The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-25
OAKLAND'S BAD HIGHWAYS,
Comments of the Good Roads
Association of Alameda
County.
"a CITY WITHOUT STREETS"
Representative Men From Various
Sections Discuss the Sit
uatiOn.

The mass-meeting called by the Good
Roads Association of Alameda County to
consider the condition of 0akland's main
streets and devise means for their i'm
provement was held at the Reliance Club
rooms on Tuesday evening and soon devel-
oped into an indignation meeting as the
discussion of the subject progressed.
The gathering was attended by repre-
sentative men from all parts of the coun-
ty, in spite of the counter attractions of
the n. S. G. w. celebration, and the meet
ing was remarkable from the fact that in
addition to the large number of wheelmen
present the business community, as well
as those who drive for pleasure, was largely
represented. Among those present from
outside districts were Louis Hager of Tenn
escal, J. L. Scotchler of Berkeley, p. j..
Keller of Piedmont and P. W. Bellingal of
the Alameda Driving Association. The
business interests of Oakland were repre-
scented by Hugh Hogan, ]. H. Miller and
]. L. Lyon.
The main subject of discussion was the
report of the committee recently appointed
to investigate the condition of the city
thoroughfares. 1t was adopted as a whole
as follows:
To the Good Roads association of Alameda
CouRtu-GENTLE AEN: Your committee, to whom
was referred the question of the necessary re-
pairs on the streets of the city OF Oakland,
would respectfully report
That in the early part of the work we de-
voted some time to looking for the streets that
needed repairs. That thereafter we devoted
ourselves to the far more difficult task OF look
ing for the streets that did not need repairs.
We find that Broadway, from the water front
to Sixteenth street, and Washington, from Sew
PM n EOurtpppfh. thOrOuQllV
good condition, may be accepted as being not
in present need OF repair.
There are also Isolated blocks on some OF the
outlying streets, where travel is light and the
macadam is still in good condition. On the
main thoroughfares, outside OF those men
toned, the paving and matchmaking have
not been done according TO specifications and
are in a condition more or less disgraceful.
We find further that Oakland occupies the
unique position among civilized communities
OF being city without streets. In pursuance
OF niggardly and silurian policy the city has
refused to accept the streets and has lett them
in the status of country roads. There is prob
ably not another civilized community OF its
size in the world where similar state OF
affairs exist.
Under these circumstances your committee
would recommend that certain main thorough
fares be selected and an agitation commenced
to have them put in order, and, when in proper
condition, that the city be urged to accept and
keep them in order thereafter. For this pur-
nose we would recommend Broadway through
out its entire length to the northern limits of
the city, Telegraph avenue, San Pablo avenue
(already accepted), Market, Adeline and
Peralta streets.
These streets connect the various parts OF the
city with the central part OF the city, or with
the thoroughfares leading TO it. Certain cross
streets should be selected, but for the present
one street will suffice, and we would recon-
mend Twelfth street. This street is selected
partly because of its central location and
partly because it is the only thOroughfare
leading out of the city to the east. 1t is also
DaVcment
As n basis for the plan of campaign a brief
synopsis OF the laws that apply may be pre-
scented. Any street or a portion OF street is
forms to certain requirements. These require
ments are that it shall be graded to the official
grade and macndamized in accordance with
the official requirements, which will be given