The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, October 10, 1897, Page 16

16 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1897. ET BEAUTY CROWN THE HALL. ROM the general tenor of scores F interviews with all classes of cil zens, published in TE CaLr, there | is a strong feeling that somct ing shonld be domne very soon to preserve the ar- | chitectural symmetry of the C.ty Hall | by removing the shanties on Market street that now obscure the genera! view and destroy the magnificence of the sur- roundings. This opinion is expressed by all classes of the population, and they speak with strange earnestness and unanimity in favor of doing something in the line indi- cated. The only problemis, What cau Le | done? all classes, whether the person inter- viewed dwells south of Market street or north, for the City Hali belongs to all of the peovle, and all are equally anxious that it be seen by strangers within the city’s gates as well as by the public here. 1t wou!d seem from the case of the city against the City Hall Commissioners, de- cided in the Forty-second California, that the land that was originally part of the City Hall Park by operation of the or- dinance was never really dedicated to park uses in such a way as to preclude the city | from selling a part of it, as was done by the commissioners. Under that view of g u iy iy 77 t| ment and skill. This opinion isshared by | close watch on municipal Iitigation, there is & good case for the city in spite of the decision of the Supreme Court, which he says went off in such a way, being an agreed case, as to be invalid. to his idea the title of the city is inaiien- able. Hia views appear in full elsewhere in this article. The necessity of more room for the City Hall and for some aitention to the ques- tion of esthetic surroundings was seen very clearly by Hon. William Alvord in 1873. His views were expressed in his valedictory address, a part of wnich dealt with the question directly. He held that the sale of the lots along Market street was a great mis}:kq, and he referred to the fact that, in the great cities of the world, magnificent buildings are not set in such surroundings as to spoil their luster. The same views that he then ex- pressed seem to be generally popular to- dav, as appears by interviews. ‘The following interviews on the proposi- tion to build the park, after condemning and buying the land south of the new City Hall, were culled from a heterogeneous field. They embrace both city officials and men in all branches of business. The bording system is generally favored, though several favor a direct appropria- tion irom the tax levy: i County Clerk Currys: *I think the property was sold by a *job’ in the first place, and that as the owners have had the rents out of it for a long time, they shouid be compelled to return the land to | the city for the same price as they paia. It would be a fine idea to place a park in enhance the great architectural beauty of the building. I am in favor of a direct appropriation. I pay mv way as I gq, expect my children to do likewise, and never have favored bonds.” | Sheriff Whelan: “I think the | selling of the property was outrageous in | the first place, but now that it has been sold, I am hardly in favor of squeezing o | front of the New City Hali, and would | According | | vast, TEETTY ALVORD FAVORS bemmed in by the rows of inferio up around it. The sale of iots fron mistake which should, if possible, tween the hail and Market street converted into lawns and gardens, Europe power and money have bee: experience and taste for this youn to hide its most pretentious publi the future—should be calculated t ness of a metropolis destined to be It is difficalt to estimate the ful full value as a source of pleasure elegantly exposed and surrounded. E secure so easily. | finest appearing municipal edifices in the country. The expense, however, would be favor a direct appropriation, a< I think this generation should pay its own debts.” J. H. Speck of the real estate tirm of A.M.Speck & Co.: *l am hizbiy in tavor of tue proposition, and believe that it would be {easible un- der the bond system. The land should never have been sold, for those smal buildin s obscure the City Hall. A tax levy would be too high for such a purpose. My brother, A. M, Speck, also believes it ! a good scheme and