The San Francisco call., 1897-05-22
GOOD WORK WE'LL DONE.

The report of the directors of the Mer-
chants Association, submitted at the third
annual meeting, was one of the most en-.
couraging documents which has been read
to San Francisco audience for many a
year. 1t was eloquent in the concise
statement OF things done. 1t cheered the
future by narrating the accomplishments
of the past, and gave assurance OF con-
tinued usefulness by the record OF present
services.
The increase in mem bership OF the as
sociation is in itself striking illustration
of the value of the organization and a
proof that when any body of men really
achieve much for public benefit it will not
lack for support, but will draw into its
membership many progressive citizens
who hesitated to join at first. The asso-
citation began its career three years ago
with but AZ members; two years ago
the roll mum bered 4o6; to-day s67 busi-
ness firms are enrolled as regular mem
bers. Every industry in the City is repre-
sented, and the strength OF the organiza-
tion is now sufficiently great to enter upon
undertakings which, in the beginning, it
would have regarded as almost beyond Its
power to accomplish.
The record of what has been done for
the municipality during the three years OF
the life of the association is one OF which
it may be Justly proud. 1t has not at
tanned all that it aimed At, but it has done
much. The streets and sidewalks have
been made cleaner. the pavements better,
street sprinkling has been improved, the
;oh "A af1n ma
of the principal streets are disappearing,
the advantages of better lighting along
the business thoroughfares have been
demonstrated by experiments voluntarily
borne by merchants and in many other
ways the energies of the association have
achieved results which tend greatly to
improve the business comfort and the
health of the community.
All that has been achieved so far is re-
garded by the association as but the
earnest of things yet to be done. The re-
port clearly sets forth deter mination not
only to continue the efforts for bett er
street pavements, street cleaning and
street lighting. but to undertake other
tasks not less important Among these
pointed out in the report are the improve
ment of the drainage system. the adoption
of more liberal policy in the construc-
ton of street pavements, the establish
ment of a more economical system OF
municipal government and the advances
ment of the movement for obtaining q new
charter. All of these undertakings so di-
rectly concern the welfare of every citizen
that all may be rightly counted on to CO.
operate with the association in carrying
them to q successful conclusion.
San Francisco is to be congratulated on
having such body OF men among her
citizens. The work done. by the Mer-
chants Association is a sufficient proof
that we are not lacking In civic patriotism,
and that we have citizens among US who
are capable not only OF outlining pro-
gressive policy, but OF conducting it with
ability and efficiency. With such record
the association can rightly appeal to the
public generally for support in all work
that it undertakes hereafter, and every
citizen ought to feel that he will honor
himself by becoming mem mber OF the as
ISOLATION or allying himself with it as a
supporter of its enterprise.