The San Francisco call., 1910-08-20


In this issue is sketched a few of the
projects that the association is now
handling. II would be difficult TO say
which are the most important. One
very important matter now being urged
by the Merchants association is the
lowering of the grade of Beale street.
The significance Of this Improvement
lies in the fact that it affords an easy.
level and through route for teaming
from the north end TO the new south
seawan and docks At present the
grade upon Beale street from Folsom
10 Bryant forbids heavy teaming and
thus cuts off this section of the city
from the north OF Market manufactur-
ing district. The same thing is true
OF Main street and other parallel
streets.
Realizing the Importance of this i'm
provement the association had its engi-
neer prepare plans and estimates for
this work The proposition was then
presented to the various property own
ers that would be affected by the
change. 1t met with the immediate ap-
proval Of nearly all of them. The last
vestige OF hesitation was swept away
last Monday and now the road is clear
for the consummation of this work.
Already a movement has been started
10 have the Main street grade also low
cred.
HANDBOOK OF MANUFACTURERS
Recently the association issued a
Handbook of Manufacturers in and
about San Francisco. The necessity
for some such book is urgent. Great
quantities of goods are ordered from
abroad because people are not aware
Of the fact that they can be manufac-
tured here
At a great expense the association
gathered data for and published this
book The 1000 copies that were pub
lished have been exhausted. The book
is intended as a guide TO Industrial de-
Telopment in San Francisco, and it will
no doubt serve its purpose.
TEN YEAR ASSESSMENT BONDS
Another very important matter which
the association has initiated is legis-
lation permitting the issuance of 10
year bonds in payment for street.
sewer, tunnel. cistern or similar work.
This system has been adopted in Seat
tie with wonderful success. Miles and
miles of street work have been done
by this system that could not have been
done if the owners were required to pay
cash. The result has been increases
valuation and greater building activity
The property owner profiting by this
Is thereby enabled to pay for his street
work and continue the process.
Idle capital finds a safe investment
IN the purchase Of these bonds which
are first lien upon the property bene-
nted- The proposed amendment pro-
vides. not q new method, but an addi-
tional method of paying for street i'm
proVements. The property owner is
at liberty TO pay his assessment at any
time within 10 years. The Importance
10 the outlying. districts of San Fran
cisco Of such plan can not be over
estimated.
TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION
Another important amendment to the
charter proposed by the association is
that enabling the city to assess prop
erty owners in whole or in part for the
improvement Of accepted streets 1t
has been found that very often prop
erty owners are anxious to have
grade cut down, a hill removed or a
tunnel constructed. This is a matter
affecting them more than anyone else.
There is so much work of this ma
ture that the city cannot undertake 81
There is q very grave doubt as to the
right % the city TO lay out an assess
ment district and assess the property
owners for the Improvement of an ac-
cepted street Hence the need for an
amendment TO the charter. The power
of the city is now before the courts
IN the matter Of the Stockton street
tunnel
THE STOCKTON STREET TUNNEL
The matter Of putting through the
Stockton street tunnel was taken up
by DR.. Hartland Law of the Merchants
association. He and those associated
with him in this matter are determined
that q way will be found With the
construction of this tunnel the whole
North beach district Will pour upon a
level road into Market street at Fourth.
1t viii mean development for both ends
of Stockton street.
THE TWIN PEAKS TUNNEL
The association has also taken an
active part in the agitation for the
construction of the Twin peaks tunnel. 1
For the last five years it has advo-
Gated this matter. Il is at the pres |
ent time taking a decidedly active Rart |
in the Twin peaks tunnel convention. |
organized for the purpose of construct
ing the tunnel This dream of the last
twenty years seems nearer TO realiza-
tion now than ever before
The convention has adopted a report /
recommending a tunnel The improve
ment clubs, the press and the people |
in general seem to be solidly behind /
this proposition. When the work shall |
have been accomplished a very large
measure of credit will be due to the
Merchants association.
STREET RAILWAY EXTENSIONS
Another Important matter in which
the association has interested itself is |
the matter of street railway extensions |
The association organized a joint COM /
mittee on street railroad extensions in |
which % Improvement clubs are repre- |
sented. This committee enlisted the
aid of William Barclay Parsons, rail- |
way expert OF New York, TO submit a /
report upon the best possible street |
railroad system adapted to the city's |
conditions
The committee has also prepared |
comprehensive plan Of needed railway |
extensions and cross town car lines and |
has been and is trying hard to induce 1
the United Railroads to adopt this plan /
and make the needed improvements.
1t induced the United Railroads 10 |
agree TO build the Hunters Point the
Army streer and the University Mound /
district extensions and also TO extend /
the Masonic avenue and II street lines. /
For these latter projects, however the /
railroad company requires the property /
owners to contribute q portion Of the |
cost.
IsLAIs CREEK AND RINCoLN HILL |
The contest in regard to the Islais /
creek and inland harbor has been Sc
rious during the last six years. The /