The San Francisco call., 1906-12-25
Grand Jury Probes
Illegal Acts of
Corporation


Forfeiture of franchises on account
et continual violations of the law may
be the fate Of the United Railroads
IN the face of a new movement start
90 by the Grand Jury. Realizing that
II may follow other than criminal lines,
the Grand Jury has begun an investi-
cation into the civil rights of the
people as opposed by those assumed
by the Calhoun Mutually corporation.
and II is anticipated that a suit in
Equity viii be brought in the Superior
court TO have the franchises of the
United Railroads set aside on the
ground that the company has so far
failed in many instances to perform
It's part OF the contract made with
The city.
The dangerous condition in which
the company has left the streets
where CONSTRUCTION work has been go
ing on. the poor equipment of the
road. which necessitates the over
trowding OF cars; the dilapidated con-
fition of motors on the cars. causing
The blowing out of fuses and rhe burn
eompany's attitude toward Khe public
have aroused the members of the
Grand Jury and inspired them to
take active steps leadipg to the recti-
Tying of the evils and the enforce
ment of the law. Jurors F. G. San
born and Charles Sonntag are taking
the most active part in the work, rep
tesenting respectively the committee
bn street railroads and on the Police
Department and the enforcement of
law In these matters they have the
full support of Foreman oliver and
the other members Of the Grand jury
SANDERsoN's ORDINANCE
The recent enactment of the Super
Fisors, introduced by Supervisor San
serson. which prohibits passengers
from riding on the steps and outrig
eing of the cars. has not been en-
forced. and Juror Sonntag has sent
3 letter TO Chief Dinan asking why
the patrolmen have not made arrests
for violations of the ordinance. 1t
Is understood that the Board of Su-
pervisors, in its unfailing loyalty TO
the United Railroads, passed the law
for the benefit of the corporation. In
Dase of an accident Detailing any one
Hiding on the prescribed parts If the
tar the company would claim freedom
from financial responsibility arising
through a damage suit
In q letter to Thornwal Mutually,
Juror Sanborn asked why the en-
ployes Of the road did not insist on
the passengers riding on the proper
sections of the car, and also inquired
why the company did not keep the
by the charter. and why the corpora
ton violated the terms of its fran
rhises at will and without fear of hav-
Ing to respond before the Supervisors
II was intimated that the company
would be called upon to defend its
franchises in the courts.
FOR DINAN TO ANSWER
Charles Sonntag of the police com
mittee has begun an inquiry relative
to the dereliction of duty on the part
Of Chief Dinan and other members
ter reads as follows:
F. Dinan. Esq. Chief of Police:
Dear Sir-I would be pleased TO be
Informed of the reason the Police De-
partment has taken no steps to enforce
the ordinance of the Board OF super
Visors prohibiting people from riding
On the steps or footboards or In the
passageWays of the street cars 1t
was supposed that the ordinance IN
question was passed to stop the over
crowding Of street cars and TO prevent
In g great measure the endangerlng OF
the lives Of passengers ana not ior
the purpose only of relieving the rail-
way company Of liability. either CIV
lily or criminally, for accidental IN
Jury TO or death of passengers VINO un-
Willingly violate the ordinance nave
noticed that none of the railway en-
ployes has made any objections to peo-
pie hanging on isne el1ner 70 +ba une cars Ssoes'
would also be pleased to be in
formed why the police make no enort
to enforce the law in reference 10 the
obstruction of the street railway tracks
by teams of various kinds The public
has been greatly Inconvenience by the
failure Of the police to DO their duty
In that respect
1 would furthermore be pleased TO be
Informed il the rules of your depart
ment permit patrolmen, two or three
IN number to oIJen congregate on
street corners and engage in social
conversation while on duty, especially
81 night, instead of patrolling their
heats and endeavoring to protect our
Citizens from attacks of footpads- 1
am respectfully yours,
CHARLES SONNTAG,
commfttee of the Grand Jury on Police
Department and the Enforcement OF