The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-07
M'KINLFY SAYS
PLATFORM WILL
GIVE HIS VIEWS
Candidate for Republican NOmi-
nation for City Attorney
Expresses No Opinion
Consented to Run for Office Be-
cause Urged by Friends TO
Make Race
By GEORGE A. VAN SMITH


Benjamin L. Mckinley has been in
dorsed by the Disbursements committee
OF p as the candidate best fitted to
receive the republican nomination for
city attorney. That Endorsement carries
with it the Disbursements pledge to
work for his nomination and in the
event Of his success at the primary
polls to support him at the general
election
The fact that Mckinley is first
cousin to the late President William
Mckinley would make his personality
and his views matters OF some public
interest. even if he were not a candi-
date for one Of the most important
offices in the gift Of the electors of
San Francisco. As candidate for
city attorney Mckinley and his views
are doubly interesting.
SATISFIED WITH PARTY POLICIES
As 10 his personality. I found a
conventional young man. of sturdy
build and well set up. As to his views
on public questions and particularly
those with which the district attorneys
L
icy an extraordinary young man. He
was the first candidate for a partisan
nomination IN a direct primary fight
10 tell me that his views on public
questions and the issues of the cam
palgn would be the declared views of a
party convention which will not as
semble until after he has been nom
mated, II he be nominated.
Because Mckinley is q candidate for
numerous questions touching himself
and his views on the issues of the cam
paign and his policies in the event that
he should become city attorney He
told me freely enough Of himself and
gave me inferentially his views on
partisan regularity
STATEMENT OF MCKINLEY
Here is what he told me:
1 am 80 years old. I was born in
san Francisco; am unmarried Nv full
name is Benjamin Louis Mckinley.
an a first cousin TO the late President
Mckinley. His father and mine were
brothers. was educated in the public
schools of san Francisco: graduated
from ST Ignatius in 1893 and from the
hastings law school in 1896 was
admitted TO the bar the same year and
nave practlced in this city every since.
Il have always taken an interest in
elective Office before I was appointed
assistant United States district attor-
ney by the late President Mckinley in
july, 1901
Why are you a candidate for city
attorney" 1 asked.
don't know what particular rea-
son I can give. I am a candidate be-
cause ] have been urged into the race
ey large number of friends In re-
Spouse 10 those requests 1 have per
mitted my name TO be brought for
ward"
WILL STAND ON PLATFORM
In the event of your election win
the present city attorneys office STAFF
be retained2"
Tor me TO make any statement I could
not discuss who viii or win not be in
that Office
Are you in favor of the Hetch
Hetchy municipal water project and
tne ACQUISITION and development of the
proposed municipal water supply2''
In reference to all these matters ~
policy. ] think that the position of the
candidates on the republican ticket will
be made clear by the platform. 1 ex-
pect 10 stand on that platform"
But you have not been nominated
yet Mr.. Mckinley" 1 suggested. The
purpose Of this interview is to enable
YOU expect to nominate you what they
may expect from YOU"
AS far as the conduct of the city
attorneys Office is concerned" replied
Mckinley, IF the board of super
visors shall direct that Office to a.
quire any property. to carry out the
VIII OF the people. the necessary ac
ton VIII be taken. taken honestly and
pushed forward as honestly as know
now. without any fear and without any
favor
What IN your opinion. Mr.. McKin-
lev. should be done by the city in the
matter OF the United Railroads at
tempt to maintain its monopoly OF
lower Market streetz"
4 haven't studied that question In
all its bearings and phases and Of
caarse-there has been considerable
etroversy for some time. In what
sg is the city attorney interested IN
al question:" demanded Mckinley.
1T is the duty OF the city attorney
10 advise the board Of supervisors on
legal questions, is il not7"
i can only advise with all the facts
before me-" Mckinley replied. eIf
m elected city attorney 1 win conduct
that Office as honestly and efficiently as
J have conducted the Office I now hold
roo the last eight years"
No PROMISES OR PLEDGES
III ltE event % tDuI election, Mr..
Mckinley. what will be the policy of
your Office in the matter of the acaui-
sition Of the Ham Han Iandsi at Lake
Eleanor"
That matter is covered by my state
ment in the first place; that the decla-
ration of principles OF the republican
platform viii represent exactly where
/ stand I have made no promises or
pledges TO anybody. When I was in
ea-sed I was not in San Francisco.
s ia Eureka attending 10 the official
-fness OF the United States
IN the event of your election. Mr.
Mckinley. what will be the policy Of
your Office as TO the suits brought by
the gas company TO prevent the en-
forcement OF the So cent gas rate ordi-
nance27
All cases in the city attorneys Of
fee and in the courts viii be carried
forward.
GENERAL OPINION on RATES
Have you an opinion as TO what
should be the gas rate2v
-AlI citizens have a kind OF general
opinion that the gas rates cught not 10
he excessive but as TO what the gas
rate ought 10 be ! have not studied