The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-23

The first petitioner to be heard by the
Street Committee yesterday afternoon
was +, w, Dohrmann. president Of the
Merchants Association. We beg Of
YOU. gentlemen" he said, mot TO de-
lay this matter, We understood that it
had all been agreed upon and we left
you a week G"o with that belief, The
franchises as they stand now are rea-
sonable, and | ask you not to permit
any captious objections to keep you
from giving us the road we desire so
much. We cannot always discuss what
we would like 20 have. but what we
can get, and I believe the railroad in
this particular matter is reasonable.
l understand that 'T' rails VIII not be
used, and thu are the only rails to
which We emphatically protest.
We are willing to accept the fran
chises as they stand, and we hope the
amendments will be withdrawn. We
want a crosstown road, and I believe
if this new obstruction is removed we
will get on upon reasonable terms. l
beg of you not to delay"
This whole matter" interrupted
Supervisor Holland was agreed upon
by the Mayor, this committee and citi-
zens a week ago. l do not understand
who now objects, except the Mayor and
his minority"
Henry Lynch, representing the Mar
ket-street Company. here assured the
committee that If the franchise were
obtained a written promise would be
given that no IT, rails Will be used
in the downtown districts, and that
only fiat rail will be utilized. This
seemed to settle that phase of the ar
gument. and again Mr.. DOhrmann
begged Bylngton to be fair and per
nit the merchants of the city to obtain
the much sought benefit. Byington
would give no promise.
Wei. then interjected L. V. Merle,
representing the Sixth Street Improve
ment Club then we will let the people
know who injured US if we lose. These
technicaIities are unfair. The property
owners and merchants want this road
They demand it. and you Should not
stand in the way"
There was q general discussion on
ornamental poles. but the amendment
regarding them had been accepted and
the argument again turned TO the
amendment providing for fiat rails. H.
II. Taylor. representing the local and
San Mateo interests of d. O. Mills beg
ged Byington to withdraw his amend
ments and permit the franchises to 60
through. "ByingtCn, we represent
heavy interests in this city and San
Mateo." he said. and you ought TO
consider that we have some rights to
be respected. We have in San Mateo
interests amounting to 81 600 600. We
bury your Chinese there, we accept
your garbage. we have taken your
cOursing and now are going to get your
racing. After all of this don't you think
we have some rights? Withdraw your
amendments and let us have a railroad
down near to us.
And | want to make the same re-
quest" added A. S. Baldwin. L want
10 ask Supervisor Byington to stop his
hhbUstering and unreasonable delay. [
mean by this nothing personal, of
course" quickly added the speaker, and
somebody suggested to send for the
Mayor AS representing the Macdon-
ough estate" continued Baldwin, Il
ask for consideration. | represent over
81 600 in the district involved. This
property contributes between $4,000
and 100000 a year to the support of the
city and we want the road. Supervisor
Byington, you should withdraw your
amendments, which are merely OBJ
Structions and unnecessary obstacles"
Mr. Baldwin then showed that the
people he represents want a spur line
frCm Post street and Grant avenue to
Bush to SansOme. Edgar Painter, rep
resenting the North Central Improve
ment Club, assured Mr. Baldwin that
the California Hotel people objected
strenuOusly to such a line Mr. Painter
was SO informed by Mayor Phelan.
Then I am sorry to say declared
Baldwin. that Mayor Phelan is labor
ing under q very serious misapprehen-
sion. The California Hotel wants that
road" Mr. Baldwin did not explain,
however. why it was that such part of
the franchise was not supported at the
meeting of the Street Committee week
before. When he had concluded his adj
dress Edgar Painter also begged Bying-
ton TO withdraw his objections, but
there was no answer from that official
A suggestion was made to find Mayor
Phelan. but to no purpose, as the
searchers said he was not in the City
Hall.
After more desultory argument the
franchises We're reported fer adoption
in precisely the same condition as they
were when they came from the board.
An effort was made to recommend the
franchises on Grant avenue and on
Battery street, but it failed. The COM
mittee adjourned and Mayor Phean
will have on Monday another Gppor-
tunity but little profit in continuing
his role of obstruction to advance his
political fortunes
1t is but fair to state in this connection