The San Francisco call., 1908-03-19
CABLE WILL RUN
IN PACIFIC AVENUE
United Railroads Promises TO
Have Road in Operation
in Six Months
WrangIe Over Tracks in Market
Street RiIes Feeling of
F. c. BOeckman

Pacific avenue viii not be dishgured
by unsightly trolley poles and over
head wires. The residents Of that thor.
oughfare have been promised a cable
system by the United Railroads and
the officials OF the company announced
yesterday that the line would be IL
operation between Polk and Broderick
streets within six weeks.
Ahis announcement was made at the
meeting Of the public utilities COM
mittee of the supervisors yesterday
afternoon, and came as a surprise to
the members of the Western addition
Improvement club, who had been de-
manding that streetcar service be re-
sumed in Pacific avenue.
oscar Sutro, one of the opponents
Of the proposed trolley system, in
formed the committee that letter
had been received about 10 days ago
from Patrick Calhoun, president of the
United Railroads, IN which Calhoun
promised to install a cable line If a
majority Of the residents In Pacific
avenue wanted it
We now have in our possession ''
added Sutro, "a petition signed by 20
per cent Of the property owners in
Pacific avenue between Polk and Brod-
erick streets, asking for a cable sys-
tenn"
c. F. Frink, president Of the West
ern addition Improvement club, said
that he had not previously heard Of
the written promise made by Calhoun.
We didn't know until this morning -
explained Sutro, that we had the re-
Guired number of signatures to the
petition and we did not think it neces-
sary 10 make any announcement until
we were certain that we could get the
cable"
WILL GIVE TRANSFERS
Thornwell Mutually explained that
the cars would have TO stop at Polk
street, as they are not of the same
gauge as the trolley cars operated on
parallel streets running TO the ferry
landing. Transfers viii be issued from
the Polk street terminal TO the other
lines operated by the company.
The petition of the Western addition
and North central Improvement clubs
that the permit to operate trolley cars
on the outer tracks in Market street
from Sutter TO the ferry landing be
extended was urged by representatives
Of the two clubs. who said the privil-
eye greatly facilitated travel
Supervisor Murphy opposed the ex-
tension of the permit unless the rail
road agreed to issue transfers to the
Geary street line at Kearny street
paid monthly rental TO the city,
agreed to the joint use of the rails by
p municipality owned line or outside
company and kept Market street sprin-
kled-
F. G Boeckman, president Of the SUIT
ter street road, which owns the fran
chise in Market street from Sutter TO
the ferries, declared that the company
would not consent or agree TO the
terms suggested.
i am of the opinion that your fran
chise can be forfeited for nonuser," said
Murphy.
Then forfeit it," said Boeckman.
Boeckman. when questioned by DR..
Giannini. admitted that the Sutter
street road TO Sansome street is con-
trolled by the Calhoun corporation, but
had no explanation to offer for the
original company still holding the fran
chise along Market street TO the ferry
landing.
The answer is easy" said Murphy.
IT is held 70 shut out competition-to
prevent a rival line. from reaching the
ferries The charter only permits of
the Joint use of rails by two companies.
and you have the two companies-the
Sutter street and the United Railroads.
The interest Of the United Railroads
in the permit having been shown. Null
said that the terms suggested by Muir
ply were impracticable and that the
United Railroads would not accedef to
them.
I would suggest that if the city
wants TO derive any benefit" said Null
lsliy, both companies be asked 10
pay a monthly or yearly rental for
the privilege of operating on the outer
tracks. Such a proposition would re-
ceive consideration"
MURPHY'S SUGGESTION
II suggest" said Murphy. that the
requests I have made be submitted by
10 their directors. The companies then
can make counter proposition If they
SO desire"
The Suffer street company will not
listen to them" replied Boeckman.
and moreover I don't propose coming
here again. ] am tired OF the whole
business"
Don't make any threats" warned
Doctor Giannini. for If you do Wen
soon show our colors."
Boeckman said that he had no wish
10 have his remarks construed as
threats He simply was tired of
wrangling over the permit II it was
denied the company would again run
horse cars from Sansome street to the
ferries
The committee finally decided to ex-
tend the permit for is days, with the
understanding that the two companies
viii be ready at the meeting next
Wednesday TO make an offer TO the city
for the further enjoyment Of the privi-
lege.
The Geary street road VIII be per-
mitted to pay 5 per cent of its gross
receipts for February to the city for
the right TO operate that line. The
March rate wil he fixed at the next
meeting.
The committee will recommend the
passage OF an ordinance making II a
misdemeanor to smoke on the front
platform or inside any streetcar.
penalty Of SIS viii he imposed on vio-
istors of the law