The San Francisco call., 1908-07-19
CLOSING GAP IN
/. OCEAN SHORE ROAD
Contracts Are Let for Complet=
ing Line Between Granada
and SCOTS Creek
President Harvey Hopes for
Through Trains by the
First of Year

The Ocean Shore railway closed sew
eral large contracts yesterday pro-
viding for the completion of the line
between San Francisco and Santa Cruz
The gap of 81 miles between Granada
on the north and SCOTS Creek on the
south is to be closed as rapidly as pos
sible. President Harvey of the Ocean
Shore company said yesterday that he
hoped to see through trains in opera
ton by January 1, 1909. This will only
be possible with favorable weather,
but large force of men will be put
to work and construction pressed as
expeditiously as possible.
In spite of the financial depression
the last few months have been favor
able ones for the Ocean Shore. The
company's latest reports show that its
earning capacity has doubled during
the last year. Moreover, the sale of
the 500 bonds offered to the public
has brought in S550,000. The funds
for basic construction had been previ-
ously assured and the income from the
bonds will be used for equipment and
additional improvements.
LINES IN OPERATION
The Ocean Shore has a through right
of way with terminal facilities in both
San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Twenty
eight miles of road are in operation
between San Francisco and Granada on
Halfmoon bay. Fifteen miles are in
operation between Santa Cruz and
SCOTS Creek. There is also a. spur of
two miles to Swanton, new numbering
center.
The Ocean Shore will improve that
part of it's line already in operation at
the same time that it is constructing
lessened and many curves eliminated.
In discussing the matter yesterday
President Harvey said:
The directors entered into contracts
yesterday with the Ransome construc-
tion company of San Francisco, Lilley
& Helms of Santa Cruz and the Hum
boldt contracting company to build 81
miles of railroad between Granada and
SCOTS Creek. This work will be done
under the supervision of the chief en-
gineer of the Ocean Shore, John B. Rog-
ers, and the work will start imme-
diately. Contracts have also been en-
tered into with other contractors to
widen the roadbed, straighten out the
curves and cut down the grades be-
tween San Francisco and Halfmoon
may.
"A large force of men will be at
work soon on this line, and we hope
to be into Santa Cruz January 1.
EARNINGS ARE DOUBLED
iiC PlOSlSoS VI Tic OCcdH
railway during the last so days has
been most gratifying. Since reaching
Granada on Halfmoon bay the freight
shipments have been constantly in
creasing, and our earnings for June
were double those for any previous
month. while our earnings to date for
July are 90 per cent in excess of those
of June.
"Forty-five new ffeightcars have
been purchased, and we are about to
order two new locomotives, and 1 am
sure by the time this new equipment
is in operation our business will have
increased to such an extent that we
Will not be able to take care of it
without purchasing further equipment.
We are arranging during the next so
days to haul several hundred carloads
of grain from the San Gregorio sec
ton. There will also be a large amount
of other agricultural products, to-
gether with lumber and shingles.
The passenger business is increas-
ing constantly and six new coaches
have been ordered. to give our patrons
better service.
The Ocean Shore is in better physical
and financial condition today than at
any time. The heaviest work is over
and there is smooth sailing ahead.
The sale of our bonds has been very
successful. Orders are coming in daily
for 800 bonds from people all over the
coast. Since January 1 we have sold
S55O,eOO worth of our bonds"