The morning call., 1894-01-17
THE OPPOSITION.
Meeting in Favor of the
Borax Kings Scheme.
Thirty Thousand Guaranteed by
Twenty r1en to Further the
Scheme for New Ferry.

There was a meeting at the Board OF Trade
rooms in Oakland yesterday afternoon of mole
than usual signitic nee.
There was a large representation OF Oak
lands best citizens and the meeting was very
enthusiastic.
II was the first public meeting held to for
ward the move looking 10 the raising OF a
bonus by The citizens 10 help along the opposi-
tion ferry scheme inaugurated by F. NJ. Smith,
the capitalist aud "borax king" who has so
long kept the people on the tiptoe of eXpecta-
tion with his numerous railroad schemes. and
who has thought enough or them TO sink many
thousands in them.
NJ. j. Keller. president OF the Board of
Trade, was chosen president OF the meeting,
Whlle j. w. Nelson was elected secretary
The following statement was gotten up by
committee appointed for the purpose TO be sub
mltted 10 the people:
The undersigned committee desire 10 submit to
the citizens OF Oakland and vicinity the claims of
the Oakland and San Francisco Terminal Com
pany
The committee is aware that similar calls have
been frequent. each one with some special claims
to urgency and advantage Undismaved how
ever. by the history of past efforts and past fail
ures, the simple facts IN the caSe-which can be
set forth in fe W words-abundantiy warrant one
more earnest appeal TO our fe!low-ci zens
The people OF Oakland and Alameda County are
invited to subscribe the capital stock OF the Oak
land and San FRANCISCO Terminal Company TO the
amount OF $225.000. upon a guaranty that the
following work shall be accomplished within one
year;
Complete wharf from the west shore OF the
water front of Oakland to deep water directly
anu anu equip Two iast steam ferry-boats to
ply between such wharf and san Fran
clscoi extend and perfect the present electric
street railroad system now controlled by you, in
order TO render the ferry and streetcar traffic
mutually beneficial put In operation system Of
direct transfers from the ferry steamers to
electric-cars; extend the California and Nevada
Railroad TO Walnut Creek, broad-gauge the whole
road, equip and operate the same ia connection
with Salu Terry and streetcar lines
he committee earnestly urge that this amount
be subscribed. for the following sufficient reasons
First-It is not a donation. but a good paying in
vestment: The Terminal Company in their pros
pectus. show that the passenger traric alone
which may confidently be relied upon-based on
very conservative estfmates-wlll yield revenue
OF 10 per cent per annum upon the total capitaI
OF the company. and this is without any reference
TO other and profitable sources OF revenue.
Second-lhe present is a favorable opportunity
for constructive improvements Material is
cheaper tnan ever before and tue demands OF
unemployed labor are such that in furnishing
EN- ploy ment the people or oakland VIII be
extending more than charity, substantial and
healthful aid 10 those who are IN need.
Third-Unlike many other propositions this
comes from a strictly local Company. at whose
head Is citizen of weli-known public spirit
offered 10 the inspection OF the committee afford
satisfactory assurance of ability the part OF
the Terminal Company 10 carry out its part of
the contract.
Fourth-The enterprise commends itself pecu-
narly TO the property-ownerS this SIDE OF the bay
IN the fact that II Is IN the line of the popular
victon the future necessities OF the CITY ana
county, aud directly In the pathway OF every local
improvement in progress, as well OF the general
growth OF the east side o. the bay.
Ffth-It means increase OF population and
consequent Increased trahc for every business
house ana every manufacturing enterprise in the
city, and an immediate ana important increase in
the value of landed property in all parts of the
city.
Sixth-It is in no sectional or district"
Improvement, but commands attention from own
ers ana residents OF every section OF tue city and
vicinity
Seventh-By means OF the Fortieth Sixteenth.
Thirteenth, IWeiftl and Eighth 1
the new ferry viii place the resident regions OF
the city and suburbs within easy reach of san
Francisco.
Eghth-It brings into immediate competition
with less available and less accessible San ran
cisco property a large of valuable suburban
territory, the Improvement and settlement OF
"hich means adued Wea In 10 the city OF Oakland
and all its Industries and interests.
Ninth-lt is most significant that all the prepar-
atory steps leading up to this anal enterprise. and
all the improvements lar insugurated. are IN
the line OF sure success, and have inspired conf
dence on the part of citizens and capitalists.
1eDth-The future possibilities to commerce in
the Inauguration of warehouse system and To
manufacturing industries by the opening up of
available sites for factories are beyond estimate
In value to the city.
Eeventh-The completion of the California and
Nevada Railroad to Walnut Creek a long de.
ferred consummatlon, opens still larger area OF
territory in the sister county OF Contra Costa. as
tributary, not only TO the ferry system, but the
city of Oakland veil, since the occupation and
cultivation OF unsettled territory iusures larger
addition 10 our market supplies and TO our mer-
camille traffc.
Twelfth-Finally. the California and Nevada
ana the Terry system. fairly inaugurated, to
transcontinenta4 connections facilities which
will greatly hasten that to which we have all
looked forward eagerly and hopefuily-yiZ. an
overland competitive line.
subscription OF S225. 900 is not large for OAK
land and Alameda counties. IL means only 81 10
each 500 of assessed valuation In the CITY
Is One-half of ! per cent high estimate for the
increase la taxable values and as the result the
Improvement contemplated?
We have iu the city 225 miles OF streets Is
$1,000 large sum for over ten thousand feet OF
frontage? Who can deny that the accomplish
ment OF these purposes will add cents per
front foot to the value OF city lots?
Outside the city limits II may be fairly esti-
mated that 5000 acres OF land will be directly and
favorably affected by the completion of the Cali
fornis and Nevada Railroad and the ferry sys-
Is 81 so high estimate OF the Increased value
OF that property?
1t is not question OF whether :he property
owners on this side of the bay can afford 10 take
this stock; 1t is rather they afford that the op-
portunIty now presented shall pass unimproved
1t is idle to assume that such opportunities win
enterpriSing people.
oaklands golden opportunity Is now before
you. II embraced no sound mind can question
tn favora BILE If we let it pass no one can
tell when 1t msy again be presented.
AT the meeting fully $50, 600 was guaranteed
by wenty citizens In amounts varying from
$4,000 10 $50. j. 5. Emery is the man who
stated be would give $4,000. 1t is also stated
that j. L. McElrath will give like amount
George G Baker said that already there was
fully $4,000 IN sight.
a petition to accompany the subscription list
has also been drafted
The following will have the matter of raising
subscriptions In hand: NJ. J. Keller G. G.
NordhauseD, e. A. Bailey j. w Nelson. w.
q. Palmeteer, q. q. Baker, j. ID. Johnson w
f. Barnard. +. A. Leach, j. L. McElrath, j, S.
Emery }. i. Barker, George A Norton. Fl. G.
Miner, Il. McFadden, George Gray, and others
The next meeting of the committee having
the matter In hand VIII be held on Saturday
next at the Board of Trade rooms.