The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-16
THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE MEET IN
PROTEST.
IT WILL CRIPPLE COMMERCE.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ASKING
THAT THE SEAwALL BE
BUILT SOUTH.

of Harbor Commissioners to build 5000 feet
OF seawall north and westerly toward the
ocean, will not become a law without pro-
test from San Francisco, at least.
A meeting of the trustees of the Chamber
of Commerce was held yesterday after
noon, the matter thoroughly discussed,
resolutions passed and sent away to Sacra-
mento.
A telegram came down from that city
yesterday crying out against the bill and
warning San Francisco business men
against the danger of its passing. The tel
egram was signed by Senator Ford.
Sidney M. Smith of the Traffic Associa-
ton called upon General Dimond, presi-
dent of the chamber, and he called the
meeting. which came to order at o'clock
and remained in session until 4.
President Bassett and Dan Cole of the
Board OF Harbor Commissioners, Wharfin-
geer Boobar and Mr.. Smith were present to
explain the situation.
Of the Chamber of Commerce the follow
ing were present: General Dimond, Cap
tain Merry, Hugh Craig, Arthur g. Towne,
E. B. Pond, A. j. Ralston, Louis B. Par
rott, James F. Chapman and @. f. A.
Talbot.
Every person present took part in the
discussion of the matter. 1t was shown by
the Harbor Commissioners that there is
to-day $500 feet of seawall north and west
erly from Lombard street to Powell street
largely unoccupied and a section of 1000
feet west of Powell street entirely unoccu-
pied, besides 600 feet on both sides of Pow
ell street, at which deep-water vessels can
not safely lie.
President Bassett explained that if the
Fay bill should pass and become law it
would absorb all the revenue of the board
for the next six years to complete the i'm
provement which it orders and there would
be no funds available for the long contem-
plated and necessary section south of Mar
ket street.
70 show the absolute absurdity of build
ing the seawall north, President Bassett
stated that the current was so swift at that
part of the wall that no ships could lie
there. Only two had ever tried it. One
was the Oriental, and her lines parted and
she went out The Richard III had stouter
lines, but when she used them her bits
gave way.
Mr. Bassett explained further that with
the wall built south the belt railroad could
be extended clear round the front from
Second street to Broadway, and effect an
immense saving in the cost of handling
freight for merchants. With their engines
he said, they could take carloads from the
ferry boats at Lombard street. switch them
to any part of the territory, from Broadway
to Taylor street, and return the empties to
the ferry, for rs cents.
ha Con 1oaicoo oh
50 so for merely switching a car, and for
the rest the merchant pays not less than
so cents ton for drayage.
The following resolutions were drawn up
and adopted:
WHEREAS 1t is proposed by legislative enact
ment to direct the Board of Harbor Commits
sioners to extend the seawall to Van Ness
avenue, to the exclusion of extension in a
southerly direction for an indefinite period:
Resolved That the Chamber of Commerce
of San Francisco, through its board of
| trustees, having in view the urgent neces-
sity for increased accommodation for shipping
at our wharves, respectfully protest against
the policy of expanding the funds of the Har-
Dor Commission where the increase of such ia
cilities will be limited to the face of the sea-
wall, the construction of wharves at right
angles with the tidal current having already
proven worthless in the sections west of Lom-
bard-street pier.
| Rcsolued That attested copies of this resolu-
ton be forwarded to his Excellency the Gov
| ernor of California, to the legislative commit
| tee having the matter in charge, and to the San
Francisco delegation.
The resolutions were sent to the San
Francisco delegation, to which the bill has
been referred, the chairman of the Com
mittee on Commerce and Shipping and
also of the Committee on Rivers and Har-
bors, with the request that they do all they
can to defeat the Fay bill.