The San Francisco call., 1910-12-24
RICHMOND CLUB
Helps DISTRICT
Great Achievements in Short
lime and Many More Im-
provements in Prospect
By c. z. ADAMS


trict the impress Of its activity.
Organized July I2, 1903. by half a
dozen public spirited property owners.
II mas continually grown in numbers
ana IN strength until now il is one
OF the largest and most influential i'm
provenent organizations in the city.
PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
The club was organized for the pur-
pose or Improving and extending Nine
teenth avenue to Golden Gate park.
On July rs. 1903, IL extended the
scope OF its activities so as to embrace
that portion Of the Richmond district
from Fourteenth avenue to Thirtieth
avenue and subsequently extended its
boundaries so as to include the district
from Fourteenth avenue to Forty-ninth
avenue
So many and varied have ebeen the
activities OF the club that all that can
De attempted here is a mere recital of
the Improvements that have been Sc
cured, leaving TO the reader 10 recog-
nize their significance and Importance
Immediately after its organization
the club began a spirited campaign for
trict
It's success in obtaining better fire
and police protection, the paving and
extending Of streets and the laying
OF sidewalks. has been most note
worthy.
IMPROVEMENTS OBTAINED
Among the many improvements
brought about by the association are
the following: The securing Of better
workmanship in the construction of
street pavement. the installation Of a
large number Of UP TO date fire alarm
boxes; the installation of over 80 arc
lights; the paving OF California and
Tc1r -
way; the designation Of Lincoln park
Of the area formerly occupied by the
CITY cemeteries, extending from Thirty
third TO Forty-eighth avenues and
from Clement street TO Fort Niley; the
removal Of sidewalk distractions; the
laying Of sidewalks throughout the
district; the installation OF fire hy-
drants throughout the district; the re-
pair Of gulliess and holes throughout
the district; the preventing of teams
from using and destroying sidewalks
and curbs; the removing Of the old un-
used trolley poles from the roadway in
California street, the securing of the
Improvement OF Fulton street at and
beyond the Preside parkway, thereby
making uniform an irregular grade
and doing away with pools Of stag
nant water; the changing Of the steep
and dangerous grade in Clement street
between Fifteenth and Eighteenth ave-
nues TO a safe and more uniform grade;
the installation Of additional letter
boxes and providing more letter car
riers in the district; the compelling Of
the United Railroads 10 bring their
tracks in California street TO grade
and to improve their right Of way; the
cleaning Of catch basins; the inspec-
tion Of buildings reported improperly
constructed and the condemnation by
the board Of health Of the shacks in
Eighteenth avenue and California
street.
To be able in the course Of L months
10 accomplish so much bears testimony
to the great zeal and industry Of the
members and very well eXemplies what
a n Improvement club can do.
CONTEMPLATED IMPROVEMENTS
The club is now strongly urging the
matter Of the erection Of a frehouse
near Fifteenth avenue and Geary
street: the construction Of a class A
police station TO be erected upon Sixth
avenue between Geary and ANA streets
and the extension Of Lake street to
Lincoln park. thereby forming a con-
Meeting link between the Preside park
way and Lincoln park.
They are trying 10 bring about the
construction Of subway across Golden
Cate park in the vicinity Of Nineteenth
avenue. thereby connecting the Sunset
and Richmond districts, which are now
for purposes Of traffic and trade ac
cessible 70 each other only by long,
roundabout route.
The club is also working for the ex-
tension Of Sutter street through the
cemeteries: the erection Of appropriate
street signs upon all crossings in the
district: the completion OF the Preside
parkway; the improvement Of Lincoln
park and the construction of the ter
rninals Of the Geary street railroad be-
fore starting upon the middle portion
Of it.
The club Is urging the refusal TO per-
nit the United Railroads to use the
outer tracks on lower Market street,
thereby preserving this right to the
city. the construction Of the Twin
peaks tunnel upon the assessment plan
and the completion Of the pavement
OF California street where it remains
unp$ved-
An effort is being made to change
the grade in Geary street between Ba-
ker and Presidio avenue and the put
ting into operation Of the recently
enacted 10 year assessment bond plan
The club is urging the location Of
the Panama-Pacifc exposition in the
western end Of the Richmond district
The club has mapped out for itself a
Yrodigious task, which will require the
united strength and untiring efforts Of
ali its members.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
The club has at various times called
mass meetings for the discussion of
matters OF unusual Importance TO the
district
on October 10. 1909. meeting was
held to which all candidates TO Office
had been invited. The candidates for
mayor appeared. and each pledged him
self TO work for the betterment OF the
district
Mass meetings were called TO discuss
the Geary street bond election. the
India basin act and the charter amend
ments.
Politics forms no part OF the clubs
activities and the consideration Of such
matters is confined TO the mass meet
ings devoted exclusively TO that pur-
nose. and to which speakers of all
shades Of political thought are in
Fited.
The club has kept in constant touch
with the board Of supervisors and other
city boards. presenting and urging from
firne TO time the needs OF the district.
The club was instrumental in fixing
tbe route Of the proposed Geary street
ire II demonstrated that the road
~. r street was inconyenient and i'm
practical, the road straight out Geary