The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-16
a RAILROAD GRAB


The bill to permit the Harbor Commits
sion controlled by c. P. Huntington to
give away the entire water front OF San
Franciso at its discretion has passed both
houses Of the Legislature. In view OF the
tation behind which this measure has
beeen shielded, it is fitting now that San
Francisco is about to bid farewell for fifty
years to her free access to the sea. to place
upon record plain account OF the thing
that has been done. The bill that has pass
ed the Legislature provides that the Har-
Dor Commits sion may lease for fifty years
at a rental not exceeding $1,000 per annum
any land belonging to the State to any
railroad corporation incorporate IN this
State, and not now having terminal facil.
tiles in this city--no more than one tract
of land to be leased to one corporation and
no more than fifty acres to be included in
one tract. Under this authority the entire
six miles of water front from the county
line on the south to the foot OF Van Ness
avenue on the north, including the ferry
depot and the seawall, may be diyided
among as many corporations as MI. - a ~.
ington may choose to organize ana MS
Harbor Commission may choose to favor;
When San Francisco is thus surrounded
by Gordon of fictitious railroad COM
panies shutting off all approach to the sea-
no genuine competing line can secure SUIT
able accommodations. The situatioI
had been absolutely given away. In that
case the public might hope to recover
some return for its use through taxation,
and in case of serious need to get PACK
the land by condemnation. An honest as
sessment would bring in enormous reve-
nue.. Under the present arrangement,
however, the nominal title remains III the
state, and the corporations thus secure the
undisturbed enjoyment OF the land, Tree
of taxes, for the nominal rental OF f2U
per acre. or little over dollar year 1or
lot 25x100 feet.
For granting such leases as THIS tne
Governor and Mayor are made part OF
the Harbor Commission. But the Harbor
Commissioners are also granted power,
without consulting the Governor or Mayor.
to lease the seawall lots north OF Market
street for twenty-five years for any pur-
pose they choose. This is scheme which
has not even a pretense Of assistance to
the Valley road to justify it. 1t has
nothing to do with any railroad PROPOSE
ton whatever. 1t was introduced before
the Valley road projectors said anything
about their intentions, and then stood
upon the same footing as the Comm
claim, the attempted repeal OF the zee
which the friends of the pubic were ex-
pected to keep a vigilant eye. Even II 1t
had been necessary for the success OF the
Valley roads application for fifty acres to
throw the whole six miles OF water front
open to railroad grabbing this vicious ar
rangement for leasing the seawall lots to
private parties would have remained en-,
trely superhuous. But it stays in the bill
as passed.
1t is fortunate for San Francisco that
Uncle Sam still retains his firm grip upon
Goat Island. Some day, when we have
learned how to take care OF public prop
erty. we may ask him to let us use it Tor
the creation OF a new municipal water
front to take the place OF the one we nave
wantonlv thrown away. Meanwhile it is
best tor him to keep it out of our infantile