The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-05
CLAIMS A PART
OF East STREET
Frank Estate Asks Harbor
Board to Rectify Center
Line of Thoroughfare
ATTORNEY BUDD IN CASE
Plans for a New Building
Rest OH Acquisition of
Realty at City's Front

Former Governor James H. Budd,
attorney, and David Rich, agent Of
the S. H. Frank estate. would be de-
lighted if the State Board of Harbor
Commissioners would rectify the CEN
ter line of East street from Sacra-
mento to Market, SO that ample
ground space could be provided for a
building which the representatives of
the estate talk of constructing on the
westerly line of East street. The sub
Jeet matter was presented to Harbor
Commissioners Charles H. Spear, John
d. Mackenzie and Henry j. Croker
yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Budd
contended that the Legislature of 1891
passed a law authorizing and direct
ing the Harbor Commissioners to rec
tify the center line of East street from
Pacific to Market, so as to locate def
nitely the westerly line of that street.
In the general discussion the fact
was ELECTED that the Legislature has
passed several laws relating to the
lines of East street, and there seems
to be nothing to prevent that BODY
from passing several more. 1t was
also noted in the discussion that the
State gave the tide lands to the city
and the city sold the lots, giving deeds
to all the purchasers of property
d4Ol13 llle nCobNAi ~ iitiO VI ASoSS 49, 49,
1t is presumed by the Harbor Com
missioners that the Frank estate got
all the land that it or its predecessors
paid for, and nothing was uttered in
the discussion to indicate purpose
upon the part of the Harbor Board to
relinquish title to a, single foot of land
reserved by the State for water front
thoroughfare. 1t is estimated that the
land which Budd and Rich want for
h1Iildino iS worth S1OO U0n
The space is now used for car lines
and teams. The Harbor Commits
sioners are now paying and have for
many years paid the entire expense of
keeping the thoroughfare in passable
condition. The city and the property
owners on the westerly line pay moth
ing. Governor Budd incidentally re-
marked that as attorney of the board
he put in the bug which gave the
Harbor Commission jurisdiction of the
whole thoroughfare.
President Spear remarked that the
bug placed on the board the expense
of keeping the street in repair.
Commissioner Henry j. Croker
asked many questions touching the
original reservation and the subse-
Quent sale of lots. Maps at hand were
studied. Chief Engineer Norton holds
to the opinion that some of the land
was not sold. Commissioner Croker
desired to know if the individual
property owners on East street from
Pacific to Market got all the land they
paid for when the lots were sold.
Attorney Budd remarked to the
Commissioners that the Supreme
Court had decided that there was no
East street between Market and Mis-
sion streets. The significance OF this
remark was not quite obvious.
The board consented that the Chief
Engineer should make a large map
showing the lines Of East street 1t
was directed that William H. Davis.
attorney of the commission, should
interpret the law for the engineer,
should knowledge of the law become
essential in the map making.
David Rich explained to the board
that the representatives of the Frank
estate were considering plans for the
investment of a large sum of money
in a building facing East street be-
tween Clay and Market. A clash with
the Harbor Commission was not de-
sired, yet he apprehended that clash
would follow If the building operations
were begun before the line of the
street was rectified.
1t is clearly foreshadowed that the
State will have. a battle in the courts
to protect the East street reservation
In its entirety. Attorney Budd in re-
ply to inquiries remarked that he was
IN the case on contingent fee. There
are indications that William H. Davis,
attorney of the Harbor Commission,
will have ample opportunity to gain
distinction as a defender of public
ri oh