The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-16
SEA-WALL EXTENSION
Before the Members of the CHAM
Der of Commerce.
No Action Taken Because Of the Fact That
Quorum Was not in Attendance.
Another Meeting Called.

When President George c. Perkins raped for
order at the meeting Of the Chamber OF Com
merce yesterday afternoon there were nineteen
members in attendance, and 1t soon became APP
parent that The spirit of harmony was sadly
lacking.
Almost two hours were consumed In wordy
discussion OF the proposition TO extend the sea-
wall from It's present northern terminus TO Van
Ness avenue, and The whole matter was finally
laid to rest by point Of order emanating from
Mr.. Gibbs that there was not quorum present.
The trst business, however, 10 attract the at
tention OF the meeting was the election OF
Trustee to fill the place made vacant by tue
resignation OF w. II. Harris and on the second
ballot Charles Il. Allen was chosen by vote OF
13 to 6 in favor of j. c. MeKennon.
a vote was then taken On the proposed change
in the rules and The amendment was made unanl-
mously.
HELPING PORT TOWNSEND.
The Secretary read letter from the Chamber
of Commerce of Port Townsend, asking the San
Francisco chamber to extend its aid in securing
The repair of the cable between Cape Flattery
and Port Townsend. This cable was laid in 1881,
but has become inoperative, owing to breaks
which have not been repaired. After brief dis
cusSon the following letter was drafted, TO be
forwarded 10 the California delegation in Con-
gress:
Gentlemen: The land line of telegraph connecting
Cape Fattery with Port Townsend, Wash, is i1op-
erative, having been neglected, while the cable
from Cape Flattery 1atoosh Island was broken.
This cable having been repaired by the Govern
meut the land line attention TO establish CON
nection between Tatoosh Island and the Custom
house at Port Townsend. For this purpose an appro-
pratiOn of $1,000 has been asked for by the delega
ton from the State of Washington. The Chamber
of Commerce of San Francisco respectfully requests
delegation from our sister State in procuring this
appropriation, which is equally necessary for the
maritime commerce of the State of California.
With assurance OF our respect We have the honor to
subscribe ourselves,
The CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SAN Francisco
CAPTAIN MERRY's RESOLUTION.
When these matters had been disposed OF,
the following resolution was offered by Captain
w. l.. Merry
WHEREAS The wharfage facilities of the port of
San Francisco are frequently deficient for the ac-
to sl,ip-oyners and merchants: and whereas shin
ping registered at visiting san Francisco is by
law taxed to furnish these facilities with he view
of ultimately reducing port charges to a minimum;
and whereas, the completion or the Nicaragua Ca
nal WEI greatly increase the maritime commerce OF
san Francisco BY the time that facilities for the ac-
commodation OF shipping can be furnished under
the existing laws; therefore be it
Resoyred That the honorable Board OF Harbor
Commissioners are hereby respectfully requested to
extend the Sea-wall TO Van Ness avenue as soon as
possible.
Rcsofued, That this Chamber OF Commerce re-
sptctfully suggests to the Board of Harbor Com
iniSsioners the ACCESSIBILITY of constructing a tidal
basin within said sea-wall extension. for which the
conditions are very favorable and which Will
largely increase the wharfage facilities OF the port
point convenient for the comm OF the port.
Eesp'rcd. That as legislation may be necessary to
carry out the construction Of a tidal basin, the
Board of Trustees OF this chamber respectfully offer
to cooperate with the honorable Board of Harbor
Commissioners in the preparation of a blll to be
presented the next LegiSat ure, according said
Board the necessary power to carry out the inn
prOvement here and such other points within the
sea-wall may be deemed advisable in the future.
In support Of The resolution the Captain pre-
Sumed that no one cou.d deny that the shipping
facilities OF san Francisco were sadly deficient.
Several methods for ther increase had been stlg-
geSed, among which was tue proposed extension
of the Sea-wall To Van Ness avenue. This needed
no legiS uton as IL lay within the power OF the
Harbor Commission TO accomplish IL ont OF the
FUNDS AT their disposal. Were IL decided upon
The expense, In his opinion, could not be great,
as the realty reclaimed would pay a great por-
tiOu OF the necessary outlay.
