The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-03
1T IS COMING DOWN.
A Great Reduction in the Valua.
ton of the Site.
Special Agent Gibson Procures Big Eatch
OF Afidavits and Collects Mass Of
Expert Testimony.

The rooms Of Special Agent Gibson we're
eniivened during the whole of yesterday
morning by the presence OF Commissioner
John L. Irish, who came early and stayed
late.
Inere was marked change in the friend
ilnesS OF his demeanor toward Mr.. Gibson,
which. decidedly hostile at first. has grad
ually changed to that state of affection
which found expression in a warm invita-
ticn to dine, and necessltated thrice-re-
peated Misunderstanding performance before
the colonel took his departure.
Before leaving the coloneLcommissioner
hled the following statement:
wish 10 say that whereas one c. l.. Taylor
nas MED Two supplementary statements In which
ne sun insists that as matter OF parliamentary
pracilce motion TO indefinitely postpone Is net
depatabe; and this lie swears 10. In Putarch's
Life OF Philip of Macedon," Ii is said that upon
Inc recommendation OF Antlpater. Philip APP
pointed one TO be Judge; afterward upon meet
, ing me man, Philip observed that he painted his
peatu. wheIeupon he turned him out OF his office
OF judge saying: 81 cannot believe that man
VINO Is false IN the color OF his beard can be true
, VI ms action" l commend this wise saw to
public attention In the light OF the modern In
JOHN P. IRISH.
VALUE OF o'CoNNOR's AFFIDAVIT.
A young man named L. J. O'Connor called
10 testify regarding the site and stated that
ne is q years of age and has resided in San
francisco since the first year Of his life.
Mr.. Gibson's investigation developed the
TACT that the witness knew absolutely moth
Ing regarding the suidity OF the site, its
availability for postoffice building, or the
valuation OF the property, so his affidavit
was valued accordingly.
A. Il. Deming, the citizen who filed the
nrst afiday!t concerning the site, when the
pubic investigation was commenced, filed
statementy yesterday in which he propounded
the following question:
In view OF The great cost and sacrifice OF
neaitD, blood, life aud treasure to establish and
preserve our nation, does II not become the duty
OF every loyal citizen 10 exert himself 10 protect
our government from the rascais who are trying
TO rob her OF over half million dollars on the
streets?
Continuing. Mr.. Deming said
would suggest that patriot philanthropssts
oier cash rewards for evidence OF proving who
the rascals are who are backing this gigantic
ioDpeIy; III the site IS accepted il should be
their political graveyard
General G. b. Tolman of $40 Third street
remembered very distinctly the presence OF
marsh at Seventh and Mission streets, and
pronounced 81, 0i0, 000 an outrageous valua-
ton Tor the corner.
WHAT j. X. PRIOR SAID.
j. h. Prior. a large properly owner in the
city, stated that about 100 feet on the site
was in the marsh about forty five years ago,
He placed the maximum value of the prop
erty at $500 900.
A number of other citizens made peril
neDt af1idavits, but at their request they
were regarded as confidential Thirteen
affidavits were filed yesterday. and all con-
denned the site.
La the afternoon Mr. Gibson went out into
the highways to procure expert testimony
regarding the property at Seventh and Mis-
sion streets. He examined nine men, who
are, according to the agent. millionaire
property-owners of standing and reputa-
ton, owning property all around the site.
Many OF these witnesses testified that
swamp had in early days existed on the
site. ur bordering the property, and the
valuations varied between S450.000 and
$3.50, coo.
Mr.. Gibson stated that he had also pro-
cured the opinion of an expert who Is en-
gagged as land-appraiser for the banks of
California, and that this gentleman valued
the proposed site at S4l6, 30.
Somewhat late in the day the special
agent received telegram from Washington
instrncting him to procure estimates for the
cost Of boring the site, to test It's solidity and
the time it would take 10 settle the question
as the character of the ground. He placed
himself IN immediate communication with
an engineer and forwarded the latter's esti-
mates to Washington last night.