The morning call., 1895-01-14
A GREATER OAKLAND.
Arguments for the City and
County.
WOMEN SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
Clerical Cyclists Who Use the Wheel
in Calls.
IMPROVED FREE LIBRARY SERVICE.
Sons Of Veterans to Observe Union De.
tenders Day-The Grand Jury
Report and Road Work.
IMPROVED FREE LIBRARY SERVICE.

snaps, aDu 1t is pTOUaUlc tHdt Tue CUtnmlt-
tee of citizens on county division will
formulate some necessary legislation and
make an endeavor to have it passed at the
present session of the Legislature, in con-
formitv with the constitutional amendment
just adopted. The sporadic annexation
movements upon local lines appear to
provoke antagonist, as it is claimed that
they are run so as to eliminate large land
holders. On the other hand. Berkeley and
Alameda are stretching out their borders,
and may take In territory which naturally
belongs to Oakland. While it is not con-
sid cred feasible at present to consolidate
Alameda and Berkeley with Oakland,
many citizens think that, in place of the
costly process of annexation piecemeal,
there should be a consolidation of the por-
tiou of the county north of Elmhurst. east
to the county line and north to the Berke-
ley boundary, excluding Alameda. By such
division the City Council would acquire
exclusive jurisdiction over the incorporated
territory and the Supervisors would be
limited to the outside territory. The mat
ter has been brought before the City
Council by The resolution to constitute
Messrs. NJ. J. Keller. president of the
Board Of Trade; w. G. Palmanteer, vice
president of the Central Bank, and Sam
Bell Mckee, the attorney, board of con-
solidation to formulate a plan fer ere
ating the city and county of Oakland.
This committee will Cooperate with the
committee appointed at citizens mass
meeting at the city hall some months ago
10 confer with some of the eli liens of the
interior of the county. The proposition
as presented by this committee has re-
ceived very favorable consideration
throughout the county. 1t is the idea of
members Of the committee that the city
and county of Oakland allow a proper
tional compensation TO the cutoff portion of
the county for the county buildings which
would serve for certain Of the municipal de-
partments.
V. D. Moody, one of the large taxpayers OF
Oakland, said: II do not think he present
session OF the Legislature should be allowed to
pass Without mis- matter being attended 10. 1t
is one OF the most important propositions now
before the people. Our rate OF taxation would
be cut down one-half by a division of the
county,
G. F. Baker'of Linda Vista terrace remarked:
'I believe city and county government would
be much cheaper 10 the taxpayers, and for that
reason if for no other would be in favor OF it,"
John Nj. English remarked: My experience
OF four months on the Grand jury has con-
WINGED me of the reckless manner in which the
county government Is run. The citizens of
Oakland seem 10 take little thought Of the Su-
pervisors, who expeDd half of the taxes that
they pay. While Oakland stands the bulk OF
the burden of taxation for the city government.
it gets little of the benefit. By a division of
the county we would do away with a dupllca-
ton of officers in the city, aud in the country
the Supervisors would more directly repre- sent
The interests for which they are 10 legislate.
At present some of the Supervisors, judging
from the claims for mileage have Travelled a
distance equal TO a trip around the world"
Henry c. McPike, the attorney, said: I'VE are
being eaten up by taxation. l am decidedly in
favor of division Of the county and The city
aud county of Oakland.
IL =. Emery. large ldQdslOl0er outside the
city expressed himself TO CALL reporter as
follows: II should be glad 10 see city aud
county government formed and should be will
Ing to come in, but do not think that frac.
tiOnal annexation is advisable unless we can
take In an extent OF territory which won Id in
clude he whole area which has community Of
interest"
0. l, Denson, real estate broker, expressed
tins sentiment THE Greater Oakland should
have uniform system OF public improvements
which can only be realized where the develop
ment is under a single government. 1 believe
that consolidation would result in lower rate
of taxation"
L. Chamberlain, who resides in Oakland
township thought that the savings In salaries
would be the strongest argument
The sentiments above quoted are in harmony
with those ent rtained by many of the business
men and taxpayers Of the city.
Reverend Bicyolisss.
The clergymen OF Oakland have In many in
stances become users Of The bicycle as means
Of transportation around the city when making
pastoral calls. They find Them much cheaper
10 keep than horse and buggy and great
wheel were the late Rev. George b. Reiman,
then pastor of the Twentieth-street Baptist
Church, Rev. Ii. II. Rice OF the UDlon-street
Presbyterian Church, Rev. Z. FL. Hobart OF the
First Baptist Church, and Rev. Phillip Graft of
the English Lutheran Church. hey have
used the bicycle in their church work for three
or four years. MIR. Hobart greatly enjoys a
good bicycle race and often attended Y. NJ. c. A.
runs last summer. Among the later converts
10 he use of the wheel are Rev. f. T. Coyle OF
the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. A. Kun
Bush of tn First Baptist Church. Rev. Frank
Hickey of the Second Con eregational Church,
Rev William RAIDER. the popular associate OF
Dr. Mclean. The doctor himself is often seen
mounted on safety, as is also the Rev.
II. V. ROminger Of the Plymoulh.avenue Con-
gregational Church. Several of the Salvation
Army officers use the silent steed, and Pro-
fessors Foster and Lloyd of the Pacific Theo-
logical seminary follow their example. All of
these bcyclists like a smooth surface, and
when the road IS no IN as good condition as the
sidewalk they do not hesitate TO take the la ter.
DIR. kummer believes that the wheel should be
permitted on The sidewalk.
Free Library improvements.
The Free Public Library building, which has
been partially closed for some weeks while
undergoing alterations, will be open in all
departments to-day. Thr alterations mad by
the present Board of Trustees will conduce
largely TO the usefulness of the library and the
convenience OF patrons. The library depart. |
ment has been brought downstairs on the first |
floor and enlarged. The librarians room
workroom and Trustees room are also on this |
floor. The second floor has been set apart for |
reference and study purposes and the cata- |
loguing department The work of cata-
longing the library is now nearly completed ana |
the caTdslips have been put in the Rudolph |
1ndexers for reference. The periodical depaIt- |
ment has been enlarged and all important pub. |
locations coming 10 the branch reading-Tooms |
are now preserved for binding as well as the |
leading daily papers. 1t Is now proposed TO |
establish the district delivery system, including
Inc Dranch readlng-r0oms, as stations I which |
caros may be deposited and books delhere |
In nttlDg up refer nee aud reading room IN |
the library building the Board of Trustees pur- |
pose TO make the library more serviceable to |
Students Despite the best efforts of the TTus |
tees, the present building IS entirely made |
quate TO The purposes of the library, as the |
building Is frame structure, built twenty-five |
years ago. and fisetrap, In which is housed |
over 10000 volumes, some of them very valu- |
able, with records and flies of newspapers and |
magazines which money would not replace.
Women on the Board.
There is a strong sentiment manifesting itself |
Tor representation of women upon the Board |
Of Education OF this city. Many who are not |
classed as suffragists believe that women should
be represented in the board which has in charge |
he education of their children, and the selec- |
ion Of teachers. They point to the fact that |
OF the teachers in the department are
women. aid that Governor Rudd, in view OF the |
increasing interest of women In higher educa-
Ion. has sertOUsty pOnsifereu the aOuniutmanf