The morning call., 1895-02-15
TO STOP IT JUST
WHERE IT is NOW.
The CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRO.
TESTS AGAINST THE PASSING
OF FAY'S BILL.
WANT THE SEAWALL SOUTH
SUGGESTION AS VOICED IN
THE CALL"

Sidney NJ. Smith, president of the Cut
ting Packing Company, prominent mem
Der of the Chamber of Commerce and
chairman of the last Grand Jury, was be-
fore the Board of Harbor Commissioners
yesterday afternoon to get further data
with regard to the seawau and the PROPOSE
ton to build it north.
Secretary Keegan's appeal to everybody
having shipping or any allied interest, as
published in THE CALL of yesterday, to
enter the lists for the defeat of the Fay
bill, had received general attention. Mr..
Smith had been delegated to carry out Mr..
Keegans suggestions.
The matter is to be brought before the
Chamber of Commerce Immediately by
Mr.. Smith, who will be armed with the
facts obtained from the Commissioners
yesterday. They went all over the whole
matter with him, spread maps on the
tables, showed him where the lapse in the
wall to the south worked daily hindrance
to traffic and how the long expensive
stretch of wall to the north stands as
constant witness that no more is needed in
that direction, because it is not profitable.
THE revenues of Meiggs wharf, at the
ing plenty of room-are infnitesimal as
compared to those of any other wharf in
the southern part of the water front.
THE green Oregon pine of which this
roadway is built is torn to pieces under
the sharp toes of the heavily laden horses
and its life at the longest is but three
months" Secretary Keegan said: at is
constantly out of repair. The State will
not allow the city to fill in the angles and
VI ioht ha 10
that way, unless they put in a granite
facing, and the city will not do that, be-
cause 1t is too expensive, and because that
is the business of the State.
"By building the seawall in the straight
line that has been fixed the State would re-
deem several triangular pieces of land that
would be of great value, but which are now
under water.
"There is a demand for the sea-wall
south by the business interests of the
whole city, continued Mr.. Keegan. ''The
only reason that can be urged for building
it north is a sentimental one-that it would
improve the appearance Of things around
by the heads. To be sure it would also i'm
prove the Fair estate around there at North
Beach, but just why the State should do
nate 100000 to either of these ends, while
it. inflicted proportionate penalties upon
and retarded the solid business interests of
the city, it is difficult to see."
Mr.. Smith stated to the board that he
had called upon General Dimond and other
influential members of the Chamber of
Commerce, and found all of the same opin-
ion, that active measures should be taken
to interrupt the course of the Fay bill.
When Governor Budd and Senator
Gleayes were in the city some weeks ago to
look into waterfront matters they were
shown all along the front. Senator Gleaves
expressed very decided views against the
bin and said he would fight it. He believed
that the Federal Government should build
the northern wall as a means of ready
communication between the Presidio and
the business portion of the city.
Governor Budd said he believed the sea-
wall should be built south, but declined to
express an opinion about the proposition
north, inasmuch as it threatened to come
before him in the shape of bill to be
signed. From what is known of his opin-
ions it is not likely that he will sign it in
case it does, but said Mr.. Keegan yes
terday, mo dependence should be placed
in this. The bill passed both houses last
session and Governor Markham vetoed it.
If it should pass again with a reasonable
majority its champions would use the fact
as a strong argument in favor of securing
the gubernatorial signature. The thing to
do is to stop it where it il"