The San Francisco call., 1895-05-23
Thousands of Citizens Speak
for the Improvement of
Streets.
THE KNELL OF srLUR1ANIsM.
A General Agitation to Follow With
the Folsom-Street Boulevard
in the Lead.

merging III an aSSemDlage OF 5UUU OF oUUU
people, gathered at the corner of Twenty
second and Folsom streets, in mass-meet-
ing, for the purpose of initiating move
ment looking to the bituminizing of Fol-
som street, from the ferry landing to
Twentyninth street.
1t was the beginning of general fight
for bitumen paving, and the enthusiasm
which prevailed attested conclusively the
deep interest felt in this subject.
To the Folsom-street Improvement Club
and the South Side Improvement Club be-
long the credit of last evenings demon
stration, which exceeded in magnitude the
expectations of its most sanguine
promoters.
Folsom street was a blaze of light.
Nearly every house along the line OF march
was hung with Japanese lanterns, and
many of the finer residences were decor
ated with flags and bunting. At intervals
of four or five blocks the committee had
fireworks, which kept the route of the pro-
cession blaze of colored light.
1t was few minutes after o'clock when
the parade started from Capp and Twenty
The following clubs lined up with full
membership:
Imperial Cycling Club, Olympic Club Wheel
men, Bay City Wheelmen, California Cycling
Club, Y. NJ. G. A; Cycling. Club. Pathfnders'
Cycling Club, California Camera Cyclists,
Golden Gate Cycling Club, Royal Cycling Club,
Pacific Cycling Club, Outing Road Club, Knock
aboufs, E1ntracht Cycling Club, Comus
Cycling Annex.
1t was Chairman .Wynne's general invi-
tation to all persons having wheels that
swelled the procession to dimensions the
like of which has never been seen in a
wheel parade before on the Pacific Coast.
The. unattached wheelmen far outnum-
bered the regular cyclers, and included a
lot OF lady cyclers, who covered the entire
route, receiving great deal of applause
from the assembled crowds along the
street. The riders nearly all carried Japa-
nese lanterns, and as they moved down the
brilliantly lighted streets made most
picturesque scene.
Captain Charles Johnson of the I'm
perial Club acted as grand marshal, and at
the head OF his organization led the gayly
decorated .cyclers over the line of march.
ii. +. Wynpe of the California Cycling
Club was chief aid, and his club held Sec
ond place in line, beng followed by the
other organizations in the order gwen
above. =. -.
From the point of formation the line
moved down Capp to Twenty-second, to
Shotwell, down Shotwell. to Twenty first,
down Twenty-first to Folsom, along Fol-
som to Twenty-sixth, countermarching to
Nineteenth, countermarching to Twenty
first and up Twenty-frst to.Capp.
The course of the procession along Fol
som street was continual ovation., The
thoroughfare was thronged with people,
and the wheelmen were saluted with
cheers and the wavingof handl1erchiefs.
AT Folsom and Twenty second streets,
under the windows OF the California
Cycling Club. which was gayly decorated,
a, speakers stand was erected, and there
the crowd gathered in greatest number.
AS the wheelmen passed they were re-
celved with cheers and music.
Red fire was lighted from corner build
ings and thousands of skyrockets were set
off continuously until after disbandment,
when the immense crowd pressed closer
around the speakers stand. ~,
The committee having in charge this
part OF the programme was made UP of
members of the several Mission improve
ment clubs, as follows: George Raabe, A.
B. Mcclure, Harry Somers, J. B. Rider,
j. G. Flood, Henry Wynne. A. G.. Weisler.
Captain Raabe opened the meeting with
short speech, in which he briefly out
lined the object of the demonstration. He
declared that Folsom street must have
bitumen to replace the wornout cobble-
stone pavement now in use, and that only
concerted action on the part of citizens
could obtain the Improvement desired.
He congratulated the people on the
success of their parade, and assured them
that the only way to get anything in the
way of better streets was to keep hammer
ing until,the City authorities were forced
to take cognizance of the appeal. He
eventually. expected to see the Folsom
street boulevard extended to San Jose and
beyond.
William M. Bunker was the next
speaker. He said that the people had
gone about the agitation for better streets
in the right way.
The movement deserved the support of
all good citizens. 1t was in the line of
progress, and he hoped to see many such
meetings.
Captain Raabe then introduced George
D. -Shadbourne. "The people are with
you," said Mr.. Shadbourne. ''Pubic
opinion IS with you, and-'I believe the
supervisors are with you What more can
you ask? You cannot fail in this move
ment. am for progressive San Francisco,
always"
q; Z. Terrill warmly Endorsed the objects
OF the meeting. sit is a shame," said he,
"and disgrace that we have not had these
improvements years ago."
Supervisor Hobbs of the Eleventh Ward
was received with cheers. He freely an
nonnced himself in favor of making Fol-
som street boulevard.
Oscar Lewis echoed the sentiments of the
previous speakers, and then gave way to
Supervisor Hirsch of the Fourth Ward,
who spoke briefly to the same effect as
those who had preceded him.
A. b. Mcclure read the following reso-
lutions which We're unanimously adopted
by deafening chorus of ayes and a salute
from the band, after which the meeting
adjourned with the singing of america"
by the crowd:
WHEREAS, The. condition of streets in the
Mission and south side district is and for years
has been disgrace to city of the size and in
Huence OF San Francisco; and whereas, the
necessity OF repaving Folsom street gives the
opportunity OF beginning the rule of replacing
the wornout cobbles and blocks by better
pavement; and whereas seven blocks of Fol-
som street, from Nineteenth to Twenty-sixth
streets, are already paved with bituminous
rock: therefore be it
ReSotued, That we urge the Board of Super
vlsors 10 pave Folsom street with bitumen in
stead OF replacing the wornout stone blocks
ana cobDles, that are present distractions in
this thoroughfare.
George w. Elder has submitted the fol-
lowing estimate to the .Folsom-street I'm
proyement Club relative to the proposed
work:
SAN FRANCISCO, May 81, 1895.
A. r. Mcguire Esq, San Francisco, rCal-DEAR
SIR: Complying with the request of several
members OF the Folsom-street improvement
CIuD +! herewith submit an estimate of the
cost OF paving Folsom street with bituminous