The San Francisco call., 1899-07-08
PHELAN ESCAPES
FROM THE HORNS
Of A DILEMMA
Gossip Caused by His
Hasty Vacation.
WHAT RUMOR HAS TO SAY
SEEKS TO EVADE THE MEsHEs
OF THE DOG ORDINANCE"
A Trip to Yosemite Just at a Time
When His Presence Is Urg-
emily Needed in San
Francisco.

Mayor Phelan started on a trip to 1o-
semitic Valley somewhat hurriedly last
Thursday night, and yesterday it was
gossiped around the City Hall that his.
Honor is artfully lodging some exceed
ingly important issues which he does not
care to go squarely for or against. This
gossip may or may not have any founda-
ton. but 1t is regarded as most peculiar
that he should rush off just at this time,
when so many serious matters demand his
attention. instead of waiting until August,
when the Board of Supervisors will take
a vacation.
For instance. there is the tax levy with
it's manifold complications to be straight
ened out Last Monday the Mayor prom
ised to confer with the Finance Commit
tee regarding the levy but when Chair
man Perrault of the committee sought to
induce him to fix a date for the confer
ence the Mayor somewhat testify replied
that any time in the course of a couple
Of weeks would do
Then again the Election Commissioners
are extremely anxious to have the Mayor
in attendance when they act upon the
matter of allowing the Registrar addi-
tional help, and in deciding upon the bal
lot for the primary election. but those are
matters that cannot be delayed and so the
other Commissioners must get along with
out his advice.
When the subject of Mayor Phelan's
hasty departure from the city was
broached yesterday and an explanation
sought the knowing ones winked and
asked where the Mayor stood in regard
The dog ordinance so called. is that
which passed the Supervisors last Monday
that pool selling and betting shall be al
lowed coursing matches within the
city and county sixty days in each year
and it is stated that the strongest pres
sure from many sources was brought to
bear to secure its passage. The matter
was not discussed at all and not a voice
raised against it.
Now it is claimed the dog ordinance
removes the embargo on the lngiesIde
crowd may re-esta blish their game a the
old stand again next fall without any IN
ferference The original ordinance clos
ing Inglesde was general in its terms and
Included coursng as we'll But the new
ordinance. it is stated. Is special leglsla,
ton and as it repeals part of the original
law and disCriminates against horse
racing it must necessarily repeal the
That is where the joker comes in. The
same Influence that was used upon the
Supervisors has Undoubtedly been eX-
erted 1rnon the Mayor to get him to sign
il. but those know-als intimate that his
Honor realizing the far-reachlng effects
of the new law. found himself between
the horns of dilemma and sought safety
in flight If he signed the order. they say,
he would stultfv himself in regard to
the stard he has taken on the lngleside
track and if he vetoed ii he would call
down upon his head the vengeance of the
powerful supporters of coursing. So he
suddenly found IL convenient 10 take a
I-ararton and will allow the new order to
become law without his signature, there
by hoping to carry water on both shoul-
ders.
IN the electric franchises that have not
vet been signed The Mayors opposition
fo granting any more franchises until the
new charter becomes operative was well
known. but as soon as the Merchants
Association declared in favor of them the
Mayors hostility suddenly ceased. Still
Mavor Phelan cannot be expected to have
much love for the Market-street company,
and rumor has it that if he can evade
signing the franchise orders he is not
likely to strain himself in his eagerness
to affix his signature thereto. 1t is point
ed out that by Withholding his signature
the Mayor might hope to continue in
favor with those who opposed the grant
ing of the franchises. while by refraining
from vetoing them and allowing them to
become operative he would not incur the
displeasure of the Merchants Association.
Hence his trip to Yosemite just at this
critical stage
OF course this is mere rumor and the
Mayor may yet put the gossips to blush
by signing the dog ordinance and the
franchises. The former was passed last