The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-06
sUTRo ON HIS OFFER.

The Mayor Writes a Strong Letter on Be-
half Of His Site.
At the meeting tonight of the commit
tee on site for the new Affiliated Colleges
there will be reed a strong letter from
Adolph Sutro presenting arguments in
favor OF the acceptance of his munlticent
offer. The letter is addressed also to the
Board of Regents of the University, and IS
PROBABLY intended mainly for them, as
they may do what they please with the de-
cision of the committee, and another bat
tie will undoubtedly be fought before that
body.
1t is generally believed t hat some sort of
und erstanding will be reached, though it
IS not probable that either the Sutro or
Potrero sites Will receive unanimous in
dorsement. A majority of the committee
have already declared their preference for
the Sutro site, but there is feeling among
regents will nullify their action.
The Mayors argument is in part as fol-
lows:
SAN Francisco, Sept. 6, 1895.
To the Regents Of the University of California
and to The Co4itee on the Selection Of Ste for
proper that at this time | should say few
words in regard to the selection of the site for
the Affiliated Colleges of the University of
have offered to the committee one-half of
the original site selected by me several years
ago for the Sutro library, consisting of $3.50
acres-that is, 1902 acres for the college and
1892 for the library.
In making this selection was guided by the
following considerations:
tlrst-Ihls spot is nearly the geographical
center of the City and County of San Francisco,
and as great public library is intended not
only tor the present generation but for many
generations to come we should give due weight
to the probable future center of population.
Second-The site is located within two blocks
south of and near the entrance of Golden Gate
Park proper, on a rising eminence, with mag
n1tlcent outlook over park, ocean, Golden
Gate, the shores of Marin County and the hills
OF Contra Costa. Buildings erected on this spot
viii present prominent landmark, and may
be seen not only by visitors to Golden Gate
Park, but also from ali parts of the western
half of the City.
Third-The front part of this tract forms an
almost level plateau, with hills rising behind
planted with a forest of pines, expresses and
acacias, which will form beautiful dark back
ground for, and in contrast to the buildings
erected thereon; at the same time making it
possible to have lovely terraced walks under
the trees for the benefit OF students and
visitors.
Fourth-There are but three streets south Of
Golden Gate Park running east and west which
can be made available for street-car traffic to
the oeean-H, ana streets. South OF these
Mount Parnassus and range OF hills rise to a
height OF 900 feet for length of three miles,
inaccessible for railroads, until you reach the
Industrial School and the Ocean boulevard
For this reason the three streets between the
park and the library site will be sure to be
utilized for electric or other roads, notwith-
standing the effort now being made 10 have
it appear that there will be no streetcar COM
munications and service in that neighborhood.
Fifth-This locality, forming recess in the
hills, is much sheltered from the westerly
winds and among the trees the climate resem-
bles that OF the warm foothills OF the Coast
Range.
sixth-It is but fifteen minutes ride from
the new City Hall, which is now considered q
central point; the time will come, however,
when this college site will be the center of pop
ulation. The growth OF the City is directly on
this line, and the country to the west thereof,
with its pure ocean air, diminished quantity
OF smoke, dust and bacteria, will rapidly
build up.
lieved by estheJie surroundings, the grandeur
of nature is inspiring and spurs the scholar TO
higher achievements.
Eighth-One of the great inducements for
the selection OF this particular tract
library site was on account OF its topography.
On both the east and west ends, almost to the
line of street (Which should hereafter be
known as "Parnassus avenue, rising hills
project that form an almost perfect protection
against any general confagration reaching
this spot. Many valuable libraries in ancient
and modern times have been destroyed by fire,
and immunity therefrom should be one OF the
first considerations.
The letter goes on. at considerable length,
to describe the magnificent collection of
rare and valuable books which have so far
been gathered TO the number of 100000 for
the Sutro library which will before long
stand across the street from the proposed
site The value of this superb collection OF
scientific and literary treasures to the
future students of the four professional col
leges Il strongly urged, and it will un-
doubtedly be recognized as one OF the
strongest considerations in favor OF the