Could Affect Women’s Groups Too : S.F. Studies Sanctions Aimed at Exclusive Men’s Clubs

City officials said Friday that they are considering an ordinance imposing anti-apartheid-like sanctions against corporations that reimburse executives’ expenses at San Francisco’s exclusive men’s clubs.

Under the proposal, the city would refuse to do business with corporations that reimburse executives for expenses such as dues and lunches at clubs that refuse membership based on “race, sex, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.”

A second proposed ordinance being studied here would force men’s clubs to open their doors to women and minorities if they have more than 400 members and serve meals, and if members are reimbursed for club expenses or write off costs for income tax purposes.

Board of Supervisors President Nancy Walker, backed by the San Francisco Women Lawyers Alliance, is calling for the legislation. It is being drafted by City Atty. Louise Renne, former California Women’s Lawyers Assn. president.

‘Simply Outrageous’

“It really makes me very angry,” Renne said of the membership policies. “The idea that a mayor of a major city, whether it be San Francisco or Los Angeles, cannot be invited to an event because of sex or race is just simply outrageous.”

The proposals here are patterned after ordinances in effect in New York and Philadelphia. The measure also is similar to one proposed in Los Angeles.

All-women’s clubs could also be forced to change their membership policies, proponents of the measures acknowledge. However, both proposals are aimed at men’s clubs and come amid increased pressure on private clubs. The state Franchise Tax Board, for instance, proposed earlier this month that members no longer be allowed to write off club expenses.

The measures are certain to be controversial in this home of some of the nation’s most exclusive and snooty men’s clubs, including the Bohemian Club. Among the Bohemian Club’s 2,300 members are President Reagan, Vice President George Bush and executives of many major corporations, including San Francisco-based Chevron, Bechtel and Bank of America.

“We are concerned about it,” said Harry H. Scott, president of the Bohemian Club. “I don’t think the city has the right. It touches on the constitutional issue of free association.”

Any ordinance barring the city from dealing with corporations that reimburse club expenses could affect developers, lawyers and lobbyists who are club members and do business at San Francisco City Hall. Since lawyers, lobbyists and developers contribute heavily to local campaigns, the ordinance may be in for a tough fight.

The Bohemian Club, the Pacific Union Club, Olympic Club and at least four other men’s clubs specifically bar women. The clubs have no written policies against admitting ethnic minorities, although members acknowledge that there are few minorities in their ranks.

Hearings Sought

An aide to Walker said that she plans to ask the board Monday to schedule hearings on the measures. Renne estimated that it will take her a “couple of weeks” to complete the research necessary for the hearings.

Renne said clubs of fewer than 400 members generally are social in nature and can limit their membership as they see fit under the constitutional right of free association.

Proponents contend that the clubs at issue serve business functions because of the social and economic standing of their members. State and federal law prohibits discrimination in businesses.

“The foment for all of this,” Renne said, “is that the fact of the matter is that we know a lot of business is conducted at these clubs. . . . A lot of this (club membership policy) doesn’t make a lot of sense any more.”