The San Francisco call., 1898-03-23
Caused the Abandonment of the Clay Street
 Tracks.
Business Men Refuse to Occupy Stores That Are Now
 Erected.
Proper:y- Owners Can Blame No One but Themselves for the
 Loss.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,

sos Broadway, March 22
 The evolution Of Clay street into a busi- ness thoroughfare to rival Washington street has received a severe setback by the abandonment of the street railway tracks by the Realty Syndicate. This proves a surprise alike to the company, the Council and the citizens who do not reside in that district. The companies have abandoned the tracks upon the ur- gent solicitation of the property owners and now the same people are begging and praying to have the order rescinded.
 Some time ago the property owners were requested to pave Clay street with bituminous rock. Some expressed their willingness to comply provided the street car tracks were removed. The rails were set high above the grade and always caused trouble for teams. Considerable pressure was brought to bear upon the company at different times both in and out of the Council to Induce them to give up this portion of their route. At that time they had arranged for a circuitouS route, covering Clay, Franklin, Four teenth and Second streets, upon which cars were to be run in both directions and intersect all lines of the Realty Syndicate. But in consequence of the continuance of the tracks upon the street, the syndicate decided to give it up and so announced. This was supposed to be the desire Of the people upon that street and the end Of the whole business.
 But in consequence of the opposition to the continuance of the tracks upon the street, the syndicate decided to give 1t up and announced. This was supposed to be the desire of the people upon that street and the end Of the whole business.
 Now, however, the property owners eVl- dently think they have made mistake, and are doing all in their power to undo what has been done. It was announced to-day that two or three Of the parties who have contracts to occupy stores either already erected on Clay street or will cancel their contracts owing to the changed conditions. This has caused some of the property-oWnerS to protest to the Realty Syndicate against the abandonment of the road. Manager Ira Bishop, when asked to-day whether there scinding their action, replied in t--e mega tive He sad the whole question was settled as far as they were concerned some time ago, when they did as re- QueSted by the residents, prOperty-OWnerS and City Council.
 The work of tearing up the track has already begun, and in it the property owners see a severe setback to the ad- Vancement of Clay street. It is expected that several buildings proposed TOT this spring will be delayed in building on this street.
 The work of uniting the Alameda and CentraI-aYenue tracks is completed ex- eept the curve at Eleventh an.4 Harrison streets, and before the week ends the cars will run through from Alameda to the SiXteenth-Street depot. Work will be begun at once to extend the Eighth stree track from Grove street to Broad way, where passengers will be trans ferred until the East Oa--.and nne can be transformed into narrow-gauge system.