The San Francisco call., 1908-12-16
One Hundred Businessmen Dis
cusS Problem In Launch
Off IsIais Creek
Streets Shown on Map Are In
dicated by Engineer, 10
Feet Under Water
FACTIONS Return From Trip
More Firmly Determined
.
Against Yielding

The battle OF Islais creek was fought
In all its fury yesterday afternoon in
The murky waters that darken the bay
on Butchertown. Like the impassioned
patriots Of Central America. the bel
igerents had steamed out into neutral
territory TO negotiate a treaty Of peace
z nd amity, but dusky cloudlets OF war,
sueh as have made the Balkans famous.
gathered over the scene and precipi-
=. =. fated hostiiities. Not only were there
c'Quds Of war, but occasional flashes Of
forensic lightning. One hundred busi-
''ssinen had gone forth to settle for
= arg Tine the fate Of India basin, but
':5heE returned each faction more strong
- determined TO adhere to its original
p5*ition.
For nearly an hour the launch lay
B.: ofI Islais creek while the excursionists
..s:rgued with maps and blueprints to de-
c.59e whether the state should condemn
=. "a or 81 blocks for the proposed inland
-7akin- Grs6ualiy the two factions
.sAparated. the Mission residents, sup
porting the former proposition, occupy
g lng the stern of the boat while the rep
-reSentatives of the commercial bodies,
. ceRtending for the smaller area, as
serlrbled in the bow.
NO COMPROMISE REACHED
"A desperate effort on the part of F.
?. :K: Dohrmann 10 bring the belligerents
ategether added fresh zest to the strife,
and he was glad TO abdicate when he
: perceived that he had merely drawn
3. tie fire of both sides. In the melee
Ltohrmann and Supervisor Center in
.dulged in pointed exchanges. but never
-: came within sight of a basis OF COM
DroRise-
The trip was arranged by the Mer-
= ehsnts association and Andrew NJ.
- Davis, the president OF the organiza-
=. tiyn. and l. NJ King, the secretary,
worked valiantly to harmonic all in
terests. In the heat of the ARRAY cigars
we're distributed, bat the smoke issued
in short nervous puffs rather than in
soothing clouds.
To many the trip was a revelation.
The maps showed carefully drawn lines
nf streets lacing the region. These
thoroughfares were pointed out by the
engineers under 16 and is feet of water.
Alaska street, lying farthest east, was
- discovered somewhere about the middle
ef the bay.
/. BOTH SIDES PRESENTED
Luther Wagner. the engineer, spoke
=: for those who advocate the condemna-
4ion Of only "A blocks. He argued that
- the 1s blocks in dispute were unneces-
=. sary 10 the project and their acquisition
would mean only an additional item of
expense. Supervisor Center speaking
- for those who desire the larger basin,
stated that instead OF eliminating the
l9 blocks II more should be added to
the s3. He said that certain lumber
companies owned the 19 blocks in Ques-
ton and that their elimination from
the scheme would practically create a
private hsrbor for these concerns. He
charged that private interests were al
work to interfere with broad gauged
development of the harbor. Center was
supported by c. l. McEnerney and
Eustace Cullinan.
The party left Howard street wharf
At 2:80 o'clock in one Of the large
Crowley launches. A stop was made
at pier No. 30, which is being con-
structed by the harbor commissioners
At 2 cost OF $3.50. 600. It is of steel
frame and cement piling and in many
ways is marvel Of engineering skill
Three blocks Of land alongside the
2: wharf are being reclaimed by the state
and the commissioners said yesterday
that these blocks would bring to the
state a revenue that would pay for the
pier.
FROM there the run was made direct
10 Islais creek. where the engine was
sfopped and the launch cleared for ac-
lien. After the battle had waged for
an hour the oratory was silenced and
me nose OF the vessel turned toward
home.
CIVIC BODIES REPRESENTED
The organizations represented were
the San Francisco board Of trade, the
chamber Of commerce, Merchants ex-
change. Manufacturers and Producers
association, State board Of trade, Civic
league. Potrero association, Mission
promotion association, Ship Owners as
sociation, Commonwealth club, real
estate board, promotion committee,
federated harbor association, water
front Improvement committee. North
central Improvement association, the
bsrbor commissioners and the board OF
federal engineers
Among the excursionists were;
- ucNah lC. c. Moore
e-.--. Center T. c.. Friedlsnder
~ Dsvfs John II. Speck
y II Cole Or. Julius Rosenstirn
4 l. McEnerney l. r ANDREWS