is inclined 10 favor the bond system, E. S. Tucker, manager of the city department of Madison & Burke: “There is no doubt in my mind that such an improvement is highly de- siratle. If any plan, however, were feas ible it would be the bond system.” Deputy Marriage License Clerk Angelo: “lam in fuvor of the ides. Those buildings are unsightly and S iR —1 — [ Iy All That Can Be Seen of the City Hall From One Point on Market Street. Many persons ex definitely as to how they would have the money raised. Some favored direct tax- ation, while otbers wanted bonds. It is now generally understood that the era of mflated land-booming and com- mercial scheming is over, and that the city is entering upon an age of practical achievements. | The masses of thoughtful people are be- essed themselves | the law, unless there were some other de- | the o fects in the trans ers, it is apparent that | P : about the only way for the city again to | ; | nequire title is to proceed under the ger- | PONUINg system, us I regard that as the eral law of eminent domain and condemn | the property for public uses, deciding by | jury what the land and its improvements are worth to the present occupants and owners. There may be an easier way to solve the if it can be secured and the owners given a decent figure. I wonld be in favor of the only feasible method. There is no doubt it would beantifv the hail wonderfully.” James O'Brien of the firm of | . d. O°Brien & Co.: *'lthink the | Park would be a vast improvement with- | out a doubt. I would not stickle at ex- | pense, -but would bond the city and let ginning to see that the city may be beau- | probiem. According to the opinion of [ 1€ DEXt generation pay its share of the tified in a very conservative and feasible | way without the expenditure of vast sums, but by the exercise of good judg- | the lots were sold and w. gmrmzrznr L I R L R R I 22 I 2 R 2 T R R R R R T R R AR TR A R R L AL R R TR AR L L L] MAY BE RECOVERED BY A SUIT. sold the regain posse on if proper legal title to the property ca: quered territory. d of any ki Cemetery. The Town Council designated as public property. map of San Francisco gmxnrmmmmmmnmmznmnxmflnmmrnmm certain reservations, recognized under the treaty, is known as the Van Ness ordinance, which p on January 1, 1855, were the legal owners. Certain reservations, *‘In 1865 Congress adopted the Van Ness map, John Lord Love, a well-known lawyer who was City and County A itorney when ho has kept a John Lord Love Declares That San Francisco Still Legally Cwns the City Hall Lots. JOHN LORD LOVE, who was City and County Attorney when the lots it is proposed to recover and convart into a park, believes the city still owns the lots and can Here is Mr. Love’s exposition of the matter: “‘San Francisco stil legally owns the Citv Hall lots and should be able to rec over them. The means are taken. me originally from the United States Government, which by the treaty of Guada- lupe Hidalgo acquired possession of the peninsula, now known as San Francisco, as a part of the con- “Thus when San Francisco was founded it belonged to the Government. Squatters took possession of parcels of land as it suited tnem, and the Alcaldes granted ‘garden spots’ to whom they pleased. But were held to be public property and not subject to grant Yerba- Buena Cemetery was one of these. Alcaldes as magistrates, gave grants of lands, ani they, too, recognizsd the reservations. ““Some years after San Francisco was founded the Supreme Court of the United States declared San 0 to be a pueblo, or municipality, which decision in effect nullifiea the claims of all landholders. ““Then came the step that established the tiil= of the city to the teservations Later the Ameri that was elected to direct the affairs of rovided that those who were [ , though the new municipality passed what including Yerba Buena Cemetery, were predicated on the Van Ness ordinance, as the official , and on this drawing the lots now sought to be recovered were designated as a public reservation. The decision of the Supreme Court of the State that gave the City Hall Commis- sioners the right to sell the lots could bs overturned if a proper suit ware begun. lawsuit, but a fictitious action begun by interested parties, who had agreed to purchase a portion of the property refused to pay, Commissioners could not give him