The San Francisco call., 1899-05-07
The "GAP" MAY
NOT Be CLOSED
Huntingto Seeking to
Back Out.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


SANTA BARBARA, May 6.-Edward
Ivison, chairman of the right Of way
committee Of this county, and the one
upon whom the burden of correspond
ence with the railroad officials has
fallen, received a very discouraging
letter late this afternoon which may
mean another long delay on the part of
the Southern Pacific Company in the
closing of the much-talked- of gap
between Ellwood and Surf. The deeds
for every mile of road through this and
San Luis Obispo counties have been in
the hands Of the company for ten years,
and it was hardly thought at this late
day that any trouble as to right of
way would de:ay the company in the
completion of tho work.
The suo CONT ctOrs have had dltti-
Guilty with Louis @. Dreyfus, we'll
known here as a shreWd real estate
agent, and who owns many acres Of
land about fifteen miles from this city
through which the road must run. This
has caused the officials Of the road to
demand halt on his part or else work
viii cease. Several camps have been
established along the way as far as
the Eagle Canyon land owned by Drey-
fus. At this point the contract OF
Ramish & Marsh begins. and they have
found it utterly impossible to come to
any conclusions regarding a camp To-
cation Dreyfus demanded rent for
lands to be used for camp privilege,
which the contractors did not want to
pay. Then the Supervisors of this
county stepped in and granted the right
70 establish camps along the county
road TO these men, but this was not
satisfactory TO them. Dreyfus also de-
manded pay for water and quarry
rights, and, the sub contractors say,
has placed every obstacle in their way
This has delayed the work of COnstruc-
tion three weeks, giving the already
toO-anxious corporation a hole through
which TO back out Of its agreement 10
complete the road Immediately.
There is also considerable trouble in
regard to securing the right of way for
side issues, such as camp cOnVeniences
through the Santa Anita rancho, which
is conducted by the HOllister estate
for a distance Of twenty-seven miles.
1t is understood that this can be easily
settled
Although it is admitted by all that
Dreyfus has done much to- prevent the
roads advancement through his prop
erty, yet it is thought here Coils p.
Huntington is using this for an excuse
letter and Edward Visions reply, which
was mailed this evening. are as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, May q 1893
To Mr.. Edward lvison, Santa Bar
bara--My Dear Sir: There seems
ing the right Of way a'' between ~ surf stiit
and Santa Barbara, and a very much re-
gret II, as I have had great trouble in
getting, this work started.
work should have been completed LONG
before this. but there has been opposition
from within on the ground that the line
would not pay us 70 build, since we al
ready had a good line between San Fran.
cisco and Los Angeles, via the San JOa-
quin Valley. 1t seems strange TO me now
that we should find our progress hindereC
by opposition TO our getting the right OF
way through properties that lie IN the
line Of our route and by all sorts of OBJ
stacles other than asking unreasonable
consideration. things TO be done in return
for such right Of way privileges, and al
this when, as everybody ought to be able
TO see, the completing of this importan
gap will be very much more to the inter
est Of the people along the line OF oul
road than it can be TO the owners anC
builders of the road.
We do not expect to get even fair re
turns for the investment we are making
in building this new road for years Z
come although of course we are build
ing with the hope and belief that th'
time will come when we shall get som,
Just return for the large amount of money
eXDenG
Undoubtedly considerable business which
will go over the new coast line will b.
| business actually taken from the old lin
up the valley, as the new line will hav,
some advantages over the other, but un
| less we can get the right Of way secured
10 US within a reasonable time the Worl
will be stopped and | shall be in favo
myself of putting the matter forthwith
! qulred rights of way. Naturally tina
ould take much time-possibly yeare-
ard It is Questionable whether some of tn
| prcrrrty- owners would not so object Il
/ this being done that they would prefer &
! have the work stopped Indefinitely, al
! though It will not # we can get tn
rights of way, even by litigation, within
/ a reasonable length Of time.
! l know, however, how difficult II is {,
ger tFeSe matters out Of court after the
! are once l.. ard so I wish 10 say he
I thae II Tour people want this road yol
/ should bestir yourselves at once and SC,
/ that all obstacles TO its construction ar,
removed as rapidly as they we'll can be.
we should be willing TO pay somethinJ
/ for the right OF way, although as l hav,
/ indicated before every man who own!
lands which the road will need to ira
! the presence Of the road tenfold what tn
/ builders and owners OF the road will b,
through their outlay in completing it
! Yours truly, c. p. HUNTINGTON.
Santa Barbara, Cal, Nav 3. 1899
! To c. = Huntington Esq. Presiden
/ Southern Pacific Railroad Company-M-
/ Dear Sir: Your letter under date of MAJ
is at hand and contents noted. ThI
right of way committee is at a loss Il
know what particular case you refer t,
when YOU say that you "are meeting will
opposition in obtaining the right Of wa
/ between Surf and Santa Barbara"
presume you meant between Surf anC
/ Ellwood, as the road is already built from
/ Santa Barbara to Ellwood. Our commit
tee say you have deeds for every mil,
Of road through our county and canno
! understand wherein you have cause o.
/ complaint" You give no particulars anC
/ give no names of parties who are max
ing the trouble, so how are we to know
bsT 30Hr hed le6'9F tbot IS tng Tst lnh{imaon W.
/ Of course we can say or do nothing unit
such information comes from your com
| pany. Yours truly
EDWARD IVISON.