The San Francisco call., 1906-09-28
Merchants Call Atten-
ton to Demands of
Grain Trade.
Commission States Ii
Cannot Get Proper
Sizes of Lumber.

The long stretch ot wharf lying be-
tween Lombard street and the barge
once was destroyed by IRE between
April Is and 20. On this space practi-
cslly al the grain business and much
O. the lumber trade OF the port was
handled april IS was more than I'VE
months ago. but. except for a patch
r. and taere. the long stretch OF fire.
led piles stiil stands just as the
FIRE left Il The Harbor Commission
ers' attention has been called number
of times 10 the necessity for haste in
rebuilding this wharfage. which was
practically all the damage done 10 the
water front BY the big fire The Mer-
chants Exchange protested a few
weeks ago against the delay and yes
terdzy the board was again reminded
that insction was a menace 10 the
business OF the port
Yesterdays reminder, read AT the
regular meeting. was q communication
from Bray Brothers OF go Clay street
They called the boards attention 10
the vital Importance OF providing
docking space al the sea wall for the
approaching demands OF the grain
trade. They asked that something be
done right away
President Spear instructed Secre-
tary Foy 20 answer Bray Brothers
letter.
Haze q little fun with them he
suggested. Tell them II they know
where we can get the sizes Of lumber
necessary 70 do this work we will
gladly buy IL Tell them we are now
trying 70 get 10000 feet in those
sizes.
And tell them said Commissioner
Croker. that we discuss this matter
al every meeting
II developed under discussion that
The lumber mills are not turning out
he special sizes used in wharf con-
struction unless specially ordered.
owing 10 the unlimited demand since
the FIRE for the regular run OF lumber
chief Engineer Norton informed the
board. however. that they could get all
they wanted by giving about thirty
I'VE days notice
check was received from the
santa Fe Company for s24.sso, the cost
u the wharf 70 be built for the com
psnys use in the China Basin This
sum viii entitle the railroad company
70 the use OF the wharf for fourteen
years The contract for building the
wharf was awarded 70 the Thomson
Bridge Company
Secretary Sesrv Of the Marine Engi-
neers' Association appeared before the
board 70 insist upon some action being
taken On the request made some weeks
20 that the pay Of the engineers on
the State tugs be raised 10 $3.50 a
month. The Commissioners agreed to
increase the pay 10 $40 Z month, 10
take effect October l. This gives the
engineers SO 2 month more than the
captains are paid. and as the captains
also have z request for an increase on
1le il is probable that they viii be
heard from al the next meeting
Al the request OF Henry Lund. Nor
wegisn Consul Captain Roald Amund-
sen VIII be given free dockage facili-
ties for the sioop G5oa. IN which he
nsyigsted the Northwest Passage and
which is due here any day
In the opinion OF the attorney Of the
board the burden OF repairing the
choked-up sewers on East street
should not fall upon the State and a
-conmunicsCon to that effect has been
sent 70 Health Of5cer Ragan.
The rent paid By the Crowley Launch
Company for its Offices on the bulk
head between Howard-street piers l
and was ordered reduced from $50 20
SO z month from August l.
Dora IL Thurston. president OF the
Young Wowens Christian Association.
applied 10 the board for a room in the
ferry depot where the association could
maintain bureau for the benefit OF
women travellers The request was de-
MED on the ground that there was no
space available.
Resigns From Pacific Mail.
Edwin Orrett has resigned from the
Pacific Nail Company's service. his
resignation 70 take effect on October I
Although enjoying the title OF assist
ant TO the vice president and general
manager, Orrett was practically assist
ant 10 the port steward, his duties be-
ing confined 10 the purchasing OF SUD
plies Although theoretically next in
rank 70 P P. Schwerin. Orrett was
never instrusted with the scepter dur
ing the big chiefs absence When
business calls Schwerin away his man
tie is worn By A J. Frey, who bears
the modest title OF private secretary.
but who is the real thing in the gen
ersl managers absence.
Orrett formerly occupied 2 clerical
position in the Southern Pacific pur-
chasing department SchWerin took
him over 10 the Pacific Mail Company
about three years ago. Orrett gained
some prominence last April. the sec
Ond day OF the big IRE, by ordering on
the liner Aanchuria the wives and chill
dren OF the stevedores and other en-
ployes who had abandoned their homes
10 the flames TO fight the FIRE that for
several hours threatened 10 destroy the
Pacific Mail wharf Orrett. Il is un-
derstood. is going 70 Seattle Chief
clerk Pesoii is mentioned as his prob
able successor
China VIII Sail Today.
Tie Pacific Mail liner China will sail
At i O'Clock this afternoon for the
orient with z large cargo and crowded
with passengers. OF her $500 tons OF
eargo 1900 tens are for Manila. The
ergo is nearly all merchandise. there
being only about zo0 tons OF -four.
Among the liners passengers viii be a
distinguished British couple. the Right
lion George James Plsyfair and Lady
Piayfslr. Mrs P. and Miss Z Umb-
sen OF this city viii also be psssen-
gers CD the China
slzoa 20 Lead for Orient.
The Withdrawal Tor the time being
FFom the Oriental trade OF the liners
sfcnchuria and Mongolia has resulted
in the commissioning OF the Pacific
1IsH Company's big freighter Algoa,
which has been laid up for some
months. The Algos viii begin loading
ia a few days and viii sail for the
orient in q few weeks with about