The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-05
LATEST OAKLAND NEWS,
Two Ways of VaIuing Fran
Chises Shown to the Board
of Supervisors.
DEATH OF DIR. PINKERTON.
Mr.. Bassett Takes Advantage of the
Supreme Opportunity of
His Life.

upon franchises by individuals or cor
porations when applying for them ana
when pleading for reduced assessments
Last Tuesday the Supervisors received blds
, for franchise from Fruitvale to Liver
more. Two bids were received and after
their contents were made known the lower
of the bidders Immediately expressed
desire to go higher than his competitor.
His offer was illegal, but he was not fully
persuaded until a sharp fight had oeen
made.
The franchise was evidently OF great
value, and two men representing money 10
build the thirty miles OF road and equip IT,
were anxious to obtain 1t. The lucky
man, E. P. Vandercook, offered to put ana
maintain powerful electric lights along
the route, TO light and heat the County
Courthouse and supply the engine for so
doing, to pay the cost OF all the official adj
vertising and after the road is III operation
to paw 4 OF per cent of the gross income
of the road. A D. Thompson, who was
accompanied by a young millionaire, Of
fered to pay per cent of the gross income
OF the road, and after Vandercook's bid
was opened, offered to do all that he (Van-
dercook) offered and pay the per cent in
addition.
Mr.. Thompson and his rich friend were
manifestIy disappointed when they were
left out.
The other view of the matter was pre-
scented to the same Board of Supervisors,
sitting as Board of Equalization, and by
the same class of people-street railroad
magnates. This time the franchise gentle
men were anxious TO show the board how
thoroughly useless is anything so in
r Nay al II fro n
chise. Assessor Dalton was mistaken, they
said; he had assessed something that did
not exist. The roads are earning nothing;
and so Of what value is a detested fran
chise? Anybody could use the streets; they
did not own the roadbed, although they
ballasted it, and as finale they all cried
in chorus What, and of what use, is
franchise anyhowY'-a question which
they answered themselves in the same
room.
The Merchants Exchange of Oakland
held a meeting last Monday night and
discussed several important measures.
But the most important and the most
significant feature of the session was the
lamentable fact that the call to order was
one hour late, and all for want of a
quorum. There is a pressing need at this
time for progressive and aggressive work
on the part of the merchants of Oakland.
There has never been a time when the
merchants of a growing city we're saddled
with a greater responsibility. New cleo
trio roads are being built to all parts OF
the county; coal fields are being developed
at Livermore; the recent water front deci-
sion is directing the eyes of capitalists to
this city; the overthrow of the old political
mani pulators has brought the railroad to
its knees and inspired confidence in COM
mercial circles; the building of private
wharves along the estuary possesses
a significance of its own; the in
corporation of a wealthy company to
work the oil and gas deposits to the imme-
date north of Alameda County was made
public Saturday, and in the near future
much-needed municipal improvements
must, of necessity, be undertaken. All
these matters are of vital interest to a
properly conducted Merchants Exchange.
The responsibility rests with it of guiding
every dollar of capital possible toward this
city and county. The field for influential
and speedy action is unlimited, and among
the members there is ability and deter
mination, and capital enough to bring to
successful issue whatever may be under
taken. But dormant power will avail
nothing, if enough interest be not taken in
their own welfare to insure the attendance
of quorum when special matter is I'M
der discussion.
Councilman J. NJ. Bassett of Oakland,
who was once in the employ of G. P.
Huntington, was the happiest man in two
counties yesterday. The previous evening
the opportunity came for which he has
been looking since he drew his last check
on the Southern Pacific. Attorney G. w.
Baker was in the Council chamber plead
ing for big reductions in the assessments
OF the company's property in Alameda
County. His remarks were frequently
interrupted by the Populist Councilman,
who interjected such remarks as That's
an old story, Baker" "We've heard that
for years, " or Eyes, the company is in
bad way" Baker earned his fee, but soon
realized he was not talking to Board of
Supervisors cowed by the presence of Mr..
Morehouse. the San Leandro banker, and
he mixed threats and pleadings together
in a very happy way. When he was
through Bassett looked at the clock. 1t
was I0:43 P. NJ, August 8, 1895. The Coun-
cilman's supreme moment had come.
Through, Baker?' he asked.
ayes"
"Then I'll begin,' said Bassett.
Chow many petitions did the Southern
Pacific and allied corporations send 'in2'
he asked.
"Seven," said the clerk.
Then / move that the seven petitions
of the railroad company be denied and the
assessment stand" said Bassett. He was
required to accommodate his motion to
each petition, but Bassett was happy. The
Council was unanimous on every PROPOSE
tion and the defeat of the Alvira and
Rosalie was avenged.
1t is almost safe to say that there will be
no immediate change in the Oak land Fire
Department. This is not due to the fact
that there is no influence being brought to
bear on the two Commissioners who vir-
tually constitute the board, but it is due to
the circumstance that Chief Lawton has
done his full duty. 1t is further the re-
suit of honesty on the part of the Commits
sioners. They have found no fault in him
and are too manly to trump up charges
that would satisfy" them, but which
would be baseless. This will be poor con-
ISOLATION to those who are after the job but
the position is refreshing and a novelty.
STUART w. Booth.
Death of DIR. Pinkerton.
III n. L =