The morning call., 1895-01-21
ALAMEDA ROADS.
They Are in Bad Condition and Need
Attention.

Ih6y are IN BAD COn01t1On ana Need
Attention.
The roads in the southwestern part OF
Alameda County in the neighborhood OF
Alvarado are in a most dreadful condition.
Nearly, If not quite, $4,000 has been spent
this last summer in putting them in repair,
and hardly a vestage of the work remains.
As the sugar-mill and the new Oakland
Water Company's works are both located
in or near Alvarado an immense amount
of heavy teaming for the past four months
had cut the roads up so badly that they
we're in prime condition to be washed away
by the heavy foods which the continuous
storms Of the past month have sent TO the
busy little town. Alameda Creek which
is fed by dozen or more good-siZed tribu-
taries, flows from Niles Canyon through
the valley, having its outlet into the bay,
near Alyarado. The lowlands thereabout
are as rich as any IN the county, and have
been cultivated longer than any other in
the State.
The first wheatfields were sown wav
back in 1867 and the first fiourmil. now
fallen to decay, was built on the banks of
Alameda and the ambitious little town
was called Union City. Later. as the
wheathelds grew, the old Vallejo mill was
built at the mouth of the CANYON and quite
an agricultural prosperity made the valley
that had for half a century fed the flocks
Of the old padres of Mission San Jose well
known to the merchants OF the young citv
of San Francisco.
The great body OF water, which must
have an outlet. overaows its banks nearly
every winter and boats are quite a con-
Ven1ent means OF communication to the
people who find it profitable to make their
homes there. The best of winter potatoes.
onions and other vegetables are raised on
this river bottom land, and no better land
can be found in the State for sugar-beets.
fully 1000 acres being planted yearly.
The value of the land taxed in this part
of the county amounts to many times the
hundred-thousand dollar mark, vet the
roads are yearly repaired, or remade-flled
in with earth and a little gravel, TO be
washed away again the coming season.
It has been estimated by those in a posi-
ton to know, that the amount Of the road
tax paid for the past five years in this section
would have been ample to have made a
substantial road, with culverts and proper
drainage that would be permanent. People
who own property in this section and who
must travel the roads, are becoming
thoroughly aroused at the mismanagement
OF the Supervisors in this important par
ticular What can be thought of the fol-
lowing statement, published last week in
one Of the county papers: That without
the scratch of q pen" contracts for road
work have been let by the Supervisors OF
this county for amounts as high as 5000
II our county representative, D. ".
Martin, who has just been appointed by
Governor Budd as a member OF the 'Good
roads convention" to meet in Sacramento
February Z, viii take a days journey TO
this end of the county before that date he
may add to whatever data he may now
possess in favor of making permanent
roads part of the scheme for improving
private property.
There is no lack of good matchmaking
gravel IN the county. In fact, there are