The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-10

declare that the filthy emanations eXhaled
from these sewers are not only menace TO
their health, but also to their business. and
That the matter should be at once attended
TO by the municipal authorities.
The reporter interviewed several of these
people, and their opinions and statements
will be found below.
FRED trerken. grocer, on the northwest
corner of Bush and Dupont streets, was
first seen. He said: a. have often noticed
The steam escaping from all four of these
sewers, the stencil from which is so strong
that am obliged to hold my breath when |
pass them. The steam and stencil are more
perceptble OF late than formerly. l con-
slider them great nuisance. There is one
on each corner. The one in front of the
restaurant is the worst--you can see the
steam escaping from IL now. The sewer in
front OF my store is hardly affected at ali,
Tor the reason. think, that the full force
of the hydrant Is turned on il at least once a
week and it is thoroughly flushed In addi-
ton, the tremen frequently wash thu ir hose
IN front OF my place. The stencil is much
greater In the evening. OF course, if a
strong south wind prevails, my premises
are more affected than otherwise. The
smell is simply terrible at times and should
be suppressed
ESCAPING STEAM.
The reporter then called on Mr. Middle
ton, stationery dealer at the northeast
corner of Bush and Stockton streets, who
expressed himself as follows: "You can
see the steam escaping from the sewer
directly opposite, on the southeast corner.
Where does 1t come from? That's conun-
drum. lou know gas will rlse-its lighter
than air-and / suppose the steam is forced
out by the gas. Strangers come in here
every day AID want TO know where il comes
from. They say there must be some steam
connection farther down the street, aud
that the exhaust ri e from some engine
drives 1t up here. When the three sewers,
on tho southwest, northwest and northeast
corners, have been cleaned out l have seen
steam absolutely boil up from all four L
consider ii a nuisance of the worst deserip-
ton, and If the sewer on my corner belchei
forth as does the one opposite it would ruin
my trade"
The Humboldt school Is located directly
opposite to Mr.. Middleton's premises, and
the reporter paid visit to Miss VI. A. Cas-
teihun. the principal, TO obtain her views
OF the matter. The lady was quite busy,
but generously accorded the reporter an in
terview. She said: 1.-The chidren's health
has not been affected by the steam or
noxious gases escaping from the sewer, so
far as am aware; at least there have been
no complaints. The smell is Very foul and
sickening while passing the saver; indeed,
when the weather IS warm and north wind
prevails 1t is absolutely nauseating. [ con-
slider il great nuisance, but cannot place
the responsibility. We keep the wi ndows
open or closed. according to the wind, and
YOU MAY Dt We sure tlidt Wilen the wind
is in the north they are closed as tightly as
possible"
A HOTEL PRoPRIEToR's VIEWS.
William Chamberlain. proprietor OF the
BereSiord. private hotel on the northwest
corner of Bush and Stockton streets, said:
Il lave noticed an offensive smell in the
early morning. but thought it came from
the water backing up from the bay. use
no steam. My elevator is run by hydraulic
power. [ have heard no complaints from
guests. had presumed that the same con-
ditions existed here as in New YORK, W here
the tide backs up from the bay never
noticed the smell or steam until recen thy:
think perhaps the steam may come fr0In
some hotel. 1t may come. however, from
some factory at a more remote point have
no absolute knowledge Of its source"
+. Emerson, grocer at the northeast cor
ner Of Bush and Powell streets, said: "I
have observed steam issuing from the
sewer opposite almost constantly day and
night recently. 1t may come from some
hotel There Is no doubt that a strong
southwest wind would give me full dose
OF the odor complained of. | have never
seen steam issue from the sewer in front of
my premises"
The reporter then proceeded 10 the Office
Of the SUPERINTENDENT of Streets in the new
City Hall. where Edward Owens, Chief
Deputy, was seen. He assured the reporter
that his department was not responsible for
the nuisance complained OF, and added !:
some years ago similar condition pre-
vailed on Pine street, between Montgomery