The San Francisco call., 1904-03-19
DISTRIBUTION
OF SOUVENIRS
Knights Templar Ask Board
of Park Commissioners for
Privileges in Union Square
STATUE FOR McALLISTER
Member of Commission and
Robert Aitken to Select a
Site on City Hall Avenue

The Board OF Park Commissioners
met yesterday afternoon at the Office
of A. B. Spreckels, president OF the
commission. W. H. Jordan. Wallace c..
Wise and T P. Ross. from the execu-
tive committee OF the knights Templar
Triennial Conclave. asked permission
TO construct a platform and erect a
booth thereon in Union square, ada
cent TO the sidewalk on Post street. 1t
was said by Jordan that the Knights
Templar OF California contemplated a
liberal distribution Of souvenirs to
Eastern visitors. The gifts will consist
Of wine, flowers and fruit. Perhaps 40
600 pint bottles OF California wine, each
bottle of itself thing OF beauty and a
Joy forever, will be donated 70 the ap-
preciative visitors TO the Golden Gate
At the proposed pagoda in Union
square the souvenirs will be distributed
to those only who may be entitled 10
receive the gifts. A guard OF honor
from the knights Templar commando
ries will be on duty day and night at
the plaza. and these knights will pro-
tect the palms and preserve the lawns
from inf1del invasion
Commissioners SpreckeIs, Dingee,
Altman and Sullivan were not con-
vinced that the board had the right un-
der the city charter to grant the Tenn
plar petition. They promised 10 take
the subject under advisement and re-
port their findings later on
An impressive delegation consisting
Of Judge ". ". Morrow OF the United
States court, Judge John Hunt OF the
Superior Court OF California and Henry
KowaIsky, a friend OF both courts,
waited on the Park Commissioners in
reference to the proposed Hall McAllls-
ter statue In brief and lucid fashion
Judge Hunt explained that $500 had
been raised TO erect the monument, and
suggested that a site on McAllister
street near City Hall avenue be desig-
mated by the board. The designer OF
the statue. the we'll known. sculptor,
Robert Aftken. accompanied the dele
CATION and produced the design in min
iature drawing In the reproduction
Of the proposed carved inscription only
two errors in spelling were noted by
the Commissioners, but the inscription
is brief and the words are not pom
features Of the design Commissioners
Altman. the artist member OF the COM
mission. paid a tribute 70 the beauty
Of the design and, the eminence OF the
sculptor On motion Of Commissioners
( Sullivan a site on McAIlister street al
/ City Hall avenue was granted
To-day Mr.. Altman and Mr. Aitken
will view the premises and decide upon
the exact spot for the statue The
figure. feet inches high, will rest
on a base eight feet high
The action Of the Commissioners in
removing the Starr King statue from
an obscure place to a conspicuous posi-
ton in Golden Gate Park has been gen
eraIIv commended Among the com
munications read yesterday was one
from George H. Thomas Post, g. ~ r.
thanking the commission for bringing
i the monument to view.
C. p. WiIcomb. curator Of the Golden
Gate Park Museum. has made dona-
tic.n TO the institution Of his own col
lection. embracing s13 objects Of nat
ural history.
A loan collection representing good
work OF local painters and sculptors
has been placed. in the Memorial Mu-
scum. Commissioner Altman was
thanked by the board for his enter
prise in this field.