The San Francisco call., 1909-01-13
ALL INTERESTS
IN AGREEMENT
ON INDIA BASIN
Commercial Bodies Unite on
Project to Condemn Full
Sixty=three Blocks
Put All Differences Aside TO
Secure SS,OOO,OOO for
the Harb0r
Outside Considerations Dropped
in Order to Bring About
Harmony

Inspired by a desire to work in har-
mony for the betterment of San Fran
cisco, the commercial associations of
the city have thrust aside their differ
ences and have united on a plan for
the Improvement of the harbor at Islais
creek. The organizations have given
their Endorsement to the proposal to
devote $1,000 to the condemnation
of 63 blocks of land at the south of
the stream, and another s1,000,000 for
the proper development of this section
as the harbor commissioners shall di-
rect. The associations have further
committed themselves to bond issue
of s7,0O0,O0Q for the construction of
seawall, docks, wharves and other ia
cilities for shipping.
An agreement was reached after it
appeared that the commercial commu-
nifty were irreconcilably divided on the
Islais creek or India basin project, but
the spirit of harmony triumphed and
brought the three bodies into unison.
1t has required several weeks of earn
est work on the part of the leaders in
the organizations, but they have de-
voted themselves Zealously to the task.
San Francisco will now present to the
state a united body, the voters stand
ing solidly together for the desired i'm
provements. 1t is regarded as fore
runner of unanimity on all vital prof.
fc Inv o1xrf,. &Ian 20 of ha Oif
LEADERS TAKE ACTION
The first step for harmony was taken
by the presidents of the three big COM
mercial organizations, Andrew NJ Davis
Of the Merchants association, c. C.
Moore of the chamber of commerce and
James Rolph Jr. of the Merchants eX-
change. While the fires of strife still
burned over the recent division on the
India basin question, they set about to
bring all elements into accord, and were
able last night to announce their sue
cess.
Each of the three bodies appointed a
committee of three to act as a joint
commission to settle the matter in dis
pute. A number of citizens had opposed
the plan to condemn SO blocks at Islais
creek, arguing that "A blocks would af-
ford sufficient acreage for an inland
basin. The committee listened to the
advocates of each proposal and rendered
its decision in favor of the 63 block
plan. This decision. was submitted tt
the presidents of the three organiza-
tions and ratified by them last night.
M. H. Robbins Jr. acted as chairman
of the committee from the Merchants
association, William Matson served In a
similar capacity for the committee from
the chamber of commerce and e. w
Ferguson held like position on the
committee from the Merchants ex-
change.
FAVOR 63 BLOCKS
The resolution drafted by this joint
commission and formally ratified fol-
lows:
Whereas. after careful consideration
of all sides of the Islais basin PROPOSE
tion and after hearing arguments put
forth by advocates of various plans
and having in mind the sole purpose
of the ultimate benefit of the state
through San Francisco water front
betterment, we, the joint committee of
the Merchants association, the Mer-
chants exchange and the chamber of
commerce, hereby report to our organi-
zations our recommendation that they
unite on the project of making said
Islais basin comprise SO blocks between
lslais street and First avenue, and Ken
lucky street to the seawall line, pro-
vided they can be purchased within an
appropriation of $1,000 ,000"
ss,OOO,OOO FOR NEW WORK
report was issued last night on
behalf of the three commercial asso-
Citations by their respective presidents.
After reviewing the work of the joint
commission this report says:
1t was further resolved that these
organizations approve, support and
work for the passage of a bill at the
present session of the legislature pro-
viding for the acquisition of SO blocks
at Islais creek, as described in the
foregoing committee resolution, at a
cost not to exceed S1,000,000.
1t was further resolved to approve,
support and work for the passage of a
bill at the present session of the leg
islature providing for bond issue of
$S,O0O,000 for the general Improvement
of the San Francisco water front. an
increase of $1,000,000 over a $7,000,00
bill originally drafted, so as to enable
the harbor commissioners, in their dis
cretion, to develop and improve the en-
tire water front, including the lands
to be acquired at Islais creek basin for
larbOr DurDOSaS