The San Francisco call., 1895-11-06
The Commissioners Want All the
Dues Coming to the
State.
THE BOATMEN MUST PAY RENT.
Vessels That Discharge in the Basin
Will be Taxed for Wharf
age.

OuduUourne was absent, SO GreSluenI CO1-
non did not bring up his motion to remove
the nickel-in-the-slot machines. Commits
sloner Cole did not propose that his
movement in favor of reducing the hours
of work for collectors and wharfingers
during the winter months should go over,
and he called it to the attention of the
chairman.
1.-The State says a days work is eight
hours" said President Colnon. "Our
wharflngers and collectors start in at 7
A. NJ. and call it day when the o'clock
whistles blow. Of course, the situation
demands such a service at times but am
with Commissioner Cole in reducing the
hours of service. Ii Mr.. Cole will make
motion to the effect that wharfngers and
collectors report for duty at A. NJ, from
this date to March next, l will second it."
Cole made the motion and it was car
rled, so that all the m en- in the employ of
the commission, from the Arctic Oil
Works to Meiggs wharf, will have an hour
more to themselves in the morning for the
next four months.
Inspector Bienenfeld caused quite sem
sation at the meeting He has been over
looking the building of the sheds on Clay
| street wharf, and when Healy, Tibbetts 81
Co. put in their demand for final settle
ment he claimed that the work had not
| been done according to specification.
According to Bienenfeld the lum ber used
was wet and not tit for Government build
ing. The gutterways were water-soaked,
and instead of being the very best red
| wood as the contract called for, it was of
the poorest kind and not fit to put in any
kind of an edifice raised by the State.
The contractors denied the assertions
made by the inspector and Healy de-
manded the appointment OF an expert
''There is over $1,000 coming to US, - said
he, ''and we will put that money up against
similar amount in order to test this
matter. Let us get man at once, and see
where the truth of the matter lies"
I'VE can have an examination and settle
the whole matter by next Thursday" sug-
gested President Colnon.
"No, 1 can't be here next Thursday"
said Healy. II have to make my bread
and butter, and the letting OF another con-
tract calls me to Stockton. Just the same,
if the board will get an outsider and take
his opinion I'll stay by it."
Chief Engineer Holmes was of the opin-
ion that the work had been well and fairly
done, but President Colnon will have an
investigation that no doubts may rest on
the stability of the structure.
a point which contains great interest for
all the boatmen along the front was
brought to the attention of the board.
Tommy Crowley asked permission to
| eTcCC SIndll ark Oh lue WdUer ITOnU dL
the foot of Powell street. A score of the
same kind of houses are now on the vacant
| space between Powell and Mason, and not
one of the 100 or odd men and boys who
| live in them pay cent in rent. They are
| all boatmen, and at least one-haf of them
are in the employ of butchers, clothing
| houses and boarding masters. Young
Crowley is free lance, and wants SINH
lar privilege. His boat hangs on the
davits at Meiggs wharf, and he wants
cottage" near it.
Commissioner Cole was of the opinion
that all the squatters should pay rent to
| the State, and President Colnon agreed
with him. An investigation will be held,
and the chances are that at the next meet
| ing of the board all the sqnatters will be
called upon to pay rent.
The application of George F. Damon for
the lease OF the lot bounded by Mason,
| Jefferson and East streets went over till
President Colnon and Commissioner Cole
will investigate the matter.
Chief Engineer Holmes was given per-
mission to try new scheme for the
accommodation of ferry passengers. 1t
will cost about $4,000 to put it in operation,
| but President Colnon is of the opinion
| that ''the game is worth the candle"
Engineer Holmes wants double track.
A hydraulic ram will keep the passage
way in position so that it will always be
ready for each steamer that gets in from
Alameda or Oakland. On the upper track
the people will leave the ferry-boat and on
the lower one the passengers who want to
reach the other side will troop aboard.
The upper track will lead from the hurri-
cane deck and the lower from the main
deck. Everything will be so arranged as
to allow the teams and express wagons to
pass below the passengers and thus pre-
vent any chance of danger from run
away.
Chief Wharfinger Root brought up the
proposition OF the schooners and steamers
loading and unloading in the basins. He
pointed out that such craft did not pay
wharfage, and thought they should. Presi-
dent Colnon looked up the law in the case,
and came to the conclusion that every YES
sci that loaded or unloaded in basin was
liable to wharfage. He so expressed him
self, and the matter went over until the
next meeting.
Chief Wharfinger Root stated that col
| liers and lumber schooners were con-
stantly going to Mission Flats and there
| transferring or discharglng their cargoes.
BY this means they escaped paying wharf
age, and the State was out just so much
money.
! This state of affairs will be changed, and
all vessels discharging in the basin will in
future have to pay the State tax.
|