The San Francisco call., 1908-04-30
CHOKES OFF TALK
ABOUT GEARY LINE
Chairman at Civic League Meet
ing Permits No Discussion
of Franchise Grab

IF the chair. will not permit discus
sion of this matter before we vote
IL we must remain silent and only cast
self on record as utterly and absolutely
and forever opposed to the sale of the
Geary street railroad. 1t is the city s
property and any attempt TO take 1t
from the city -
You muss stop, Mr. Macarthur, l
call you to order now, even though 4
have permitted you to have your say
but you must go no further-your vote
is in and that is enough" And with a
rat tat, the gavel of A. w. Scott Jr-,
president Of the Civic league, brought
to an end what gave every Indication
of being bitter debate over the propo-
sition to sell the Geary street railroad
and which lad been charged to be an
attempted franchise grab of Patrick
Calhoun.
It was. the general meeting OF the
Civic league last night. called for the
purpose OF discussing the bond issue
and other matters of moment In the
call had been included that the Geary
street railroad matter was to be
brought up Acting with this idea
number of delegates had prepared
themselves to discuss the petition. but
as soon as the matter was called Pres
ident Scott announced firmly that
there was TO be no discussion of the
resolution one way or the other he
said he would permit only that votes
be cast and that he preferred that
they be in writing. Several delegates
attempted TO talk on the subject, but
they were quickly silenced by the chair
man. Walter Macarthur was the only
one who dared the chair. and his out
burst was speedily checked. Finally
Scott himself presented a motion thai
the matter be postponed. which was
rushed through and the subject dis
missed.
During the rest of the evening the
more peaceful but none the less i'm
portant question OF. the city bond issue,
which is TO be voted on May IL. was
under discussion. Supervisors Giannini
McLeran and Johnston. Acting City En-
gineer H D. H. Connick, Michael j.
Casey, president of the board of public
works, and other prominent city off1-
cials were present TO explain the ad-
vantages of the Improvements outlined
Connick dealt at length with the
sewer system, answering many aues-
tions and showing that the projec'
when completed would be adequate to
provide for the needs of the city for
many years to come, the plans having
been made to provide for population
! Of / ,000, 900. A committee report of the
Civic league, which had been read be
fore Connick talked. was taken up By
Elm and queries contained in the report
| answered
Supervisor Giannini made a stirring
appeal for support OF the bond issue.
This system is necessary to make
San Francisco what 1t deserves to be
and give her what she needs" he said
| Let US all forget Quibblings over petty
details and all turn out in the street
and boost.
The undertaking is one that will
give employment to labor and the cosi
is to be so nominal to the individual
taxpayer that It is hardly to be con-
sidered- 1t VIII amount to barely q
cents on the 800 Of assessed yalua-
tion.''
Oficers for the club were nominated
by the executive committee and the Sc
lections referred to the individual club:
composing the membership for vote
Those picked were as follows:
A W. Scott Jr., president; James
Rolph Jr.. first vice president; VII
liam Crocker, second vice president
George R. Fletcher. secretary; J. w
Ginty. treasurer; executive committee
John Hammersmith, George NJ. Hurl-
burt, Judge w B. Cope, G. w. Owen
Winfield S. williams. George w. Lane
p Barbieri, ". F. Smith and G. W
Smith.