The San Francisco call., 1896-07-27
Thousands Take Up the Cry
and Are Ready to Do
Battle.
WILL LABOR PERslsTENTLY.
The Cycle Board of Trade Proposes to
Work With a Will for
Smooth Roadbed.

'Repave Market street." The slogan
has been sounded and the friends of good
highways are marshaling for an energetic
and persistent fight. The demonstration
of Saturday night is a source of gratifica-
ton to wheelmen and others directly in
terested and to the great mass of specta-
tors who viewed the line of march it was q
revelation. The showing made by the
cyclists was q fruitful topic of conversation
in the bicycle clubs yesterday afternoon,
and the opinion was enthusiastically ex-
pressed that when such body wants any
thing nothing can stop it. And the wheel
men want Market street repaved.
at was great showing" declared w.
]. Kenny, chairman of the parade COM
mittee of the Cycle Board of Trade. 1--WE
have been nearly two months getting
ready for it. and it has entailed no end of
hard work. At first some of the bicycle
clubs seemed reluctant about entering.
Then We went before them on their meet
ing nights and explained Just what we
wanted. When we convinced them that
the board was honestly endeavoring to
start an agitation that would result in bet
ter roads for this City they came up nobly
and the parade, as far as the wheelmen
were concerned, fully came up to our ex-
pectatIons. 1t took hard and persistent
accomplish anything important. Anyway
that is the way we intend to proceed to
get Market street repaved.
What the bicycle dealers and riders
want most now is some kind of a smooth
pavement from the ferries out Market and
Valencia to Twenty-ninth. We are not
porticular what kind of q pavement.
dor mo,
thing, but we do want something that a
bicycllst can ride upon without risking his
neck. We, of course, wish the best pos
sible pavement put down, but we are will
ing to leave it to the judgment of others
what is the best.
Valencia street is virtually continue
tion OF Market street and it is the main
artery OF one of the most populous Sec
tions of the City. Watch the cars as they
travel along that street and you will gain
an idea of the traffic along it. Every car
Is filled, and before the Mission-streer
electrIc-cars were put on the people were
compelled to stand up inside and hang on
outside. 1t is the most natural outlet OF
the City, yet bicyclist cannot traverse
that street with safety. His only choice
is between the well-nigh impassab BILE basalt
blocks and cable-slot which at places is
two or three inches above the surface of
the street. To slip from the slot it such a
place would mean almost inevitable dis
aster.
"The wheelmen have no desire to have a
road built for them alone. They want a
good, smooth, serviceable road upon
which teamsters can haul to ADVANTAGE.
and which will be a benefit to the whole
people. We intend to keep on agitatino
this matter, and we rely for aid and SUD
port, as we have had in the past. from the
press, the Merchants Association, the
teamsters, the improvement clubs and the
great army OF enterprising citizens who
believe that good roads are a necessary
feature OF well-regulated city. We must
have good roads, and we will have them.
First of all, Market street must be re.
paved"
A. B. Mcguire is one of the most active
members of the executive committee OF
the South Side clubs. To Mr. Mcguire
good roads has become almost a creed
and the suggestion of improvement tets
forth unlimited enthusiasm. Mr.. Ma
guire was an aid in the Saturday night
demonstration and expressed himself as
delighted with the turnout which the
wheelmen made.
What the South Side clubs are now
working for mainly" he said, "is the con.
tlnuation OF the improvement of Folsom,
street from Third to the ferries, the block
between Eleventh and Twelfth and the
crossings at Ninth, Eleventh and Twelfth
streets. Then we want the sidewalks re.
dueed from 19 feet inches to Is feet.
giving the extra width to the roadway.
We are also in favor of repaying Mar
ket street. The pfesent pavement on that
street Is constant menace to teaming.
The basalt blocks and cobbles are as
smooth as glass and horses frequently sin
and their power is constantly diminished
Bltumen partakes of the same fault when
it is wet: and it seems to me something
should be found In which this element is
not present. Personally, think m acadam
makes the best road, but know a great
many would not agree with me.
NOW that the advocates of good roads
have shown their strength, it seems to M
tney should determine what kind of pave
ment they want; then, having decided on
tnat point, demand an appropriation and
stay with it, The great secret of success in
these matters is persistence. Soms ono
must take the matter in hand and with
tireless energy push it along. It will be a
thAnkiess task. People will impuen the
motives OF the leaders, but they must NOT
get discouraged. Much will depend on
the press In this matter. In our agitation
Tor the improvement of Folsom street tbe
press has been our back bone. IT has
treated us royalty, ana we feel that our
success is due TO it. If the united press Of
this City decides that Market street must
be repaved 1t will be done within wear -
The teamsters, who were at first TeInct.
ant about entering the movement, under
the belief that bitumen was the onIy
pavement to be considered, are now hear
and soul with the agitators. number ol
them entered the procession Saturday
night as mounted aids, and the more
progressive of them have taken up with a
Will the slogan: 'tRepave Market street. y