The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-06
A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Hinton Strongly Objects to Any
Interference.
ATTACK ON BITUMEN PAVING
Superintendent of Streets AckersOn
Instructed to Have the ROadways
Repaired Between Tracks.

The Board of Supervisors decided yes
terday to meet as a committee of the
whole for the purpose of considering
water rates.
Some time after this determination Su-
pervisor Hinton moved 10 reconsider, stat
ing that The Water Committee. of which
Supervisor Denman was chairman, was
fully capable of handling the question Of
settling water rates for the next fiscal
year. He did not believe in choking off
the Water Committee in that way by ao-
sorbing its powers in a committee of the
whole. He said that no other committee
had ever been treated that way. The
Water Committee only met twice year,
add its only duty was 20 fix water rates.
aud it should be allowed to perform the
functions of its being without any inter
ference from a committee of the whole.
The board as awhole could afterward pass
on the matter as was its right.
Supervisor Hinton gave notice of re-
consideration, but it was determined TO
take up the question at once. On a vote
being taken the motion to recon slider was
lost. and the board will meet as a CON-
mittee of the whole at 10 o'clock this
morning and continue its sessions from
time to time until the question Of water
rates Is settled.
The hoard adopted a resolution indem-
nifying Superintendent of Streets Acker
son from all liability in the removal of the
distractions on Van Ness avenue, on the
Laguna survey. This was what Super
intendent Ackerson desired to have passed,
so that he could remove the distractions
without any fear of any suits for damages
being brought against him. As this was
the principal reason be gave for not carry
In ont nrda Of ho hna tharn IL
doubt that be will either insist on the
property-owners removing all the obstruc-
lions, or promptly remove them himself IN
accordance with the directions of the
board, and his own powers as Supern-
tendeut of Streets.
The Street Committee reported in favor
OF taking such steps as Will compel q COM
pliance on the part of the street railroad
companies with their obligations 10 keep
those portions Of tile streets in good order
and repair "At the present time" said
the report, when there are so many un-
employed men. it would seem that the
various railroad companies would OF their
own motion perform their share of the OBJ
legations now being imposed on our citi-
Zens. and take this opportunity of relieving
the prevalent distress by repairing those
portions OF the streets which under any
and all circumstances they are compelled
to do under the law"
IA dCCOtu auCo WIN tUb EtpOTL n reSOlu-
ton was adopted providing that the
superintendent of Streets be directed to
notify In writing the president and secre-
tary OF each railway company which has
not put its portion of the street in repair
of the condition of the same and to require
said companies to put those portions of the
streets between the tracks in good order.
The Street Superintendent was also direct
ed to inform the bnard from time to time
whether the street railroad companies are
complying with his instructions or not
The resolution was the outcome of a CON-
mnnication from Leon Sloss, cb arm an of
the Committee on Streets of the Grand
Jury, demanding the Supervisors to see
that the railroad companies put the pOr-
tions of the streets between their tracks in
good repair, as required by law.
The Finance Committee, through Chair
man James, presented a report on the sub
lect OF bltuminOus pavements, which 1t has
lately been Investigating. In the report Is
the following:
In the matter OF the Investigation of the situ-
minous pavement laid on OFarrer street, be-
tween Steiner and Scott, and on Gtary street
between Masonic and Central avenues, ordered
Dy the board, your committee reports progress
IL being the intention to make a thorough ex-
animation. IN connection with the SupeTint n
dent OF Public Streets, into all Dituminous pave
ments lad the character of the biumiuous
rock and the manner of its being laid down.
win the view to ascertain and report fully as
W INC proper component parts OF bitumlUOuS
rock from which can be obtained the best re-
suits, so as to provide specifications that will
exclude from use all unfit rock.
Ibis necessity arises from the fact that MANY
deposits OF that rock vary considerably In quail
lily as TO Its use FOR pavement, IL appearing thai
some rock which shows the largest percentages
OF Dltumen Is mixed with woody fiber and other
matter. which renders IL brittle and subiect to
rapid disintegraIiOn. The manner of LAYING
ana COMPRISING the rock on top of the con.
crete foundation Is also an import ant factor
the general mode OF simply smoothing over the
top TO give 1t coat or dressing being insuffi-
cient. as IL requires heavy pressure, which can
only be accomplished by a heavy roller OF Ar
least ten 10 fifteen tons weight.
A resolution was adopted declaring II
the Intention of the Board of SUPERVISORS
to order the opening and extension of
Potrero avenue from the southerly line of
Serpentne avenue to the northerly line of
Army street In straight line and Of
uniform width of 100 feet, and TO condemn
and acquire the described lands within the
lines of Potrero avenue, so extended as
proposed, deemed necessary and convent
ent Tor the opening of said avenue. The
resolution provided also that a district
should be chargeable for the expenses of
the opening and should be assessed there
for.
y. McCrossan was given an extension of
sixty days on his contract with the city for
repairing accepted streets paved with
bituminous rock