The San Francisco call., 1909-12-19
MUNICIPAL ROAD
BONDS FAVORED
BYWORKINGMEN
ROusing Meeting at Union Iron
Works Shows Sentiment for
Geary Street Project
Labor Leaders Urge Men to Vote
December 80 and Win
Great Victory

a rousing meeting in favor of the
Geary street bonds was held yesterday
noon at the Union iron works. Five
hundred men listened with attentive
ear to the arguments. They were unan-
imOUs in expressions of approval. They
were told that public sentiment called
for the bond issue, that the defeat Of
The proposition could come only
through the failure of the voters to
80 10 the polls, and in conclusion were
urged TO register their views Decem-
Der 30.
Harry Gildea, president of lodge POS
OF the boiler makers and iron ship
builders. was the first speaker He
was followed by John O. Walsh super
visor elect, and a prominent member
Of the iron trades council, and Andrew
). Gallagher. secretary of the labor
council Gildea talked briefly, explain
ing that the speakers had been aD-
pointed from the labor council
WOULD MAKE ROAD MODEL
Gallagher, who followed, said in
part:
You have been hanging on TO car
straps by your finger nails until you
are tired OF IL. Sometimes YOU can
not even hang on by YOUR finger nails.
Nou pay your nickel, the car stops. and
you get of and walk. These are some
OF the intolerable conditions that have
grown up in this city and which we
propose 10 remedy as far as we can
We propose as an immediate step
toward this Improvement the municipal
operation OF the Geary street railroad
We hope to build there one of the
finest lines in the United States.
que AZ length that the Geary street
railway viii start nowhere and end no
where. My friends, that is not true It
VIII extend from the ferry TO the mark
and the beach. 1t viii run through
congested districts and win traverse
one Of the main arteries Of travel Of
this city
INTENDED As beginning
Then our opponents also tell YOU il
VIII be isolated. Again. 1 say that is
nor true The CIeaTY street road is in
tended merely as the beginning of a
great municipal system. There are
plenty of streets in which the city can
build We can have cross town or
other lines. just as we please Part of
the California street franchise viii
lapse in two years. The Union street
franchise viii lapse shortly after.
These lines can be Incorporated in the
municipal system. The Gearv street
line VIII not be isolated. II Will be the
back bone and the beginning of q great
municipal system system that viii
give you seat and carry you quickly
10 your destination for your fare
There is another feature that should
be borne strongly in mind. When the
city begins the operation Of the Geary
street line with a first class service the
United Railroads viii be compelled to
come UP TO a proper state of efficiency
It viii know that il il fails to do so
the city viii take over one line after
another and operate them itself.
DUTY OF ALL TO VOTE
Public sentiment favors the city's
control and operation of the Geary
street line. Tt favors the Geary street
bonds. We have the two-thirds vote
but we must get it TO the polls. You
men must remember the importance Of
this issue. We are counting upon you
DO not fail US.
Supervisor elect John O. Walsh told
his auditors of the improved condi-
tions possible under municipal opera
tion. He said:
7 have been elected to the new board
Of supervisors to serve your interests.
] don't think ] can serve you better
than by going in to build the Geary
street road and build il right 1 have
travelled d great deal lately in the Brit
ish isles and I have seen municipal
ownership working there with a very
high degree Of success. The munich
palities give a fine service. The cars
are the cleanest have ever seen. In
some places there are carpets on the
floors. They are taken out and cleaned
not at the end of every day, but at the
end OF every trip.
In some of these cities the 2 cent
fare prevails. What is more, you don't
have TO stand up. There are cars enough
to give everybody a seat.
Every man Of you must go to the
polls December 80 and vote for the
Geary street bonds. 1t is your duty.
There is no excuse for your not going.
All the booths are up just as they
were for the November election You
vote at your regular place, just where
YOU did November >. 1t is the duty Of
every working man TO get out and
vote
The Geary street bonds campaign
committee met last night in the rooms
of the board Of supervisors Notices
were sent to every Improvement club
IN the city arranging for meetings at
which speakers viii advocate the
project. From now until December 80
no opportunity will be lost TO present
the matter TO the voters.
Street meetings were held last night
in the Mission. An automobile pro-
ceedeo from corner to corner. stopping
while brief and pointed addresses were
delivered. The speakers included c.
". Eastin, Charles A Sweigert and Max
Pepper. They answered in detail the
argument that the operation of the line
would mean an increase in taxes. They
pointed out that the income would take
care OF the interest and leave sufficient
TO meet the principal In a few years.
il was stated, the road would not only
pay for itself. but would bring in a
revenue with which new lines could be
constructed.
Woodruff on Way Here
Former Assistant Attorney General
George Woodruff viii return on the
steamer Korea from Honolulu next
week, having resigned his federal
.judgship in the islands to enter the