NEED OF A TIDAL BASIN.
AS to the question of a tidGl basin, lie felt that
the need Tor one was pressing, and lie hoped
some means would be taken TO adduce the
needed legislation 10 construct one. ! lie idea
was not new one, as all knew who were at all
familiar with Eastern and European harbOrs.
For shipping they would prove of inestimable
advantage in protecting il against the south
casters and nOrthers which prevail ar certain
seasons OF tie year. In winter great damage
was often inflicted ana this, he believed, could
be entirely obvlated by the construction OF
san Francsco,' he continued, ais seaport
or 1t Is nothing. Railroads, admit, are neces-
sity, but If you were to stretch chain across he
Golden Gate all the railroad lines that could be
brought to San Francisco would be of little aid
to commerce. The shipping interest Is the key
to the situation, and everything should be done
to encourage It, With the completion of the
Nicaragua Canal San francisco VIII spring into
iwOfOd greater prominence as seaport, and
can assure you from personal knowledge that
the canal enterprise is getting on Il stable basis
at last Ii has attracted TO 1t men Of enterprise
and wealth, and work VIII never cease on II until
IL has been finally completed. The improve
ments contemplated In the resolution could be
completed by that time. and this city would be
IN position 10 accommodate the vast amount OF
shipping that would naturally come to herr
AN ENGINEERS VIEWS.
Chief Engineer Manson Of the Harbor Com
mission was requested 10 give his views on the
value and feasibility of tidal basn and pro-
ceeded o put damper on the matter by stating
that lie did not favor the idea. The cost, in his
opinion. would be eutirsly too great to warrant
outlay. arising from the fact that very la go
sum would be required TO regain The private
lands adj cent to The proposed location for the
basin. lie idea of tidal basins good one
for certain harbors, lie thought. but he was evil
denty OF The opinion that they were not neces-
sary in san Francisco.
When asked as to the safest portion OF the
water front for vessels he replied that damage to
shipping In the harDOr arose from three causes.
Vessels lying south OF Mission street were eX
posed to the force of the sOuiheasters, which,
when they prevailed were very severe and of 10 ng
duration. Those lying to the north suffered at
times from the heavy norrhers aud from the
swell caused by the bar breaking.
Mr.. MenZes favored the extension of the sea
wall 10 Van Ness avenue. but opposed the idea
OF a tidal basin as unnecessary. He had learned
that the sea wall could be constructed at a cost
OF little more than 500 lmeal foot, and that,
lie deemed, would afford all The facilities
needed The mean rise and fall OF the tides was
only between four aud five feet aud that alone
would show. in his opinion. that a basin was not
needed 10 prevent the chtfing Of vessels.
ALREADY CONTEMPLATED.
HarbOr Commissioner Alexander explained
that the commission had already Ia cOltempla-
tion the extension of the wall to Van Ness
avenue
Mr.. Gibbs opposed the resolution because he
did not believe that The northern portion OF the
city needed increased facilities. Where they
were needed was south of Mission street, and he
would favor an extension In that direction.
Upon this Captain Merry Withdrew the last two
sections OF his resolution aud on the question be-
ing called f0r MI. Gibbs raised the point Of order
that there was no quorum present.
The Chair decdr d the point well taken, much TO
the disgust of Captain Merry who declared that
IL the first time such point had been raised
In the chamber. Ii was disgrace TO the city of
San Francisco, he continued that her merchants
should show such a lack OF enterprise The time
had come TO talk plainly, and lie would say TO the
shame of san Francisco her merchants were ut
terly lacking in public spirit. Inacton was
found in every dlrectiou-in business, in politics
and in all public enterprises.
On motion Of MI. Gibbs the meeting adjourned
TO Tuesday next at O'clock In the aiteInOon
when further discussion will be had.
Before adjournment IL was announced that the
following gentlemen had been elected to mem
bershlp by the Board OF Directors: John H.
Kennedy John Ri mingham, Oscar Lewis, w. j.
Dnttop W. Z. Little, Samuel &. HilbnrB, e. q.
Moses, j. Z. Slubbs, Charles L. Croker, Tatum
& Bowen and w. II. Mills.
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THE LICENSE OFFICE.