The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-23
The New Board of Directors
First Address to the
Members.
PLAN OF ACTION OUTLINED
Important Questions Submitted in
Order to Secure Popular
Opinions.

directors of the Merchants Association it
was decided that a plan of action for the
ensuing year was necessary for its guild
ance.
Numerous suggestions were made orally
and in writing. In order to properly ar
range plan Messrs. Freud and Doane
were appointed as a committee to outline
the work on such matters as have been de-
cided
Many questions have arisen which the
directors wish to submit to members of
the organization and the taxpayers. To
accomplish this the committee will issue
the following circular and Inquiries:
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION,
SAN Francisco, June %, 1895
The directors of the Merchants Association,
wishing to formulate practical plans for their
work for the year for which they have been
elected, have adopted the following principles
as part of their platform:
l. Encoura cement of such legitimate enter
prises as will add 10 the prosperity OF our City
and attract health, pleasure and home seekers
TO our State.
2. Cooperation with the City officials in en-
forcing the laws and ordinances to advance
and protect the prosperity, health and comfort
of our inhabitants, and taking an active in
terest in the care OF our public institutions.
8. Prompt discharge of the City's debts and
obligations, just treatment or City creditors
and employees, economy in municipal admins
tration, liberality in appropriations for needed
improvements and strict honesty in spending
the amount so appropriated.
Enactment and enforcement of ordinances
that will give us clean and wholesome streets.
To more particularly carry out the last men,
toned object the measures mentioned below
Will be recommended and as far as possible
carried out.
In addition, matters of great importance will
shortly have TO be decided by the people and
its municipal officers, and in order to take the
position in regard 10 these matters which will
fully represent the wishes OF our members and
taxpayers we 1nclose list OF questions to
which we ask you TO give your answers to-
gether with such additional suggestions you
may wish TO make for the benefit OF the City.
BY promptly complying with this request you
viii greatly encourage the board OF directors in
continuing its work.
For the improvement of our streets; suppress
ing nuisances-To more fully prevent the dis
tribution of hand bills in all parts of the City
To secure greater care in handling garbage
sawdust, sand and all other kinds OF debris,
while such substances are being hauled
through the streets.
To compel contractors and others making
improvements, erecting buildings, or making
repairs, to provide tight boxes for holding all
materials that can be scattered about the
streets by the wind left thereon, such as
mortar. sand, lime or similar material and pre-
pare the same for use in such receptacles
To see that the ordinance is enforced which
requires vacant lots to be fenced in 10 avoid
accumulation of sand and dirt on the streets
and sidewalks.
To compel those who deposit in the street de-
bris of whatever character TO Immediately re-
move the same
To compel those who are engaged in remov-
ing debris-such as broken bricks, plaster, etc.
to dampen the same, so that no dust shall be
created in the operation OF removal.
To cause those who remove garbage from the
business districts 10 do so between the hours
OF 8 P. NJ. and A, NJ. of each day.
To compel contractors and holders of fran
chlses TO complete their contracts promptly on
agreed time, and TO refuse all applications for
extension of time, except upon satisfactory
proof that such extension Is needed for reasons
s1.. 11f~ 1a.a u
for the purpose OF speculation on such con-
tracts or franchises.
Care and Repair of streets-To revise speci-
fcatioiis for various kinds of streetwork so as
10 secure the best possible results.
To institute system by which all contrac-
tors shall be held responsible for repairs of
their work Tor period OF five years after its
completion.
To carefully supervise the work of contrac-
tors 10 see that all contracts are complied with
in good faith.
To secure the passage of ordinances by which
the City shall open and close the surface of all
streets that may be excavated by corporations,
contractors or others.
To prevent the use o. certain streets BY heavy
teams and express-wagons, and TO regulate the
To ascertain and secure the best kinds of
pavement for heavy traffic.
To secure the substitution of noiseless pave
ment on streets OF general traffic, of less than
per cent grade, wherever basalt blocks or
cobbles are now in use.
In order to get an expression of opinion
from members of the association and the
taxpayers the directors attach the follow
ing questions to the circular:
Shall the City hereafter accept any streets
paved with cobbes, except where the steep
grades actually require the same?
Where cobbles otherwise in good repairl
form the present pavement, do you think the
City should LAY half or part of the cost, when
ever property-owners are ready to pay the bal
ence, until such time a general system of
Improvement is adopted?
When accepted streets require extensive re-
pairs, shall the City appropriate sufficient
funds to put down new, noiseless pavement
(grades permitting), in place of the old pave
ment?
Do you favor expenditure of funds for the es.
Enlistment of boulevards in this City and con-
Meeting the City with suburban and more dis
tant points?
Which streets should be made available as
boulevards by refusing the grant of street rail-
way franchises on same?.
Are you in favor of re-establishing commits
sion to prepare and submit plans for perfect
sewer system, including underground cononits
where required?
Do you favor increasing the next tax levy bv
especial amount for street improvement? /
so, how much?
for sufficient funds to improve the system of
street sewers and repair such of our princinal
streets as are not already in good order?
Are you IN favor OF the introduction of civil
service and business methods in all municineI
affairs, thus freeing the same from party pol
itics? f' P'i
Do you favor the new charter to Obtain
proper machinery for carrying out extensive
plans OF improvement?