The San Francisco call., 1907-01-21
DENIES BUSINESS
MEN CONTROL
Of FRONT
Governor GiIett Points Out
Law to Visiting Com
mittee of Merchants
POLITICIANS ARE
KEENLY DELIGHTED

The story OF what happened in the
executive Office at Sacramento when the
delegates representing the allied com
rnercisl organizations OF san Francisco
presented their measure for the man
seement OF the san Francisco water
front is told with some degree OF oe-
light by leading politicians.
II is said that Governor Gillett is
absolutely firm and sincere IN his pur-
pose 10 better the facilities OF COM
merce at this port by reducing the tolls
on shipping and placing all Shippers
on an equal footing. Assertion is made
that he has positive proof that the
Tsrbor Commissioners have imposed
charges on some shippers that were not
imposed on others, but this point was
not prominently dwelt upon IN the con-
ference with the business men IN me
executive ONCE.
Before the conference took place
Governor Gillett had carefully studied
the proposition Of the merchants and
had reached the conclusion hat he
could not approve Of the plan TO place
the control Of the State harbors in the
hands Of an advisory commission with
out q surrender of his prerogstives as
] CHIEF executive officer Of the State He
was affable and courteous in presenting
the law points TO the delegation and
made the fact clear that he was pro-
hibited by the statute from appointing
snv one 10 the ONCE Of Hsrbor Com
missioner who was an importer OF mer-
; |chsndise or otherwise enga ged in the
] shipping business. He made the fur
ther fact clear that he INTENDED to
( exercise the power the law gave him
10 see that harbor affairs were wisely
and honestly administered.
He assumed that the representatives
calling on him had no purpose in view
other than that Of lettering conditions
applying 70 commerce. If he had the
slightest intimation that any one Of the
visiting delegates entertained an am
bition to serve the State IS Idarbor
Commissioner he did not disclose IL. but
proceeded in his review Of the situa-
non TO ascribe the worthiest motives
10 his visitors.
The Governor luoidly expressed his
purpose to appoint commissioners who
would be acceptabl to the business
men Of the metropolis. He invited the
merchants 10 submit the names Of men
IN whom they had confidence. The
story goes thar 2 formidable list will
be the outcome Of personal letters ad-
dressed 10 leading merchants Of the
city. but that the list will not embrace
the name Of any member of the visiting
committee.
Gossip in the political camps is 10
the effect that ". F. Herrin will not
make any recommendation whatever.
George Knight, il is said. has resolved
10 keep hands of and General George
Stone. who has been urged by many
of his felloW-Citizens TO signify 4 de-
sire 70 serve as president Of the Hsrbor
Commission, holds that he cannot afford
TO neglect his own business for the
psltry compensation OF $500 per an
mum. When AL the names are in the
Governor viii appoint the successor OF
Charles Fl. Spear and also the successor
OF John y. Mackenzie
II the Legislature should amend the
law which places importers and men
actually engaged in shipping enter
prises on the list Of the ineligible the
number OF communications may be
largely Increased