The San Francisco call., 1908-10-16
LEGISLATORS FAVOR
INDIA BASIN ACT
Harbor Committee Declares the
Revenues OF Port Are Ample
TO Provide for Bonds
Lumber and Shipping interests
Lead Opposition to Adop-
ton of Measure

The harbor committee of the state
legislature went squarely on record
yesterday in favor of the India basin
act, declaring by unanimous vote
that the revenues of the port were
ample to provide for the proposed
81 1000, 900 bond issue. At the same time
the committee urged the adoption of
the constitutional amendment legaliz-
ing 75 year bond issues.
1t Is stated that recommendation
will be made TO the coming legislature
that an issue Of $4,000, 900 be author
lied for water front betterments at
San Francisco, San Diego, Eureka, San
Pedro and other harbors of the state.
The harbor committee met in the
California building, Union square. SEN
ator Leroy A Wright of Eureka pre-
sided and the other members present
were Senators Eddie / Wolfe, G.. r.
Lukens, Richard J. Welsh and Thomas
]. Kennedy. Representatives were in
attendance from the Islajs creek in
land harbor association. Mission pro-
motion association, Ship Owners as
sociation and the Federated harbor
Improvement association.
II
Dor improvement association spoke
against the India basin act, as did r.
H Swayne of the Ship Owners associ-
alton.
ADVOCATES CARRY POINT
Senator Welsh upheld the act in a
vigorous speech, in which he pointed
out the benefits that would ensue. He
was supported by George L. Center of
the Islais creek inland harbor asso-
citation; c. L. McEnerney and w. c.
Graves of the Mission promotion as
sociation. and Isidor Jacobs of the
Potrero commercial association.
At the conclusion of the discussion
the resolutions in favor of the act and
the 70 year bond issue amendment
were passed. The resolution bearing
on the India basin act follows:
Resolved. that this committee recommends Ia
the people of the state OF California that they
vote in favor of what is known as the India basin
act because of their belief that the revenue OF
the harpor OF San Francisco Will be able TO pro
vide the interest and sinking fund for the bonds
called for IN this act
LUMBERMEN OPPOSE
The India basin act is opposed prin-
cipally by the few lumber and ship
ping men who have property at the
proposed basin which they desire TO
retain, with the object of acquiring
what viii amount ultimately TO a pri-
vate harbor. These interests have sent
circular letters TO businessmen, news
papers and farmers in all parts of Cal
ifornia urging them to defeat the
measure. These letters are chiefly re-
markable for their distortion of fact
A typical letter is that sent out by
the Ship Owners association, which
says:
San Francisco does not need addi-
tional water frontage. What it does
heed is the Improvement of the front
age IL now has. which, improved
would accommodate the shipping for
the next so years. The harbor revenue
can not possibly take care of the in
terest and sinking fund of these bonds
without increasing the state tolls, al
ready too high. thus forcing upon the
farmers and small merchants of the
state the burden of extra taxation for
something not needed.
We desire the tax payers of the
state of California TO understand that
this expense is unnece essary and will
only benefit few selfish land owners
and politicians We earnestly urge
the defeat of the India basin act"