The morning call., 1894-01-19
Market=Street Grades to
Be Changed.
THE CUT TO DISAPPEAR.
Property-Owners' Petition Wins
at Last.
FROM OCTAVIA TO CASTRO.
Important Decision of the Super.
visors' Street Committee on a
Much Agitated Improvement.

After a struggle which has been going
on for some years, accompanied by dis
cussions and debates in the Board Of
Supervisors, there is almost certainty of
Market street being cut down to prac-
teal level from Octavia street to Castro.
That such an improvement should be ac-
complished has been the desire OF prop
erty-owners in the Immediate vicinity. A
society of landowners calling itself the
Market-street Improvement Club was or
ganlZed years since, and up to yesterday.
when the members appeared in mass be-
fore the Supervisors Street Committee,
these men have fought for change in
grade to make the street level.
The Street Committee received large
delegation of property-owners late in the
afternoon. They had bulky petition
with thousands OF names asking for the
desired change. Less than half a dozen
owners of real estate in the district af-
fected appeared TO protest against the
Improvement. Among them was MIR.
Haight, who represented the Protestant
Orphan Asylum. TIE two sides arrayed
themselves like opposing forces opposite
each other, and between them sat Super
visors Day, Goodwin, Ryan. Denman and
Foreman. Supervisor Hinton came in
later.
The protesting owners spoke against the
change on the ground that IL was not
necessary and would injure their prop
erty. They were heard with patience and
courtesy. although. as one Supervisor re-.
marked, their side appeared TO have a
selfish motive.
The petitioners were represented by
nearly 100 men. Several of them made
good common-sense speeches in favor of
the request They held that the improve
ment would enhance values of property
along Market street west of Valencia and
all streets adjoining. whereas people are
afraid to buy there at present owing to
the uncertainty of grades.
No more important question has been
before the Street Committee for long
time. and consequently 1t was given seri-
erty-owners wanted the improvement, and
when the question was put to a vote
every member Of the committee voted in
the affirmative.
Then Clerk Russell wrote across the big
petition: "VOted in favor of ordering the
work done, as this is an Improvement
which appeals to every prOperty-owner
and citizen as great public benefit, and OF
inaugurating proceedings as sooD as prac-
ticable to carry on said improvement"
The change will be uniform per cent
grade from Octavia and Waller streets to
Dolores and a 1% per cent grade thence to
Castro and Seventeenth streets. Market
street will be lowered % feet at Dolores,
opposite Reservoir Hill, and 12h feet at
Fourteenth street. The cutting will be
used as filling, and between them both a
fairly level street will be established.
Supervisor Denman and Deputy Super
intendent of Streets Lawrence Welch en-
tertaned different opinions regarding the
power of the Street Com mittee TO grant a
private contract for street grading after
notice had been already published and
resolutions passed to perform the work by
public contract.
This question arose over petition from
J. j. OConnor to grade Sixth avenue
from to ID streets by private contract.
Supervisor Denman was in favor of grant
ing the petition.
"You can't do it, Mr.. Denman," said
Welch.
Cant we?" Mr.. Denman remarked in a
manner that seemed to give otfense to
Welcb.
"It is illegal. Mr. Denman has been
accusing the Street Department. of doing
work that Is not lawful. Now. | don't
think it, know it, that Mr.. Denman has
been right along doing things that are
illegal"
"Pm tired of this" retorted Supervisor
Denman, arising. Everything is Denman
here. Denman there. 1t is not what do,
but what the committee does. l do nothing
myself. II Mr. Welcn insists on attacking
me L will appeal for protection"
The discussion was losing dignity when
the chairman called for a vote, which
proved to be favorable to O'Connor's pri-
vate contract
"Oh, WE'LL" said Welch. with sigh.
The question of an outlet for the Rich
mond sewerage syslem was discussed and
taken under advisement.