The San Francisco call., 1897-10-16

now after twenty-six years, when it mas
more than trebled in value, to buy it back
and take ii out Of the taxable list of prop
erty, wonld be very foolish TO say the
| least.
-"Yet recognizing the will of the maicr-
ity OF the people in he movement, If they
really want and think it is necessary TO
| imp prove the appearance of the front of the
| City Hall. would off r no obstinate re-
sistance, but l want every dollar 1 have
invested in the lots from the time pur-
| chased them.
"Whe her the land was condemned by
| legal process or through mutual ar
rangement would make no difference to
me. | will be as good as the others in
| meeting the wish oil the citizens.
But l do not believe that the people
are in earnest on the proposition"
| George I. Marye, one of the largest
owners of property, was very positive in
| his opposition 10 the entire scheme
From a purely business point of view
| 1t would be the very worst thing that the
| people could do.
at would have the effect of destroying
the value of all property west of Jones
! street. and the north side OF Market street
would so depreciate in value as to be
hardly worth holding from business
| standpoint.
This gap would virtually DESTROY the
continuity of business on this, one of the
| grandest business streets IN the world, as
| hold Market street will be inside of the
| next twenty year..
81 expect TO live to see this grand street
| cut right through the Twin Peaks, and
eventually go clear to the ocean.
ITO now open gap of three blocks
| right in the center-which this is-would
| be grievous mistake, and one that would
TO my mind be regretted ever after by the
people who are now advocating the
| prouosition.
''Now bear in mind that nv objections
| do not come from nv owning the prop
erty. For tnis | would cheerfully dispose
| of it 10 the people ii for one moment
thought it would be an improvement.
speak now as citizen and not as AN
owner OF lots on the size mentioned"
| 5. q. Burnett, the owner OF the only
| three-story building on The property, said:
| while l must give credit to The CALL
| and its proprietor for the desire to ad-
vance the welfare OF San Francisco as it
| has of late, yet L Cannot coincide In i,s
| policy on this score.
Il have travelled extensively through
| the United States and Europe during the
| past ten years, and in all of those travels
l am Tree to say that the equal of Market
| street as business thoIoughfare | have
| not seen. Now, TO open space of three
! blocks Tor a park right in the center OF
this purely business street would be an
error-a much greater one than the first
| when the property was sold and the rear
of The City Hall made 10 face toward Mar
ket street.
when l bought the lot On Market
street did so as an investment and not
on speculation.
Il mprOved it and l intend to add to
this Improvement by and by, as believe
The business Will justly me in so doing.
| Nevertheless, with all this, if the
peoP really mean and want to turn the
| lots into park l will offer no objection
so far as giving up my holding al fair
valuation"
! s. w. Levy, the owner of twenty-five
! feet running through from Market street
| 10 Park avenue, said: 81 am not in favor
OF II, but il the people must have it'll will
not stand IN their way. All want is a
fair valuation. But l don't believe they
| mean it
! ID. NJ. Sachs, one OF the trustees of the
Martin Sachs corporations: LAS for my
| sell, while am only one of the trustees
OF my deceased fathers property, l will
say that II Is my i'm preston that we will
not OBJECT 10 aid in improving Market
street II The people Sre determined on
/ doing so by turning this properly into
park.
'Of course we would insist on a fair
valuation OF the property and the money
invested up 10 date, with interest from
| the date OF investment"
Il. heIIer OF Il. a ,. Heller. represent
ing the interest of une estate OF w Heller,
| spoke III the same strain as that OF ID. NJ.
| Sachs. IL the people want the proper
| Tor park no obstacles would be thrown
/ In The way by any cinch price. A fair
valuation OF the properly and the money
and interest aye all that they want.
Fergus O'Lsarv, the owner of three
| lots, while non-committa! on the ash
| biilty of the undertaking. will acquiesce
In any movement by which the civ NAV
be improved, provided he is recon- pensed
! Tor the money invested in the lots and
! i'm provements made thereon
George Hummel, the owner of twenty
/ hve feet frontage on Market street, while
/ opposed TO the entire proposition on the
/ ground OF its destroying Market street as
business street by driving away stores
| on That SIDE for distance of three blocks.
| VIII reIinqui'h his holding dollar for
| dollar for what it cost him if the peo-
pie insist on turning the ground into a
1 mark