The morning call., 1894-12-14
SUPERVISOR REFS SCHEME
To Settle the Long War Over
the Thoroughfare.
NO OPPOSITION Is EXPECTED.
A Drive to Supplement Golden Gate
Avenue-Cars and Traffic Teams
Are to Be Barred.

Supervisor Refs has prepared and will
present at the next meeting of the Super
visors resolution that will probably end
the long contest between the city and the
Market-street Railway Company about
Bush street.
The resolution will dedicate Bush street
to the uses of public drive forever
1t will forbid its occupancy by any rail-
way tracks or the granting Of a franchise
to any street railway company for such
purpose.
1t will 60 farther and forbid its use by
the drivers of carts, wagons, drays, or any
other heavy or commercial wagons except
such as are employed in carrying goods TO
and from the occupants of buildings on the
street.
In a word, it is designed to make of Bush
street popular driveway east and west
where the owners of good horsefesh may
be free of the terrOrs of the cable and cleo
trio car and unhampered by the numbering
wagon of commerce except as they en-
counter them ON the cross streets.
Il have prepared the resolution at the
instance of considerable number of resi-
dents and propery-owners op.Bush street,"
said Mr. Refs yesterday afternoon. II
think If adopted it will work out solution
OF the Bush-street controversy. / have
every reason TO believe that the street.
railway company has no real use for Bush
street. and their fight over 1t is simply TO
keep it out OF the hands of any possible
competitor. Assured, as the adoption of
this resolution would assure them, that
they need have no further fear on that
score, think they would consent to tear
I'D their tracks or withdraw the proceed
ings in court that prevent the city from
doing So | have no assurances from them
of that fact, but such is my belief.
"The fact is there is an urgent need for
more open highways in the city for traffic
and drives. From the seawall to Golden
Gate avenue there is scarcely one other.
The railroad company has covered them
all that might be adapted. Pine street is
too steep for the purpose of a drive On
Bush street there is but one block where
the grade is heayy-from Grant avenue to
Stockton street.
with regard to property-owners on
Bush street, | am sure they would all hail
the adoption of this resolution with
pleasure, as it could not but add to the
value Of their holdings. The people at
large would certainly favor it, and so |
have no reason to think it will not be
adopted. Once this is law the property
owners could 60 ahead and dress up the
street, plant trees and the like in the
confidence that it would remain forever a
boulevard which will attract the fashion
able turnouts of the city,"
Bush street, as is known, has been a
fruitful cause of heart burnings to the city
authorities, the citizens and the property
holders upon it for years. 1t has been oc-
cupied by streetcar tracks that have
nearly rusted away because they were not
used. The street-railway company never
gave the people along the line any service,
bobtail hOrsecar being run over the road
once or twice during each day merely as a
matter of form, by way of keeping within
sight of the letter of their franchise
Finally Mayor Ellert one day about a
year ago put force of men TO work tear
ing up the tracks to stop the farce, hold
ing that the company never had fulfilled
the conditions which secured to them a
franchise. A restraining order was Sc
cured from the courts and an agreement
entered into by which the company should
not attempt to put back the track that had
been torn up until the court fin ally decided
the merits of the case-whether or not the
franchise stood.
Notwiths standing this, however. the COM
pany attempted TO lay the tracks a few
weeks ago and number of those engaged
in it were promptly arrested. If Mr.. Refs
resolution will do all that is claimed for it
it would be contamination devoutly to
be wished.