New-York tribune., 1906-07-01
ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE.

Oakland. Cals June 2s.-Auother weak "a,
passed with very little advances made 4. "a
settlement OF policies by the insurance con-
panies. Many Insurance agents stIn ps-sls. n
demanding that % per cent be scaled from tss
face OF policies for earthquake damage. ard 4:
looks is the courts would have to be aposa!sa
to to settle the matter. Meanwhile an assoca-
ton OF large policyhOlders has been formed II.
the purpose OF beginning an organized cs--
paign 70 compel the companies 20 pay losses
Those who have investigated the matter, cav
that the earthquake damage was sIishe All
that the use OF this clause IS a subtsrruys of
the Insurance companies by which they hope ID
make compromises. The plan os the policy
holders association Is 20 send committees 20 ga
home offices OF Insurance companies and S1rcs
settlements. in case fair terms are refused. tasa
the widest publicity viii be given 90 the names
OF companies that refuse equitable terms Ths
association represents losses OF S2o0o00t1, act
the chairman Is Henry weinstock, ono OF "a
largest merchants OF the city.
The work ot clearing the streets and tots a-s
the rebuilding OF the business district hays
shown great progress during the week. Ths
most important feature Is the determination q.
the Board OF Public Works 20 throw the debris
S7ty owners fail 20 remove It at once. IN mast
cases the pavements and curbstones and sewer
raanholes IN good condition. and If the h-isz,
stone and tangled steel were removed ths
streets would De In good condition for business.
In several streets large bunkers have been bEil-
and from these the debris s. being taken away
rapidly By steam cars. The United RallrOats
Company has done very effective work IN clesr-
Ing and tt now has electric cars running over
most OF it's old roads. with an all night serysss
on three main lines. This company has several
thousand men at work. and SC has shown eE-
treme energy and efficiency.
The Spring Valley Water Company has ths
immense task Or repairing broken mains ard
OF stopping open service pipes to all old coa-
sumers in the burned business and resitsncs
districts. Not the same energy was shown By
this company. and In several districts builders
In urgent need Of water have had 70 vals r1c
several weeks for supply.
Thus far the work OF rebuilding has been er-
tirely temporary. as the new building laws havs
not yet been perfected so that permits can b
granted. The Mayor and the majority q ths
supervisors seem to favor limiting the height q
buildings 70 one and a half times the width a.
the street II this policy Is adhered to. Il VI
be a serious blow 70 the proper rebuilding Q.
San Francisco. as Il will limit the heish: q:
buildings on all streets except Market stree. %
six or seven stories. In this case owners WI
not erect costly Class A buildings Oe steel az1
terra GOTTA but will put up Class G buiI1.zss
in which brick and wood are used. Ths rev
construction demands height in order % p7r
duce adequate returns. and no one viii sgsni
cne-third more on a steel building when he ~
get no greater revenue from Sc than frO-
cheaper brick structure.
One thing. however. the fire has settled. AL
that is that reinforced concrete win De ere y
vOrite building material All contractors hays
known for some time the virtues OF concerts
and its special adaptability 20 places subject .
earthquakes. but the strenuous opposition 2.
brick makers and labor unions has prevented ].
from being accepted Under the old built!as
laws concrete was barred. but this discrtr'ae
tton can no longer be enforced, despite the u
willingness OF labor unions to agree 20 lGs usa
It now looks as Il Van Ness avenus vou.t
become the great business street OF ths cry
until Market street can be rehabiltafed Es'
leading dry goods. 1ewelry aaa grocszy aouses
have obtained sites OF Van Ness avenue aaa
it VIII soon be The great headquarters tcr snor
pers. All the houses on Tho east side OF t''
avenue were burned. while most Of those on 90
west side were destroyed by Gynau1ita DC"
from Market 20 Pine street both sides o, ta'
avenue are being rebuilt with One-stoTy ss,, stElS,
ures. OF course. the buildings cnn OA4E te.-As.
three years and the tnteTesting question:
whether they Will be replaced By pernia-s-'
stores OF BY Dig apartment houses ana he's'A
There Is general public demand hese IoF y
hitration OE the strike which has tied u9 ~
shipping interests OF the city. The Increase
Wages demanded by sailors and steyeao'-
would have been paid willingly BY steatas.s.
owners had not cooks, handymen and WI ~.
rushed IN and attempted 20 get a raise also. -,
sailors have agreed 20 arbitration ou- -.
owners refuse. IL this refusal continues -
city and state authorities VIII have 50 os'1x~
Dottlomaut