleasure and unfeigned satisfaction the deter
minaton of the Southern Pacific Company to
Immediately close the gap in the coast road
between Surf and Elwood.
Resolved also. That we earnestly request
that the parties from whom the right of way
committee have secured either contracts or
deeds give to the railroad company, without
hlndrance. their cordial support in furtherance
of the company's efforts to hasten the work of
finishing the road, which means much to
the future of our city and county.
Resolved further, That in view of the fact
that the railroad company has commenced in
earnest to finish the road to Elwood, we ask
our people 10 cease criticisms of the company S
actions, and. laying aside all chickering's to
Join hands in a supreme effort to finish the
| work so auspiciously begun
{ There is decided feeling of content
ment here to-day and every one believes
| that the road will now be rushed to com
pletion. Contractors Ramish and Marsh
are expected daily from Los Angeles witt
! 200 men and as many teams. Contractor
| Mccormick returned from Los Angeles
tonight, where he engaged many more
! teams to add to his camp at Elwood.