The San Francisco call., 1906-12-28
DRASTIC CHANGES
ON WATER FRONT

Harb0r Commissioners Spear and
CrOcker at meeting yesterday
promptly met the suggestions of VIII
liam Matson, w. G. Tibbitts and James
McNab of the Allied Commercial AssO-
Citations and threw down the gauntlet
to the business men, with the result
that effort will be made to punish the
too 0fiiciOus, merchant for daring to
question the Judgment of the Harbor
Board.
Resolutions were introduced jointly
by Spear and Crocker and were
unanimously adopted. The preamble of
each resolution sets forth that the
commercial bodies having investigated
the congested water front, recommend
immediate action. The first resolution
provides; THE secretary is directed to
notify all persons or corporations oper
ating coal bunkers on Mission No 8,
Howard No. 4, Green-street wharf and
vallejo-street wharf that said permis-
sion to operate said bunkers is here
by rescinded."
The Commissioners further declare:
This order is made in accordance with
the report Of the committee of the Al
lied Commercial Associations of San
Francisco"
Inquiry brings to light the fact that
the State constructed the bunkers at a
cost of s150,000. The responsibility of
discontinuing the use of the struc-
lures is passed up to the commercial
organizations. Perhaps the committee
fancied that the Board of Harbor Com
missioners would balk at such drastic
action as the men of commerce pro-
posed.
The second resolution removes Of
fees from the bulkheads and wharves.
1t Is in substance as follows: The sec
retary Is hereby directed in accordance
bot h. 1.c1
ing with offices on the bulkheads and
wharves to notify all persons or COR
porations having permanent buildings
and offices on bulkheads and wharves
that the same shall be removed imme-
diately and only movable offices for
freight clerks be allowed
This resolution applies to quite
number of leading steamship COM
panies and other corporations There
is sure to be a roaring protest over the
sweeping edict. The Commissioners
themselves entertain the belief that
immediate action should not be taken.
but they resolve to sacrifice their own
opinions to the superior knowledge of
Matson, Tibbitts and McNab.
The third resolution applies to lum-
Der. The chief wharfinger is directed
to notify all persons handling lumber
over the water front of San Francisco
that the owners of lumber be COM
PEELED to haul it away as 1t is dis
charged and that no lumber be al
lowed to be discharged on a covered
dock.
The chief wharfnger is further in
structed to see to it that all general
cargo and freight is removed strictly
within the time prescribed by the rules
of the board This rule applies to all
docks and piers under the control of
the Board of State Harbor Commits
sioners.
Commissioner Spear spoke of a con-
ference with the committee represent
ing the commercial associations with
reference to harbor improvements 1t
was the Judgment of the conference
that wharves should not be extended,
but that four modern docks should be
constructed, two north of Lombard
street and two on the seawaH The
engineer was directed to prepare plans
for the new docks and submit the same
with estimates of cost at the next
meeting.
Commissioner Crocker was surprised
that the subcommittee of the allied
commercial organizations should in a
few days time acquire a knowledge of
affairs on the water front that Others
could not acquire without prolonged
and intelligent investigation. He
agreed with President Spear to accent
the recommendations of the CONNER
cial bodies and to act Immediately. as
the report urges prompt action.