The San Francisco call., 1908-10-27
SUPERVISORS FAVOR
INDIA BASIN ACT
Board Passes Resolution Urging
Electors to Vote for Its
Ratification
Action of City Fathers to Be
Spread Broadcast Through
out State This Week

The India basin act and the proposed
state bond issue of sl,000,00 to acquire
the Islais creek lands for an inner har-
Dor were approved by the board Of su-
pervisors yesterday, McAllister alone
voting no TO the proposition asking the
voters TO sustain the measure at the
coming election. Following is the reso-
luton adopted:
- The India basin set" passed at the regular
session Of the legislature Of this state in 1907
by unanimous vote OF both houses and amended
al the extra session OF the same year by unani-
nous vote. is to be submitted to the electors
Of this state Tor their ratification at the next
general election.
The act provides for the issuance and sale
of state bonds redeemabie in 10 years for an
amount not exceeding 81, 600. TO create a
fund for the acquisition by the state Of ca
blocks OF submerged land, comprising about l13
acres, now held in private ownership in the
basin at the mouth Of Islais creek adjoining
luds BASIN The land is 10 be acquired for
the purpose Of constructing thereon wharves
docks piers and slips and increasing harbor
facilities on the water front OF the city and
county OF San Francisco.
India basin, a much smaller area, belongs
TO the state. Both basins form one expansive
in the bay Of San Francisco and If util
lied for harbor and wharfage purposes will
practically double our harbor facilities. There
are now for the accommodation Of our ship
ping S.3 miles OF berth room along water
front. Eminent engineers declares that eight
miles more OF berth room can be provided in
Islsis and India basins. The increasing COM
lnerce OF our port demands the acquisition by
the state Of the area included IN the islsis
creek basin.
our harbor the grandest in the wogld. does
not belong 10 San Francisco alone; II Is the
property Of all Of the people Of the state.
Whatever directly benefits barbor necessarily
benefits the entire state. The ratification Of the
act means that q much needed Inland harbOr
VIII be created which Will supplement the
accommodations for the rapidly increasing com
merce Of the state. The defeat of the measure
wiz deprive the state forever II the oppor-
tunify Of increasing the harbor accommodation
of our world renowned port and viii place the
only location in our baroqT where rail and water
meet IN the control Of monopolies.
san Francisco is destined IN the nesr future
10 be one Of the greatest maritime ports of the
world The completion of the Panama canal at
an early date renders il imperative that we
should develop and increase our barbor facilities
20 meet the demands that viii result from the
coGpietion Of the canal The land TO be con-
aeinled pursuant 10 the provisions Of the India
basin act is now entirely covered with water
10 the depth of from 6 10 so feet Owing TO its
muddy bottom, it can at comparatively trihing
expense be dredged 10 a depth sufficient 90 ac-
commodate the largest vessels afo3t. BY reason
of its location and freedom from the prevalent
winds Of this city it has, from rimedmmemorial.
served as snug harbor'' for vessels lying at
anchor
The lands arc held by private owners who
haVe never heretofore attempted 10 improve or
utilize them They are now assessed for the
comparatively Insignificant sum of SIS. COO. II
The state should be compelled 20 psy 10 the
present owners 10 times the assessed valuation
Of the land less than oDe-half million dollars
viii suffice 10 purchase the property IL the
act be ratified. the bonds issued and the land
acquired the property holders Of the state viii
not contribute one dollar Of the expense required
for the purchase. The entire cost Of the land,
the expense OF dredging the same and the cost
of ST future improvements thereon viii be paid
out Of the San Francisco harbor Improvement
fun1 fund created by tolls aud charges i'm
posed upon the commerce Of our port, which
tolls are now lower than those imposed by any
other great seaport Of the world
The average annual income OF our port now
exceeds one million dollars The amount neceS-
sary 10 redeem bonds amounting TO the sum of
100000, pursuant 10 the provisions OF the act,
VIII impose annual burden upon the harbor
Improvement fund of less than S3J OOO an
amount which may be expended without in any
manner hsmpering the administration OF our
hsrbor affairs.
Now therefore, by reason Of the premises be
city and county OF san Francisco as follows:
l. That this board is unqualfeoly in favor Of
the ratification of the India basin act''
, That every elccfor OF this city. county and
state be and be hereby is requested to vote al
the next ensuing general election for the rata
cation of said act.
3 That We commend the conduct OF the press
Of this city and county for its unanimous sup
port OF said act and for its praisewerthy work
In advocacy Of the ratification thereof
:. That the clerk Of this board. without de-
lay, send printed copy OF these resolutions 10
the county clerk Of each county OF the state Of
California 10 each member OF every board Of
supervisors within the state, to each state and
county official. and 10 the publisher Of every
lated within the state of California.
. That the Associated Press and the United
Press be requested 70 wire this day the press
of California copy Of these resolutions.