The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-17
LAKE MERRITT TO BE PURGED.
It's Unsanitary Condition Brought
Forcibly to the Councils
Attention

OAKLAND, July 1.-THE Lake Merritt
Sanitary Improvement Club made its first
public appearance last evening at the
committee of the whole of the City Coun-
Gil. Captain Edwin Goodall, it's presi-
dent, explained the clubs existence with
few words. saying that until recently
we supposed no one severed into Lake
Merritt" Continuing he said:
when we found that between GOO and
700 people had sewers emptying into Gem
etery Creek we became very much
alarmed and decided to organize to put a
stop to it. think it is generally admitted
that the sewering into Lake Merritt
should be discontinued. We are very
anxious that you give us the support to
stop this. In addition we want to dredge
the lake. 1t is an open cesspool as it is
at present The water has been analysed
and found to be in filthy condition. 1
understand the enforcement of the law
will stop the sewage that is coming into
the lake. We especially ask you to make
some appropriation for the dredging of
the lake, for, as said, it is a cesspool
and mudhole. We come to you for re-
have gathered data that will give you full
which goes into Lake. Merritt"
Ira Bishop followed with an enuncia-
ton of all the tributaries leading into
the main pipe, which empties into Lake
Merritt.
These aggregate AT miles," declared
the speaker, 'and the refuse and filth
from all this line enpties right out of
one box within block of Lake Merritt
proper. After the tide recedes one or
two feet the ground is left bare, and
from this time to the time the water
returns the deposit forced from this fif-
teen miles of sewer is left upon the mud
and the incoming tide carries 1t out With
1t. Indeed when l heard Captain Goodall
call that lake cesspool L could hardly
think that any other name was proper"
The committee recommended that the
Council take the matter up at once. They
appointed Councilmen Hoffman, Brosna-
han and Cuvellier to confer with the City
Engineer and City Attorney regarding
plans, etc.
More Assessments Reduced.
OAKLAND, July 1.-THE county Board
of Equalization met to-day and transact
ed the following business: haywards cleo
trio road was granted reductions as fol-
lows: Cars from s36: 800 to s29 .l5O; machin-
600 to s13.500. Other sections of the fran
chise were reduced from $500 to $780, $500
to $780, s29 900 to $40 600; $4,000 to $1,000; $1,000
to 800 Switches and tracks. $4,000 to $500
Small pieces of franchise were also re-
duced about 80 per cent.
Oakland Gas, Light and Heat Company
was reduced from $4,000 to $4,000 on GER
tain improvements and pipe lines which
had been through an error assessed twice.
The assessment on SO acres of water
front property was reduced from s22l 500
granted on the Southern Pacific's street
railroads in this city.
Oakland News Items.
OAKLAND, July les. B. McLenegan
was formally elected secretary of the Oak
land, San Leandro and Haywards Elec-
trio Railway Company this afternoon,
vice A. L. Stone resigned.
Griffith NJ. Roberts, for twenty years an
employee of the Southern Pacific Com
pany. died at his home, $40 East Twenty
tive of Wales. 62 years of age; a Mason.
odd Fellow. Workman and member of the
Mutual Benefit Association.
Judge Greene has granted writ of ha-
beas corpus to Julia Cruceilar for pos
session Of the three-year-old child of Ar
mand and Jane Rouenl They refused to
give up the child, and were exceedingly
angry with the Judge when his order
was made known to them.
Fred Madsen was convicted of stealing
a pure Scotch collie from Mrs P NJ Cox
to-day in the Police Court. He sold the
animal to John Miller for 81. Detective
Shorey narrowly escaped being bitten by
the dog when he went to Miller's for it.