The San Francisco call., 1910-11-23
PARDEE CRITICISES
FRANCHISE PROJECT
Former Governor Apologies to
Priest After Calling ResO=
luton a Fake

OAKLAND Nov. 22.-Former Cover
nor George c. Pardee apologized to
Rev. E. P. Dempsey in lively meeting
Of the directors of the chamber of COM
merce today after Pardee harshly criti-
cised a resolution offered by the
Seventh Street Improvement club.
Father Dempsey appeared on a COM
mittee Of five with c. L. Strom. Louis
schaner. Charles P. Pierce and George
l. Yager. members of the club. to ask
for the Endorsement Of the chamber of
a resolution favoring a so year fran
chise in Seventh street to the Southern
Pacific for its new electric system.
This report had been referred to the
railroads and transportation commit
tee Of the chamber. Of which Pardee is
chairman. The other members are
Theodore Gier, George z. Randolph and
0. F. Olsen. This committee reported
adversely today on the Endorsement and
Pardee, in defense of the stand of the
committee, stated that the franchise
was one Of great value in which the
entire city was interested and that any
compensation for the franchise was not
due TO Seventh street alone, but to the
entire city He said that the paving
of Seventh street would in no way be
commensurate with the value of the
franchise
Il am against the policy to grant a.
franchise for so years, which, coupled
with the time it has already run, means
that the Southern Pacific will have had
a free right of way from Oakland for
100 years It will be tying up the city
for more than a generation into the
future The resolution of this improve
ment club looks to me like faxed
proposition"
At this point Rev Father Dempsey
arose to object to the language Pardee
had used and said that the remark was
equivalent to calling the members OF
the club takers. Pardee replied that
he had meant nothing personal and Of
fered his apology. After all the direc-
tors present had taken part in the dis
cussion 1t was decided to lay the mat
ter on the table in view of the difrer-
ence which existed upon the matter.
The clubs resolution will be taken TO
the city council.
W. r. Scott. assistant general man
ager of the Southern Pacific company,
has submitted to the city council by
letter a report on the earnings of the
Seventh street line for which the cleo
tric franchise is asked, with an expla-
nation of the plans for improvement of
the suburban system IN TINS city Inc
plans. he said. can not be carried out
if the franchise is not granted. The
project involved is part of a general
scheme. to cost s10,OO0,00O, in Oakland.
Scott writes.
Some very eXtravagant statements
have been made in the press from time
TO time concerning the earning ca
pacity of this portion of the line that
were entirely unwarranted. For the
months of January TO July, inclusive,
for the year 1910, the total earnings
accruing to the line under discussion
were sS2,9s4, or an average of $1I855
a month This includes all commuter
service and all 10 cent tickets; in other
words, everything pertaining to that
portion of the line, from which you will
note that the claims made as to the
earning capacity of the line have been
merely guessed at. The figures herein
given can be authenticated if the coun-
ell so desires.
1T is our desire, and has been for
several years. to improve the service
in Oakland in every way possible. and
I think the work already done is suffi-
cient evidence of our intention to con-
tinue in that policy"