The record-union., 1899-12-15
At the Morning Proceedings Of the csnven-
ton in Session at San Francisco.
A Resolution Unanimously Adopt
ed for the Appointment of a
Special Committee to Draft a
New Law for Street Work, to
Be Presented to the Next Legis-
lature.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14.-"Meth-
DDS of Street Improvement was the
subject discussed by the representa-
tives Of California municipalities at the
session of the convention in Pioneer
Hall this morning. Many new ideas
were expressed by the Mayors, City
Attorneys and other municipal officials,
the discussion proving particularly in
structive to those who regard the mat
ter of street Improvement as one of
the most important of modern munic-
ipal problems. The discussion CEN
provement Act, and the concensus of
opinion was that the Act was inef-
fective.
In the absence of Mayor Phelan, the
meeting was presided over by First
Vice President J. w. Richards of
Berkeley.
The first paper presented was by City
Attorney w. A. Beasley of San Jose.
ON Taxation for Street Improve
ments.''
Mr.. Beasley's paper precipitated quite
discussion, the delegates telling Of
their varied experiences under the
terms of the Act.
Mayor Fred Eaton Of Los Angeles
told how the law had worked in the
southern metropolis. zone trouble"
said Mayor Eaton, sis that men who
happen to have political pull are put
in charge of the work in many cases.
1 think the City Engineers should have
charge of the work, instead Of the
Street superintendent, because they
are more skilled and experienced. 1
do not believe in abandoning the right
of protest, because very often the con-
tractors will carry through jobs for
their own benefit, and the people
should be allowed the right of pro-
testing against such jobs
Jacob Hutchinson of Palo Alto asked
if the Vrooman Act might not be
amended along the lines of the Los
Angeles charter.
Mayor Eaton replied that it would
be an excellent idea, as the Los An
geles charter had worked well.
Joseph Spinney, President of the
Board of Trustees of Fresno. advised
that each city should ascertain at the
beginning of the year how much would
be needed for street work, making it
special fund for this purpose.
The discussion was terminated by
Joseph Hutchinson, who moved that
the Chairman appoint special COM
mittee to draft new bill for street
work, to be presented to the next Leg
islature.
This motion was unanimously adopt
ed
The subject of municipal licenses was
brought up by Mr.. Hale of Martinez,
who introduced the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That the Legislative Com
mittee be directed to prepare a bill
the purpose of which will be to exempt
the general business enterprises with
in incorporated cities from the pay
ment of licenses to the COUNTESS
The resolution was referred to the
committee.
At the afternoon session the con-
vention listened to- many interesting
discourses on the experiences of cities
that owned and operated their own
water works Each speaker was an
advocate of municipal ownership.
President Sweet of the Santa Rosa,
Trustees, President Druftel Of the
Santa Clara Trustees, Professor Marx
of Palo Alto and City Trustee Sorenson
of Modesto talked on the subject.
The Chairman appointed the follow
ing committee to draft new street laws
to be submitted to the next Legisla-
ture: Joseph Hutchinson, Palo Alto:
w. A. Beasley, Sam Jose; E. K. Tay-
lor, Alameda; Mayor Fred Eaton, Los
Angeles; G. w. Finch, Riverside; JOS
eph Spinney, Fresnoi President ]. s..
Sweet of Santa Rosa Trustees; City
Attorney j. T. Yorke, Napa; G. r. Ken
nedy, Chico.
At to-night's session the following
resolution was passed:
ct is the opinion of this league that
1t will require at least one year to fully
investigate the condition of the street
Improvement laws of this State, and
draft a thoroughly considered substi-
tute for or amendment of the same,
and for that reason this league hereby
requests his honor, Governor Gage, ITO
omit from the call for special session
of the Legislature, should such session
be called. all reference to the subject