Los Angeles herald., 1906-05-02
PLAN WORK FOR
THE LEGISLATORS
A LAW PERMITTING LONGER
LEASES NEEDFUL
Committee Of Forty VIII Ask Gov.
Pardee to Expedite Special ses-
sion and Cut Some
Restrictions
Rv Aenociated Pre.a.

BY Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO May 1.-The re-
Mobilization, reconstruction and beauti-
was the most important matter con-
sidered at this mornings meeting Of
the general committee Of fifty. In this
connection the proposed extra session
of the Legislature came up and was the
subject of considerable discussion.
Mr.. Ruef brought the subject before
the committee by introducing a motion
for the appointment of special COM
mittee by the mayor to consist of forty
members, which should be instructed
to act with the special committee Of
seven members Of the board of super
visors appointed by that body at Mon
days meeting for the purpose of con-
sidering the reconstruction of San
Francisco and such changes In the
laws as may be found necessary, the
mayor to be ex-officio chairman.
Architect Burnham Coming
In this connection a telegram was
read from d. V. Burnham announcing
that he was on his way here, and the
mayor announced that it was his inten-
tion to appoint on the committee of
forty the membership of which will be
given out in the morning, Mr.. Burn
ham, Galen Howard and President Ben
jamn Ide Wheeler of the University of
California.
This matter Of reconstruction led
naturally to discussion of the pro-
posed extra session of the legislature.
Gavin McNab suggested that before
any recommendations of the committee
of forty could be carried out 1t would
be necessary to raise funds, and before
funds could be raised 1t was imperative
that the laws should be changed. 1t
was we'll established now that an extra
session would be called by Governor
Pardee, and it was essential that before
the legislature met it's work should be
cut out for 1t. He thought that changes
in the charter would be found neces-
ssry.
Limited Borrowing Capacity
Thus the charter at present limited
the borrowing capacity of the city OF
San Francisco to is cents ON. the 500
of valuation. Inasmuch as the assess
able property valuation of San Fran
cisco had been cut in half by the fire
It was apparent that no considerable
sum of money could be raised If the
terms of the charter remained un-
changed, and if they We're not changed
it was altogether probable that any
remedial measures passed by the extra
session of the Legislature might prove
abortive in consequence of their con-
flict with the charter.
There was general agreement with
this point of view.
Committee Of Forty
After some desultory discussion it
was decided that this and all other
matters connected with the rehabilita-
ton of San Francisco should be left to
the committee of forty with instruc-
tions to all those self-appointed bodies
that are now considering the beautify-
ing of the city to report thereto, and
Secretary Jennings was instructed to
communicate with the same and ask
that they submit in writing any sug-
gestions they may have to offer
Before the subject was abandoned
James d. Phelan made some pertinent
remarks along the same lines. He
stated that at present the legislature
PROMPTS the CONTRACTION OF leases Eull-
ming beyond fifty years. He urged that
this law be so amended that leases may
run for ninety-nine years. He pointed
out that there are many owners of real
property who cannot restore the build
ings that formerly stood thereon. Nor
will investors erect valuable structures
on leases of such short terms as fifty
years.
Long Leases NeedfuI
It would be otherwise if the leases
ran for the term he suggested. 1t had
been the experience of Chicago after
the great fire that devastated that city
that men of money readily invested it
in new construction under these condi-
tions. and he had no doubt that there
would be ample capital from the north
south and east to re-erect the mercan-
tile palaces of San Francisco If we
pursued a similar course. These leases
should be revalued every ten years
and thus the owner OF the property
would participate in the increment of
value that would attach to his land.
CHINESE EXPECT TO REBUILD