a clear titl=, “* There was no real contest on the merits of the case, reason, not stand. It is good evidence that the holders of those lots are not sure of their tities that no buildings of any consequence have ever-been erected on the land. “The action of John R. Jarboe, who was undoubtedly the greatest land title ex; shows what he thought of the matter. and when the sale was about to be begun one , and the decision of the courts should, for that A client of his, who holds one of the best of the City Hall lots, asked him to look into the title, as he desired to erect a large building. Jarboe’s answer was: ‘You had better invest your money some place else.’ “It does not seem to me that the city should condemn and buy this property. It is entitled to possession and should take it. Of course those who bought the land, or their heirs, are entitled to receive the money paid for the lots, and perhaps the taxes they have paid, derived from the property might stand as an offset against this.” l‘nrr_v Piper, Deputy County {Clerk: “lLam in favorof the idea, and 1 believe thatit would make this one of the 2 City Hall Commissioners city’s can Justices, who succeeded the , including Yerba Buena in possession of their holdings It never was a genuine n the ground that the City Hall pert of his day, perhaps the incomes they have § s a a | | 3 rs out of possession. Huwever-! obscure the real beauty of the hall. The issuance of bonds is my notion of how to proceed in the matter.” A.S. Baldwin ‘It is not too late to correct the monstrous error which was made twenty-five vears aco, when, upon the plea of ‘economy,’ the City Hall lots were sold. The argument sdvanced by some that the expense will now be too great to acquire the property should not prevent an effort being made in bebalf of the project. Some day it will be. an ac- compiished fact, and the longer it is de- laved the greater will the cost be. Itis claimed by some that a park in front of the City Hall will have a tendency to di- vert business away from Murket street. and that the wulue of property on that thoroughfare beyond Ninth street will be depreciated. I don’t entertain any such idea, and even if it were true I fail to se why the city should be forever Gisgraced in order to support a th-~ory thata few property-owners might suffer a loss. *‘A park in front of the City Hall cer- tainly is not going to drive business away from the city. On the contrary it is fair 1o vresume that such an improvement will help to make San Francisco more at- tractive. and thus increase its popularity as a place of residence and resort. The idea, tuerefore, that we ought not to have a park on Market sireet because business might o down or up some other street is not worthy of serious consideratior. “While we are reviewing the errors of the past, and as there seems Lo be a tendency on the partof the present generation to correct them, why not take up the exten- sion of the park panhandle from Baker street to Van Ness avenue. This scheme would go well in hand with the City Hall ark. 8 Ii is & matter of history that the late Frank McCoppin urged its carrying out when Golden Gate Park was established, but it was defeated upon the piea of ‘economy’. Has it proved to ba economy of a kind beneficial to the city? Perhaps it has in the eyes of some of our citizens; but they beloug to the same class that think the city made a good trade when the lots in front of the City Hall were sold. “To remedy these two errors of the past will cost money andoubied!y. How much, except approximately, I am not prepared to say. Some months ago I looked up the assessed value o: the land improvements included in thirteen blocks between Baker street and Van Ness ayenue and Oak and Fell streets. 