The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-10
HARBOR COMMISSION.
The City Urged to Improve Part
Of Folsom. Street Wharf.
A Bluff" Of Frank McCoppins That Did Not
Work - Richards Bills for
Dockage.
GIMMEL DOLLAr.

Messrs Bassett and Brown were the only
members present yesterday at the meeting
of the State Board of Harbor Commission
ers.
The Pacific Postal Telegraph Company
was granted permission to land cable at
Clay-street Wharf, and to attach wires to
the wharf provided the work is done to suit
the Chief Wharfnger.
The application of the Police Department
to place an iron ladder at Section A OF the
sea-wall was denied, but Engineer Manson
of the board was instructed to place a
wooden ladder there for the use Of the po-
lice boat.
A communication was received from the
San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad
Directing TO a fence, which the contractor
in charge of the new section of the sea-wall
had erected. The board instructed its en-
gineer to look into the matter and report.
APPROVAL OF A BOND.
A bond of George NJ. Campbell for $4,000
was approved. His sureties are w. II. Noy
and .. S. Caderwood of Alameda County.
Scott & McCOrd were granted forty feet
of space on the hay wharf at rental of SIC
a month.
Engineer Manson and Superintendent of
Streets Gilerau appeared to consider some
plan of action in regard to the paving OF the
lower end Of Folsom street. between Steuart
and East. Mr.. Manson saldeske. condition
of this one block is so bad that teams cam
not travel upon it, consequently all goods
hauled from or TO Folsom street Wharf had
to be carried some distance over State prop
erty, which is set aside for commercial pur-
poses.
The board is ready to pave its portion and
Mr.. Glllerau was asked what his depart
ment could do in the matter. He acknoNl
edged the necessity for doing the cty's por-
tiOn, but complained Of the lack of funds.
MIR. MANSON WONDERS.
Mr.. Manson said it seemed strange that
after spending S31.000,0O0 on street work
there Is not block on the water front, from
the Preside Oh the north to the San Mateo
County line on the south. where a team can
be driven safely unless both driver and ami
mails are provided with wings or fins.
AT this point in the discussion Mr. Gill
leran retired and was succeeded by C.. W
Taber, Chairman Of the Street Committee.
He was consulted with regard to making
the necessary work on the block, and was
asked whether he would consent to unite
with the Harhor Commissioners in signing
contract He said he would, but some OPP
position was made by Engineer Manson,
who declared that the Board of Harbor
Commissioners could not legally make such
a contract. After some discussion Mr..
Taber agreed TO bring the matter up to-mor-
row before the committee.
MCoPPIN AND HIS BLUFF.
The following communication was read
by the Secretary:
SAN Francisco. June z, 1891.
j. !. Kee0dn Secretary Of the State Board Of
Hdrbor Comn,tssiOnerS-DEAR SIR: Replying
TO your favor OF the 5tn, saying that "the board
claims the right to collect tolls, dOckage aud
wharfage on the wharf at the foot of Berry
street." beg TO say that personality do not dis
pute any OF these claims, but think IL may be
worth while for the board TO further look into
the question, with view to ascertaning how
far IL would be advisable 10 assert and enforce
them. Respectfully yours, FRANK MCCoPPIN.
1t did not take the board any time to size
up this attempt at bluff F." on the part Of
a President of brick company which had
been granted permission TO use the wharf at
the foot OF Berry street for landing its prod
ucts. 1t seems that in 1870 this wharf was
leased by the State to the gas company and
the Western Pacific Railroad for fifteen
years, with an express provSO that the COM
panies or its assigns must pay whatever rates
of toll should be imposed by the Harbor
Commissioners. This lease expired in 1885,
when the State resumed control of the prop
erty. On hearing this state OF facts the Sec
rotary was instructed to take no notice of
the communication, but to see that the brick
company and Mr.. McCOppin paid tolls as
promptly as any other person or corporation.
PAY ON DEMAND.
One of the collectors came before the
board with complaint against n. Bichard
for not promptly paying charges for dock
age. lie said the gentleman wanted to post
pOne paying his bills until steamer day."
The board refused TO grant this delay, and
instructed its Secretary to notify Mr.. Bich-
ard that II he does not promptly pay the
collectors lie would be subjected to all pen
alties prescribed by the Commissioners.