The San Francisco call., 1908-11-05
GREAT ELECTRIC
SUBURBAN LINES
FOR BERKELEY
Southern Pacific UnfoIds a
Scheme for Converting and
Extending System
Trustees Grant Permission to
Use Juice" in Operating
Present Lines
Main Track Will Run to Contra
Costa County and Various
Trunks Planned

BERKELEY, Nov. 4.-To change
its present steam line into Berkeley
to modern electric suburban system
and to cover Berkeley by an extensive
group of trunk lines, paralleling with
new lines and extending existing ones
into Contra Costa county was the sur
prise which the Southern Pacific COM
pany sprang tonight on the board of
town trustees.
That the company intended to con-
vert to electricity was known, but
that officials had worked out one of
the most elaborate of suburban cleo
trio train services ever arranged for a
city of California was the astonishing
announcement made by General Super
intendent w. r. Scott of the northern
division OF the southern Pacific com
pany. when he appeared before the
board this evening.
After being granted by resolution
permission to change the existing lines
to electricity, Scott presented his ap-
plications for new franchises. The
main local line into Berkeley begin
ming at the south town boundary at
Golden Gate was first taken up. Scott
said that the company planned to ex-
| tend that line from its present termi-
nus at Rose street, North Berkeley, to
Bergman. thence across the north
town boundary east of the Indian
burial grounds and the capitol site
two miles into Contra Costa county,
with terminus east of Siege
WOULD FORM LOOP
loop would be formed, carrying
this branch south into Ocean View
along the east side of Cerrito hill at
San Pablo avenue. Thence it will cross
private rights of way into Ninth street
two blocks west of San Pablo avenue,
connecting at Golden Gate with the
main local line and forming a great
loop around the city.
A third branch, or trunk line, as
Scott styled it, is arranged to COM
mence at California street, Golden
Gate. running out California, across
Hopkins, along Curtis, across Joseph
inc street and along Monterey avenue
to the north town line, connecting
with the present Shattuck avenue To-
cal at North Berkeley. This Califor-
MIA street trunk line will be extended
into the hills northeast of the town
Sacramento. street of the Key Route.
The fourth and last trunk line for
which a franchise is asked starts at
Woolsey street, South Berkeley run
ming along that street to a point be-
tween Deakin street and Telegraph
avenue. turning north over a private
right of way. crossing Webster street
and Ashby avenue and into Ellsworth
street to Allston way. This line will
parallel the present local line of the
Southern Pacific and the Key Route
in Shattuck avenue and Adeline
street
Scott said that the company asked
for so year franchises, for which they
were willing to bid. They would es-
tablish suitable stations on the lines,
charge a single fare of cents inside
more than the existing commute tion
and fare rates for ferry service.
WOULD HASTEN WORK
Scott declined to give details as to
the extension in Contra Costa county.
the franchises. commence work within
four months and complete the entire
system within three years. He de-
clared that not less than $4,000. 900
would be spent and that the Southern
Pacific company was ready to COM
mence work at once.
This move is a part of the general
scheme of the Southern Pacific com
pany for electrizing its entire suburban
train system. The first step was taken
in Alameda, where the change from
steam to electricity was recently
granted with franchises which form a
loop system around the north and south
sides of the city. The plans for oak
land have not been uncovered as yet.
but 1t will be necessary for the South
ern Pacific company to apply for sim
liar grants from the city council for
its lines out of Oakland pier, which
run through Oakland to Berkeley by
way of Golden Gate.