The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-30
LATEST OAKLAND NEWS.
ST. Ccess Of the Men Who
Started Waterfront
= Agitation.
NEW POLITICAL FIAsCO.
The Cyclists Protest Has Proved
What Legislation Is
Necessary.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRAvc1sco CALL.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI
9OS Broadway, Sept %.
1hree years ago John L. Davie was
credited with being a mountebank when
he undertook to use for commercial pur-
poses a section of the water front without
asking permission from the powers that
had controlled it since 1852 Undoubtedly
much that Davie did at that time makes
better history uninvestigat,,d and no one
knows this better than the newspaper men
who were handling the water front man.
for the Southern Pscifc papers at the
time. But it must also be borne in mind
that he was dealing with corporation
not given to being over-scrupulous in
matters where its vital interests are con-
cerned. However, Da lie held on and in
augurated the series of actions that cul-
minated yesterday in The entering of a
Se<ree declaring that the railroad COM
pdny has no title to any portion of the
water front except such small pieces as it
may have improved and is using in good
faith. The work commenced by Davie
was taken up by the partisan Council
and pushed through to a finish, but it is
nothing but Just to place the credit where
IT is due.
DsXies line of conduct has made him
mat EFof the city, and the non-partisan
CousSc1Imen were all returned. As their
success rests on common basis, it might
be supposed that there would be marked
harmony IN the city government. A wider
guess was never made. Davie and the nom
partlsans never speak as they pass by, and
the veto of the executive is placed upon
every pet measure of the Council. Such is
politics in Oakland.
last Sundays dog-fght is an enigma to
many Oaklanders, and although the pub
lished list of "those present. created mild
sensation, it is asserted that the unpub-
Iished list would shock the city. The gen.
eral inclination on the part of all concerned
to treat the matter as joke, and the alb
sence of anything resembling vigor IN the
prosecution, are sufficiently apparent to
create suspicion. The first accounts stated
that prominent jurists" were present, but
nothing more definite has yet been made
public, and probably will not be, as dog
lighters are not likely to be troubled by
any questions of conscience regarding who
they say were mot" there.
One humorous incident has come to
light during the week. A well-known
young professional man who was at Mr..
Barthomley'S barn at o'clock last Sun
day morning, rushed down to the Sheriff
Office late IN the day and made g long and
eloquent plea for secrecy. Sheriff White
listened TO the possibility of blighted
future and wlfes broken heart in the
event of publicity, and finally asked the
young man his name. After getting an
Asnswer, the Sheriff looked down his list
md remarked, quietly, ''Y our name wasn't
the list, and SO presume no one saw
Fyou there. However, I'll serve you with
this John Doe warrant, and viii fill in the
name afterward. Sorry can't obIige you,
but we are not squarlng cases Just at this
time" No one would have been any
wiser had not the unfortunate individual
been unable to resist the desire to tell his
friends how he had "given himself away"
The nightly protest against the bicycle
ordinance has proved the necessity for
some kind OF legislation regulating the
rights and duties of eyclers. 1t has also
had the effect of proving, so far as this city
is concerned, just what kind of legislation
is needed. The congested condition of
travel in Oakland, between Fourteenth and
Seventh streets, north and south, and be-
tween Clay and Franklin streets, east and |
west, demands that all reasonable protec-
ton be guaranteed foot passengers. The
present requirements are as unnecessary |
outside these limits as they are imperative |
within them.
People living in San Francisco have no
idea OF the vast amount OF cycling IN Oak |
land, on account of its comparatively |
smooth streets There is not d yard of |
basalt blocks or cobblestones on this size |
of the bay, and, as result, every clerk and |
employe, going to his lunch or making |
collections, or having occasion to travel |
two blocks or more, uses wheel. AT the |
same time there are others who also use |
the streets, and during the middle of the |
day these are, at the present time mostly |
women and children.
The spectacle of half dozen riders do |
ing little scorching on Broadway is |
very common sight, and, as 1t increases, |
accidents Will also increase. "A great deal |
has been said about the injustice of the |
present ordinance, but it is worthy of note |
that up to this not a single club has en- |
tered an official protest. That it requires |
modifying so far as its jurisdiction is con- !
cerned is undenlable, but that 1t is a piece |
of useless legislation is equally untrue. Its |
nature has been misrepresented. Robbed ]
of its Verbiage, it simply requires riders to |
keep off the sidewalk during the daytime;
requires light after sunset, and also re-
qulres rider to give reasonable notice OF
his approach to street crossing. Not |
another thing is asked, and after the pres |
ent desire to make fun of it has ceased and |
its jurisdiction has been modified, l do not |
think any reasonable rider Will desire any |
thing less stringent.
y The usual changes in political offices are |
being made by the Board of Public Works, |
and the usual dissatisfaction is being ex-
pressed by the disappointed ones. All |
kinds of stories are being circulated about |
the promises broken and fulfilled of Com |
missioners Peirsol and Wilson, but it all |
amounts to nothing. The two men would |
not be Oakland politicians if they did not |
make hundred promises for every posi- |
bility of fulfilling one, and having done so |
the ninety and nine should know enough |
to protect their discomfort. The Commits |
sioners are providing for their friends just |
as their predecessors in office did and Just |
as politicians will continue TO do. If there
could be half a dozen chiefs of depart
ments, Miles Doody, Fred Campbell and /
Chief Lawton would all feel safe, but it |
does take some people long time to real
ize that they who live by the sword shall |
die by the sword. Since politics in this
city are in no direction bounded by party |
lines, but are free to ALL no party has
right to expect anything. The present |
rumpus between a handful of disgruntled |
politicians is very far from being schism
in the Republican ranks, as the breeders of /
r ion "a forf cd