3 he total was about $1,600,000, which probably represents about 50 per cent of the ac.ual value. It is saie to assume that the costof the City Hall park and k panhandle extension would involve n outiay of between seven and eight million dollars. Would it be a good in- vestuent for the city and the taxpayers? Beyond a doubt it would, in my humble opinion. If 1am accused of havinz ad- vanced and optimistic views upon the subject of public improverrents it is due to the fact that I am ambitious to see San Francisco made what destiny intends ber to be—one of the wost beautiful cities in the worid.” Alfred D. Miesegaes, draughtsman in the A chief| s ROUNDINGS. I feel impelled to add that it will be a lasting disgrace to the city to erect so large and splendid a pile in the small tract resarved ‘or it, before any improvements are made thereon. in front of the costly edifice now being erected. unsightly obstructions and clear the way for fine views of cathedrals and other architectural monuments. policy of the city in this, as in all other particulars, should look to ourselves and our posterity an advantage of this kind which we can | | s E | | j SSesso! office for thirty years: “Ihe lois| | BEAUTIFUL SUR- r houses that will eventually grow ting the hall on Market street wasa be corrected by repurchesing them The whole space be- sbould belong to the city and be thus making a beautiful esplanade In the great cities of n employed in our times to remove 1t iz an mnexcusable defiance of 1g city to bui.d up obstructions and c hall as if ashamed of it. The v increase the beauty and spacious- only the second in America. 11 influence on public taste and the of a handsome architectural pile It is cheap and mean to deny R22902020202222290292992290292022229292229229. should not have been sold. It isa shame that there are a lot of rookeries to obscure the view. There ought tq be a beautiful Q;;pllanmu aud a fine view of the City | alL’” | [Ex-Sherifl’ C. S. Laumeister; “The buildings oubt to be condemned, 17 possible, without much delay. I bLave | always thought it was a shame that the | ots were sold in the first instance, but the only thing to do now is to repair the dam- age as soon as possible.” Senator J. H. Mahoney: “It is 4 proper movement to ask 1or the return ot the lots to the city. I do not know just how it is 1o be dore, but it is just the thing which ought to be done without de- ay. I favor the project and think THE CALL shows a progressive spirit in quoting the sentiment of the people.” W. E. Lane, plumber, 5035 Kearny Street: | think the old vulidings ought to be torn down by some- body and the whole plat turned into a | beautitul park fit for a city of the charac- | ter of San Francisco. This will also do | Away with a very undesirable class of ten- ants in front of the City Hall.” €. W. Coburn of Coburn & | ‘Tevis: “I veaeve it would be agood tuing, and thai the property should never bave been sold, butany merchant who has money due jrom the city would rather have the bills paid first. That’s the way I teel ubout it.” S. A. McGaw, Manager for Beamish: "l would bea giand thing for the city and well worth the money it would cost.” | S. Meyer, Clothier: “I favor it very mucu, as it will beugreatornament | tothe city. Itis bad to have the City Hali | inclosed by shanties.”’ ¥ K. Beck Ciy Hali 10 W | ‘1t would show off the | zreat effect. I am in favor of J.J. Groom of Groom & Ha~ | za It waus a great nistake (o sell the property. It will be a good thing to make a park there.’’ | S. Grey, Manager Baldwin | Pharmac) t i a disgrace and a | @ viece ol shuri-sightedness on the part of | the authorities that they did not makea | p.rk there in the first place.” would be the grealest 1mprovement | for San Francisco that could be imagined, and would increase the beauty of the city 50 per cent.’”’ Johmn Spillane, Captain of| Police: *'I.is i> a grana 1dea. The land should be cleared and made a park from Larkin street to Jones, along Park avenue. Not only would this be rendered one of the greatest municipal buildings in the world, vut its vaiue would be greatly enhanced.”” Colonel W. P, Sullivan, the Mayor’s Clerk: “We all know tbat” .und should never have been sold in the first place. THE CaLy's| article has increased the price of | that property ar ady. We should not wait too long, but issue bonds, for im- provements might be placed upon the property, thereby enhancing its cost.” Detective H. Reynolds: * The ides shouiu e car.ded out by all means, and bonas issued, in order that posterity should pay its share. THE CALL has shown what an improvement it | would make in excellent styie.”” Marriage Clerk Damnforth: ! ~It would certainly be one of the finest improvements ever made in San Fran- cisco. The sight to Market street pedes- trians weuld be something grand. have often thougnt that 1f some large building were built on that strip of proverty the City Hall would almost be hidden.’ Ben Bohen, Captain of De. tectives: “Tuat it would beautify the City Haulcannot be questioned. Theonly question is whether we millionaires can afford it or not. I bhave suggested that something of the kina be done maty times.” 2. MAl of the Water | Receiving Hospital: “The proposed change wouid make a breathing spot in the heart of the city that is much nesded. I think you will find every medical man in the city in favor ofit.” Assistant Chief Wharfinger W. H. Nolan, Shoe-dealer: "It |~ | sick, and while he was absent his books | | last Friday night. NEW TO-DAY—DRY GOODS. BLACK GOODS | DEPARTMENT. Special Sale OF" IMPORTED BLACK SERGES! so-inch Black English Serge........50¢ Yd. Black English Storm Serge.. (42 iuches wide) .....60c Yd. 47-inch Black English Cheviot Serge.75¢ Yd. Black French Twill Serge...coeee... (44 inches wide)... ......50c Yd. st-inch Black Diagonal Serge.......75¢ Yd. Genuine Black English Twills...... (52 inches wide) e 51 s 48-inch Black Worsted Serge, mohair fnish.ccilal oo i iR 00 Yd. Black Iron-frame Serge........ (50 inches wide)............$1{.25 Yd. 58-inch Black Rainproof Serge...$ (.25 Yd. Genuine English Clay Serges, fast black, 50 and 54 inches wide—$1.00, $1.50 and $2.00 per yard. Extra Heavy Makes. The above goods are especially suited for the present season, and the attention of our customers is directed to this sale. SEE OUR WINDOW DISPI.AY. (777777 ¥4 1892, S 114, 113, 119, 117, 119, 121 POST Slhead Scott: “The land should never have| been sold, and the soomer it is bought back and laid out as a park the better for the city.”’ E g A GAS-SUFFOCOATION. | William Parr Bullard of 4 Clay Street Fouud Dead in Bed. William Parr Bullard of 2314 Clay street was found” dead in his bed ai half-past 7 o’clock yesterday morning. His wif-, who slept in another room, opened his room door and found the} apartment full of gas. She threw up the) windows, and while her sister, Miss Grace | Evang, ran for a doctorshe attempted to restore ber husband to life, but he had been dead for many hou The body was removed to the Morgue. | Builard up to eight months ago wasa | bookkeeper for Collins & Lyons, teamsters for a lumber company. He was taken | | | were examined and a small shortage ! found in his cash account. For this he | was discharged and was obliged to make | good the shortage. Since that time iie bad been sick and ont of work. Kecently he had been drinkinz heavily, and was drunk when he retired | The stopcock on the | gas fixiures was loose, so that a person | carelessiy turning out the light would be | likely to partly iurn on the gas after the light had been extinguished. For that reason and because the keyhole and other | chinks were not stopped up, it is not be- lieved that Bullard committed suicide | TR g National Guard Election. At an election for first lieutenant of Com- | pany D, First Infantry Regiment, N. G. C., presided over by Major' D. 8. Dorn, judge- | advocate Sccond Brigade, Second Lieutenant Charles G. White was unanimously chosen to | fill the vacancy. The promotion of this young officer has been rapid, he being but five months ago commissioned sccond lieutenant. Corporal Harry F. McGurren was unanimously | chosen to be the new second lieutenant, | Ladies are wearing Calf Shoes with cork inner soles this fall. Ordinary Calf is too stiff— not enough comfort. Qurs is a special make that puts ease and comfort on a par with wear. Like cut in all ¢ afylesii . =: $3-50 '82.50 1.25 1.50 1.25 NN, Sume Calf, but not cork sol soring heels, s1zes 214 Sizes 6108 . N g SOMMER & KAUFMA 28 Kearny St. LAST PRICES AND Special Attractions in Dress Goods. 25c Novelty Plaids. 52-inch Heavy Sco:ch. Plaid.. 58-inch As rakban Cloak- ing tie Mus!in ! 3, size 84-inch Ciay Worsted Serge $2 50 Imported By 58.nch Heavy Cerge .. ... 81, 64-iuch Heavy Storm rerge... 18-inca Sk shade .. . 24-inch Silk Between Sixth NEW TO-DAY-DRY GOODS. OF OUR Slaughter Saleof DryGoods PLEASE EVERY BUYER. Grand Values in Romes- |Startling Cut in Faney Department. 44 Lonsdale and Fruit colors .. 54-inch *wiss Point Lace Cur:ains. s x 11-4 Lamb's Wool fornia Blankets. EZ Parcels Delivered Free in Oakland, Alamesda and Berkeley. Store Open Saturday Evenings Until 10, JAMES M. MORAN & CO., 1009, 1011, 1013 and 1015 Market Street, Near Sixth. Fumniture! Garpets! 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