The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-15
Concerted Plan to Bring Back
Tenants Recently Ex-
PEELED.
LONG FARLEY OF THE JURY.
A Conference With Supervisors on
Tax Levy, Estimates and
Assessments,

When the dens of infamy on Morton
street were closed and the dissoIute deni-
zens forced to abandon the place the Police
Commissioners and members of the Grand
Jury congratulated themselves, and re-
ceived the thanks of the community for
good work done in the cause of common
decency. a few weeks ago. umors reached
the Grand Jury that concerted effort was
in progress to undo the work that had
been done and permit the outcasts to re-
turn to the place from which they had
been expelled. AT first the rumor was not
credited, but gradually it transpired that
petitions had been circulated and the sig
natures of property-owners on Grant ave-
nue. and Kearny street obtained to the re-
quest that the former tenants should be
allowed to return.
Some time ago the Chief of Police was
advised that movement of this kind was
in progress. 1t came to his knowledge
that a man representing himself TO be a
lawyer had sought personal interviews
with the women who had been driven
from the street and collected quite a sum
of money from them. This man demanded
from each one of the women the payment
OF $40 as preliminary fee, promising that
the calling in which they had been en-
gagged should again be pursued without
molestation from the police authorities
When Chief Crowley heard of these tran
sactions he sent for the man and stopped
the game at once. The Chief regrets that
he has not the power to compel persons like
this Morton-street broker to leave town
and not return.
1t is known now to the Grand Jury that
petition extensively signed is in ex-
istence. Great caution was observed in
the circulation OF the petition, and now
the jurors are beginning to wonder what
the next move will be. The street was
closed to immoral traffic by order of the
Police Com missioners. The dens of vice
that were closed cannot be reopened unless
the order is suspended or revoked. Chief
Crowley said yesterday that police officer
was yet stationed there with instructions
to carry out the orders of the Commits
sioners.
Should the petition which is said to be
SO. extensively signed be presented TO the
Police Commissioners or the Board of
Supervisors the names thereon will be
studied with curiosity. The Grand
Jury cannot understand why property
owners who own houses and shanties on
that street should care to defy public
sense OF decency for transient gain. The
members regard with particular satisfac-
ton the work which they have done in
cleaning out the street. and are confident
nance in value by reason OF its redemption
from former disgraceful uses.
The Grand Jury was in session from 30
until O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The
subjects under consideration were tax-levy
and assessments For a long time Super
Committee of the board were with the
jury. The discussion took a wide range.
bearing upon expenditures in various de-
partments of the municipal government.
Supervisor Taylor entertalns notions OF
economy in line with the views which the
Grand Jury commends. Supervisor Ben
jamin is inclined TO be progressive and lib
eral. He would not promise to adhere to
lines of economy which would stint the
departments in the use OF money.
As q result OF the deliberation the jury
instructed Secretary Frank P. McLennan,
Theodore f. Payne, Alpheus Bull Jr. and
the expert, Horace Dunn, to prepare and
transmit 10 the Board of Supervisors q
communication setting forth the conclu-
sions and desires of the Grand Jury. The
communication will go to the board at 10
o'clock this forenoon.
Last night the committee was at work
preparing the communication. 1t is prob
able that the documenJ Will follow the
line of action decided upon shortly after
the jury was organized. 1t was then
resolved that the jury should use its intiu-
ence to secure a reduction of the tax on
tax OF 81 % was an exaction which ap-
preached confscation of property and con-
stituted burden under which le-siumate
business enterprises could not probably
exist. To lessen this tax it was resolved tc
interview the Assessor and urge him tC
use the greatest diligence in listing fol-
taxation such personal property as securi-
ties, money in bank and valuable
franchises.
1t was held that an increase of the per
sonal-property roll would diminish the
burden on real estate. 1t was also plann ed
to interview the heads of departments and
ascertai in from each Just how much money
would be actually required for the fiscal
year ending June go 1897.
The expert of the Grand Jury was de.
tailed to make independent estimates. He
was charged with the duty of examining
the requisition of the Street Department
and the School Department to ascertain il
the amounts requested were absolutely
necessary.
So thorough has been the work OF the
Grand Jury in collecting information and
supplying comparative data that the Su-
perVisors concede that new light has been
cast on the subject of municipal manage
ment.
1t is now understood that the Super
visors will be urged TO uphold assess
ments and reduce allowances, so that
City taxes may be brought down again tc
81 on the hundred. 1t is figured that the
State tax this year should not go above
so cents. Therefore it is hoped that re-
duction from 50 % to 81 so may be Sc
cured.
NO., AryoNyC