The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-10


advocated a revision Of the State reve7
nue. laws and the enactment OF a new
law governing the insurance compa-
MES operating in the State. He said in
part
Gentlemen OF the Legislature OF the
state OF California:
have been much impressed by the
ceremonies just closed. Through them.
emo IN a most solemn and impressive
manner. II has been announced that
have been chosen by the people OF this
great State to preside over Its destinies
FOR four wears. to guard its interests. TO
conscier tiouslv and TO the best Of my
nhilitv administer upon its affairs and
20 execute its laws.
With the great honor which the high
once 81 Governor brings there also
comes grave responsibilities, and appre-
ciRting this I enter upOn the discharge
81 my duties with a full realization OF
the dificulties which will confront me
n passing upon the important Ques-
tions which viii arise affecting the in
rerests OF our people. In meeting them
trust I shall not falter in my duty.
onc that ! may have the wisdom 70
decide them on the side OF the right
REVISION OF REVENUE LAWS
II IS evident that some OF the evils
existing today by reason OF our pres
ent revenue laws can best be remedieo
by adopting a system already in use
n several Of the States by separating
State end local taxation. This means
that the State shall collect its revenues
from sources other than a direct levy
on real and personal property--of in
oiviouals leaving to the counties ana
cities the exclusive right TO tax such
property for local purposes. This plan
viii save the owners Of real estate
nearly Sf-0oO.OOo annually paid Tor
State taxes. and abolishes AZ once the
necessity for .eoualiza ton between the
counties. The State. under this system
could derive its revenues. In addition
10 those collected from present sources,
by levving a tax upon the gross earn
Sings OF railroads street railroads. eN-
press companies. car companies light.
heat and power companies. telegraph
and telephone COmnanies. on the shares
~ the capitol stock Of banks and upon
Corporate franchises 10 Drlng aooHt
this separation II IS necessary that The
constitution be amended and advise
thGt a resolution amending u as sug-
nested by the commission be passed.
This VIII then refer the whole matter
- the peoDle for their consideration
and the wisdom Of the measure can
then he fully discussed by the press.
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS
The question Of harbor improvements
II this State TODAY is one Of consider
sbie Importance. particularly rs Il AZ
fects San Francisco Steps should be
taken 10 PIT the water front 90 San
Saifornia N CONDITION 70 acco1nrio-
cate this fast Increasing trade. There
Is no reason WHY improvements should
not be commenced at once and pushed
- completion as rapidly as possible.
These improvements should he substan-
tiai and permanent, following a care
gully prepared Dlan. SO that when com
nieted we can boast OF one or the nnest
norts in the world. OF course. to re-
lieve present cOngested conditions some
temporary work must be done. and II
should he attended to at once. al
wise that we submit again 10 the peo-
nc the question % voting more money
for this purpose by issuing bonds Sc
cured by the receipts Of the harbor.
IN sura that the Ueonle Of this State
ere willing to vote Ell the money ne
crsrarv 10 improve this great harbCr
IN the manner in which 81 should be
improved. but they have the right TO
exDeot that the money shall be Ipru-
GENTLY expended and the best reSuits
ohtafned. and further. that the work
shall progress raDidlv. and not drag
along from year to year.
7 sincerely trust that during tho newt
four wears the Earbo- Commissioners
VIII give to these matters their closest
attention and this administration VIII
expect them to do SO. Within the last
few months the merchants and ship
ners of San Francisco have given con-
siderable prominence 20 the conditions
existing along the water front OF that
for their bettcrment The State will
soon he called unon to eNpend a large
sum OF money IN extending the sea
wall and In constructing docks and
wharves to accommodate the rapidly
Increasing comm cree coming to that
port Before this work commences. and
am 81 the opinion that some md
would come from an Investigation into
the several harbors 0f the State under
State control and ] would therefore
recor'mend that ioint committee Of
the Senate and Assembly he appoint
ed to make Inquiries into the prevail
tng conditions at these several har-
INSURANCE LAWS
The eject Of the recent conHa era
tor IN San Francisco has had upon in
some 70 evade the Davment OF their
liabilities on technical grounds, and the
loss. DELAY and Inconvenience suffered
hv the insured. have demonstrated that
there should be some amendments made
20 our insurance laws. There should
be standard form OF policy. DrOvid-
ing against the loss by FIRE, explosion.
collapse or earth0uske. The contract
~ insurance should be made clear and
certain as 10 its terms. and this is Of
The most importance. There should also
be enacted deposit law under which
companies Of foreign countries will not
he permitted to do business in this
state unless they have on deposit In
this or some other State n minimum
sum. and IN addition thereto the fun
reserves required OF domestic compa-
MES as 70 ali policies issued upon nrOD-
where a reserve IS required All IN
surance companies SHOULD be required
70 furnish to the insured. upon demand.
the necessary blanks 70 make out HIS
important one and very intricate IN
fts details. BIT after all 81 resolves
itself -into what constitutes a fair
agreement between the insurer and In
sured. and what is necessary TO pro-
tect the interests Of the contracting
parties When this has been solved
your work win have been finished.
CAPITAL AND LABOR
Our laws should be lust and reason
able and should not alone protect the
Individual IN his property and personal
rights. but should eonaliy protect All
corporate Interests. The right to la
Dor to accumulate property and con-
duct business ere most sacred rights. /
vouchsafed TO all by our constitution. /
and no man or CORPORATION in the en-
segment ~ any Of these rights should !
be unlaWfullv or wrOnRfullv interfered 4
with by either orca nized capital or or /
"a nized ~ Dor. These riR hts of tho citi- /
zen shoHld AZ all times be jealousy /
guarded hv our laws and those invading
them punished. and no law should be \
enacted which would give to organized /
capital or organized labor any rights /
superior TO or infringing upon the /
rights enjoyed by all the people in
common.
The pure food bill enacted by the last /
session n Congress has made II neces- 1
earv that there should be some changes /
- Ia. 1.fT