The San Francisco call., 1908-04-02
PROMISE. STREET
RAILWAY REFORMS
United Railroads Representa-
tives, However, Object to
Sullivan Ordinance
Refuse to Share Track in Lower
Market Street With
Other Companies

REPRESENTATIVES of the street railway
companies appeared before the utilities
committee of the supervisors yesterday
to offer additional objections to the
provisions of the ordinance drawn by
former Supervisor Sullivan to regulate
car traffic and provide better accommo-
dations for the public. General Man
ager Black found little in the proposed
law that commended itself to him. He
believed it .impracticable to use differ
ent colors to distinguish the cars on
the several lines He said that the,
company. was preparing to use numer
ais According to his plan each line
would have number to be placed on
the top OF the car, easily distinguish
able a block off. All cars of a particu-
lar line will carry the same number.
so that there will be little risk of the
public making mistakes when boarding
cars. These numerals will be illumi-
mated at night. In addition the cars
will continue to use the present front
boards.
OPPOSE UNIFORM TENDERS
All of the railroad officials agreed
that it was impossible to adopt any
particular style of fender. They claimed
that owing to the grades encountered.
a fender that would work on the level
would be useless on the hilly sections.
The addition of more brakes would
not in their opinion, prevent the rum
ming away of cars. Black said that in
the majority of cases where cars get
beyond control, the blame rests with
the motormaQ.
Black insisted that the present trans
I, ~, \,
one in operation before the fire. He
claimed that there was no point in the
city that cannot be reached for one
fare.
The railroadmen were also a unit in
objectng-to filing reports showing their
receipts. the number of passengers car
ried and the number of accidents and
their cause. every three months. They
believed that yearly reports were suf-
hcient.
Black offered objection to a section
requiring the companies to sprinkle
their tracks.
DECISION Is RESERVED
The committee announced a. the con-
clusion OF the hearing that it would
reserve its decision on the matter of
recommending the passage of the ordi-
nance until after consideration had
been given to the objections offered
When the application of the United
Railroads. which controls the majority
of the stock of the Sutter street line
for an extension OF its permit to op-
crate the outer tracks in Market street
from Sutter street to the ferry landing
came up, Black and President Boeck-
man of the Sutter street road, an
nounced that their respective comp panieS
would not pay any bonus to the city
for the privilege. Black said that the
United Railroads had spent Sl000o,oO0
in improvements and rehabilitation
work since the fire and did not feel
that 1t should be called upon to pay
bonus.
Boecknan said-t7lat the Sutter street
company, which holds the franchise for
the outer rails in Market street, had
saved the city $4,000 in street work
and he believed the corporation was
entitled to the privilege.
"WHl you stipulate that the rails may
he used by a municipality owned road
or any other streetcar corporation?
asked Supervisor Murphy.
No" replied Boeckman for the SUIT
ter street company.
'.Will you agree to transfer from
your lines to the Geary street road?'
was asked the United Railroads rep
resentative.
mo" replied Thornweii Mutually.
I'VE have no offer to make to the city
nor will we enter into any stipula-
tions."
The committee took the matter under
advisement The permit under which
the outer rails are being used by the
trolley lines will expire April 10, and
unless the companies make some ar
rangements which will be of benefit
to the city, it is likely 1t will not be
renewed. The Sutter street line then
will be compelled to return TO a horse
car service from Sansome street to the
ferry landing