The San Francisco call., 1896-05-14
Resolutions Passed Asking the
Supervisors to Begin Con.
struction at Once.
A PERMANENT ORGANIZATION
Voters Will Fight All Those Who
Oppose Them-Legal Measures
Are Proposed.

over 2OO property-owners, representing
the North End district, met in Judge
Joachimsen's courtroom, new City Hall
last night to protest against the action of
the Board of Supervisors in postponing
work on the new municipal building.
1t was an enthusiastic gathering, and if
the offensive action as outlined is carried
out many weeks will not elapse before the
old City Hall site will be filed with work
men pushing to completion structure
authorized by the Legislature nearly two
years ago. Supervisor King was present
and though suffering from severe cold
managed to make one of his characteristic
speeches.
The meeting organized by electing per-
manent officers as follows: President,
John Shirley: first vice-president, Landry
Babin: second vice-president, w. H.
Bodtish; secretary, Robert E. McGregor;
treasurer, Berry II. Lichtenstein.
President Shirley addressed the meeting
briefly, declaring that the action of the
Supervisors in delaying the construction
OF the new building was unbusinesslike
ana shameful and disgrace on the people
of the North End.
Eugene Duprey followed in fiery speech,
telling how he had worked in behalf of
the taxpayers. He said that certain in
huences had stood in the way, but there
was legal remedy, if the people would
only apply it.
Attorney Foote advised the adoption of
plan which would make the politicians
push the work.
He declared his ability to register 600
votes against any man who would dare
vote against the speedy construction of the
building.
Judge Low. who was present by invita-
tion, said that while he was not resident
OF the district he was heartily in sympathy
with the movement. He declared that not
only the Immediate section but all San
Francisco was injured by the delay.
The secretary at this point introduced
the following resolution, prepared by
President Shirley. which was unanimously
adopted:
WHEREAS, There lies unoccupied and unim-
proved, yet in readiness for Improvement,
spacious lot OF land, property OF the City nd
County Of San Francisco, situate in a central
business quarter thereof, and known as 1.-The
Old City Hall Site" on the southeast corner of
kearhy and Washington streets; and whereas,
the construction OF useful public buildings
upon the same would be of incalculable bene.
MT to this municipality and would greatly en-
nance the value OF private property approx
mate thereto, ana tend to materially
relieve the resident elements of this City, now
SO extremely distressed and hampered by rea-
son of the inadequate demand for their serv-
ices and their inability to obtain lucrative en-
ployment; and whereas, there has been already
appropriated an ample 1unQ t0r the specific
purpose of erecting said buildings and now
available TO that end; and whereas the Board
OF Supervisors OF this City and County at
regular session recently passed resolution
postponing for many months all action look
ing to and providing for the erection OF appro-
pirate buildings upon said site; be it
Resolved, That it is the unqualified opini on
OF the property-owners and citizens of San
Francisco here assembled that said action of
delay on the part OF the Board of Supervisors
was unwarranted and reprehensible; that it
adverse nf 1ar
number of residents of this City and County,
and that it tends, by unjust discrimination, to
benefit the few al sacrifice of the best inter
ests OF the many. 1t is further
Resolued, That the secretary of this assembly
be and he is hereby instructed to forthwith
prepare a petition to be presented at the
proper time to the said Board of Supervisors
and circulate the same for the signatures OF
| residents and property-owners in that portion
OF TINS City anc County known as the "North
End; said petition to set forth their griev-
ances upon the subject-matter of these resolu-
| tfols and to pray that said board review and
| revoke its late resolution deferring said i'm
provements and that it adopt immediate and
efficient measures for the speedy construction
| OF permanent and substantial buildings on
said lot of land.
Supervisor King was present, but could
not talk much because of sickness. II
am too hoarse to speak, he said, "but
will say that 1 have done all 1 could to
get this through. have done more to get
it erected"
81 would like to ask the gentleman" in
terrupted President Shirley, eff he did
not vote for the four months postpone
ment?'
Yes" answered the Supervisor, ''but
it was because l was opposed to Banks. 1t
was for that l voted for postponement."
King finally said that he was not par
ticularly tied to the plans of Shea & Shea,
but was ready to vote for any good substi-
tute if he thought it filled the bill.
Secretary McGregor announced $215
collected to date and asked that finance
committee be appointed to audit the bills,
the following gentlemen being named by
the chair: E. s. Burton, Sam Goldberg
and e. Geiselman. McGregor then offered
q resolution, which was passed. that the
organization be known as the "Old City
Hall Site Improvement Association 1t
was voted to secure a hall in Montgomery
block, after which the meeting adjourned
subject to the call of the president.
1t is the purpose of Secretary McGregor
10 prepare a hundred petitions, to be cir
culated throughout the northern district
demanding that the Supervisors authorize
work to commence at once. As soon as
5000 or 5000 names are secured, President
Shirley, under authority given last night.
will appoint a committee of five to visit
the Supervisors and formally lay the mat
ter before them. 9fF
If the petition is ignored, then it is pro-
posed to resort to legal measures.