The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-27
THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS To KILL
A PLAGUE SPOT
Dupont Street Pest
Must Go.
SUPERVISORS PROMISE FUNDS
ELOQUENT APPEAL MADE FOR
MUNICIPAL AID.
Provision Will Be Made for an APP
preparation of One Hundred
and Twenty-Five Thou
sand Dollars.

Inc SUPERVISORS nave by a unanimous
vote promised to include in the next
tax levy an appropriation of s125 600
for the creation of a park on the site
of the plague spot included between
Dupont, st. Mary's, California and Pine
streets. This decision of the board
represents a victory which has been
won after four years of persistent
agitation and endeavor The crusade
was begun by the Paulist fathers and
was continued through the able assist
ance of all decent classes and creeds
affected by the criminal evil. Rev. DR..
Foute of Grace Episcopal Church be-
came an active and able coadjutor of
Father Otis, and together they have
won triumph which means an i'm
measurable benefit to the city.
In the promise now given the Super
visors will donate the stipulated sum,
condemnation proceedings will be com
menced, rOOkeries will be removed and
a park Will be created. In setting aside
$125,O0O for this purpose the Super
visors will not violate their pledge.
They will still be within the dollar
limit. AS Supervisor Perrault pointed
out at the meeting yesterday $4,000
alone will be saved in gas bills. Further
provision will also be made to insure
the money for the purpose for which it
is appropriated.
The discussion Of the proposed appro-
priation was the first business of i'm
portance transacted yesterday at the
meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Lackmann moved that the
-
mitted to introduce a resolution. Per
mission was granted, and he moved the
adoption of a resolution providing that
1925, 900 be set aside. in the next tax
levy for the condemnation and pur-
chase of the land which is now the
plague spot Of the central part of the
city. In moving the adoption of his
resolution Supervisor Lackmann urged
that representatives of the st. Mary'S
Park Association be heard
Rev. Father Otis then addressed the
Mayor and the Supervisors. The rev.
erend gentleman outlined the long
struggle that has been going on to rid
the city of the Dupont-street plague.
He characterized the evil as a criminal
pest which has brought shame to the
menace to morals and decency. 1t is a
blotch upon the communicated may
be removed only by humiliation.
Father Otis showed that the moral
sentiment of the community IS aroused
and nothing but success can end the
agitation. LAS long as these shacks re-
MAN," he said, there is danger of a
revival of the evil. AS long as our
petty police courts do as they do and
mean In particular Departments 2 and
3. this district will be a menace to the
city. l ask you to help us to destroy it.
We want from you 1925, 900 and We will
secure the rest
Rev. DR.. Foute followed in a brief
address reiterating what Father Otis
had said and pointing out the general
public benefit which will follow the
condemnation and confscation of the
land.
When the reverend gentleman had
concluded Supervisor Aigeltinger spoke.
Il am not opposed to this resolution
he said. con the contrary 1 am in
favor of it, but 1 fear that We cannot
make such a large appropriation and
remain within our pledge of a dollar
levy. l think that 100000 would be suf-
f1cient."
Supervisor Perrault assured his asso-
ciate that the Finance Committee of
the board had considered the matter
and was certain that the levy of $125,-
900 could be made and the pledge still
honored. Supervisor Phelps believed
that the matter should be referred to
the Finance Committee, but his belief
was not shared by the other members
of the board. The resolution was put
to vote and was adopted unanimous
ly even Phelps voting for it. So the
Supervisors stand pledged to appropri-
ate s125, 900 for the park in the next tax
levy.