Imperial Valley press., 1912-09-24

The Los Angeles Tribune revives the
story that the Rock Island road has
acquired the San Diego and Arizona
line. There are details of the Tribune
story. however, which show that the
writer was not well informed on some
points. and the fact that a denial has
come to the Press recently that the
purchase has been made from what
appeared to be an authentic source
casts doubt on the accuracy of the
main features of the story, though in
railroad matters the truth is usually
well concealed.
Readers of the Press know that the
Southern Pacific company has brought
suit against John d. Spreckles for the
return of 100000 advanced for the
construction of the road, and will not
be surprised to learn that the Southern
Pacific is out of the railroad deal.
The San Diego and Arizona road, as
a matter of fact. is a long ways from
being 50 per cent finished. The origi-
nal estimate of the cost of the road
was about $4,000, 900. After the eX
penditure of $3,O00,O00 it now is esti
mated that $4,000, 900 more is required
for its completion. The road is being
built on the most substantial basis
through a mountainous country, and
the very heavy work was eating up
money rapidly so long as construction
was continued.
The Tribune's statement that there
is renewed activity on the road is not
bourne out by appearance at this end
frr tioY, haS
reached here that construction has
been resumed at the San Diego end
of the line.
1t is a matter of surmse that the
deal being put through for the sale
of the Spreckles mountain water sys-
tenn to San Diego for $4,000.000 was de-
signed to assist in the financing of the
road by Mr.. Spreckles himself, but if
that is the case, some time must elapse
before the deal is consummated.
1t has been estimated that from a
year and half to two years would be
required under the most favorable con-
ditions, for digging the tunnels on the
road, which have not yet been begun,
and it is feared, consequently, that the
road will not be completed in time for
the opening of the Panama canal,
which would be a great disappoint
ment alike to this valley and to San
Diego.
In spite of all this, it is possible that
the Tribune is right in its statements
regarding the deal with the Rock ISL
and and Ell Paso and Southwestern
system, which appears to be the logi
cal outcome of the affair. The Tri-
bune's article follows:
Activity in connection with the San
Diego & Arizona railroad leads Los
Angeles men to believe that it has
been acquired by the Rock Island sys-
tenn and the Phelps-Dodge interests,
to be connected with the Ell Paso G
Southwestern, now practically COM
pleted to Tucson, Ariz.
"A Southern Pacific man in a posi-
tion to know, says that a deal has
been arranged between the Spreckels
interests and the Ell Paso & South
western owners by which the San Di-
ego road is to be taken over so that
through Rock Island trains ultimately
will run between San Diego and Chi
cago.
at is asserted that the necessary
connection and completion of the San
Diego e. Arizona will be made by 1914.
Trains to Los Angeles and San Fran
cisco will be sent over the Santa Fe
via Phoenix, but the agreement is
said to make San Diego the main
Pacific port of the Rock Island. Local
representatives of the roads say that
they are not informed of the changes.
e. ri
so per cent completed between San
Diego and the Arizona boundary. 1t
is built especially for heavy travel and
on an extremely low grade and if, as is
asserted, ii has been taken into the
Rock Island transcontinental system,
it will complete that roads coast con-
nection and make it the low altitude
route between California and Chicago.
"The combination of Rock Island,
Ell Paso & Southwestern and San
Diego lines would make a formidable
freight competitor for the other trans
m ountain railroads, both on long and
short hauls. Port facilities at San
Diego are exceptional for the San
Diego & Arizona road through the
ability of the Spreckels interests 10
command harbor facilities. Traffic
men say that the greater part of the
Imperial cotton and other exported
products probably will go through the
port of San Diego by reason of the
line
1T was generally supposed for soma
time that the Southern Pacific had OBJ
tanned control of the San Diego road,
and rumors this week of a change in