The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-06
AROUND THE WATER FRONT
commissioner COInon Laws
Down a Few Rules for APP
pOintmentS.
NO POLITICS ON THE DOCKS
Strike on Stockton Boat-Removal
of Signs From the Ferry
Buildings.

Business seems good at the Office of the
State Harbor Commissioners, and changes
follow each other in rapid succession. All
the big eyesore signs around the ferry
buildings and along the waterfront ware
houses are being taken down. This may
not be accomplished agreeably, as the ad-
vertisers having the space are threatening
to refuse payment for the rentals for last
month.
The rentals of wharf space are to be re-
adjusted all along the front and may re-
suit in the increase of rents in some
localities. It is the intention of the COM
mission to have fixed schedule, based
upon the amount of space and location
occupied.
The continued troubles among the po-
tato-peddlers on Jackson street wharf will
probably end the marketing of veget-
ables in that place and stop all wagons
from driving upon the wharf, except those
authorized to do SO. Yesterday morning
free-for-all fight took place between the
peddlers, and several cracked heads from
the clubs of the harbor police were neces-
sary to stop the riot.
And now Perry Ironstone and P. Boiler
will not cry potato" unsteady around
the suburbs until they settle accounts at
the Police Court.
Another strike of fruit-handlers occurred
on Stockton steamer yesterday morning
over the omission of the company to raise
the wages from $50 to $35, the summer
schedule. The crew of the Weber laid
down their freight hooks and left her decks
empty. They stated that the work during
the fruit season is double that of any other
time, and S. increase is little enough.
AS in the case of the steamer Walker q
few days ago, another crew was soon pro-
cured.
A new naphtha schooner has been built
and fitted out by Captain Matthew Turner
which will run between San Francisco and
| Sonoma Landing. She is owned by Cap
tain ]. P. Hauto, who has named the
vessel the Four Sisters in honor of his four
| little daughters. She is 60 feet long, 20 feet
beam and about S feet in depth. Her
great beam makes her of very light draught
| and capable of navigating the shallow
| sloughs bordering the bays. Her engines
are of about 20-horse power.
big fishing excursion to the Farallones,
| under charge of AL White, will leave
the City at midnight Saturday to land
the party on the grounds early Sunday
morning.
"Some people are reported to be exer-
cised over State Harbor Commission re-
| movals and appointments said President
SOihOA ycotcIOdN duu SOm6 w no DTOIGSS
to have the greatness and prosperity of the
Republican party very much at heart are
| worrying over the political faith of the
| men employed by the State around the
wharves.
sNow, you may write me down as saying
here that politics win cut no figure in the
| work of the Harbor Commission, and no
election jobs will be permitted among our
men along this City front. Mr.. Cole has
seen fit to complain of Mr.. Chad bourne
and myself in voting for the appointment
of new dredger Observation-Disclosures
bourne because he is a Republican and
because l wanted a more efficient man.
when we three took hold of the work
here few weeks ago we agreed to have
| only the most useful men in the service,
irrespective of politics. We told Chief
Wharfnger Boobar, Engineer Holmes and
the heads of other departments that each
and every new appointee that proved him
self inefficient should be sent back to the
office.
I'VE then began to make needed
| changes. Inspector Cummins, Republi-
| can, was appointed at 81 day, as was
Carroll, piledriver, also of that political
faith, at So 25. Then came William Brown,
assistant engineer on one of the dredgers,
| Republican; Captain Petzinger. who 1
| pointed to the command of the tug Mark
| ham; Wharfnger Deasy, Republican,
was appointed yesterday. All these APP
| pointments were satisfactory, believe, to
Mr.. Cole. l can say their efficiency and
| politics were to me.
''Mr. Cruise is an excellent man. but we
wanted an engineer over the dredgers.
| MIR. Cruise is carpenter. 1t was our in
| tention to appoint Captain Phil Brown of
dredger No. 2, who is one of the hottest
Republicans | ever met, to the position of
superintendent. But when | saw Haste
and learned that he was marine engineer,
| a machinist, and saw by his credentials
that he was thorough mechanic, l picked
him out as the right man. Looking over
our heavy machinery bills with Mr.. Haste,
and hearing his comments, / am satisfied
that the States expenses in that line will
be materially lessened.
Captain Petzinger was appointed only
because he can handle a boat. He has
brought his steamer into these docks on
| dark, foggy nights with hundred passen-
gers on board and never had an accident
for years. He was our man. People say
the State Harbor Commission office can't
be run out OF politics. l ask 'Wby?' We
pay $3.50 month for electric lights while
for probably 500 less. They say the State
can't get it for that reduction. I ask
'Why?'
why can't big light be put on high
pole at the corner of yonder street that
will shine over several blocks and do away
with the expense of a lot of little expensive
lights?
cut down tolls on these wharves 80 per
cent and still run the shop. You may say
the State Harbor Commission will use the
best material it can get and politics will
cut not the slightest figure"