Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-03-11
CALIFORNIA MAY
BUY RAILROAD
At LOW FIGURE
Movement Is Started for Pur-
chase of Western Pacific,
Now in Hands of Receiver,
for Operation by State,

Sacramento, Cal, March t0.-A
movement looking toward the pur-
chase by the state of California of
the Western Pacific railway. now in
the hands of receivers, was started
today in the office of Governor Hiram
W. Johnson. This announcement
was made after conference parti-
cipated in by the governor, Iieuten-
ant Governor EshelmaH. Rudolph
Spreckels San Francisco financier
who originated the plan, and Charles
S. Wheeler an attorney who has APP
peared as counsel for the Western
Pacific in special cases.
1t was upon the theory. II was said
after the conference, that Califurnia's
ownership of trans continental rail
road, would render yne state indie
pendent of privately controlled rail
roads and the belief that the Western
Pacific could now be purchased at
bargain price. that the movement
was initiated
Governor johnson Approves.
Governor Johnson has put seal
Of warm approval on the project
which will be Immediately taken up.
II is said, with view to legislative
action and the possibility of a special
state election before the end Of the
year to submit the proposal and an
issue Of bonds to the people.
The scheme contemplates an OK
tension Of the railroad to southern
California so that il shall serve the
whole state and the building of feed
ers, or branches, for want of which
the Western Pacific is believed to
have suffered most severely
1t is believed by the supporters OF
the plan that the railroad could b.
purchased for approximately $50
100000 and that the state would de-
rive a net income which would ma
terially reduce taxes. A thorough
study of the possibility of legal OBJ
structions has been made and it is
said that none exists.
Would Free California.
1T is an idea that fires the mag
nation" said Governor johnson af-
ter the conference THE sugses
ton was made to me by Mr.. Spreck
els and MI Wheeler. 1t was warm
ly received by me. With this road
California will be forever CONNER
lcally free. Conferences on this sub
ject will continue from day to day
Later the governor gave out for
nal statement in which he said:
"A trans-continental railroad own
ed by the state is a most alluring pic
ture and if the result could be at
tanned many of the difficulties of our
agriculturists and many of the per
picking problems relating to market
ing of farm products and the like
could be readily and profltably
solved.
IF it can be shown that without
overstrain, the state can embark on
this venture, l shall present the en-
tire scheme to the people of our state
for their determination,
"The magnitude of the suggestion
should not appal us nor should
the extraordinary effort required de-
ter us.
california has pioneered the way
in the new philosophy of government
and California, with the demonstra-
ton Of the success of public owner
ship of street railroads in san Fran
cisco, may well pioneer the way for
public ownership for other states Of
the union"
Attorney Wheeler said he had not
after careful investigation, found
any legal bar to the fulfillment Of the
! plan