The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-31
BUSINESS MEN.
FAVOR PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS
Work for Merchants
Association.
WILL. AID THE SUPERVISORS
PROPOSITION TO ISSUE BONDS
MEETS WITH FAVOR.
Plan Submitted by. the Directors In
dorssd-Resolution of Thanks to .
Claus spreckels for Gift to
=: the Park.
WILL. AID THE SUPERVISORS
PROPOSITION TO ISSUE BONDS
MEETS WITH. FAVOR.

The quarterly meeting of the Mer-
chants Association was held in the hall
of the Academy Of Sciences building last
evening, presided over by President F. w.
Qohrmanns A report of the work of the
association for the past three months was
read and approved and a brief statement
made by the president in regard to Vari-
Gus projects which the association now
has in hand. Mr.. Dohrmann regretted
that the efforts of the board of directors
to. secure rapid transit in some of the
downtown streets had not been success
full, but he believed the object would be
achieved in the near future He further
suggested the adYisability of inaugural
Ing movement for placing underground
OF al overhead wires, as had. been done
in Boston, New York and other cities in
the East, and for system of public con-
sNeyances N the park. be referred TO the
gift of Claus SpreckelS of $50 900 for. the
erection OF music stand in the park and
TO the. movement inaugurated. by Mrs.
Hearst. having in view the general i'm
proVement of the city, suggesting that
their example should be emulated by 9TH
er philosophical citizens.
But the. most important matter taken
UP was the action to be taken by the
the Board Of Supervisors for the consid-
Grafton: and opinion Of the association
upon the various projects petitioHed for
by Improvement clubs and others and
what provisions should be made to meet
. such needed improvements as may be
indispensa BILE, and whether the funds
therefor SHOULD be raised by the issue of
bonds or In the tax levy without refer
ence to. the dollar limit. The following
plan. prepared by the directors and sub
mitted for the consideration of the asso-
citation, was unanimously adopted: ..
Resolved, That we recommend to our
board of directors the advsibility Of TAX
ing up this important subject upon the fol-
FifstEWhat Is the entire income of the
city and county Of san Francisco from di-
rect taxes and from revenues exclusive Of
taxes? i
S+COn5-Vr7a+ are t17a nacessarv current
o. expenses Of the city government. segregat-
ing the statutory from the flexible expenses,
and what savings be made in the latter?
s9'hirG-After payment of the necessary
current expenses Of the city government,
what surplus Will remain Cor permanent
improvements, keeping within the 'one dol
lar limit of taxation?
Fourth--Wha improvements of q perHia-
nent nature are most urgent and Will the
suTpfus be sufficient TO pay for such i'm
F13h-It the surplus is not sufficient, how
much will be required in excess of the "ope
dollar rate OF taxation, to pay fer such
urgent improvements?
.sixth~What improvement should be made
OF acquired by the issuance OF municipal |
bonds and what steps shall be recommended |
The association also adopted the follow
ing resolution by d unanimous vote:
Whereas Through the philosophical
smunihcence Of Mr.. Claus Spreckels. a mag
nifcent music stand. TO cost $4,000, will |
soon adorn Golden Gate Park and contribute
10 the. highest enjoyment OF the people OF
60 San Francisco; and
&C. Whereas Such a generous deed not only |
90 awakenS other praisewOrthy acts. but also
beauties the city and adds 10 its attractive
ness, thus bringing about one Of the main
81 objects for which the Merchants Associa-
tioE was organized: therefore, be il
Resolved. BY the Merchants Association |
IN meeting assembled, that heartfelt |
thanks hereby rendered to Mr.. Claus
spreckels for this notable evidence of his
noble philanthropy;
Resolved, That a certified copy of these |
resolutions be forwarded TO Mr. Claus
Spreckels and spread upon the minutes Of
the Merchants Association.
An informal discussion was then had on |
the general subject of improvements, and |
Mayor Phelan voiced the sentiment of all I
had come when San Francisco should be- |
gin the work of improving and beautify- |
ing the city along scientific lines. Refer !
ring to the request of the Board Of Super
ViSerS for the advice and assistance of |
the Merchants Association, he said the |
subject of ar adequate sewerage system |
should receive the first consideration as
the city was sadly lacking in that respect, !
and suggested the appointment of COM
mission, consisting of an expert from the |
East and two local engineers, to draft a |
complete system. Street improvements !
new schoOlhouses and the extension of |
the park to Market street he regarded as !
Of the next in Importance. He called at |
tentiOn to the fact that San Francisco !
occupied the unique position of a city |
without a debt. But if it was without a |
debt, 1t was also without Improvements /
such as have made other cities models of |
beauty and prOgressiveness. He favored /
bonding the city to secure funds to be ex- /
pended in making necessary improve
ments, and declared that the result would !
repay the investment a hundred fold