The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-05
1t Has Undergone a Marked
Change Since the Hall
Was Erected.
SITE OF THE NEW EDIFICE.
A Gore Lot at the Junction of Market
and Fell-The Building to
Cost 100000.

B'nai Birth Hall, according to the evil
dent opinion of the executive committee
of the l. O. B. B. Grand Lodge, has reached
the limit of It's usefulness, and move
ment is now being actively agitated to dis
pose of the structure and site on Eddy
street, between Mason and Taylor, and to
erect a new building.
Some months ago the B mai B 'rith Hall
Association, composed only of members of
the order, appointed a committee to in
vestgate the condition of the building and
the books of the hall association and re-
port thereon. The result of this was that
some repairs were recommended and Or
dered made, but the examination
of the committee also brought to
the direct attention of the association
the unfortunate change that had deveI-
oped inIthe immediate neighborhood OF
the building, which is used not only as
meeting for the lodges OF the b nal rltn
order and of other fraternal socleues, but
is also the home OF the B'nal b nth
library, which is visited by many ladies'
and children; and the hall Is frequently
used for balls anu social entertainments.
1t was found on exporting the books OF
the Hall Association that there was fall
ing off in the patronage OF the hall, I'M
doubtedly due TO its locality. The matter
was discussed but no definite action was
then taken.
Iu addition to the stock being held
largely by individual members OF the order,
most OF the lodges have large blocks, and
the report OF the hall association commit
tee led Rev. Jacob Nieto, a member of
Unity Lodge, TO introduce resolution in
that branch, providing that the lodge Tor
ward a communication to the Grand Lodge
of this district, demanding immediate and
active steps be taken to erect a building IN
q respectable neighborhood. Unity Lodge
Is one of the most influential in the order,
and the action was all that was needed to
crystalline the sentiment OF all interested.
As a result of itc action the executive
committee Of the /. o. B. 3. Grand Lodge
has decided to recommend the sale of the
Eddy-street building, and the application
OF the money realized to the erection of
finer and more commOdious structure on
the gore lot at the corner of Market and
Fell streets and Van Ness avenue, which is
the property Of the order. The PROPOSE
ton Is 10 erect a building TO cost about
$100, GOO.
All the lodges interested will be notified
OF the action OF the executive committee.
and definite action Will be taken to accom-
plish the object set forth in the recon-
mendation OF the executive committee.
B'naI Birth Hall was erected late in the
seventies, and at the time OF its completion
was admitted to have one OF the finest halls
for public balls and entertainments in the
City and for many years was in great favor
Tor such events, many notable affairs hav-
ing been held there. AT the time 1t was
built the block had but few other build
ings but IL is now COM letely built on
both sides OF the street.
From the beginning it was a good pay
ing investment. and although ii IS said to
still pay the stockholders fair dividend,
IL is the general impression that the pro-
posed change is admirable for pecuniary
reasons as well as for other considerations.
The movement Is one which has thus
far met with no appreciate opposition,
and the only reason that 1t has been so
slow in maturing is that the proper
authorities had not taken hold of it ener-
getically. IL is nov fairly started, and
from present indications it IS believed
that every lodge will act favorabiy on the
recommendation of the Grand Lodge
and instruct their delegates to the next
Grand Lodge meeting to carry out the
project. Unity Lodge has already ex-
pressed it's intention OF giving its delega-
ton such instruction and its action is
sure to have great weight with other
subordinate lodges.
1t is not believed that any difficulty will
be experienced in disposing of the Eddy
street property to advantage, as 1t has
greatly enhanced in value since it was
purchased by its present owners. The To-
cality is central, and the building would
require but few notifications TO make it
available as meeting-place for any kind
OF organizations.
But even should the present building
and site not find ready sale it is highly
probable that the change OF headquarters
of tae |. o. r. B. would be made. The
order as whole is wealthy, and the in
dividual lodges are also in good financial
condition, while the members would
readily take stock in the new building, as
their investment in the existing structure
proved so good one. 1t is therefore safe
10 predict that it will not be long before
work is begun on an elegant and up.to-
date building on the gore at the junction