The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-13

ground, while lots of talking was done
about the three spur tracks" in the park.
And therein lies the ''nigger" in this
particular "woodpile." 1t was to secure
this road from Lakeville along the Ocean
boulevard to III street that the Southern
Pacific made its first fight before the Board
of Supervisors in August of 1893.
At that time Adolph Sutro protested
vigorously. at will be an outrage to let
them lay tracks on the Ocean boulevard"
he said then. And he went to the board
and stated his objections to the temporary
privilege asked for at length. And when
Mr.. Sutro found the Supervisors meant to
grant the request he then urged that the
board demand personal bond from Mr..
Croker and Mr.. Huntington for the faith
ful performance of their part of the con-
tract-the removal of their tracks at the
expiration OF the period named in the reso-
luton. But the Board of Supervisors de-
clined to act upon Mr.. Sutro's suggestion.
The Southern Pacific asked for and wanted
the privilege OF laying tracks on the Ocean
boulevard
They got it.
The Southern Pacific wanted an Ocean
boulevard connection between its Lake
vile and its Cliff House Railroad. Mr..
Sutro and others objected The Southern
Pacific got what it wanted.
I'VE have only given them the privilege
conditionally, said the Board of Super
vlsors. SIN year from now they must
remove their tracks. 1t is so nominated
in the bond"
And so it is. The resolution of the Su-
pervisors is very clear and explicit on the
point that these tracks must be removed
at the expiration OF one year from the date
of the resolution, which is September,
1898.
But the tracks are there yet To-day
the Southern Pacific is operating a line
clear from Baden to the terminus of its
Park and Ocean branch. Part of that line
runs along-not merely parallel with, but
actually on-the Ocean boulevard.
At the time the connecting branch was
Enthusiastically for the Midwinter Fairs
accommodation alone-it was urged that
Forty-eighth avenue, or any other thor
oughfare except the Ocean boulevard, be
taken by the railroad company.
But the Ocean boulevard was already
graded and partly macadamized. There
fore the Ocean boulevard was not only
more convenient and more valuable a
route, but the Southern Pacific was saved
the extra expense of little grading. And
the public-but the rights of the public
were not considered.
'Of course it was an outrage" said
Mayor Sutro last evening, 'to ever permit
a railroad to be built on the ocean drive
way, and it is still greater outrage that
these tracks are still there and the road
still being operated, when it was expressly
stipulated that the tracks should be re-
moved within one year.
II am not sure that the Mayor has the
power to have these Ocean boulevard tracks
removed. l think the Park Commission
ers claim to control the boulevard. How
ever, shall look into the matter, and ii |
am advised that the Mayor has the author
ity to tear UP those tracks you may rest
assured that they will be torn up in short
order.
"Of course, the cry of bringing street
sweepings and loan into the park may
amount to something, but no quantity OF
cultivating soils in the park will pay the
public enough to compensate for the loss
of the Ocean boulevard"
Mayor Sutro is correct on this score. No
matter what the benefit to the park may
or may not be by reason of the loan and
sweepings it receives over the Southern
Pacific tracks it cannot be great enough
to compensate for the distractions to the
Ocean boulevard. The tracks must be re-
moved.