The San Francisco call., 1909-12-19
SEEKS $4,000 FOR
new ARMORY SITE
Real Estate Board Starts CAM
paign to Raise Money, as
Was Promised State
Governor Gillett Urges Members
of Committee to Act Without
Unnecessary Delay

To secure the cooperation Of the
property holders of the city in the pur-
chase of a site for the national guard
arfnory in this city, the real estate
board has started campaign to raise
$4,000 to complete the sum of $780,
900 for the purchase of the block at
Van Ness avenue and Bay street, oppo-
site Fort Mason.
Because all the other public enter
prises in this city since the fire have
been financed principally by the bust
nessmen the real estate board thinks
the property owners will gladly lend
material assistance in securing site
for the armory.
AT the extra session of the legisla-
ture in June, 1906, when relief meas
ures for San Francisco were consid-
cred, an appropriation of 100000 for
a state building in this city was made,
but the committee to which was dele
gated the task of choosing site de-
layed in making a selection.
DIVERTED TO ARMoRY
At the last session of the legislature
a bill was passed diverting the s420,000
left in this appropriation to a fund for
the erection of an armory for the ma
tlonal guard in this city. 1t was un-
derStood that the city would provide
the site and lend some assistance in
erecting the building
Governor Gillett issued an appeal to
the people of San Francisco to pur-
chase the site and approved of thespro-
posed location in Van Ness avenue. He
also appointed the following commit
tee to serve with himself in financing
the matter.
Frank B. Anderson, William B. Bourn,
William III. Crocker. A. w. Foster,
Joseph D. Grant. j. r. Howell, L. w.
Hellman Jr., William G. Irwin, George
A. Newhall, Captain A. II. Payson, Leon
Sloss and Henry II. Scott.
EARLY ACTION NECESSARY
In his letter to the committee ap-
proving the proposed site, Governor
Gillett had the following to say:
1T is important that the purchase
of this block of land be consummated
as early as it Is possible for your com
mittee to do so, and / earnestly hope
that you will endeavor to impress this
upon the people Of San Francisco, en-
phatically The expenditure of over
100000 for a public building, to say
nothing of the money which the ma
toward the equipment of the coast ar
tillery organization, are factors of suf-
ficfent Importance to entitle this prof.
ect to the full support and co-opera-
ton of all Of the citizens of San Fran
CISCO"
The finance committee has already
raised s60,000. The option on the prop
erty will expire December Is, but it
probably will be extended to permit the
real estate board to raise the balance
of $4,000 from the property holders Of
the city.
0. c. Stine, vice president and gem
eral manager of the American real es-
tate company, in representing the real
estate board, is of the opinion that the
site is particularly well adapted to the
uses of the national guard 1t is on
the line of the belt railroad and is to
have excellent streetcar service 1t is
also opposite Fort Mason and the fed
eral government has signified it's will
ingness to permit the guardsmen use
of the ordnance and other equipment
in the fort for their military advance
ment.