The San Francisco call., 1896-01-03
THE NEW FERRY DEPOT,
Attorneys Differ Materially Over
the Letting of the Con.
tracts.
Attorney General Fitzgerald Says the
Case Must Go to the Supreme
Court.

The Harbor Commissioners are wonder
ing just where they stand in regard to the
new ferry depot. TREY L. Ford and F. S.
'StTatton, who have been acting for the
board, have one opinion, and Attorney
General Fitzgerald has another. As the
Acknowledgement is a member of the
Board Of Examiners, the chances are that
Messrs. Colnon, Cole and Chadbourne will
be sure of their position before any of the
contracts are finally awarded. AS matters
appear at present, it looks as though the
case would have to be taken to the Su-
preme Court in order to get legal deci-
sion.
The difference of opinion is over the
general law and the Political Code. Fitz-
gerald says the former must be followed,
and in consequence q 10 per cent deposit
must be made. Stratton and Ford say the
Political Code is what governs the matter,
and that only 5 per cent deposit is neces-
sary. Governor Budd was present at the
discussion IN the morning, but even his
legal mind could not solve the problem, so
the whole matter went over TO the next
meeting. In the meantime o test case will
be prepared and the matter will be carried
to the Supreme Court This will not delay
can be going on with the framework and
the contractor for the masonry can be get
ting the stone ready.
During the afternoon session ex-Super-
visor Dundon appeared before the board
and wanted to make an explanation in re-
gard to his tramway on section A of the
seawall. President Colnon ruled him out
of order and then took occasion to say that
the whole matter seemed to be irregular.
sit seems to me that Mr.. Dundon is doing
pretty well, said the president. 1--WE al
low him the use of small portion of the
water front at rent of $50 a month, and
then he comes in without permission and
not only builds tramway but erects a
derrick"
At this point Dundon got up and said he
had acted in all good faith. He understood
that he had permission to build the tram
way and erect derrick as otherwise his
lot on the front would be of no use to him.
The matter was finally referred to Chief
Engineer Holmes and Chief Wharfnger
Root to examine and report upon. The
chances are that they will favor the grant
ing OF the privilege and that will be the
last heard Of it.
President Colnon gave notice that at the
next meeting of the board he would move
that all offices on the wharves be removed.
he made an exception in favor of the
steamship companies and boatmen, but
80 tAAO bLlS4S Ai4ASb SO- DOuN, DOCn
brick and ballast men, ought to be made
to move,'' said he yesterday. s'There is
the San Jose Brick Company, and al
though William D. English, the president,
Is my very good friend 1 think they ought
to be made to move and leave the front
clear. No one except those directly inter
ested in the outside commerce of the port
should be allowed On the seawall"
Commissioner Cole thought that if the
brick, hay and ballast men were compelled
to move the boatmen and the Naval
Battalion should be made to follow suit.
He thought that laundry and butchers
shop had just as much right on the sea-
wall as boatman. He said he would
make motion to that effect at the next
meeting.
Commissioner Chadbourne did not agree
with Mr.. Cole, and the chances are that
when the motion comes up next Tuesday
he will vote with the president and Cole
will be in the minority.
Ii President Colnon's motion is carried
it will result in the removal of all the
bricks and irewood from the wharves and
will compel the agents to find offices on
the west side of East street. The tugboat
offices will not be affected, but every in
dividual who attempts to conduct whole
sale and retail business on the water front
will have to move.