The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-27
A STREET REVIVAL.
Prospects of a New Ocean
Driveway.
SUPERVISORS WAKING UP.
Results of Their Ride Yesterday,
Strawberry Lake to Be Made
More Accessible.

relief iE the repair of that most important
thoroughfare to the park
On Saturday Supervisors Day, Montgom-
cry, Ryan and Forman went for little
tour.
They came back with their eyes opened
considerably.
For some time the Street Committee of
the Board of Supervisors has been receiv-
ing complaints not only regarding the con-
ditiOn of Golden Gate avenue but also
regarding the closed-up streets toward the
ocean.
But the most persistent cutlery came
from the residents on Golden Gate avenue
and the owners of fine trotting stock who
use that course in daily spin park ward.
very large numb of the best people in
the town invariably direct their drives
along the avenue and it was from this class
that complaining communications arrived
in unfalling succession.
The Supervisors taking that ride on Sat-
urday are some of them members of the
Street Committee itself. Day is chairman,
and has always professed himself eager to
institute needed reforms in the manage
ment of the streets.
No one has ever denied that here was a
great field for virgin energy. but so far not
4 very great deal has been effected.
But the drive on Saturday was a complete
revelation.
As the quartet entered upon Golden Gate
avenue expecting a marked relief from the
joltinE over the Market-street cobbles, the
investigating Supervisors smiled pleasantly
at one another and settled down to enjoy
the anticipated smoothly gliding motion.
But change came Ger the spirit of their
dream.
Before they had gone far there was
sudden jolt that made that smile of pleased
anticipation vanish like the expected sur
plus at the close of the fiscal year.
The occupants of the vehicle speedily
recovered their cOmpOsure, however, be-
: lieving that this was only an exceptional
chuckhOle.
They were soon to be undeceiYed.
Bang bang! went the wheels. and then
again. plungng down and jarring the city
fathers along the full extent OF their irri-
tated spines. The driver even thought best
in places to drive across the road 10 avoid
ugly looking spots
Then Supervisor Day awOke TO the plain
facts OF the case and had the speed regu-
lated so that he could examine the surface
carefully. He even alghted in places and
his colleagues were just as attentive.
The farther they got the more surprises
they encountered and the grimmer became
Supervisor Days face.
At last he burst forth with tie verdict:
IT'S In disgraceful condition"
II was, and the other members of the
tOlllalllbtGC aElcCu Will MN. Db avenue
is overlad with hitumen, which for a short
time after being laid down forms a good
driving surface. 1t would even last for
considerable time were it not for the char
acter OF the traffic along this tbOrOughfare.
Every truckman in town, the driver of
every grocery wagon, heavy eXpress-wagOn
or other weighty vehicle, if his destination
should lie anywhere in the direction Of
Golden Gate Park, naturally makes for
Golden Gate avenue, because the smooth
surface affords less friction in traction.
,Fhe result is pleasant for the truckman
but disastrous to the road and to the drivers
of fine stock and to gentle occupants OF
high-priced buggtes. In all the leading
Eastern cities there are special driyeways
kept for fashionable vehicles, so that there
may also be certain avenues where a
smooth course is always possible, ard the
city's pride may be saved when strangers go
buggy-ridlng.
But heavy truck traffic has played sad
havoc with the bitumen. Some people as
sert that the way in which it was laid down
and the thickness of the layers were in
adequate. But however that may be, the
Inspecting Supervisors found ground for
loud ard deep expressions of disgust
We must have this rectfied at once"
pronounced Chairman Day. I'VE will have
the entire force of street men put on here
on Monday. even If we have to take them
off every other street in town."
The others agreed that this was the de-
sirable course. The poultee layer was
worn out in lnnumerable places, and then
nothing remained TO prevent passing wheels
from grinding their way down to some ne
plus ultra.
The Supervisors drove on, but IL there is
any reliance to be placed on the permanence
of their disgust from its acuteness, to-day
will see reform instituted in the Golden
Gate avenue TOadbed.
But this was not the full extent of that
momentOus Saturday afternoon drive. The
Supervisors were on reform measures bent,
and on they bowled toward the sparkling
ocean.
1t is plain and Straightforward PROPOSE
ton TO decide to relay the bitumen where
necessary on Golden Gate avenue, but 1t is
not so easy to settle what to do with the
ocean roads.
These roads have long been an eypsore
and stunt bling block to the handler of
the ribbons. San Francisco is the home of
numbers of well-to-do folks who love to
drive, and there is a still larger number of
the solid moderately well-off class who can
generally manage to treat themselves and
their children to the healthful pleasure of a
brush in the park either on Sunday or some
wPll-earDed holiday.
For these the delights of driving has
hitherto been sadly curtailed by the num-
Der OF unopened streets, as well as the hope
less condition OF some of the substitutes for
streets.
This state of things had been brought to
the attention of the Street Committee again
and again. but without avail. The protests
were received and placed on file in the alb
sence of any keen personal interest in the
matter.
But Saturdays personal visit seemed to
sharpen the edge of criticism.
If this edge holds it looks as if the public
will be considerably benefited, especially in
the matter OF d street extension and the
completion of practicable ocean drive way
The ground was all gone over thoroughly
and the possibilities and difficulties fully
discussed before any conclusion was reached
One very popular objective point which it
has been desired to reach has been Straw
berry Lake, but to do so has hitherto in
volyed tiresome, roundabout route.
Now, however, according to the plans of
these disposers of the city ways, d street
will soon be extended so as to furnish direct
communication with Strawberry Lake.
The new road will be macadamiZed and
placed IN tirst-rate condition for driving,
according to the plans then formulated.
Yet another important Improvement was
considered by the members Of the commit
tee before they turned their faces home
ward.
This was a proposition to build an ocean
driveway to extend at least one and one
half miles
Such road, they claimed, is much
needed and would be n striking improve
ment and a real attraction to tourists and
visitors, beside the wealthy class here.
Another point claimed is that the road
need not cost very much. or course, 1t
would have TO be macadamiZed and thor
oughly finished, but the expense would be
borne in great measure by the owners of
adjacent property.
Such are some Of the results OF that
famous tour of inspection by the supervs-
orial quartet on Saturday. Whether every
proposal will be carried out as designed
may be question. At any rate, the Street
Committee is stirred up to action, and citi-
zens will be inclined to send IL buggy-riding
every day II only action. and beneficial ac-
ton, may result.
---------