The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-02
MERCHANTS WANT
MORE DOCKS
Commercial Bodies of City
Will Concentrate Efforts
to Improve Conditions
MEETING rs CALLED

The congestion of shipping and the
lack of adequate docking facilities have
led the Merchants Association to plan
drastic measures for a remedy.
At a meeting held on Friday 1t was
resolved to call together all the COM
mercial organizations in the city on
Monday, December 10, and then decide
upon concerted action which will force
the Harbor Commission and the State
to do something to remedy the present
state of affairs, under which nearly ev-
cry shipping man is made to surer loss.
1t is remarked that while the people
of the State voted 100000 two years
ago for the extension Of the seawal,
practically nothing has been done to-
ward doing the work, and that ships
are compelled to lie in the stream
waiting for their turn to dock.
One reason for the inactivity OF the
harbor commission is said to be that
an extension Of the seawall at the
southern end at this time would be an
Inconvenience to the Pacif1c Mail, and
as that company has managed to cor
rail- what docks 1t needs, 1t can AFFORD
to see the others wait. The commits
sioners say that much time was lost. In
getting a decision from the Supreme
Court on the validity of the bonds, and
that since that time there has been a
difficulty in getting material. The fact
is not denied that nothing has been
done.
BREAKWATER SUGGESTED
At the northern end of the seawall
where the old sheds formerly stood,
piers might be built out into the bay, 1t
is urged. Against this it is said that
the. roughness of the bay at this point
during high north winds would be a
detriment,- but 1t is answered that more
docks must be built and that if 1t is
necessary to build a breakwater that
should be done.
At present there are but three COW
cred docks which have not been appro-
priated by the larger shipping COM
panies and lines of steamers. Other
shippers have to take their turn.
Occasionally some local association
advocates the Improvement OF some
particular dock or portion of the front.
as when the Protrero Association pro-
tested at the steal of Islais Creek, but
there has never been any concerted ac-
ton directed toward an Improvement
of the whole front, and until the re-
cent voting of the 100000 for the
title to the harbor front, had not ex-
pended dollar above the revenue from
the property itself.
SOMETHING MUST BE DONE
Among the members of the Mer-
chants Association who are agitating
a general movement for systematic and
speedy Improvement is r. B. Swayne.
He said yesterday:
"The time has come when something
must be dong. and done quickly. 1t is
no time for dissension. The Merchants
Association has determined to secure
united work in the matter of provid-
ing more docks before the Legislature
convenes in January The people of
the State own the harbor front. They
should naturally be as much interested
as are the inhabitants of this city, but
if they cannot view the matter in that
light they ought to hand the title over
to the city. There should be no obsta-
Gle that cannot be overcome
I'VE must have the docks. Only yes
terday a. steamer with cement had to
anchor off Mission Rock. while a Co
iurnbia River STEAMER finished loading
at the only available dock. There are
not more than enough covered docks
for the regular liners.
IF the Harbor Commissioners tell us
that it cannot get creosote piles, what
is to hinder us constructing creosote
works? It would not be such q tre-
nendous undertaking. Plans could be
easily made, In fact they have been
drawn, for extending the seawall at the
southern end without interrupting the
use of the docks of the Pacific Mail. If
it is necessary to build a breakwater
to make piers practicable at the north
end of the front, then build the break
water The point is that something
must be done, and done at once.