The San Francisco call., 1906-05-22
FREE !
REIN FOR
TROLLEY

The Board OF Supervisors yesterday
finally passed the ordinance granting
the United Railroads permission to
transform Its cable lines into over
head electric trolley systems. The vote
on the ordinance was unanimous
The ideas OF the people in this city
on many propositions have been radi-
cally changed during the last MONTH .
said Supervisor Gallagher before the
vote was taken. I'VE once had the
idea, many of us, that underground
conduits for electric car systems would
be the best adapted for the purpose,
but the earthquake has demonstrated
that such is not the case and 1t would
not be the proper system even for our
municipal Geary street road. Ny
views have undergone a radical
change. We have not the power TO
compel the United Railroads to in.
stall an underground system, and 1t
lies with II to do so voluntarily.
I'VE are confronted with the fact
whether we will drive the company
back TO the obsolete cable system
or whether 1t will give us an i'm
proved trolley system. I don't think
that any one should hesitate in this
matter. l believe that there should be
a harmony Of interest between the
people. and the United Railroads which
will rebound to the advantage of
both. Let US relegate the kicker and
knocker to the rear ranks and encour-
age capital to come here and make
investments. If we treat the United
Railroads fairly we will undoubtedly
secure a system that ninety nine peo-
pie. out OF hundred want.
THE United Railroads was a heavy
loser in the recent disaster and yet
II says II stands ready to reinvest
millions OF dollars and II should be
given a chance to do so. I shall vote
for the passage of this ordinance be-
cause I think 1t is for the best In
terests of the public"
THE United Railroads must be rec
ognized as the pioneers Of the resur-
rection OF San Franciso,' said Su-
pervisor McGushin, "and every one
remembers the delight with which the
running of the cars was hailed by the
people. Experience has demonstrated
that the principal overhead trolley
lines have proved to be the most sue
cessful in operation"
Supervisor Coleman referred to the
fact that the United Railroads had
contributed its receipts to the relief
fund until told to stop by the Mayor,
and that the overhead trolley was as
superior to the cable system as the
latter was to the old horse car system.
Supervisor Wilson referred to the
successful working Of the trolley sys-
TENS in St. Louis, Oakland and Los
Angeles.
Supervisor Rea said the city could
never be rebuilt without having a
complete transportation system which
would aid her in regaining her COM
mercial supremacy.
The San Francisco Real Estate
Board petitioned that the United
Railroads be permitted to reconstruct
its cable lines into an overhead trolley
system, that the liquor license be in
creased to $1,000 a year, and that Con-
gress be memoralized to grant draw
backs on building materials. The pc
tition was referred to the proper COM
mittees.
The Bay Shore Improvement Club
filed a petition urging the board to
grant franchises for universal troll
ley system to the United Railroads
and that provisions be made therein
for seating capacity, all night cars
and safety tenders.
The petition Of the North Central
Improvement Association that the
United Railroads be permitted to ex-
tend It's trolley system along East.
Bay and North Point streets to the
Preside was referred to the street
committee. Several other similar Pc
titions were filed by various persons
and referred to the street committee.