Prohibit Heavy Cornices and Brackets
The Board of Supervisors has the power to say in what part of the city frame buildings shall not be erected; also to prescribe the thickness of walls of brick buildings. This power is granted them in order that they may provide for the safety of life and property. For the same reason, the Board has the right to prescribe the height of brick walls, and to prohibit the use of heavy cornices, plaster brackets, and the like.
It is essential to the safety
of life and property that the Board should exercise its power in the
premises, and enact an ordinance forbidding the erection of buildings with
walls more than thirty-
One badly built house may fall during a shake, and kill several people. The accounts of the disaster spread abroad will tend to create doubts and fears of the safety of property and life in this city, and thus keep down the value of real estate.
The good name of the city, then, as well as property interests, and regard for human life, demand that the Board of Supervisors should exert their authority sufficient to compel the erection of buildings which will prove safe in the event of any earthquakes which are likely to visit the city.
Moreover, the supervisors should appoint competent men to examine the buildings of the city, and see which are in an unsafe condition, and order all those which are rickety to be pulled down immediately.
San Francisco Daily Morning Call
Friday, October 23, 1868
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