San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-25
MEET PYEATT
AND AGREE To
FIGHT HARDER
Conference With Gulf Coast
Head Has No Com
promise.
HE STANDS pat"
Favors Long Haul Through
Houston and Opposes
Valley Road.
HE STANDS pat"

As result of the conference with
j. $. Pyeatt, president OF the Gull
Coast Lines, with the executive COM
mittee of the chamber OF commerce
and fourteen cooperative organiza-
tons of San Antonio, Tuesday morn
ing, the committee announced that il
is stronger than ever in belief that
the merger would be harmful TO this
city. Mr.. Pyeatt repeated his asser-
tons that he would oppose the con-
struction of another railroad from
San Antonio TO the Rio Grande Val
ley, and stated that he would continue
his policy of encouraging the long
haul through New Orleans and Hous-
ton in preference TO San Antonio.
Col. Claude V. Birkhend, attorney
for the city Of San Antonio in its
fight on the proposed merger of the
lnternational-Great Northern railway
with the Gulf Coast, stated following
the meeting that the effect of this
meeting confirmed the original CON
clusion of the Greater San Antonio
Committee of the chamber of COM
merce and its kindred organizations,
proving 10 these bodies much more
strongly than before that the merger
would operate to the dctriment Of San
Antonio.
Far From Convinced.
"We are far from convinced that
We can withdraw from the fight. I"
Colonel Birkhead told Mr.. Pyeatt
when it was time for the meeting TO
adjourn. "lour statements have
proved to us definitely that we must
continue our fight for justice 10 San
Antonio and her trade territory
Contrary to belief, no offer of COM
promise was made by Mr.. Pycatt.
whose trip to this city for the confer
cnce seems 10 have been inspired by
the belief that some of his state
nents in regard TO the purchase of
the l.-G. y. and the policy of the
Gulf Coast. had been misunderstood.
The meeting consequently resulted IN
repetition of the first
in which Mr.. Pyeatt stated
that his company would oppose an
other San Antonio to-the-valley road,
and that the Gulf Coast would con-
tend for the long haul through New
Orleans in the future. with the ac-
iuisition of the 1nternational-Great
Great Northern, just as that company
has been admittedly doing.
Would Divert Business.
In regard 70 the advertisement an
Dearing recently in Monty's Monthly.
N which Mr.. Pyeatt seeks the lon;
laul over his personal signature. Mr..
\ andell attempted to secure an ex-
llanation that would tend to show
hat the advertisement was not in-
ended to divert business from this
'ity. rs the advertisement implies: but
Mr.. Pyeatt frankly stated that he
the Gulf Coasts policy of
the long haul the natural
cndency of any road, and said that
he ACQUISITION of the I.-G. \. would
:ot alter that policy in the least.
Jesse ii. Jones, Houston capitalist
nd director of the I.-G. ", was UNI
BILE 10 attend the conference because
:; illness. 1t is probable that Mr..
ones will appear before the executive
ommittee later this week.
Accompanying Mr.. Pyeatt were the |
hief operators of the Gulf Coast from
he Houston office. including ]. A.
Brown. general freight agent: John
!. Mobley. general council, and W. G..
'hoate, general manager.