The San Francisco call., 1897-06-08
THE FARMERS
ARE IMPATIENT
Think the Free Market
Should Have Been Built
for This Years Crop.
The Farmers Cub Directs the
Harbor Commissioners to
Get to Work.
Interesting Papers Discussing All
the Problems Presented By
the Law.

The San Francisco Farmers Club held
called meeting last evening at the Me-
chanics Institute TO consider the matter
OF the free market. A programme had
been prepared covering the questions
raised in the discussion before the Harbor
Commissioners few days ago, the data
being supplied by persons most familiar
with them.
There was quite a large attendance, a
number OF interested farmer and orchard
lists being present from distant parts of
the State.
After the reading of the papers mo-
tion was made to adjourn for two weeks
for their careful consideration, the discus
sion being postponed until that time.
This called out good deal of i'm patient
comment, especially from the men from
the country, with regard to the delay,
surprise being expressed at the statement
made by several of those who lad been
In communication with the Harbor Com
missioners that the free market could not
be made availa bic this season.
Colonel Denieke introduced the follow
ing resolution, which was supported by
the men from the country and by some OF
those of the City, among them l. ]. Tru-
man, chairman of the programme com.
mittee:
WHEREAS, The Legislature of this State made
a law insTuctlng the Stale Ha-bor Commis-
siOners 10 establish free market on the City
front, this meeting considers 1t the duty OF
the Commissioners TO take immediate steps to
carry out the instructions OF the State law
givers.
Some opposition V as made to this,
especially by E. +. Adams, B. n. RowIey
and Secretary O'Brien, who insisted that
the Harbor Commissioners should not be
censured, as they really desired to carry
out the law, but needed information which
only the farmer could give, and that this
resolution looked like censure.
Disclaiming any intention 10 censure,
Colonel Denicke sill declared that if the
Harbor Com mission dIQ not feel equal to
the work laid out for them by the law
they should resign and give place TO 9TH
ers who were equal 10 II.
To this sentiment Mr.. Truman tersely
subscribed, and others did the same more
at length and quite as caus:ically.
The resolution passed. 1t was further
decided that the data before the club
should be laid before the commission at
an early date.
Alfred Holman, editor and proprietor OF
the Rural Press, presided at the meeting.
Several papers were read.
The paper which touched nearest the
cart of the topic was that OF Marsden
Manson on the engineering problem,
which, with the harbor Commission,
seems to be the only real problem. His
recommendations were as follows:
First-Let jackson and Washington piers,
Nos aud 5, be built and enlarged as two
story piers. Rapid freight elevators should be
provided on each side to connect steamers and
barges, decks with either floor or chutes for
returning empty packages TO steamers and
barges The bulkhoad between and adjacent
10 these piers TO be similarly constructed, so
that along the entire front wagons can be
loaded from the second story, not I'M Deding
traffic below.
second-Connect the northern end OF the
City with the southern by an elevated railroad
along Drumm and Main streets. The grade
approach at each end, TO be opposite and upon
Stale property, and thus avoid damages. At
suitable points, erect turntables so that cars
can be run into second stories of stores, ware
houses. etc. along the entire length, and also
with the second floors OF such piers as may be
desirable.
Third-Let the State acquire as a market
space one block of land between Drumm,
East Clay and Pacific streets ana connect this
area with the elevated Track down Drumm
street and with piers Nos l and 2, and pre-
vide il with facilities co-responl ing with
those on the piers. Qn this connection it is
we'll TO consider Washington street
Fourth-For temporary purposes the belt
railroad should be extended along East street
/ 10 the bukhead between piers Nos and
aud used exclusively for handing carload lots
| of fruit and vegetables, these being landed
/ when desirable, at Lombsrd-street slip in
stead OF at Second-street slip.
I
| barges housed over and subdivlded into COM
/ parIments. in which dairy products, dressed
me at and poultry, fruits, etc, could be left
| standing as long as desirable, would greatly
| relieve present conditions.
! In connection with the increased facilities
| given TO properties along Drumm and Main
streets and the consequent enhancement OF
| values no reasonable objection should be
| raised 10 the elevated freight railroad. Suit
| able turntables along tnis line would make
the second stories of the entire frontages on
I both sides highly valuable.
! This alignment would relieve the entire
| water front. from Broadway 10 Bryant street,
from the difficulty OF operating surface road
for connecting the northern and southern
parts of the water front ana. in addition,
avoid .he expense and difficulty of crossing
the foot of Mai ket street.
Tne elevated crossing at Market and Drumm
streets should be Ii ade in an orname tai style.
! lam aware that the above proposition can
| be attacked on the ground of expenses But
/ If intelligently and economically carried out
every dollar expended would add 10 he value