The San Francisco call., 1895-11-16
MAYOR SUTR0 ASTOUNDED
Annoyed by Doubts Regarding
His Promise Of the :.
Library.
The Colleges Site Graded and His Honor
Ready to Sign Binding Doc. J.:
umentS.

Mayor Sutro says he is astonished that
any question as to the certainty of his
building his library at the Affiliated Col
leges site should have arisen at the meet
ing of the university regents Tuesday.
Further than this, he declared yesterday
that the opposition to the site and ex-
pressed doubts regarding his intentions in
the premises were exceedingly small busi-
ness. and he believed it all came from the
octopus"
"My word is as good as my bond" ex-
claimed the Mayor. "They should GER
tainly know that by this time, for I've
never yet said would do thing and then
failed in keeping my promise"
At the regents meeting the subject of
the ultimate erection of the Sntro library
building near the site for the Affiliated
Colleges was discussed. Governor Budd
was present and said he thought it ould
be a good idea to get an EXPIRE ssion in
writing from Mayor Sutro OF his intention
to build the library, and then in the event
of his death Sutro's heirs would not be
| able to avoid the Mayors present purpose e.
The Governor added that he had the ut
most confidence in the sincerity of Mr..
Sutro's intentions, but he said there was
no telling what heirs might do. 1t was
his impression that an agreement on the
part of the university to erect buildings to
the value of $3.50, 900 on the site, with the
understanding that Mr.. Sutro was to build a
library on an adjoining lot would in itself
form an agreement that could be enforced.
''If they want me to sign anything why
don't they come to me and ask me?' the
Mayor replied. II am ready to sign such
an agreement. What do they want me to
do. any wayf 1 have stated that would
build the library at the colleges site and
as my bond, and they know that but all
the same l stand ready to sign any docu-
ment binding my heirs to carry out my
promise regarding the library. l recog-
nze, of course, that life is something over
which l have no control, and for that
reason shall be glad to sign papers men
toned by the Governor.
Il: have given thirteen acres of land--a
beautiful spot overlooking Golden Gate
Park-have graded the site and covered it
with loan, so that it is ready to build
upon and to be used by the colleges. My
part of the work: is finished. Now let
them-the other parties-do their part"
Travellers on the H-streeJ steamcars,
south of the park, cannot fail to notice a
spot where the hill rising to the heavy
wooded mountain just two blocks further
south has been terraced. The Metropoli
tan electric line power-house stands inn
mediatelv to the east and long sweeping
crescent of eucalyptus and pines fringe the
southerly background. In front is broad
esplanade, level almost-as bowlingIgreen,
extending to Carl and 1 streets, where the
land falls abruptly, showing the freshly
turned sand. All the level space is COW
cred with loam.. This is the picturesque
site which Mayor Sutro has presented to
the University of California to be site for
it's Affiliated Colleges, now scattered
throughout the City. i.
"There is not better site in alT San
Francisco" continued the Mayor. "No
more healthful or accessible spot, and yet
some mall-headed people are doing all in
their power to oppose it and belittle' it.
They come out with claim that $100
taxes are due on it. Is not that mean
small? give million, and some persons
say there is an obstacle because $1O0 taxes
are DUE l doubt if the taxes are even so
much as $100, but what difference does
such paltry sum make, anyhow?
"Ill tell you what's the matter. The
opposition comes from the Southern
Pacific of Observation-Disclosures it comes
from the octopus is at the bottom of it,"
"What is the motive for the fght?'
'tTo harass me, to injure me wherever it
is possible. They are trying their best to
injure me and to injure my road.
"Now, there is the Noe suit. Do YOU
know there is a great deal Behind that that
has never come to light? have been told
by men who know all about it that the oc-
topus is at the bottom of the business.
The suit is based on claim to the San
Miguel ranch. | own 1000 acres of that
land, and still am not made defendant
in the suit. The defendants are mostly q
lot of little owners people who have
picayunish bits of the San Miguel rancho.
Now, there is absolutely no merit in the
claim made against present owners but.
for all that, the suit casts cloud upon the
title to every part and parcel of the ranch.
1t Injuries my title to 1000 acres. This liti-
cation may go on In the courts indefinitely
at least, for very long period-and
through all that time 1 am injured through
my title to the property.
~ cannot. say for certain that the
octopus is back of this, because 1 have no
positive knowledge on the matter, but
from what l have been told / have good
reason to believe that such is the case. It
certainly looks very Queer that I, the
owner of 1000 acres of the San Miguel
ranch, should not have been included
among the defendants in this Noe suit.
"But, again, about the college site and
my promise to build the library there,
am astonished at the Governor that he
should talk like this. Why didn't Cover
nor Budd come to me with a request
for this expression in writing, binding
my heirs to carry out my purpose? Before
talking in this way he might have tried
me. have done nv part, and now if
they wish any more they can come to me
with binding agreements to build my
library. I'm astonished at this talk"