The morning call., 1894-01-05

its own expense, while on Scott street the
electric railroad company has been COM
PEELED to build dams to prevent the CON-
plete burying of its tracks. Bad engineer
ing has ADDED to the three natural shapes
of the property drainage toward Hayes
street, which has allowed the water to dig
out gully three feet deep on that side.
NJ ud and slush have overTun the macad-
amiZed crossings at Pierre and Fulton and
at Steiner and Fulton, while the sand is
piled four feet deep directly IN front of the
Steiner-street sewer. There is a sufficient
variety Of phenomena in the way OF water
erosion and sand deposit presented alto
gether to form good elementary lesson
in geology.
The superficial soil is, of course, all
loose clay and sand. which washes away
with the least force of water. 1t will re-
qulre, at most, but two months more of
winter rains to do away with all the indi-
cations of beautiful. symmetrical terraces
and serpentine walks that now show them
selves In embryo in the clay and the blue
stone. Yet there is S6211 left in the city
treasury out of the years appropriation,
for the express purpose of improving and
keeping Alamo square in good condition.
The annual allotment of Street Depart
ment funds to Alamo square has been
$4,000 for several years. Last year the
total amount was consumed in partial pay
ment for the piece Of grading and con-
struction that now appears on the site.
Over $500 of this years appropriation
has been expended 10 complete the pay
meni. leaving the above balance of S6211
for further improvements.
When Intercepted as to what use was
being made of this money, and why it was
not being applied TO the salvation or rec
lamatlon of the square, the Street Depart
ment replied that the money was at present
unattainable, that il was locked up by the
Supervisors. and that it pro bly, could not
be gotten hold of for some time to come,
if at all. The Street Department dis
claimed all resi- onsibility 10 the matter,
and said it was entirely dependent upon
the action OF the Supervisors. Scott ant
Fulton streets, in front of the square, are
not accepted streets, as is also the case
with the block on Steiner street, between
Grove and Fulton, and with the one on
| HAYES. between Pierce and Scott.
But the crossings at Pierce and Steiner
on Fulton are accepted, are they Dot?"
was asked. Can they not be kept in
order"
1--WE have no teams or men to work
with" was the reply. aside from those
engaged on the county road we have only
| three teams and four PAYERS IN the en-.
pioy Of the DEPARTMENT. If we divert the
! teams from downtown to Alamo square
we throw the PAYERS out of work"
The Supervisors were next approached
| with regard TO the matter.
The board will consider the question at
| its next meeting" said the clerk
SIS anything likely to come of 1t ?''
Nothing, probably, beyond directing
| that the square be s0wn with rye grass
seed to prevent further wasbouts so far
as that may be possible, and to give the
plat presentable appearance for the
! Midwinter Fair season"
"That will involve"
A & < 4
"And what about the $4,000 that will
remain ?"
at is the intention of the Supervisors TO
divert that balance. together with all the
special fund money. to the general street
fund, so that its use can be distributed
over more territory"
Meanwhile what will become of Alamo
square?"
The Supervisors representative was not
| ready with an answer.