The San Francisco call., 1896-05-29
James D. Phelan Declares Him.
self Against the City
Government.
at COULD NOT BE ANY WORSE
Better Paved and Sprinkled Streets
Demanded and Bonds Wanted for
Sewers and Lights.

he had to say about the city government
he regretted that so simple a matter as
getting directory in the City Hall should
oblige fifteen directors 10 make several
trips to the Supervisors chambers, and
then only with the result that misunder-
standings prevailed and that the object of
these visits was not attained. They had
succeeded in some small things, however,
and that was some little consolation.
He spoke of the levy that had been made
Tor the purpose of sprinkling the streets,
and he was sorry to say that the work
had not been done, but that the fund had
been diverted to other uses.
President Dohrmann announced among
the agreeable Things that during the past
two months 110 firms had ioineS the asso-
citation as regular mem bers. Among the
good points possessed by the proposed new
charter was the fact that it would reduce
the tax levy and limit the rate of taxation
to 81 II on the 500 valuation. The bond
ing OF the City for sewers, pavements, ETC.,
Is made clear by the new charter, and pos
terity, which will enjoy most CT the bene-
fit; will be required to bear its pro rata OF
the expenses.
The report of the board of directors con-
tains the following:
year ago the membership of the associa-
tion was 214. Tonight the rolls of the Mer-
chants Association comprise 443 regular
members, showing a gratifying increase dur
ing the past year of 229 members. AS each
business firm represents but one member, and
most of the firms contain several partners and
many employees, the actual number who belong
TO and cooperate with the association exceeds
1000
Uniform and systematic sprinkling of the
streets of this City was taken up by the Mer-
chants Association in conjunction with street.
sweeping. Our nigh summer winds and the
sandy nature of the soil of this peninsula
make 1t clearly apparent that streetsprink-
ling in San Francisco is as much public
necessity as street-sweeping. 1t is, therefore,
properly municipal function, and should be
performed by the City for the preservation OF
the health and comfort OF the inhabitants
Accordingly, specifications for sprinkHng have
been embodied with those for cleaning the
public streets. 1t now remains to be seen
whether the Supervisors will awaken to the
proper needs of our municipality, and provide
the uniform and systematic sprinkling of our
streets as prevails in every progressive city in
the Union.
The disgraceful condition of many of the
leading thoroughfares of San Francisco is
merited reproach to our community Moth
ing is moro detrimental to the progress and
forts of your board of directors have been
given to this important subject. The Street
Department assigns its inability to repaYe our
principal streets to the depleted condition of
the public funds.
Renewed efforts will be made during the
coming fiscal year to have the abominable
cobbles in our downtown streets replaced with
improved noiseless pavements. The present
defective system of this City's government pre-
vents any elaborate plan for repaving the
principal streets of this City. 1t would GER
tainly be unwiSe 10 repave our main thorough
fares until a proper system of sewers contain
ing necessary conduits had been provided
for. This can only be effected by bonding the
City for sufficient sum, so hat the burden
will not fall altogether on the taxpayers of the
City, Dut will justly be distributed for forty
years 10 come. The taxpayers of San Fran
cisco VIII never consent 10 the bonding OF the
City under the present defective system of
municipal cover nment.
The board earnestly recommends the better
illumination of the streets and parks It has
become apparent that a change of system in
our City government is most imperatiyeIy de-
manded. Careful study of the proposed new
charter conclusively proves that it is infinitely
superior to the present obsolete and complex
government OF San Francisco.
The secretary was instructed to cast the
ballot of the association for the following
named fifteen directors, and they were de-
clared elected for the ensuing year:
A. S. Baldwin, Charles Bundschu, James s.
Conweh, w. G.. Doane, F. w. Dohrrnann Will
liam Doxey A. G. J. Fusenot, Henry D. Ken,
Manfred S. Kohlberg, Henry Michaels, R. f.
Osborn, NJ. A. Rothschild, Joseph Simonson,
vanderlynn Stow, Frank A. Swain.
The following committee was appointed
TO wait upon the Election Commissioners
and the Registrar and urge upon them the
importance of placing the words, "For the
New Charter" and Against the New
Charter" at the head of the municip
portion of the ticket
Joseph Britton, president OF the Board of
Freeholders; James d. Phelan, president of the
San Francisco Association of Improvement
Clubs; Hugh Craig, president of the Chamber
of Commerce; L ]. Truman, president OF the
Civic Federation; Hugo D. Keil, director of the
Merchants Association.
Secretary Freud read a plan of action
with reference 10 the adoption of the new
charter. He suggested that it was certain
that all the precinct officers to be named
by the officials would be opposed to the
adoption of the charter. He added:
1t is absolutely necessary for the friends OF
the charter 10 insist upon having some of the
election officers in each precinct favorably
disposed to the adoption of the charter. II
that is not permitted, then faithful and vigil
ant watchers for the new charter should be
stationed in each election booth TO see that
every vote polled for the charter is honestly
counted and tailed.
Permit me to suggest plan of accomplish
ing this result by The volunteer services of the
friends OF the new charter. Nearly all the
members of the Merchants Association have
many employees. There are 293 election pre-
cfncts in San Francisco. Let each member OF
the Merchants Association permit one or
more OF his faithful clerks or employees 70 act
as election officers or watchers. BY this sim
pie plan of having the watchers relieved at
regular intervals the friends of the charter
could feel assured that every vote polled in its
favor has been accurately and honestly
counted. 1t would be patriotic service rem