The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-06
THE FOLSOM BOULEVARD.
Several Thousand People
Gathered at Columbia
Square.
PYROTECHNICS AND PARADE.
to Which the Large Crowds
Listened.

The Folsom street demonstration al
Columbia square last night was big one.
Several thousand people were gathered
around the speakers stand, and to the
speakers appeared as if they stood on an
island in a sea of up-turned faces.
There were fireworks and music, illum-
nations and Chinese lanterns, and, above
all, long bicycle parade. Wheelmen
were there from almost every club in the
City, Captain L. l.. Korn of the San Fran
cisco Road Club and j. F. Burk of the
California Cycling Club acting as marshals
The stand was crowded with vice-presl-
dents, the list selected being:
A. W. Scott, Dr.. L. C. Lane, J. P. Martin,
William 3. Cluff. John Van Bergen, Registrar
Dfngley, Robert McMullen, James Phelan
John Kentfeld, w. H. Talbot r. R. Hind, D.
9. Hinkley, William F: Babcock, ]. c. Meuss-
dorfer, P. A. Mcdonald, N. K. Masten, George
7. Marye Jr., c. F. Fargo, George w. Frink
]. de la Montanya, John Center II. P. Sonntag,
W. II. Grim, P. G.. Somps, Harvey g.. Somers
ford, T: G. Mcguire, Thomas Dennigan; VIII
liam ii. Webster, George ID. Shadburne, ii. +,
Wynne, Charles Ashton, R1enzi Hughs, Colonel
G. w. Grannis, James Roylance, Daniel Sulli-
van, James l.. Halstead and I. J. WEIGH.
DR.. T. Rottanzi in calling the mammoth
gathering to order introduced Henry B.
Russ as president of the evening, saying
that the demonstration was in favor OF
better streets.
President Russ reviewed the history,
briefly, Of the movement for the bitumin-
izing of Folsom street He said: ''Thls
particular improvement is sadly needed.
We have paid taxes for many years with
out receiving any particular benefit In re-
turn. All we ask of the Board Of Super
visors is the sum of $4,000 to put this
street into fit condition, and we ask 1t as
taxpayers"
The first speaker introduced was Charles
M. Shortridge, who said he was glad of the
opportunity to raise his voice in behalf of
progress. San Francisco, he observed, was
just now like sleeping giant, but would
soon be awakened. He was confident that
the City was about to start upon new era,
and that the South. Side would receive
proper recognition.
II am, of course, a newcomer, attracted
by the wealth and beauty and the many
opportunities open here to the youth OF
the land" he continued, "but as | stand
here tonight feel that have pitched my
tent among friends"
The speaker CHANGED to notice the face
of George K. Fitch among the audience,
and remarked, after paying Mr.. Fitch a
compliment for his forty years labor in
this City:
1t has been said that Mr.. Fitch was not in
favor of public Improvements, but have it
from his own lips that such is a mistake. Mr..
Fitch always was in favor of public improve
ments, but he believed that about two-thirds
Of the public money would be stolen by the
persons to whom the people had 1ntruSted It's
expenditure.
1t is the high and patriotic purpose of noble
men and women to see that public funds are
expended honestly and wisely for the public
hppafit Whpnaypr the npOnlp nnitpd for
public improvements; whenever the wealth OF
the City can be honestly taxed; whenever we
can stand assured that the public money will
be properly used without waste or corruption,
then such a measly small sum $4,000 Tor
an improvement like this will not be hesitated
about. You people simply ask for fair diyi-
sion OF the pubic money, and II you are de-
termined not to yield you will get it.
Congressman James G.. Mcguire was
next called upon. He spoke of his pleasure
in seeing such a large gathering and
alluded to the presence of the bicyclers as
''those friends of good roads" With the
demonstration he was heartily in SYM
pathy, and he thought it was nothing
more nor less than an expression of de-
mand for what rightfully belonged to the
residents of neglected portion of the
City.
A contrast was drawn by him between the
Improvements of the north side and the
condition of the south, and he proceeded:
There is no reason in the treatment this Sec
ton has received-none whatever in that
which requires old styles and old methods of
paving for this section, while new ones pre-
vail In other portions of the City. San Fran
cisco has not its fair proportion of well-paved
streets. Newcomers are attracted by its mag
nificent harbor, its commercial advantages and
its wealth, but they feel that the lack OF prop
erly improved streets is discredit to the City.
When you make your demands you must
make it clear that you mean them, and that
you VIII remember your friends and also those
who oppose your demands. If Folsom street was
properly paved it would give employment to
large numbers of men who now need work,
and in few years the money expended would
all come back in the shape of good buildings
and homes along this fine, level thoroughfare
from the bay to the outskirts of the City.
James II. Barry followed, and COM
pared the 100000 appropriated for the
parks with the $25, 900 allowed for "patch-
work on Folsom street" He advised his
hearers to remember both their friends
and foes OIL, next election day.
George D. Shadburne and Assistant
United States District Attorney Schles
singer were of the opinion that the people
of the South Side could bring enough pres
sure to bear upon the Board of Supervisors
to have the desired improvement realized,
on the ground of the implied obligation a
city is under to keep its streets in proper
repair. Mr.. Shadburne ventured it as a
legal proposition that the City could be
forced to bituminize Folsom street.
Several letters were read by Secretary
Schwartz from men in sympathy with the
movement. James D. Phelan had written
l have been waiting to see what improve
ments the Supervisors and street-car compa
MES propose to make before deciding to build on
the line of that street (Folsom). Ii these i'm
provements are made, viii at once make i'm
provements at the corner of Folsom and Ninth