San Francisco Call, Volume 99, Number 23, 23 December 1905 — PARK AFFAIRS ARE DISCUSSED [ARTICLE]

PARK AFFAIRS ARE DISCUSSED

Commissioners Offer Reward for Arrest of Marauders Who Are Killing Seals

UGLY SIGNS MUST GO

Tnistees of Monument to California Volunteers Ask That a Site Be Designated

At the meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners/ : room 1000, . Palace Hotel, yesterday afternoon,, a letter from James D. Phelan. W. J. Martin ana 11. H. de Young, relative to the selection of a site for the monument to commemorate the service* of the California Volunteers In the Philippines was discussed. The memorial is an equestrian group by the well-known sculptor, Douglas Tilden. The trustees, who have authorized an expenditure of $25,000 for the monument, favor a site at the intersection of Market street and Van Ness avenue. The president of the board, A. B. Spreckels, and Commissioners R. H. Lloyd, W. J. Dingee. "W. H. Metson and Earl Cummings exchanged views on the subject. It was noted that the panhandle if extended would touch Market street at Van Ness avenue. The board decided, to refer the letter to Earl Cummings, artist member of the board, for report at the next meeting. It is expected that his report will contain data respecting the area of ground which the base of the group will occupy, and also the height of the monument.

In a communication R. P. Schwerin advised the board that six cases of Japanese wood carvings were at the Luxor ready for unpacking and transfer to the Park Museum. tVAXT APPROPRI ATIO2V.

Albert Snyder, chairman of the garden committee of the California College of Pharmacy, informed the board that the college authorities intended to ask the Legislature for an appropriation for a botanical garden. The suggestion was made that the fund might be administered by the Park Board. The Commissioners were not enthusiastic over the proposition. The subject was referred to Commissioner Metson.

C. VT. Conlisk, secretary of the Hotaling Estate Company, Informed the board in a written communication that efforts were under way to remove the signs facing the ocean boulevard. Inquiries developed a statement that' a contract existing between an outdoor advertising concern and the Hotallng estate would expire within two months. After considerable discussion the Commissioners directed Superintendent McLaren to lay out sidewalks and protective lattice on the park line of the Great Highway from the park line to the foot-of-the Cliff House hill. The unsightly Blgns, If not removed, may be obscured. Report was made to the Commissioners that fishermen in a boat were again firing on the seals that inhabit Seal Rocks. Thursday morning eight seals, were killed and many wounded. The firing was renewed yesterday morning and several seals were slain: A motion that a reward of $200 be offered for the arrest of seal killers was carried by unanimous consent.

PICTURE AS GIFT.

Commissioner Lloyd announced that a picture of Lake Nicaragua, painted by Norton Bush, was one of the latest gifts to the Park Museum. Norton Bush, deceased, was one of the best known artists in California. He went to Central America on -a mission for W. C. Ralston and during the journey loitered at the lake and painted the picture, which recently came into the possession of David Bush. The latter was about to present it to one of the leading clubs of the city when Commissioner Lloyd directed his attention, to the distinction which the paintinp would confer on the museum, so that which was slated for the club went to the park. The Commissioners would be pleased if other meritorlbus examples of the work of California artists were tendered to the museum. The board gave a vote- of thanks to David Bush. Mention was made of the will of E. Walter, in which the gift of a valuable collection of pictures is made to the Art Museum. The sum of $50,000 is also given for the 'construction of a room wherein the Walter collection may be placed. Furthermore, an additional sum of $-0,000 is set aside for investment, the income to go to a son of the testator, provided the son will take charge of the collection. The Commissioners are sure that the late Mr. Walter had the Park Museum in mind when he made his will in favor of tha Art Museum of San Francisco.

The largest tusk in the world, the tusk of some tremendous , mastodon of Alaska, Is now, the property of the museum. Lipman Sachs gave the specimen to the park.