Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-25
MRDURnHAM' sP[IA|N||s|'
Projected Identification Of
San Francisco.
TO SPEND MILLIONS
LARGE BOND ISSUE AUTHORIZED
By THE PEOPLE.
Work Of the Association for the
Adornment and Improvement o e.
Of the City.
By WILLIAM Z. CURTIS.

special correspondence The Star (.hicaR
Record Herald.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. September II. 1905.
Daniel H. Burnlfam has prepared a plan
for the Identification of San francisco,
similar to that prepared for Washington by
the commission Of which he is chairman;
and, In a bungalow near the top of Twin
Peaks which afford a bird s-eye view of
this city, Mr.. Edward H. Bennett, one of
his assistants. Is working out the details.
Mr.. Burnham seems to be comprehensive.
he spread himself over the continent some
years ago, and Is now tapping over the
edges of the hemisphere of Asia You will
lind some of the finest buildings In dozen
OF the large cities of the United, States
from Cape Cod to Point Iona. which were
designed in his office and erected under his
supervision. and the east called him last
summer. The Merchants Exchange the
largest and handsomest building in San
Francisco. is his work: and his influence is
extended by promising young architects
trained In his offices, who are found where's
ever You may go. Willis Polk is his repre-
sentative here.
Mr.. Burnham was brought to this city by
rhe Association for the Adjournment and
Improvement of San Francisco or "Ths
Adornment Association" as. 1t Is called for
short The newspapers here refer to him
as The Beauty Doctor" because he has
prescribed for the improvement of SO many
piaces-Boston, Washington. Cleveland, Chi
cago. Manila, Benguet and others / could
name.
The Adjournment Association was organ
lied last winter and incorporated last
March, ito promote, in every practical
way as the articles of incorporation de-
clare, the identifying of the streets. pub
Tic buildings, squares and places of San
Francisco; to bring to the attention of the
officials and people OF this city the best
methods for instituting artistic municipal
betterments. to stimulate civic pride In the
care and Improvement of private property
and to suggest quas-public and philan-
thropic enterprises
Mr.. Burnham's Work.
The president Is James D. Phelan.- a
young millionaire, who has been twice
mayor of the city. Mr.. Thomas McCaieb
is secretary, and 4O4 members each pay
81 month for running expenses In his
annual report. just submitted, the presi-
dent says: "Mr. Daniel H. Burnham the
eminent architect, was invited to make
a plan for the city. and he volunteered his
services without charge, on condition that
he should name his subordinates, ana that
his and their expenses be paid by the as
ISOLATION. at his suggestion studio was
built on the slope of the irwin Peaks. There
Mr.. Durham has his workshop and there
he and his assistants live. Mr.. Burnham
has visited the city three times, spending
many weeks at his work and directing his
assistants. Their work is very cornpre-
hensive, including roaus,, drives, parks
Fairgrounds, grades, terraces, civic centers-
and suggesting what Is necessary to eauip
a modern city"
The plan Is practically finished. The
board of supervisors of the county has or
dered 1t printed. and It will be issued with
in a few weeks. Mr.. Charles +. McKim of
New York, who is associated with Mr.
Burnham on the washington commission
and In other work. has been consulted and
the president of the association quotes him
On N ole ,,l,
perior to that of any American city, and
offers both the possibility and practical
bility of making San Francisco within A
reasonable time. beautiful city worthy
of Its unique and superb location"
Although the Adornment Association fs
not yet year old. 1t has already exercised
Its influence in practical manner and
has demonstrated its value as an educator
of public opinion and as an adviser for the
municipal authorities. It has secured an
appropriation for the purchase of forty
seven acres of land at the top of Twin
Peaks, the highest eminence overlooking
the city, upon which Mr.. Burnham has
erected his studio. and will make 1t a sort
of observatory park. from which the sur
rounding country may be seen better than
from any other point In the neighborhood.
Millions for Improvements.
Until last spring San Francisco had no
bonded debt. By vote of the people at a
previous election. however, the municipal
oHiciafs We're authorized to issue eighteen
million dollars in three and half per cent
bonds for public improvements; but the
bankers of the city, not being accustomed
to such a low rate of interest, declined to
take them, and when they were offered for
sale no bids were received. The officers of
the Adornment Association made a per-
sonai appeal called together the bankers
and persuaded them to accept S4,673,eOO of
the bonds, which have been issued and the
proceeds are now being expended IN i'm
portant public improvements: and the pur-
chase of land for park purposes, an en-
tire block for a S1.647, 600 library, a boule-
ward, 1887 900 for modern school houses,
$4,000 for children's Fairgrounds. a million
dollar hospital. a S697 600 addition to the
court house. pavements for several i'm
portant streets and other similar purposes
/ The remaining bonds will soon be offered
! for sale. The city has felt a need for
these improvements for a long time, but
has not been able to make them. ~
Private enterprise has also been stimulat-
ed Mrs. Honoria Sharp has given s2000O0
for SDecial n ha lot