The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-12

troll OF the City officials tamely and
| meekly and without an effort to wriggle
out, it is an evidence of lack of intimate
knowledge of that company and its meth
DDS. The company is already working by
indirection and underhand means to extend
its lease of these franchises. This very
language which is employed in the adver-
tisement of every extension of franchises
they ask for, To be operated as an ad-
iunct tc, in conjunction with etc.,
For the unexpired terms of the respec-
tive franchises heretofore granted for it's
line of street railroad on Mission street,
is bit of jugglery in words which I believe
is directly framed to serve them in this i'm
pending struggle. The question has al
ready been raised, l believe, as to
which end of the franchise is the
real franchise, the extension granted
within few years, or the franchise
granted % years ago. The old franchise
may have been but a mile or so, while the
extension covers twice the distance. With
the expiration of the original franchise the
City has the right to appropriate certain
portion of the gross receipts, but this line
has been extended for miles, and for the
bigger part of it the franchise continues
for years, and the question is raised as to
how the division may be made? Or can
it be made at all?
with these questions impending it Is
very necessary that the citizens should see
to it that their representatives. do their
duty to the City, look after its
interests, and decline to be the
easy tools of the corporation. AS a men,
nf ha ord of 7
pains to insert strict provision in the
City charter directed at this matter, and
the requirements of that provision is one
of the weighty reasons for the adoption of
that document, for under the loose provi-
sions of the consolidation act the City is
almost at the mercy of the corporations. !"
Joseph Britton, president of the Citizens
Defense Association, said yesterday after
noon after the meeting:
"When we move we want to be certain
of our ground and to be morally certain of
winning. We don't want to bark merely;
this association is not formed as mere
alarmist. We mean to be effective
and leave examples, an impress
that will serve purpose. For
that reason I am in favor of waiting
unlawful thing they say they are going to
do, and then we will proceed and impeach
every man of them. I am not wholly in
favor either of warning them, allowing
them to retreat and fix up some other Jug
glery of words that will serve their pIlr-
pose equally well, but behind which they
can hide and escape the penalty. They
know what their duty is, and if they want
to take chances on defying the law I be-
lieye in allowing them to do it and then
see what we can do. / am not SO eager for
the fray, however, as to want to rush into
the courts until l am sure of our case. If
they sell this franchise under the condi-
tons advertised, however, have to sey
that shall be ready to proceed"
Stuart Menzies, who as member of the
executive committee was chiefly RESPONSE
BILE in bringing about the meeting of yes
terday, said:
"These eight members of the Board of
Supervisors have put their necks in the
halter. 1t needs a good strong yank on
the rope to cause them to realize it, and
am in favor of giving it that strong pull.
1--WE have seen all along that they were
little more than the paid agents of the
Market-stIeet Railway Company. They
have now laid themselves open to prosecu-
ton, as THE CALL in its reports has made
SO clearly apparent.
at is now time for the citizens to act"
The Civic Federation held meeting last
evening to discuss the same topic. George
T. Gaden, the secretary, made a report, in
which he called attention to the need of
fn n ~
monopoly in high places.
at is all we can do to stem the tide" he
said 1--WE can hardly hope to turn it aside,
but now that we have Mayor and news
paper with us we can better hope for some
real results"
Mr.. Bingham said that good case could
be made in the courts against the delin-
quent officials. A plan of proceedings to
prosecute was discussed, but the members
refused to give the details.
The following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the clean administration of
Mayor Sutro is commended by the Civic FEEDER
alton as pure, fearless and aggressive, and
tending to introduce honest business methods
into our municipal affairs; that all good men,
irrespective of creed or party. should aid him
in every way possible, and give him the en-
couragement he so richly merits in his magnif-
cent fight against wrong whether intrenched
in Office or appearing In corporate form.
Curtis Hillyer resigned as secretary for
the reason that he could not give the time
required to the duties of the office. James
l.. Case was elected to fill the place. The
following new members were elected ::
Captain W. f. Cook, DR.. S. F. Long, Frank
Dillingham;, W. H Davis, Rev. e. ]. Du-
puy, Rev. M. J. Ferguson, Stuart Men
zies, Joseph Britton, James H. Bingham,
w. H. Jordan, J. Taylor Rogers.
Gavin McNab will be invited to attend
the next meeting to advise the federation
with regard to crookedness in the street
department and what shall be done with
| regard to it.