The San Francisco call., 1908-12-23
HARBOR BOARD
CAN NOT BLOCK
DOCKS SCHEME
Submerged Lands Near Fort
Mason to Be Used by South
ern Pacific Railroad
Territory Controlled by Com
mission Lies Beyond Prop
erty Intended for Basin
Tracks TO Run Through Tunnel
Under and Then Over Mill
tary Reservation

The ambitious projects for terminal
facilities in san Francisco which the
Southern Pacific has under considera-
tion lave interested the harbor commits
sioners TO such an extent that a special
inquiry viii be made 10 determine just
what rights. if any. the state has at the
point proposed for new system of
docks.
According TO current reports Harri-
man intends to construct a depot of his
own with deep water connections at the
Maurice Dore property. near Fort Ma
son. This property consists of sub
merged lands, which. according TO the
plans under consideration, viii be trans
formed into an inland basin.
An investigation into the matter has
disclosed that this section Of the front
IS not undeT the Jurisdiction Of the har-
bor board. The territory over which
The commission has control is defined
IN the act Of 1877. The boundaries, as
named in this act. run seaward from
the submerged lands which the Harri-
man interests are about TO acquire It
appears. therefore. that the Southern
Pacific could creaze an inland basin at
this point without a special dispensa-
tion from the state.
POWER VESTED IN STATE
The power TO thwart Hartman
should the public be so inclined, is still
vested in the state. for the seawan
could Doe extended to inclose the sub
merged lands and thus make the en-
trance OF ships impossible. The old
acts outlined a seawall fl such way
as TO shut OF this property. but leg
islation enacted at the special session
or 1896 vacated that part of former
statutes outlining seawall beyond the
foot of Taylor street AS the law now
stands the seawall terminates at TAYLOR
stree The power TO extend it, how
ever. stin lies with the state.
The first part of the Southern Pacific
plans contemplate the construction of a
tunnel under Fort Mason, at the foot of
Van Ness avenue. It is stated that work
on this project will be begun in 30 days
The bore will be completed by the time
the government finishes the construc-
tion Of the new transport docks at Fort
Mason. Work on these docks is now
progressing under the direction of Ma
jOr George Williamson, constructing
quartermaster.
At present the interstate commerce
commission is considering the question
of switching charges that may be made
by the Southern Pacific to other lines
using the tracks.
TRACKS TO RUN IN TUNNEL
The tracks in the tunnel are to be
continuation of the line that runs from
the belt railroad along the water front
and East street west on Beach street
The line viii run behind the old Fon-
tsna wareh house, now used by the quar-
termasters department of the army as
a supply depot. and cross the Spring
Valley pumping plant, near the foot of
Polk street. on a viaduct.
The tunnel viii be 1928 feet long. IL
feet wide at the base and 36 feet high
Ii viii have a drop Of IA feet from the
entrance at Van Ness avenue to the La
Euna street end. IT will be finished in
brick and concrete lining 2 feet inches
thick
The course OF the tube is directly
under a corner of the tennis court of
the post and a corner of the residence
OF the commanding general Of the de-
partment OF California. The arch of
the tube viii be just 81 feet below the
headquarters house. The bore will also
run under the old brick hospital. now
used as the signal corps supply depot.
LITTLE ROCK TO BE MOVED
Little difficulty will be experienced
in digging the tube, as the soil of Black
point is sand and clay. with little rock
However. the task viii cost $685. or
100000
At Beach and Laguna streets, where
the track will debOuch from the hill
there will be switchback, or track
leading to the transport docks which
are TO be constructed.
While the tunnel is being built the
army viii complete its retaining wall
in Van Ness avenue, so that that broad
street may be opened to the bay.
Major Williamson, the constructing
Quartermaster. said yesterday that it
was not unusual for a railroad track to
secure right Of way through a military
reservation. He considered the Fort
Mason post fortunate in that the rail-
road crossing was below grade. On the
blue prints of the post Major William
son traced the Course Of the tunnel and
from his Office the details of the con-
struction were gathered.