The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-10-07


there being subordinaed to any rail route in which
the Southern Pacific is interested In fact it is not stat
ing too strongly to say that to undertake to limit the
possibilities of these steamship lines to subordinate
them to any rail haul would be nothing less than suicide
90 Mr. Spence, in regard to this matter OF competi
ton, just want to make certain what your view OF that
is On traffic between San Francisco and New York
there is question in your mind, l. assume but what
there competition, potential actively between the
Sunset Gulf route and the rail lines of the Southern Pa
cific in connection with the all-rail haul?
"a. My answer to that question is that between the
allrai routes and there several arail routes be-
tween the Pacific and Atlantic seaboards, OF which the
Southern Pacific lines form minor part there is and
always has been during the independent operation of the
Southern Pacific the most vigorous competition with the
Sunset route.
20. So there is question but what there is COM
petition between the Morgan line route to the Pacific
Coast and the various alra transcontinental routes?
"a. Competition of the most active and vigorous
character.
80. If you did not have water line, you would
transfer your interest to the all rail route?
"a. We would be absolutely Indifferent as to who
got it east of our rails.
20. So there would be great an incentive in the
future there has been in the past for the Southern
Pacific depending as it does to large extent on water
connection its participation in transcontnenta traffic
you would still have motive for Cooperating in a
friendly way with the different water lines operating
from Galveston and New Orleans to New York?
"A. Yes, in friendly way does not mean that by
any would be absolutely Indifferent whether
hat freight was brought to us by ship Or rail-,
20. | don't think there is any misunderstanding
about position with respect to certain matter in
CURED into by Mr. Elder, but will ask the question SO
as to clear up if is 1t not contention is it. that
here not active and vigorous competition between the
Sunset route for transcontinenta traffic and the other
al-rai routes, including among them the Ogden route
md other routes to which we may be parties?
"a. 1t may be conceded
(The above testimony was given by Mr. Spence in
February OF 1914 That which follows was given in
April 1922 approximately month preceding the
handing down by the United States Supreme Court of
decision directing the separation of the Central Pacific
and Southern Pacific Raroads)
Q. Mr. Spence, what position do you occupy?
"a. am a director of the Southern Pacific Companv
and Director of Traffic of all the Southern Pacific lines
o AS Director of Traffic are you in control of the
Traffic policies of the Southern Pacific System?
%. Mr.. Spence, in connection with the movement of
traffic IN either direction between the Atlantic seaboard
states on the one hand and the Gulf Pacific Coast
states and intermediate territory on the other hand
where does the interest of the Southern Pacific e-n
the movement of that alra the movement of it by
mixed rail IL, and water route through Gulf ports? :
, "A The interest lies, naturally, in the movement via
he uu route IN order to secure the entire for the
haul of the traffic and therefore, in the development of
tnat route and OF the steamship lines of the maximum
amount of traffic that can be developed There is no
place within reach Of that steamship line where is to
the interest OF the Southern Pacific Company to work it
in any other way.
tenn TO develop to maximum the water borne commerce
between the north Atlantic and the Gulf Ports?
"a. Absolutely"
Speaking OF the transcontinenta traffic and the COM
petition between the Sunset Gulf route and the Central
Pacific lines now controlled by the Southern Pacific Mr.
Spence said: ' ~
As to transcontinental the record is clear that we
freely concede that for example, our line to Ogden for
Soo miles and series of connecting rail lines from there
10 New York form through route with which our Gulf
route Is IN active competition We concede that
Can there be any clearer statement of the design and
purpose OF the Southern Pacific Company and the effect
OF the continued retention of the Central Pacific by the
oouner racine OF the effect upon Northern and Central
California and the States of Nevada and Utah when ac
cordng to the testimony of the who is in charge of
the rac policy OF the entire Southern Pacific Company
ne frankly and openly admits that ths>inerest of the
Southern Pacific Company is in its Sunset Gulf route via
It's steamship lines and has for years diverted all traffic
IL could tos Sunset line and against the Central Pacific
lines and that self-interest is guarantee that it will
conIllue 10 90 SO! ADVERTISEMENT