The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-15
BLYTHE'S BLOCK.
S Reconstruction Is
Considered.
Discussion as to How the Results
of the Late Disastrous Fire
Should Be Repaired.

Judge Coffey is not yet able to make up
his mind as to whether or not the Blythe
block on Market street ought to be reno
waited.
Public Adm illustrator Freese. who is
ad miDistrator of the estate of Thomas e..
Blythe, deceased, wants to rebuild the
block-or rather that weighty portion OF
IL that was destroyed by the recent ire
which consumed the premises of the
Golden Rule Bazaar. So he has applied
to Judge Coffey to know what is to be done.
Attorney joseph Naphtaly, speaking on
behalf of Davis Brothers. says that the
firm Is willing to rebuild at its own cost to
the extent of $4,000. Moreover. Davis
Brothers take all risks, knowing we'll that
they have only five years lease OF the
properly, which reveris 10 he estate at the
expiration of the lease. The only consd-
Grafton demanded by Davis Brothers. says
Mr.. Naphtaly, is a reduction OF the rent
by way of interest on the money expended
in reconstruction.
But the Public Administrator has some
lofty ideas. He wishes TO rebuild at cost
of $4,000. With this money lie expects to
construct two handsome modern buildings.
which shall serve as habitaiions for m Ore
than one business firm, the Golden Rule
Bazaar of course occupying the ground
floor. Plans and estimates are promised,
| but have D OF yet been offered.
Yesterday afternoon a bushel or so of
attorneys connected with the Blythe es-
tate appeared before Judge Coffey to dis
cuss the proposition. Something must be
decided upon. they thought.
Attorney Bergin SAID that he really had
not much to do with the business. Inc
prime mover in the matter WAS Attorney
General Hart. and he was in Washington.
When he returned a consultation might be
hoI k,ra I'll sfad
that the matter remain In allegiance. Ii
was further pointed out that although
Florence Blythe ainckley bad been
awarded the estate by Judge Cntfey, yet
the controversy was still pending before
the Supreme Court, and, according to The
ninety days law. was likely TO be decided
| soon. A decision would naturally AFFECT
the interests of all parties most materially.
| and SO ii would be better to wait.
Judge Coffey said: "ODly part of this
| property. gentlemen, has been destroyed.
| The proposition you put before me Is
large one. 1t needs consideration; The
| court wants assurance that 1t has all these
matters within its jurisdiction. l think
you had better file briefs"
Mr.. Bergin said that the existing leases,
with the rights and obligations of lessees.
ought to be considered. Let the matter of
reconstruction remain In allegiance, except
IN so far as concerned the guarding against
accidents.
l., M. Hoeffler said he understood that
the iessees had proposed 10 construct a
new building at their own expense.
Mr. Bergin said that there were more
lessees than one, and as far as he knew
Davis Bros. were the only people to make
such proposition.
Judge Coffey thought ii would be good
idea TO get an estimate ana opinion from
the Administrator as to the plan and
cost of rebuilding and the rights aud obli-
cations of the lessees. Anyway, every
thing must be according to law. All inter-
ested parties must have say and legal
questions must be determined before any
thing definite could be arranged. The
court, no doubt, had power to build up
dilapidations. but whether or not it had
the power TO reconstruct upon another and
more elaborate scale was question to be
determined by authority.
In this way the matter was continued
until Public Administrator Freese could
be more definitely heard from.