The San Francisco call., 1910-08-13

The Mission promotion association,
on account of its activity and while
sphere of action, has been termed the
parliament of San Francisco.
When the leaders of thought and ac-
tion of the Mission saw on April is,
1906, the immense number of people
who had been forced to seek refuge
by adversely and strange combina-
tion of circumstances in the district
where the city had been founded. they
realized at once that something must
be done expeditiously to provide for
two-thirds of the population OF San
Francisco. Accordingly, on the even
ing of the same day James Rolph Jr.,
Matthew /. Sullivan and Rev. d. o.
Crowley called together, by candle
light. meeting of the Missions rep
resentative citizens in hall at Guer-
rero and Twenty fifth streets and or
ganized the Mission Relief.
On looking out over the district,
however, they soon ascertained that
something more was necessary than
mere provision to shelter, feed and
clothe the homeless who had deter
mined for the most part to take up
permanent residence in the Mission.
The sewer system had been largely
rendered uneless, the streets were in
impossible condition, the Sparsely set
tied outside tracts were to be con-
verted into residential sections and
they were almost entirely without il
Elimination and sanitary conveniences.
1t was necessary to do something more
than improve the Mission; it's interests
must be promoted and that at once.
ORIGIN OF THE ASSOCIATION
1t was on this account that on the
evening of May IS. just one month
after the formation of the Mission re-
lief committee, the Mission promotion
association was instituted and George
L. Center chosen president, James
Rolph Jr. vice president and the Mis-
sion bank treasurer
William H. Mccarthy, Frank V. Cor
nish, j. II. Hardy and E. j. O'Rourke
served respectively as temporary sec
retaries. On July 8, 1906, permanent
organization was effected with the Sc
lection of Frederick ]. Churchill as
secretary and manager.
The first accomplishment of the as
sociation was to secure an appropria-
tion from the board of supervisors to
repair the sewer and roadway of Va
lencia street between Eighteenth and
Nineteenth. The same week prom
1se was exacted from the United Rail-
roads company to erect ornamental
lamp posts on Valencia street from
Market to Twenty eighth street These
poles are now in place and an appro-
priation has been obtained by the as
sociation from the board of supervisors
to light them.
From that time until the present
weekly meetings have been regularly
held, at first In Rolph's hall, Twenty
fifth and Guerrero streets, and now in
the Mission promotion associations
building, Valencia street near Six
"a -f-,rS
that has been active since it's incipi-
ency, it will be possible to mention
only few of the results that have
been accomplished by the active COM
mitteemen of the organization.
GREAT IMPROVEMENTS MADE
The most important improvements
effected are as follows:
The erection of the first refugee cottage in
San francisco; this structure. the Crowley cot
tage. sun stands on the Mission park at Nine
The selection of site at Fourteenth and
Mission streets for the state Armory building
TO be built at cost of S42o. 600.
The establishment of the Mission emergency
hospital at Twenty-third street and Potrero
avenue.
The removal of the pumping plant of the
Spring Valley water company from the Garfield
park. Twenty sixth and Harrison streets
The revision of the prepared plans for the
high pressure auxiliary water system for fire
protection so as to extend southerIy in the Mis-
associations committee appeared before the city
engineer the plans extended only as far south as
Twentieth street.
The replacement of the Channel street outlet
sewer, which drains the greater portion of the
city.
The widening of Fourteenth street between
Guerrero and Harrison.
The reapportionment of park funds so that
during the present fiscal year the smaller dis
trict parks will be placed in presentsble condi
tion
The establishment of nucleus for geological
m in he
The conversion of the House OF Refuge tract
San Jose and Ocean avenues, into the Balboa
park, of 80 acres. the second largest i'm
proved park in the city and county.
The asphalting and parking of the Dolores
boulevard.
The initiation and continuation of work on a
comprehensive system of bouievards which will
eventually circle the entire city.
The raising to grade and macadamizing of
Fifteenth avenue South
The securing Of budget funds to repair county