The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-13

strip of road for the use OF cyclists exclusively
and another strip for pedestrians.
The road could be bordered on each slde
with handsome trees, and considering the
beautiful country traYersed l do not mink
there would be a handsomer boulevard IN the
world
It would recall the good OLD times when
scores upon scores Of carriages crossed the
ferry every Saturday, sunday and holiday ana
drove out through Oakland into the surround
ing country. We had good roads then anu
people appreciated them, but now the roads
are so poor that even Oakland people Will not
use them let alone plessure-seekers who nave
TO cross the bay 10 drive.
] b Crockett of the San Francisco Gas Com
pany was over to see me day or two ago, ana
he said that such g boulevard would bring the
Icople over from San Francisco in crowds. lie
stated that he had formerly driven great deal
in Alameda County, but had been compelled
TO go elsewhere by the increasing dllapldalon
OF the roadways
the methods by which the money could De
raised have not consulted much with those
interested, but l have no doubt that when the
people who are to be benefited are shown the
advantages 10 be gained they VIII come Tor
ward readily and push the scheme along.
OF course the cost viii be large, for such
road would contain 8 44S 600 square feet or
93S, 666 square yards of surface, but on such
big job the contract price per yard would be
small. The materials would not have TO be
hauled any great distance, for good quarrles
could be opened all along the route.
There are two ways by which the money
could be raised. The first would be to tax the
people owning property on each side OF the
road so much per front foot This might raise
some opposition Oh the ground that the people
Immediately along the road would be paying
for something which would be for the benefit
OF the larger portion OF the county,
: These objections could be overcome by the
second method which would be TO consolidate
the entire country 10 be benefited into one i'm
mense district, and taxing each property
holder in that district according 10 the amount
he would be benefited by the building OF the
boulevard. There could be few objections TO
share and the pro rata would be comparatively
small
AN these matters will doubtless be discussed
before the meeting of the association on the
Odd inst and ! have no doubt many other
valuable ideas viii be advanced which we may
be able to take advantage of in the future.
Could we manage to build suen q driveway
1t would be but few years before 1t would be
lined on each side by handsome residences
People who can afford their own teams would
be glad of the chance TO build on the line of
the boulevard, and such Improvements would
OF course greatly enhance the value OF the sur
rounding property.
The larger portion of the expense would, of
course, have to be borne by residents OF Ala
media County, as the line between Alameda
and Santa Clara counties Is much nearer to
San Jose than to Oakland, but have no doubt
that Santa Clara County people would gladly
contribute their share.
The association is making rapid strides in
many ways, particularly in membership, and
before long we hope to have enrolled large
number of citizens who will aid us not only in
making the boulevard plan go, but IN i'm
proving the streets of this town. Not great
many years ago Oakland was famous LOT her
drives and handsome streets, but that is all
past now, and unless better care is taken OF
mem, even the few roads that are now in good
repair viii follow the rest.