The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-22

condition from the obsolete pavements, detec-
tive sewers, unclean cutters. uneven crossings
and inadequate llumiDatIon; and whereas
these evils are prejudieial to theSDublc health.
render travel difficult and often dangerous
mar the natural beauty OF The CITY and retarC
the progress and prosperity thereof, be 1t
Resolved, That the board OF directors OF the
Merchants Association Of San francisco thor.
oughlV investigate the causes of this unfaVor
able condition of public affairs aud report al
the next meeting feasible ana pTacllcaDie
remedy for the same.
He then said: II hope the committee
will go into this matter thoroughly-noi
merely 10 discover whether one street is
paved better than another or one sewer is
more faulty than another, but if they find
the entire system faulty let it mean that
we are to enter upon an era that Will sci
it right.
1.-THE sewers we know are such that if il
were not for the blessing of the trade
winds we enjoy this city would be the
most unhealthy in the country. AS it is,
the sewers kill enough people yearly to
make material difference in our
census. Why not use the water, which
is so abundant. and on Telegraph
Hill build great reservoir into
which TO pump water from the sea
That water-iL might be placed on each of
the seven h;Ils-could be made to flush the
sewers every week and to wash out the
surface cutters; it could be made to
furnish light and power by developing
electricity; its mains could be tapped by
private consumers-all of which would
develop a revenue out of what looks like
an expense. The reduction in the rate of
Insurance that would result would be an
other great saving.
1.-THE main objection to all this is the ex-
pense. Suppose the repaving of the streets
with q proper curvature in the center
would cost 50, 100000; suppose the reser-
he oil III liUb .
plant another $500. 000-$5 600, coo in all.
Money is going begging in New York at 8
per cent, and San Francisco, with no
bonded indebtedness, could have all she
wants at less. Three per cent Oh $4,000. 600
would mean $50. 000-a bagatelle In view
of the benefits. That expenditure would
increase property values by S50,000,0O0. If
the bonds can't be issued then advise a
revision of the charter so that they may
be. The improvements would give work
TO the unemployed for fifty years, and
every body would benefit from il. If this
association can by lis influence and labor
bring about the desired improvements it
would be forever remembered as benefac-
tor TO the city,"
The address was greeted with very
hearty approval and the matter made a
subject for further discussion at the next
meeting.
MIR. Greenbaum remarked that as those
present represented 120 firms, il they
would all resolve on taking in their signs,
doing away with open sidewalk elevators
aud carrying away their garbage early in
the morning, their Influence would be felt
and example followed throughout the en-
tire city in a day.
c. II. Sherman explained how Philadel-
phla merchants had organized, first as a
committee of 100. and were now known as
the municipal committee; how they en-
ployed man to look after the city street
contracts and accomplished great benefits.
lie thought the association should adopt
the same methods.
A committee from the unemployed now
asked brief audience, and a man. whose
name was not given, was granted five min
utes. He explained that the street-clean-
ing contract expired on the 30th inst, and
that the merchants were especially asked
to lntercedo with the Supervisors In behalf
OF the unemployed that the work be done
for one year by hand.
The matter was discussed some time.
and in response to a motion a committee
OF ten was appointed to urge that the work
be done for one year at fair wages TO the
men. The following were named as such
committee and the association adjourned
for one week: Messrs. Nolan, Hughes.
Marsh, Freud, Greenbaum, Wilson, Mel
rose. Cooper, Sternheim, Keil.