The San Francisco call., 1909-04-15
CIVIC CENTER IDEA
MAY BE REALIZED
Subject Given Serious COnsid=
Grafton in Connection With
Selecting City Hall Site

The civic center idea for San Fran
cisco and the location of the city hall
near the juncture of Market street and
Van Ness avenue in accordance with
that comprehensive plan took another
step forward yesterday at a conference
before the supervisors public utilities
committee. One straightaway propo-
sition viii, in all probability, be placed
before the voters for their approval
or rejection at the June bond issue
election. They are 70 be asked TO
decide II the city shall expend $500
coo for the acquisition of the blocks at
the foot Of Van Ness avenue. outlined
yesterday. and for the building of the
hall.
If this should fail OF the necessary
two-thirds Endorsement. the board will
then Immediately put the other propo-
sition before the people-the authorize
ton Of a s4,0Oo.0O0 bond issue for the
construction of the hall on the present
site
such was the shape the proposal
was left in at the close of yesterdays
meeting. but the public utilities com
mittee will hold a joint meeting with
the building committee this week TO fix
TO act upon next Monday
No interference with the carrying
out of the Hetch Hetchy water supply
project by the authorization of $500,
600 for civic center idea is anticipated
by the supervisors who have been the
warmest supporters of Sierra water
supply from the beginning.
PHELAN MAKES ARGUMENT
Former Mayor PheIan at yesterdays
session also took this view. He said:
Water is the first necessity of San
Francisco. Our Sierra supply's devel-
opment is the most vital interest this
city has. But San Francisco can create
this civic center and plant its city
hall as designed, using the necessary
IS 500. 900 for the purpose, without jeo
pardizing the success of that interest.
The hall we must have in any case.
and il will cost s4.000.00o. The water
project viii probably be carried out
with the help of all the bay cities. but
in default of that San Francisco will
be adequate for the task.
Napoleon III said of Paris that he
did not care where money was made so
long as it was spent in his capital. He
adorned and beautified Paris. and now
travellers spend within that city $780,
100000 per year"
Phelan spoke of San Francisco as
nous city of the world, destined to be
the Paris OF this Pacific empire. 1t was
all important that in its rebuilding and
mighty growth il should develop from
a concentric plan. whose usefulness
would become more and more manifest
with the centuries.
FILLMORE STREET TRACKS
"A strong man could pull up the
streetcar tracks in Fillmore street with
his teeth" was the way Chairman
Giannini put the matter yesterday while
the committee was discussing with
General Manager Black of the United
Railroads and others the present street
traffic situation. Black promised the
amendment Of the Fillmore roadbed.
but said the United Railroads couldn't
do everything at once.
The Devisadero crosstown line was
again brought up. with no result other
than 10 show the United Railroads
deadlock still fast and sound.
Black said the company would be
willing to have incorporated in the
proposed franchise grant the terms i'm
perativeIy dictated by the charter. but
he refused point blank to accept the
10 block provision. which, although not
defined by the charter as a necessary
provision in future franchises them
selves. is a necessary implication of its
directions.
Then will the United Railroads
agree to substitute its own name in
place of Secretary Willcutts in the ap-
plica tion?" asked Johnston.
No" said Black. 1T will not"
Giannini asked the petitioners IL they
would justify the supervisors as the
trustees of the city in giving away the
control of Valencia street to a private
corporation. and George Swain said:
Yes. even IL ii should result in clos
ing that street that is no sufficient
cause for turning down the applica-
-.