The San Francisco call., 1909-12-16
RICHMOND DISTRICT
FOR MUNICIPAL ROAD
Hearty Support Pledged for the
Proposition to Reconstruct
Geary Street Line
Inadequate Transportation Fa-
ciIities Afforded Cause Se=
rious Grievance

The residents of the Richmond dis
trict have come forward with pledges
of support for the Geary street bond
project. This section is vitality inter-
ested, as it has been endeavoring un-
successfully over period of years to
| induce the United Railroads to afford
| adequate transportation facilities. The
committee in charge of the campaign
for the Geary street bonds received
| yesterday the following Endorsement
| from the Richmond central improve
ment club:
Whereas this club was organized for the
purpose of furthering improvements in this
district, and believing that the construction
of the Geary street railroad by the city
would in a great measure accomplish that
purpose; ~ therefore be 1t
Resolved, that do heartily approve of
the municipal ownership of the Geary street
railroad and do earnestly request all voters
of the district to take an active interest
in the bond election to be held for that
purpose December 80 1909.
WILL NOT IMPROVE
The members of the same club have
been furnished with fresh evidence
only this week of the company's un-
Willingness to make improvements of
any sort. The statutes require that
the space between the tracks and for a
paved by the corporation. The club
requested that this be done in Califor-
MIA street in the Richmond district.
Here Is the answer that came from
Charles N Black, vice president and
general manager of the United Rail-
roads:
On my return to the. city | find your
favor of the 22d ult-. all of which have
fully noted. In reference to the pavement
between the tracks in California street,
the difficulty which confronts us is this;
The present rails make it impracticable
to pave with asphalt bitumen, as they
are not high enough TO allow proper
founda ton TO be installed under the
ing surface. Consequently, before per-
manent pavement can be put down the track
Will have 10 be rebuilt
Our franchise in California street has
only about two years more TO run, which
makes It financially impossible for US to
poses to take this matter up with the board
of supervisors at early date. with the
object of securing an extension OF its pres
ent franchise or a new franchise in Cali
fornia street which If it can succeed In
doing will enable It to reconstruct the entire
roadway and install permanent paving.
WILL NOT OBEY THE LAW
Members of the board of supervisors
who saw this letter regarded it as a
declaration on the part of the United
Railroads that it couldn't obey the law
under the old franchise until it got a
new one. The California street extern
sion has been included in the general
scheme of prospective municipal lines.
The application for the extension of
the frachse will be a matter for deci-
sion for the incoming board.
The committees conducting the Geary
bond issue campaign met again last
night in the rooms of the board of
supervisors. subscriptions have been
received in generous amount. In
few days circulars will be sent out
telling in short. pithy sentences the
advantages to be derived from the mu-
nicipal operation of the line
Even in it's present condition the
Geary street line is able to show gross
earnings averaging $4,000 a month or
1904 900 a year. With well equipped
electric system and extensions to the
ferry and the beach it is estimated
that the road would earn three or four
times that sum.
Sample ballots will be sent out in
few days from the registrars Office.
They will contain the two propositions,
one for a line out Geary street to the
park and beach, to cost s1,900,000, and
the other for an extension from Geary
and Market streets to the ferry. to
cost 100000.