The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-19
Mayor DaVie Will Begin a
Movement for Better
Streets.
BEAUT1FY1NG THE SQUARES.
a San Francisco Deaf Mute Ar
rested for nsanity-Railroad
Taxes.

familiar with his office, is mapping out the
policy of his administration and getting
ready for reforms which in his mind are of
vital Importance.
One of his pet schemes for the improve
ment of the city is to put the streets in ex-
cellent condition and keep them so. He
feels that the present condition of some of
the main thoroughfares is a disgrace to
the municipality and he proposes to aid
the association in its efforts to compel the
corporations using the streets to carry out
to the letter the ordinances which are
aimed at the preservation and improve
ment of the streets.
His project for the establishing of we'll
kept parks in the various squares owned
by the city has already taken shape and
Lincoln Square, which was dedicated with
so much ceremony on the anniversary of
Iincoln's birthday, viii soon become a
pleasure ground in which the city may
take pride and which viii attract much
attention. The Mayor explained his
novel plans for enlisting the interest of the
people yesterday.
my method of beautifying our public
squares he said, will not only make
those tracts matters to be proud of, but
will be without expense to the municipal
corporation except for maintenance after
those who have interest in the matter
chance to help the city by contributing
something to beautify the parks. l have
sent out notices TO those whom l know to
be Pubhc-spirited citizens explaining the
plan TO them, and have already had
offers of enough material to make Lincoln
Park as handsome a piece OF property as
any in the country.
Each one will contribute a tree or shrub
to be placed at different parts of the park.
In some conspicuous place in the same
viii be maintained a list Of the different
plants and trees, with the names of the
donors and other PARTICULARS roll of
honor, as it were. This will give each one
who donates a personal interest in the
park and have no doubt that before long
every public square in Oakland will be
similarly arranged.
Another project which 1 shall push
during my incumbency in the Mayors
Office viii be the building OF a seawall
around the city front. There are about
$500 acres of marsh lands which could be
reclaimed by such work, and the value of
these lands would be largely in excess of
the cost of the wall.
with the improved dredging appliances
which are now being used and taking into
consideration the character OF the bottom
to be built on, such a seawal could be con-
structed for 81, 000, 900 or less. The benefits
to be derived by the city would be almost
incalculable.
II believe that should such a project be
placed before the people in the right light
we could raise 100000 in twenty-tOur
hours and enough in a week to complete
the entire structure.
1.-The city could do the work with its own
dredgers, issuing bonds from time to time |
as bonds were needed
Decorating the City.
The contractors to whom the Native |
Sons committees having in charge the |
coming celebration have let the work OF |
decorating the city will begin their work /
to-day, and by tonight the city will be in |
in holiday attire. No efforts are being |
spared to make the parade grand success. /
and in furtheIance OF this object the fol- !
lowing circular was sent out yesterday TO
the business men, signed by Grand Mar
shall T. 2. Robinson and the celebration
committee:
To the Merchants and Citizens Of the Cttv Of
Oakland: We, as representatives OF the Native
Sons OF the Golden West of this city, do hereby
petition you to assist us in making our coming
Celebration credit TO Oakland. We have
Iaoored for several years to get our grand off
GERS to meet here with US, and II was only
owing 10 our hard iabors and rash promises
that we have secured them this year. Now,
that we have done our part in the Interest OF
our city, we deem it only proper that our Cit
liens should come forward with helping
hand. We ask you through this petition TO
agree to close your place Of business on Tues
day, April Is, between the hours OF 10 A. VI.
and P. u. during which our parade will take
place. If IL is impossible for you TO grant the
closing OF your establishment, we do expect
that YOU viii allow many of your employees
as desire to take part with the different organ
izatiOns in our parade to do so without loss TO
themselves.
We further petition you to do all in your
power 10 make the fronts OF your business
houses as attractive looking as it is possible.
Trusting that you will consider that the
q n &c Efafa anti cd IN
some consideration and will act on our re-
quests fayorably, We remain.
Mayor Davie has consented TO do the
honors when the city is handed over to
the natives on Monday evening next, and
will make his address Of welcome from the
portico OF the City Hall.
The following general committee has
been appointed to exercise supervision
over the celebration: Oakland Parlor-Rod
w. Church, L. L. Stone, DR.. J. l.. Mayor,
Judge J. J. Allen and Il. NJ. Gard; Pied |
mont Parlor-G. 7. Lober, II. 3. Belden,
John J. Cronin, Conrad Reuter- and Joseph !
Boquet; Brooklyn Parlor-George S. Hans,
c. f. Cowel, Edward S. Reed, Paul W.
Wuthe and w. 7. Geary.
J. J. Allen, @. Z. Lober, George S. Hans
and Paul w. Wuthe have been appointed
as a special entertainment committee, and
Will arrange many enjoyable trips for the
visitors.
The IRE department. Will nave 1ts place
in the parade, which is expected to be the
finest ever seen in Oakland.
May Go Delinquent.
The Southern Pacific Company yester-
day paid into the Tax Collectors office
1861 81 as the second installment of its
taxes for 1895, but neglected to pay in
about $4,000 more which the city claims
and which may become bone Of conten-
ton after the 18th inst, when the tax be-
comes delinquent.
Some time ago the City Council, sitting
as Board of Equalization, raised the as
sessed value of Central Pacific property at |
West Oakland from 5000, 400 to $551, 600. AT |
the same time the Southern Pacific Com
pany and waterfront company were |
raised from $123 $50 to $805, 900
The corporation rendered the amount !
which would have been due on the valua-
ton before the Council made the raise, but |
the Tax Collector refused to accept, and
the company will probably let 1t 20 delin-
quent. When the time comes for the de-
linquent sale the company is expected to
get out an injunction against the CITY. for
bidding the sale on the ground that the
Council had no right to sit as a Board of
Equalization. In this event the taxes
may be tied up for an indefinite period