San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-19
'ELDR|pGE
/ W|[L.HELP
BUILD ROAD
9S
Wealthy Owner Of Sugar.
land Industries Urges 81
Action by Citizens.
GIVE TIME TO PROJECT
Will Give Influence and
Time If People 81
So Want Il.
- /
MUST INSURE BOND,
c. xlse
Says San Antonio Needs an
Independent sgs
Line.
GIVE TIME TO PROJECT
MUST INSURE BOND

If the people of San Antonio and
the Rio Grande Valley want an in
dependent railroad connecting those
points, I am willing TO give every
influence in my power, and the rest
of my days, toward establishing and
making success of such road,
i. A. Eldridge, president of the
Sugerland and part owner of the
A. U. q. railroad, made this an
nouncement Saturday morning during
his visit in San Antonio. following
his return from the hearing of the
merger case in Austin. where San
Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley
made joint fight against the pro-
posed sale of the International-Grea
Northern TO the Gulf Coast Lines.
THE time has come for action.
and / am willing TO answer the
need of this city and of the valley.
if sentiment reflects that an indie
pendent road is really wanted" Mr..
Eldridge stated. Il believe that such
a road would be n financial success.
and L think that it is time to place
the Gulf Coast Lines at the mercy
of the shippers of this section. after
their period of subsection to the Gulf
Coast. If the people of San Anto>,o
and the valley will heiD in raising
the necessary bond, l will give the
rest of my time and all of my ex-
perience TO the project
Want Independent Line.
Mr.. Eldridge stated that nothing
can be expected in the way of an ex-,
tension Of service into the valley
from San Antonio Of the s. A. L. @.
rs his sentiment does not control or
direct the policy of that road.
"We do not want an extension OF
any road, Mr.. Eldridge declared.
ave need and must have an indie.
pendent line of our own
Mr.. Eldridge would not discuss the
route that the proposed independents
line would follow, but said that this
would be subject TO the decision foE,
the Interstate Commerce Commission. :.
He stated, however, that the lima,
would need no northern outlet, aS
there are several ways in which the
San Antonio road could connect with
other tracks on its northern route
If the sentiment of this SETON and
of the sections affected satisfies Mr. (
Eldridge that an independent road is.
wanted, more definite steps will be
taken toward the realization of such =
project, he said. The matter will
first have to be placed in the hsnds.
of business men for consideration.
and then the assurance must be made
by citizens of the sections concerned.
that the necessary bond could be
raised. Following this, application
will be made to the Interstate Conn
merce Commission. Merger or no
merger according TO Mr.. Eldridge.
Merger Or No Merger.
at will make no difference to me
if the merger goes through, as far
as my nlan for the San Antonio-so-
the-Valley road is concerned Mr..
Eldridge stated. another road is
badly needed, and l do not believe
that the success of the merger would
in effect hinder the entrance Of an
other line
the matter is up TO the people
who have wanted an independent road
for so long, TO decide" Mr.. Ed
Ridge said. Il am ready for busi-
ness. When l am sure that the peo-
pie are with me, | viii proceed 20
carry out not only my desire. bur
also the dream OF many who have the
real future of San Antonio and her
rich neighboring district at heart.