The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-13
CHURCH-STREET FRANCHISE
The MARKET-STREET RAILWAY
COMPANY CARRIES AN IMPOR-
TANT POINT.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ORDERED
BY THE SUPERVISORS LAST
NIGHT.

The Market-street Railway Company has
practically secured the coveted franchise
for an electric road on Church street from
Fillmore to the Sixteenth-street connec-
ton. The right of way in question is that
of which the company took forcible posses
sion one day and night several weeks ago.
There was an adjourned meeting of the
Board of Supervisors last night for the pur-
pose of taking action on the matter of the
much-debated franchise. A resolution
presented by the Street Committee order
ing the clerk of the board to advertise for
bids for the franchise, no bid less than $500
to be considered, was laid before the board,
which thereupon went into committee of
the whole, with Mr.. Hughes in the chair.
The resolution provides that the franchise
shall be advertised for ten days and shall
be let to the highest bidder on the 8th prox.
A. X. Gunnlson, M. J. Donovan, Thomas
F. Haggerty and c.. E Meyers addressed
the board for and against the resolution.
Mr.. Gunnison said: 81 represent Church
street property and property-owners, and
1 would plead with this honorable board
not to grant the franchise as set forth in
that resolution. The men who control the
Market-street Railway Company have
broken faith with us time and again. We
donated $500 toward the grading of
! Church street, on the strength of the
promise that we should have a street rail-
way from one end of Church street to the
other. If the Market-street Railway Com
pany wants franchise over all of Church
street and will guarantee to build the road
we will do all we can to help them get it.
! But if they are permitted to hold the three
| blocks in question we are blocked for all
time, for no other company can then Sc
cure through right OF way over our street"
M. j. Donovan combated Mr.. Gunni-
| sons views. He said: eve of Fillmore
street do not want to hurt the people of
! Church street, but we want that franchise
| granted in order that we may have con-
| nection between Fillmore street and Six
tenth. There are moral aspects to this
case. 1t will benefit many and can harm
| none"
Thomas F. Haggerty was of a different
opinion. %Mr. Donovan is simply throw
ing sand in your eyes," he said. 'There is
no sense in talking about the moral as
poets of anything connected with the cor
poration, which came like a robber in the
night and took possession, and now asks
vandalism. They are simply incorporated
| highwaymen, who care not one iota who
suffers so long as they gain"
G. E. Meyers was the next to address the
board. He said:
81 hope, gentlemen, that you will not do
us the injustice OF granting this franchise
and blocking Church street forever. Give
US one square deal and show the people
that you are with them once in a while
and not altogether with the corporation
! Supervisor Hobbs spoke briefly against
the resolution, after which the committee
arose and reported progress.
Supervisor Benjamin then moved that
the resolution be adopted and the clerk
be instructed to advertise for bids. The
resolution was adopted by the following
vote: Ayes--King. Scully, Benjamin,
Wagner. Noes-Dimond, Taylor, Hobbs.
Henry Warfeld and Carl Gleeser repre-
senting the Labor Exchange, addressed
the board on a proposition that the city
issue 81 ,G00,0 900 in warrants or small non
interest-bearing bonds, receivable for taxes,
in order that idle workingmen may be en-
ployed on public improvements.