The San Francisco call., 1907-01-20
GOULD ROAD JOINS
WITH BELT LINE
Western Pacific Effects a
Pact With Oakland Men
for Switching Privileges
END THREATENEDWAR

OAKLAND, Jan. Is.-The Union Belt
Line Railway Company, which was or
Eanized by manufacturers of East
Oakland TO compel open railway switch
ing privileges for their shipments, has
reached an agreement with the West
ern Pacific Railway, thereby averfing
n conflict over franchise applications
between the two companies.
The Western Pacific, through Virgil
Bogue, the resident executive head, has
accepted the open switch and transfer
conditions desired by the Belt Line
road. and will handle all cars over its
tracks which the manufacturers use.
either inbound OF outbound freight
This agreement simplifes the rail-
way situation and gives the Western
Pacihc ct least one section on the
southern harbor front without further
battle so far as the Belt Line road is
concerned The Belt Line people, in
consequence of these negotiations. have
consented TO withdraw their applica-
ton for & Franchise from Nineteenth
avenue west to the north arm OF the
estuary. But they viii build the line
originally planned from the Ferrolite
works, near the tidal canal, TO Nine
teenth avenue. for which q franchise
has been granted.
The Union Belt Iane Company was
organized by W. J. Casey, James s.
Hawkins. George D. Gray. Oscar F.
Long and other East Oakland manu-
facturers 10 build a--belt railroad for
the purpose OF handling freight from
ell roads. It's inception was in the de-
cision Of the projectors to go ahead
with such a line for open switching
and transfer OF freight. after the South
ern Pacific Company had refused to
consent 10 open clauses IN a fran
ohise for which the Hartman repre-
sentatives had applied
No sooner had the Union Belt Line
a general attack all along the line.
The Western Pacific came forward
with a series Of applications which
covered the harbor front its entire
length and swung around on TO the
west side along Wood street The Belt
Ldne had applied for an extension of
its proposed road from Nineteenth ave-
nue. west to the north arm OF the est
uary and was surveying stin further
west when the Western Pacific stepped
in with q route laid out over the same
territory Now that the agreement has
been reached. the Belt Line people will
step aside, so far as the Nineteenth
avenue west franchise Is concerned.
The field Is left TO the Western Pacific
TO fight IL out with the Southern Pa
cihc and any other interests which
might oppose its application for this
new freight line. This route parallels
the First street tracks OF the Southern
Pacific through the city along the south
harbOr front.
Attorney Robert NJ. Fitzgerald who
has represented the Belt Line Railway
IN the entire fight. said:
The agreement with Mr.. Bogue pro-
vfdes for open switching and covers
al Of the conditions which we made
fight for at the outset. We are also
~ ~kr-% rL-fe
ment viii cover their own property at
West Oakland. He says the Western
Pacific viii also transfer and switch
all OF our cars over their terminal
tracks which would not be affected
by the new franchise applications This
gap over the Western Pacifics private
holdings is thus closed in case that COM
pany is granted the franchises along
the south side for which IL is now
applying. In other words, II viii not
be necessary now for my clients TO
extend the belt line beyond fits original
limits. as this agreement insures az
least open switching conditions that
are what we made a fight for from the
start We are of course much graft
fed, for there IS no doubt now that
whatever the result OF the pending ap-
plications, our manufacturers and ship
pers viii be assured OF the privilege
If not the right, TO have their freight
transferred and switched over any line
that may reach their properties, no
matter over what road it may origi-
nate"