Page:Upbuilders by Lincoln Steffens.djvu/297



Was about; he knew how he could make San Francisco pay dividends on his watered stock. At any rate, he added about one-third more water.

His scheme was to take out the old cables and put in the overhead trolley. He knew how people object to that system, but in an easy-going community like San Francisco and with a “Labour” government, anything should go. He was so sure of success that he recommended his stock to his friends and to the bankers who direct the investments of widows and orphans. Moreover, he filled solid with cement some of the cable conduits, which might have served for the underground wires. Mr. Calhoun was sure of himself and of San Francisco.

But one day, while the scheme was fresh, Rudolph Spreckels was invited by Charles Page, an attorney, to join with some other property owners on Pacific Avenue to consider the proposed overhead trolley. He went to the meeting and he heard them decide to oppose the change — as to Pacific Avenue. A petition to the super- visors had been drawn to that effect. Mr. Spreckels remonstrated. He said that he, too, objected to overhead wires, but he thought it wasn’t right to fight for their own street in the interest of their property alone.

“I don’t want an overhead trolley in front of